So I'm taking the CCW class very soon

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I was wondering if you guys had any advice, or general wisdom for me.

You know, things you wished you had done/ had/ thought of when you took your CC class all those years ago.



Oh, and another thing; I was wondering, do I need to have the holster that I plan on carrying with for the class?

I ask because I plan on using a Versa Max 2, but I haven't even ordered it yet.
 
On equipment, check with your instructor. Usually holsters are not allowed, as holster draws are usually not taught to beginners. The CCW class is minimum standards for the beginner. Make sure you bring sufficient ammunition, eye and ear protection.

Check your handgun at least three times to confirm it's unloaded before entering the building where the class is held.

Generally speaking, the handguns are collected and checked at the beginning of the course, along with any ammunition. There is a fair chance a live round will be in the chamber of somebody's gun. There is a fair chance that person will also be the class braggart.

If the local DA comes to explain local laws, listen intently. Ask intelligent, relevant questions if you have them.

Stay humble, listen much, speak little, qualify well, and apply for your CCW permit expeditiously.
 
Yes, now is the time to start researching holsters and how you want to carry. Please consider carry and comfort. A lot of holsters are comfortable while standing and not so when sitting. Personally I like the belly band but it took me 6 months to finally decide on a preference; I had used the ankle for a while.

One regret is that last July when I took the course I locked all of my guns in the safe and could not get it open in time. I used a snub nose 38 to qualify but had problems at 20 feet. The gun instructor let me qualify with a 357 with 4 inch barrel and that worked.

Lesson learned: Be prepared before you take the class. Also welcome to the CCW. Another respnsible citizen.:cool:

NRA Member
 
One thing I wish I had done is get my wife to go with me. I can't see her wanting to go alone if she ever decides to take it, so I'll probably have to take the class again if that day ever comes.
 
Like all state-mandated education, the CC classes are generally aimed at the lowest common denominator - and that is extremely low (i.e., moron). I wouldn't expect to learn anything meaningfull. Just grin and bear it - and act like you might be interested - and you'll be o.k..
 
Such a pearl of wisdom...

Yeah, they're state mandated... So?

My instructor (a fellow named John Ross...) covered the state laws regarding carrying and lethal force IN DEPTH. That's stuff you NEED to know. Otherwise, you're just another drooling idiot packing heat.

Pay attention. You might learn something. This ain't high school, where football and fashion are more important than knowledge. Knowledge may save your life. And your wallet.
 
On equipment, check with your instructor. Usually holsters are not allowed, as holster draws are usually not taught to beginners. The CCW class is minimum standards for the beginner. Make sure you bring sufficient ammunition, eye and ear protection.

Check your handgun at least three times to confirm it's unloaded before entering the building where the class is held.

Generally speaking, the handguns are collected and checked at the beginning of the course, along with any ammunition. There is a fair chance a live round will be in the chamber of somebody's gun. There is a fair chance that person will also be the class braggart.

If the local DA comes to explain local laws, listen intently. Ask intelligent, relevant questions if you have them.

Stay humble, listen much, speak little, qualify well, and apply for your CCW permit expeditiously.
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Thanks, Xavier, I appreciate it.

I'd planned on treating this like the times I would visit another instructor's class: sit quietly and absorb as much as possible.



Yes, now is the time to start researching holsters and how you want to carry. Please consider carry and comfort. A lot of holsters are comfortable while standing and not so when sitting. Personally I like the belly band but it took me 6 months to finally decide on a preference; I had used the ankle for a while.

One regret is that last July when I took the course I locked all of my guns in the safe and could not get it open in time. I used a snub nose 38 to qualify but had problems at 20 feet. The gun instructor let me qualify with a 357 with 4 inch barrel and that worked.

Lesson learned: Be prepared before you take the class. Also welcome to the CCW. Another responsible citizen.

NRA Member
Click to expand...

Thanks, starship, everyone that I trust to give advice has pointed me in Milt Spark's direction, so I'm going to go with the versa max2.

Can't really know if I'll like it till I try it, though, right? :)

EDIT: Oh yeah, I forgot to mention; I'll be carrying a kimber custom II

"the CCW class"

Sigh.

There's more than one class.

In more than one state.

What you need to do _really_ depends upon the instructor and the state laws/regulations.
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I'm sure that the classes I'm taking at my university differ greatly from the classes of another university (not to mention the differences between individual professors.)
Nonetheless, Organic Chemistry at UT austin is considered the same class at Oxford, isn't it?
I'm sure there are thousands of tiny differences between what is emphasized, and how the material is taught, but in simplicity, it's about carbon and its adventures with hydrogen, and the halides, eh?

Likewise, a concealed carry class is different at different places, but the same in spirit.

More-over, I was looking for personal experience/advice
 
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Hopefully the instructor provided some info on what to bring (and not bring). Call him beforehand if you have questions. Typically, students do not bring their guns to the classroom -- just keep it in your vehicle until it's time for the qualifying shoot at the range.

Some classes are a full day (8hrs), so get your sleep the nite before, rather than napping in class.

I've gotten reports on 3 different classes and instructors. No complaints. Info was on target and well-presented. Enjoy!
 
I went through mine about 5 months ago. As XavierBreath said, we had a designated braggart who knew more about weapons than our 15 year career LEO, ex-Ranger instructor. There was a 65 year old man who didn't say a word through the entire course of instruction. When we got to the range the braggart couldn't hit the broadside of a barn, even if he was in one; the old man didn't put one out of the x-ring.

If you have any questions, ask them. When you're carrying, unless you have to pull your weapon, knowledge of the law is your best defense. I know there were a whole bunch of things that I assumed to be true before the course, that ended up being false and vice versa.

Listen and have a good time.
 
me too

I'll be taking my CCW class in April and I'm all ears for this thread.

How about I ask this question:
What are some of the best/worst questions you have heard in the class you have taken?

ie. "You mean we actually have to shoot a gun to get a license?"
or
"Just how far inside my house does the BG's foot have to be in my window before I can blow off his toes?"

Digiears
 
Try out as many different guns as you can. That's the only real way to tell if a gun is right for you. You may even find that the gun you own is not the best choice for you.


My instructor (a fellow named John Ross...)
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Hey, didn't he write a book about gun stuff? :neener:
 
Add one more vote to "take your wife'. She needs to get her CC permit even if she never carries. Here is why...if you go in to a place where you MUST leave your gun in the car with her, and she has access to it, she is now in possession of the firearm. IF for some wild reason the poilce catch that fact...you will probably loose the gun and she will not be able to apply for her CC from there on. Pluse you may be fined. So, again, take her so she can get her CC permit as well. It may save you a lot of grief.

Mark.

PS: no it has not happened to me...and my wife will take the class this spring.
 
Add one more vote to "take your wife'. She needs to get her CC permit even if she never carries. Here is why...if you go in to a place where you MUST leave your gun in the car with her, and she has access to it, she is now in possession of the firearm. IF for some wild reason the poilce catch that fact...you will probably loose the gun and she will not be able to apply for her CC from there on. Pluse you may be fined. So, again, take her so she can get her CC permit as well. It may save you a lot of grief.

Mark.

PS: no it has not happened to me...and my wife will take the class this spring.
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I'm too young to be married, guys, hahaha; barely old enough to get my CCW and the handgun.


As for the possession in the car: here in texas, it is legal to have a concealed weapon in your possession so long as you are in your car.
 
I had a class today in lovely Pahrump, and it was way different from the 3 I'd taken before in Vegas and CA. Those were all long, drawn out boring days with big classes full of people who had no clue what was going on or how to use their guns. Took forever just to get the shooting done!

But here the class was limited to 10 and we shot first thing. No gun stores have ranges here so we all piled into our trucks and drove 20 minutes to the BLM land range. Here the instructor set up a target at 21 feet and said "If your first five shots are all inside the second ring you are done". I couldn't believe it! I shot my 4 guns 5 times each and that was it. Some had more trouble, especially the lady with the Jennings. Ugh. Back to the store for a short class session, lunch and he signed us off and I was out at 12:45. Best class I've had by far! :)
 
I had the luck of being trained by an older Vegas police officer who was in his early sixties. He saw a lot, use to be a marine sniper prior, and had lots of legal stories to tell us. I would say that the main issue you need to pay attention to is the use of lethal force. In fact, thats the most imperative thing in the class. You really have to know what you're getting yourself into by carrying. Especially the almost impending lawsuits you'll be subject to if you ever are unfortunate enough to have to use your weapon.

If you've never taken a CCW class before, and you're not in Law Enforcement, I can assure you, you don't know it all. Pay attention.

Also take your time when qualifying. People tend to want to crank those rounds out real quick into their target. Its not necessary, just take your time and you'll do fine.

Lastly, if you're going to attempt to qualify with a snubnose I highly, highly suggest you get some crimson trace lasergrips on that thing. Otherwise you'll probably do pretty poorly once they move that target back to the wall and your sights suck. If I didn't have CTLG's on mine I wouldn't have forseen being able to qualify with my 642.
 
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