Considering ccw training but would like advice as to what I should look for in qualifications and experience regarding instructors. I see adds for CCW classes all the time but I dont want to pick one only to find out I didnt get enough training before packing heat. Use of force if not done right, I am afraid would cause a great deal of grief.
CCW
- Thread starter fc286
- Start date
thesheepdog
New member
Find one that does a turn-key program.
An instructor will only cover the basics; more in depth information can be found here on TFL and in the CHL handbook.
An instructor will only cover the basics; more in depth information can be found here on TFL and in the CHL handbook.
im sure it varies state to state, and county to county. but i had to take an 8 hr class, plus an hour on the range, and 2 of those hours had to be spent on the legal side of using lethal force. there are places that will have you in and out in less than 2 hours, but will you be accurately informed when you leave and if you ever have to pull the trigger? my instructor was a SBI (state bureau of investigation) officer and formally a sheriff, state trooper, and detective...and yes i did some research on him prior to going to class.
It's location specific - if you say what state you are in, people will likely be able to tell you which ones are better than others. However, most of the state set training requirements are extremely basic - you will want to find additional training no matter what, and recurring practice.
You do not say what state you are located in but here are some guidelines I use as an instructor to evaluate what is out there.
1. Does the course go beyond the minimum requirements?
2. Does the instuctor offer additional training ?
3. How much experience IN TEACHING does the instuctor have ? "Been there,
done that" is fine, but if that person has little experience in transforming
that information into an understandable format, they're a body guard
rather than a teacher.)
4. Does the course have "Limits"? In my state the permit holder can qualify
with any handgun, yet some instuctors limit their classes to ".38 cal or
greater", "no single actions" etc.
5. Is the course taught on a public or private range? The ability to address
a students individual needs is much easier on a private or closed range.
These are some things to look for in assessing what a course offers. While we all have "price considerations" this alone should not be the deciding factor. Ask for references, talk to those who have taken the course.
Good Luck, and remember that we never stop learning.
Tomaz45
1. Does the course go beyond the minimum requirements?
2. Does the instuctor offer additional training ?
3. How much experience IN TEACHING does the instuctor have ? "Been there,
done that" is fine, but if that person has little experience in transforming
that information into an understandable format, they're a body guard
rather than a teacher.)
4. Does the course have "Limits"? In my state the permit holder can qualify
with any handgun, yet some instuctors limit their classes to ".38 cal or
greater", "no single actions" etc.
5. Is the course taught on a public or private range? The ability to address
a students individual needs is much easier on a private or closed range.
These are some things to look for in assessing what a course offers. While we all have "price considerations" this alone should not be the deciding factor. Ask for references, talk to those who have taken the course.
Good Luck, and remember that we never stop learning.
Tomaz45
A CCW course is not a gunfighting class or a "self defense" class. The purpose of a CCW course is to show that you can safely handle a firearm without blowing your foot off, and to make sure you have some understanding of the legal issues surrounding the carrying of firearms and the use of force.
As long as your instructor meets the requirements for your state/county/whatever (however it works where you live), you should be fine.
Once you're done with that, find a class where they'll teach you how to fight.
As long as your instructor meets the requirements for your state/county/whatever (however it works where you live), you should be fine.
Once you're done with that, find a class where they'll teach you how to fight.
You're doing a good thing in being cautious. And you're right about the possible consequences, depending a lot on the situation and where you live. As has been said, "you may have killed him in self-defense, but by the time the lawyers and the media get through with you, you might wish you'd let him kill you instead."
Most CCW classes are little 1 or 2 day affairs that focus on situational awareness, legal concerns, state laws and so on. They typically include a demonstration of your shooting skill, like putting 4 out of 5 shots in a 10" circle at 25 feet, or something like that. They don't really get into "how to shoot" techniques, like how to spin around to one side or the other and shoot, how to reload quickly, etc. A CCW permit class is NOT "combat training."
So after getting your CCW permit, look around for more specific training. Your CCW instructor and/or local gun shops will probably know of some. Also check your indoor shooting ranges - people working in there usually know about it, and often have bulletin boards, batches of business cards, etc. from people offering such training.
- Ruark
Most CCW classes are little 1 or 2 day affairs that focus on situational awareness, legal concerns, state laws and so on. They typically include a demonstration of your shooting skill, like putting 4 out of 5 shots in a 10" circle at 25 feet, or something like that. They don't really get into "how to shoot" techniques, like how to spin around to one side or the other and shoot, how to reload quickly, etc. A CCW permit class is NOT "combat training."
So after getting your CCW permit, look around for more specific training. Your CCW instructor and/or local gun shops will probably know of some. Also check your indoor shooting ranges - people working in there usually know about it, and often have bulletin boards, batches of business cards, etc. from people offering such training.
- Ruark
deathrider
New member
I am awaiting to find out if I have to take a CCW class myself.
I had let my permit expire, but I had stopped carrying it concealed, except for keeping it in my glove box. or in my vehicle.
an incident 2 weeks ago is what got me back into & thinking hard, as well as re-applying for my permit. I was walking down to my truck after shopping for some groceries, someone was shooting at someone in the parking lot. I was 1/2 way between truck & store, totally helpless, but shooter ran off & didnt take aim my way. how does the saying go? better to be judged by 12 than carried by six! No I didnt need it but I sure wanted it on me for a couple seconds.
well because my permit expired by more than 1 year, actually 2 years, they said I am probably going to have to take a course. years ago when I first got a permit no classes were required & that was around 15+ years back for my first CCW permit I have had 3 permits, & now the county is giving me grief. person in charge is going to try to talk to the judge on my behalf to see if he will allow it to be re-newed without a course since I was a previous CCW holder. political b.s. I do understand it for new gun owners, but not for someone thats had one many years, but allowed it to lapse.
I submitted it last week, so waiting for how ever many weeks to see if it is approved? or if I got to be trained & then re-apply for a permit & wait again.
Randy
I had let my permit expire, but I had stopped carrying it concealed, except for keeping it in my glove box. or in my vehicle.
an incident 2 weeks ago is what got me back into & thinking hard, as well as re-applying for my permit. I was walking down to my truck after shopping for some groceries, someone was shooting at someone in the parking lot. I was 1/2 way between truck & store, totally helpless, but shooter ran off & didnt take aim my way. how does the saying go? better to be judged by 12 than carried by six! No I didnt need it but I sure wanted it on me for a couple seconds.
well because my permit expired by more than 1 year, actually 2 years, they said I am probably going to have to take a course. years ago when I first got a permit no classes were required & that was around 15+ years back for my first CCW permit I have had 3 permits, & now the county is giving me grief. person in charge is going to try to talk to the judge on my behalf to see if he will allow it to be re-newed without a course since I was a previous CCW holder. political b.s. I do understand it for new gun owners, but not for someone thats had one many years, but allowed it to lapse.
I submitted it last week, so waiting for how ever many weeks to see if it is approved? or if I got to be trained & then re-apply for a permit & wait again.
Randy
You're doing a good thing in being cautious. And you're right about the possible consequences, depending a lot on the situation and where you live. As has been said, "you may have killed him in self-defense, but by the time the lawyers and the media get through with you, you might wish you'd let him kill you instead."
Most CCW classes are little 1 or 2 day affairs that focus on situational awareness, legal concerns, state laws and so on. They typically include a demonstration of your shooting skill, like putting 4 out of 5 shots in a 10" circle at 25 feet, or something like that. They don't really get into "how to shoot" techniques, like how to spin around to one side or the other and shoot, how to reload quickly, etc. A CCW permit class is NOT "combat training."
So after getting your CCW permit, look around for more specific training. Your CCW instructor and/or local gun shops will probably know of some. Also check your indoor shooting ranges - people working in there usually know about it, and often have bulletin boards, batches of business cards, etc. from people offering such training.
- Ruark
This is my situation exactly.
I have my ccw and a lot of general firarm usage(and safety also),
But I have zero "real life" combat type of traning.
Which I plan on taking this coming spring/summer.
Most CCW classes are little 1 or 2 day affairs that focus on situational awareness, legal concerns, state laws and so on. They typically include a demonstration of your shooting skill, like putting 4 out of 5 shots in a 10" circle at 25 feet, or something like that. They don't really get into "how to shoot" techniques, like how to spin around to one side or the other and shoot, how to reload quickly, etc. A CCW permit class is NOT "combat training."
So after getting your CCW permit, look around for more specific training. Your CCW instructor and/or local gun shops will probably know of some. Also check your indoor shooting ranges - people working in there usually know about it, and often have bulletin boards, batches of business cards, etc. from people offering such training.
- Ruark
This is my situation exactly.
I have my ccw and a lot of general firarm usage(and safety also),
But I have zero "real life" combat type of traning.
Which I plan on taking this coming spring/summer.
There were a couple of things that I looked for:
1. Experience of the instructor.
2. Amount of trigger time - going to the range for 30-45 minutes and firing off 25 rounds didn't cut it for me so that I personally felt responsible for carrying a gun and potentially having to use it to protect myself and others.
3. A class that specifically taught not only knowledge of firearms, but specifically the use of deadly force in my state and ramifications of such.
4. Classes which will qualify you for multi-state reciprocity. I know in some states this may not be feasible, but in mine it is.
1. Experience of the instructor.
2. Amount of trigger time - going to the range for 30-45 minutes and firing off 25 rounds didn't cut it for me so that I personally felt responsible for carrying a gun and potentially having to use it to protect myself and others.
3. A class that specifically taught not only knowledge of firearms, but specifically the use of deadly force in my state and ramifications of such.
4. Classes which will qualify you for multi-state reciprocity. I know in some states this may not be feasible, but in mine it is.
Deputy Dog
New member
A ccw class should consist of Combat training, with a minimum of 300+ rounds down range, if it does not, it should be called a legal course. The Personal Protection I teach, students shoot up to 550 rounds and spend only 2 hrs in the class.
DD
DD
Deputy Dog
New member
You should definately cover the laws of deadly force, and you are right, laws do tend to change often, that is why I tell my studentsto research the laws every year to make sure they didnt change. But most of the classroom stuff is going over Proper draw and presentation, Safety rules and holstering techniques, as well as immediate action drills and the different reloads.
Once we are on the range, safety briefing to include safe direction and three absolutes of gun safety and range rules and commands. All drills are done by way of demonstration after the instruction, weapons cleared, checked and double checked, dry fire the excercises until compitent, and the add live fire under close observation. Once the student is compitent with the drill with live fire, we move on to the next one. The course includes:
Loading & unloading refresh
Tactical and emergency reloading
One handed shooting (strong and week handed)
One handed operation (Strong and week handed)
Grip and stance preference
Draw and Presentation
Point vs precision shooting
Cover vs concealment
Bullets and vehicles
Multiple targets
Hostage situations
Shoot and no shoot drills
communication to: who, what, when, why
what to do after the incident
and more...
Inexpensive and learn alot....
DD
Once we are on the range, safety briefing to include safe direction and three absolutes of gun safety and range rules and commands. All drills are done by way of demonstration after the instruction, weapons cleared, checked and double checked, dry fire the excercises until compitent, and the add live fire under close observation. Once the student is compitent with the drill with live fire, we move on to the next one. The course includes:
Loading & unloading refresh
Tactical and emergency reloading
One handed shooting (strong and week handed)
One handed operation (Strong and week handed)
Grip and stance preference
Draw and Presentation
Point vs precision shooting
Cover vs concealment
Bullets and vehicles
Multiple targets
Hostage situations
Shoot and no shoot drills
communication to: who, what, when, why
what to do after the incident
and more...
Inexpensive and learn alot....
DD
fc286:
First I'd like to say that it may seem strange, but you're already ahead of the curve. I've known quite a few people that get their license, buy a gun, load it, and are done with it. "I don't need training. I don't need caution or practice. I have a GUN!" Not true. In your post, you've already accepted that you should get more training and I commend that wherever I see it.
I agree with Deputy Dog who did a great job listing the particular areas of training that would most benefit a sheepdog like yourself. That's what you need to be focusing on. I hope these fellas have answered your questions, and happy shooting.
~LT
First I'd like to say that it may seem strange, but you're already ahead of the curve. I've known quite a few people that get their license, buy a gun, load it, and are done with it. "I don't need training. I don't need caution or practice. I have a GUN!" Not true. In your post, you've already accepted that you should get more training and I commend that wherever I see it.
I agree with Deputy Dog who did a great job listing the particular areas of training that would most benefit a sheepdog like yourself. That's what you need to be focusing on. I hope these fellas have answered your questions, and happy shooting.
~LT