Understood re: bold.

Let me address the fact that there is no orthodoxy surrounding the 1911 at present day Gunsite. Yes, the 1911 platform was favored by Col. Cooper and many of the instructors he brought on board, but I can assure you nobody there will cast aspersions at a student's choice of handgun except in matters of reliability. As a matter of personal opinion, a 1911 customized by John Jardine, Chuck Rogers, or Bob Rodgers, et al is an "elegant weapon", the equivalent of a Star Wars light saber whereas everything else is a just a blaster. Until you've had the pleasure of holding and firing such a weapon, you won't understand.

As to the second part, and FWIW, 95% of what is currently taught around the country was pioneered at Gunsite and Thunder Ranch (Texas) back in the 1970's and 1980's. The remaining 5% is either "nothing new under the sun" or someone trying to stake a claim in the training industry for the purpose of marketing and / or publicity.

And at the risk of sounding snarky, how in the world did Gunsite and TR students in the 70s, 80s and 90s ever manage to successfully defend themselves with the outdated techniques taught at Gunsite and Thunder Ranch, whom by the way happened to number in the hundreds?

Gunsite has become uber expensive for the common man. That is the only criticism that is justifiable because Cooper never intended it to be a commercial, money-making enterprise. The current owner has a different perspective.