My friend group and I were never phenomenal riders, but we loved the sport and lived for it.

The three-day symposium requires a Gunsite Marksman 1 Level graduate of 350 (or 499) or above.

Additionally, the Wilson 55 drill is run, requiring a score of 40 or better.

Rob Leatham is pictured on the shooting range at Gunsite Academy, expertly demonstrating proper shooting techniques with a Springfield Armory pistol. His posture reflects a solid shooting stance, with a firm grip on the firearm and full focus on the target. The pistol’s sleek design is prominently visible as he fires a shot. The range is surrounded by rugged desert terrain, and steel targets are placed in the background. This photo captures a moment of precision and skill, illustrating Rob’s teaching prowess and his emphasis on accuracy and control.

Legendary competitor and instructor Rob Leatham demonstrates proper technique and stance with a Springfield Armory Prodigy Comp pistol during an advanced training session at Gunsite.

Clearly, this is a demanding class.

When I first got the call for the class, I was exhilarated, but a little self-conscious.

Do I have what it takes to attend this class?.

The author is captured on the Gunsite Academy shooting range, firing a Springfield Armory Echelon pistol as part of an advanced training class. Their shooting stance is firm and focused, with both hands gripping the pistol and their eyes locked on the target. The black-and-gray Echelon pistol stands out against the natural outdoor backdrop of the range, which features steel targets and rugged desert terrain. This image conveys the intensity and practical application of the skills being developed during the class, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and proper technique.

During the Performance Pistol Symposium, the author puts the Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F Comp pistol to the test, refining his technique under challenging conditions.

I jumped at the opportunity to shake off some of the rust.

Its worth noting that this class is a slight departure from Gunsites traditional structure of defensive gunfighting.

Rob Leatham has forgotten more about shooting than I will likely ever know.

A Springfield Armory Echelon pistol, as used by the author in the training class, is displayed with several custom accessories. The pistol features an A.C.E. grip module by Icarus Precision, constructed from billet 7075 aluminum with aggressive texture and enhanced ergonomics for superior handling. A PRP trigger kit reduces the trigger pull to 3.5 lbs, improving responsiveness. An EOTech EFLX Mini Red Dot is mounted, offering a large, distortion-free field of view for faster target acquisition. This setup showcases the pistol’s optimized performance for speed and accuracy, reflecting the author’s focus on advanced shooting techniques.

Equipped with an Icarus Precision A.C.E. grip module, the author’s Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F Comp pistol was optimized for speed, accuracy, and control during the advanced training course.

To him its as natural as breathing.

Not only is he an exceptional shooter, but he is also the best instructor I have seen.

He doesnt explain to you every detail or set you up for gotcha training.

Rob Leatham, an experienced professional shooter and instructor, is pictured providing one-on-one coaching to a student on the Gunsite Academy shooting range. The student stands in a firing stance, gripping a pistol, while Rob observes closely, offering detailed feedback and guidance. The interaction demonstrates Rob’s hands-on teaching approach, focusing on improving accuracy, speed, and technique. The outdoor range features sandy terrain and steel targets in the background, creating a practical and focused training environment. This image highlights the value of personalized instruction in developing advanced shooting skills.

Rob Leatham works closely with a student during the Performance Pistol Symposium, providing personalized guidance to refine shooting technique and accuracy.

He has no illusions of quick fixes or tips to solve all your problems.

Shooting is a perishable skill, and to perform it requires much of you.

And, Rob required much of us.

The EOTech EFLX Mini Red Dot optic is shown securely mounted on the slide of a Springfield Armory Echelon pistol. The optic features a large rectangular viewing window, providing a clear and unobstructed field of view. Its top-loading battery design is visible, showcasing the convenience of maintenance without dismounting. The rugged construction of the EFLX aligns seamlessly with the pistol’s modern design, emphasizing durability and precision. This setup demonstrates the importance of reliable optics in enhancing speed and accuracy for advanced shooting applications.

Mounted on the Echelon pistol, the EOTech EFLX optic offers a large, distortion-free window for fast target acquisition and improved performance.

Robs teaching companion Travis McCamish is a testament to Robs skill in developing shooters.

Travis is someone to remember and follow his career.

His drive, knowledge and skill level are nearly unmatched.

A student is captured mid-shoot on the Gunsite Academy range, firing a Springfield Armory Echelon pistol as part of an advanced shooting class. The student’s stance is steady, demonstrating focus and discipline while gripping the firearm. The pistol’s ergonomic design and precision are emphasized in this action shot. The backdrop includes steel targets and rugged terrain typical of Gunsite’s outdoor range. This photo highlights the hands-on training and practical skill development central to the Performance Pistol Symposium.

A student practices advanced shooting techniques with the Springfield Armory Echelon pistol during the Performance Pistol Symposium at Gunsite.

The feedback was immediate.

It created an environment for testing, pushing and learning.

The Performance Pistol class reminded me of how elite athletes might train to become 5-10% better.

The author is shown on the Gunsite Academy range firing a Springfield Armory Echelon pistol, equipped with custom accessories detailed in the article. The A.C.E. grip module from Icarus Precision features aggressive texture and ergonomic enhancements for improved handling. A PRP trigger kit ensures a lighter, more responsive pull, while the EOTech EFLX Mini Red Dot optic provides a clear and expansive field of view for fast target acquisition. The author maintains a steady shooting stance, illustrating the benefits of the performance upgrades. The surrounding desert terrain and steel targets underscore the practical and challenging training environment.

Demonstrating precision and control, the author puts his customized Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F Comp to the test on the Gunsite range.

The class wasnt going over the basics of drawing, grip, stance, etc.

My Ride

For the class, I decided to run my Echelon 4.5F Comp pistol.

But you know me, I cant help but tinker and modify.

A paper target from the Gunsite Academy range is shown after a day of shooting during the Performance Pistol Symposium. The target features several tightly grouped bullet holes, demonstrating significant improvement in accuracy and consistency. The central scoring zones are heavily marked, reflecting successful hits during drills. This image highlights the effectiveness of the advanced training exercises and the personalized coaching provided by the instructors. The target’s clean design and clear scoring areas emphasize the measurable progress made by participants in speed and precision shooting.

This target from the author’s Wilson Combat 5×5 Drill run, illustrates the progress achieved through intensive training and expert instruction.

My goal was to build the ultimate performance version of the Echelon Comp for this class.

For the grip module, I used the A.C.E.

is made from billet 7075 aluminum with an aggressive 360-degree grip texture.

The author stands beside Rob Leatham, a renowned professional shooter and instructor, at the end of the Performance Pistol Symposium at Gunsite Academy. Both are smiling, reflecting the camaraderie and accomplishments achieved during the class. The author holds his Springfield Armory Echelon pistol, highlighting the tools and techniques practiced throughout the training. The setting includes the outdoor shooting range with desert terrain in the background, symbolizing the practical and immersive environment of the course. This photo captures the mutual respect and positive atmosphere of the advanced training experience.

The author stands alongside Rob Leatham after the Performance Pistol Symposium, marking the end of an intensive yet rewarding training experience.

The heavier weight of the frame and the great ergonomics made the Echelon 4.5F Comp feel like cheating.

When Rob Leatham shot my pistol, he laughed and said, this pistol doesnt even move!.

Its incredibly flat shooting and easy to control.

Gunsite Performance Pistol Symposium

The EFLX is durable and easy to zero, and swapping batteries is easy due to its top-loading design.

The optic was rock steady.

For my holster, I went with QVO Tactical, and I am so glad that I did.

Echelon™ Comp 4.5F

Their responsiveness and customer service are second to none.

They whipped up the holster with a multicam black fabric wrap and shipped it to my door.

Dialing in the perfect retention was simple and intuitive, and the holster looks great while protecting the pistol.

Icarus Precision A.C.E. Echelon Full

How fast can you shoot and still be accurate?

How quickly can you operate the trigger until you run out of speed?

How quickly can you get off accurate shots under time?

Powder River Precision PRP Trigger Kit for Springfield Echelon

One of the noteworthy tests was performing the Wilson Combat 55 drill, which is one of my favorites.

The drill is as follows:

String 1: Draw and fire five shots freestyle.

String 2: Draw and fire five shots strong-hand-only.

EOTech EFLX Mini Red Dot Sight

String 3: Start with only five rounds in your gun.

Draw and fire five shots, emergency reload, and fire five additional shots freestyle.

You then add your time as a total.

QVO Tactical Springfield Armory Echelon “Secondary” OWB Holster

This put my total score at 21.66, which is in the Expert category.

Prior to this class, my score on the Wilson 55 was 28.44.

It was great to see a measurable increase in my skill!

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Each stage focused on different targets at distance, shot in specific order and under time.

Shooting steel and hearing that immediate feedback gets your blood pumping and creates excitement for everyone else watching.

There were some truly impressive individuals in the class, and it made me proud to train alongside them.

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I get to shoot a lot of pistols, but I dont always get enough practice on the draw.

Learn to operate the gun while keeping the gun oriented on the target.

Go to forum thread

GunsitePerformance Pistol Symposium

EchelonTMComp 4.5F

Icarus PrecisionA.C.E.

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