CO: CCW Classes in Colorado?

[Mad Man]

Can anyone recommend a good CCW class/instructor in Colorado?

I sat through a basic Personal Protection class about 5 years ago, just to get that piece of paper the county requires. I didn't learn anything new, and it was god-awful boring. But at least I got the certification, which is all I wanted or expected.

About 3 years ago I took another class. While this had more live-fire excercises, the instructor was one of those very arrogant types who thought that he was doing us a favor.

Now that Colorado is a shall-issue state, some of my friends are interested in getting their CCW. To be honest, I have no idea who to send them to.


Keep in mind that most of my friends are not firearms enthusiasts, and are not willing to put up with crap and inconvenience that you and I would. If they're going to spend $100 - $200 for training, I want them to think they were treated fairly and got their money's worth. Otherwise, they may decide that getting involved in the whole "gun thing" just isn't worth the time and trouble -- and I can't say I would blame them.

Not only am I interested in the names of good instructors/schools, but your opinions on what makes them good.

If you have stories about people/places I should avoid, I'd be interested in hearing those, too.

 

[Ian]

I took the basic CCW course from Gunsmoke Gunsmithing in Denver this summer, and it was pretty good. It's intended for people who already know how to shoot, though. Four hours of lecture (with plenty of interaction and breaks to keep everyone awake) for $100 and you have what you need for a CO permit.

 

[wardog]

I'm currently looking now. I don't have any experience with any of these outfits, just picked up info at a couple of gun shows.

Firearms Training 303 780 7314

Jim Moore 303 200 4927

FAST 866 771 8377

Colorado Safearms Academy 303 429 2200

Colorado Firearm Safety 303 663 4811

Also heard Silver Bullet Pistol Range offers classes

 

[marvl]

Sportsmans Warehouse in Loveland hosts a 1-day class every month. I have no idea about quality, however.

 

[Erik]

I have a friend who atteded Gunsmoke's class. He spoke highly of it, for what it is worth.

 

[Jay Kominek]

This thread is a little old, but someone might still stumble across it (like me!)

I took NRA Basic Pistol from the aforementioned Colorado Safearms Academy. It appears to be operated by two guys, one of whom is ex-LEO (and did LE training). Not sure what the other fellow's background was, even though he did most of the lecturing. They had someone who'd just taken their NRA Basic Pistol Instructor class sitting in, helping out a little bit. They had the class drive up to some guy's farm in Weld County for the range time. I think they ought to have warned people about that, because some of the dirt roads we had to take were a little rough. (I was OK in my Cherokee, but nothing low riderish would've made it.) Oh well.

Anyways, they were both nice guys, and I felt as though my $125 was well spent. (Too bad I had to cough up another $152.50 to apply for my CWP.) They have a more advanced 'tactical' course that I intend on taking, since I won't be able to go to something like Thunder Ranch for some time.

They're also trying to open up a new range in Denver: http://www.csarange.com/

 

[Roadkill Coyote]

A solution might be hiding in another forum...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58174

 

[wardog]

I posted my CCW class review at

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=54551&highlight=colorado

 

[general]

Try these 2 links..
Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition
(scroll down the left side for "Firearm Safety Courses")
Or...
Colorado State Shooting Association
I would also like to know if anyone has had any 1st hand experience with any of these instructors/courses.

 

[mr_dove]

The Gunsmoke web site (http://www.gunsmokeguns.com/essentialpistol.html)

currently shows thier basic pistol class for $425. Not much of a deal there.