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How much is it worth?


MARTINTRUEBLUE

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That's a subjective question.

 

The immediate answer is "How much is your life worth?" Because if you're not licensed to carry a firearm you're literally risking your life or the life of your loved ones by not being able to protect them. If you're not getting quality training, if you're not getting the best training available then you're also risking your life and the lives of those who depend on you.

 

Where we can get into the weeds on this is the subject of the quality of the training, and how much a person can reasonably afford. I think I paid $100 or $150 for my 8 hour class. It was a price I was comfortable paying and it satisfied all of the requirements for getting my FCCL. By the same token I've seen two for one specials advertised that bring the training cost down to about $75 for each person and I've seen discounted rates for people who commit to attendance of four or more students for a class. I've seen one instructor offer home made cookies.

 

A lot of people will judge something based on reputation, word of mouth and review. Until recently I would have done the same but I recently took a firearms class twice from the same training outfit. Each class experience was extremely different despite being the same class and if you asked me my opinion of the quality of the class was radically different after each experience. The point I'm making there is it's really hard to tell if a class is worth the money you spend on it until after you're done. With regard to a FCCL class at minimum you have a set of requirements you have to cover and to provide a shooting qualification at the end. So assuming you are covering all of those points (you must) then you have to figure out the cost of your time and materials for a break even point and then do some research to see what the market will bear for a tuition fee.

 

Regarding the 1:1 instruction pricing, see the paragraph above. I'm assuming you're just talking about 1:1 FCCL instruction correct? IMHO if you're talking about something more or different than that you have multiple other factors that play into the concept.

 

I hope that helps, or at least doesn't make things worse.

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That's a subjective question.

 

The immediate answer is "How much is your life worth?" Because if you're not licensed to carry a firearm you're literally risking your life or the life of your loved ones by not being able to protect them. If you're not getting quality training, if you're not getting the best training available then you're also risking your life and the lives of those who depend on you.

 

Where we can get into the weeds on this is the subject of the quality of the training, and how much a person can reasonably afford. I think I paid $100 or $150 for my 8 hour class. It was a price I was comfortable paying and it satisfied all of the requirements for getting my FCCL. By the same token I've seen two for one specials advertised that bring the training cost down to about $75 for each person and I've seen discounted rates for people who commit to attendance of four or more students for a class. I've seen one instructor offer home made cookies.

 

A lot of people will judge something based on reputation, word of mouth and review. Until recently I would have done the same but I recently took a firearms class twice from the same training outfit. Each class experience was extremely different despite being the same class and if you asked me my opinion of the quality of the class was radically different after each experience. The point I'm making there is it's really hard to tell if a class is worth the money you spend on it until after you're done. With regard to a FCCL class at minimum you have a set of requirements you have to cover and to provide a shooting qualification at the end. So assuming you are covering all of those points (you must) then you have to figure out the cost of your time and materials for a break even point and then do some research to see what the market will bear for a tuition fee.

 

Regarding the 1:1 instruction pricing, see the paragraph above. I'm assuming you're just talking about 1:1 FCCL instruction correct? IMHO if you're talking about something more or different than that you have multiple other factors that play into the concept.

 

I hope that helps, or at least doesn't make things worse.

This pretty much sums it up!

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"How much is it worth" is subjective. Normal price for 16 hours is usually around $150 - $200. But they can range from ~$100 - $250+ for the 2 day course depending on the instructor and the supply/demand. That is for a "normal" course; 1:1 would likely be much more. I paid $75 for the 1-day course, but that's near the "low end" of pricing.

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Ok, here's another view point. Find literally the cheapest class you can find from an accredited instructor.

 

Its up to you on your own to learn how to use a firearm, to know how it functions and know the laws of this state in regards to legal carry and use of force.

That's not what this class is gonna teach you. Yeah....that's what I just said. And here's why... I'm not sure how well your brain retains information, but If you think you're gonna retain half of what you learn over the course of 8 hours of classroom time you're mistaken.

I'm up for renewal in a couple months already and I still have to check back at the law and forums like this when I have questions. There's just way to much to learn in one sitting if you expect to be proficient at it when you walk out the door. And as far as how to actually use a gun, drawing from a holster in a defensive situation... That's years of training, shooting and many more classes to work on that stuff and get it proficient. In part of a 16 hour class at best you're gonna walk out knowing how to wear a holster on you're belt properly.

 

So honestly I would view the initial "training" as more of a hoop that the state is holding and you are gonna have to jump through. Or pretty much exactly what it was meant to be when it was enacted, a hurdle preventing you from wanting to do it. Not the ultimate teaching tool. So spend as little as possible on it.

 

Then go take your time and money and go get some real training on how to use a firearms. Classes that spend hours and days dedicated to just defensive use of a pistol.

Go print up the FCCA law and IL use of force statutes and read them everyday. Keep a copy in your car or in your briefcase to refer to when you have questions. Frequent forums like this...read threads where we discuss our opinions about good shoots and bad shoots, when to draw your gun and when not too. Etc.

That's your real training. That's where you're actually gonna learn stuff. My two cents....

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I agree with mic6010 100%. I've been shooting for over 5 decades. I'm pretty sure which end of the barrel the bullet exits and mine most always hit where where I wanted them to.

 

The 'class' requirement for my getting and maintaining my CCL is more of a legislative nuisance and freedom tax than anything else and I will again use whichever source will legally qualify my renewal for the lowest cost. Anything from this sorry State above and beyond what it costs me for my Utah permit is already offensive.

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I was in Cabela's yesterday and overhead a gentlemen (instructor) talking about the class of 47 students he just completed. It was a midweek class and only $50 for all 16 hours.

 

I didn't bother to get a name or business card. I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for." $50 and 47 students...just can't be quality training. Just sort of shook my head.

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