Thunder Ranch

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Thunder Ranch is a firearms training school located in Lakeview, Oregon.

It operates several lead free ranges. Thunder Ranch is owned and operated by Clint and Heidi Smith and has been in existence since 1993. Originally in Mountain Home Texas, Thunder Ranch moved to Oregon in late 2004. Various firearms training is offered to include pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun and its most famous course, Urban Rifle.

Clint Smith is a former US Marine who served two tours of duty in Vietnam and received the Purple Heart for injuries received in combat. He is a former police officer and operations officer for the American Pistol Institute when operated by Col. Jeff Cooper who is considered the father of modern pistolcraft. He is a contributing editor to various firearm publications to include American Handgunner, American COP, Guns and SWAT magazine among others.

Several well-known firearm makers have consulted with Smith to develop fighting handguns and rifles. Currently Les Baer Firearms offer several versions of the model 1911 .45ACP called the Thunder Ranch Special and a customized version of the AR15 .223 rifle. Smith and Wesson offers two revolvers under the Thunder Ranch Revolver moniker to include the model 21 .44 Special and the model 22 .45ACP.

The training philosophy at Thunder Ranch includes firearms safety and a logical approach to tactics. Typically a student may expend nearly a thousand rounds of ammunition for a three-day course. Courses are open to civilians, law enforcement and the military. Class size is normally limited to 10 students and private classes are available. The ranges include a large "square" range with both stationary and moving targets, a shoot house and the famous "Terminator" which is used to train students in clearing a building and shooting in varying low light conditions. Fighting with a hand-held flashlight and shooting while moving and from the ground is big part of the training.

Thunder Ranch has trained approximately 12,000 students. Proof of no criminal convictions is required to attend.