Reviews of IL CCW Classes- post them here

[askoop]

I was thinking it would be cool to have a thread that reviews different IL CCW Classes/companies/instructors so others could use the info to make the best choice for them in their training.

 

Post things like the company/individual that you took the training with, things that stood out or where they went above and beyond, would you recommend to a friend, would you take additional training from them etc.

 

We can probably avoid things like price, class hours (9-5 or 8-8 etc) and other info that would be readily available on most companies websites or obtained with a simple phone call or email.

[TacticalVideo]

I was in the first class to be taught on October 7th by Fidelity Academy (Andre Queen). Great session! I highly recommend his facility.

[rfc000]

I was in the first class taught by Elements Firearms, Glen Carbon. Second 8 hrs. Allen Keilman instructing. Very good class: thorough, IAW all requirements, professional presentation. Plus, training beyond the minimum: not just dry fire draw from conceal but also live fire draw from concealed. Thorough, professional, safe. Highly recommend.

 

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[Sigma]

Is it difficult to pass the live fire target shooting

[kevin134]

I was in the first class at Midwest in Lyons, IL. Instructors were good, kept flow of class going well. Had us do unloaded draws from concealed holster. Did various practice drills shooting at target prior to a practice qualification followed by actual qualification. They encouraged us to qualify in 9 ring or better, though mentioned state is requiring to hit silouette(I believe thats what they said). Class of experienced shooters so qualification went smooth and quick. 16 was a long time, but they made it informative, answered any and all questions we had for them. Very satisfied.

[Kipp]

Is it difficult to pass the live fire target shooting

A B27 target at 10 yards is not difficult at all

[Elmer Fudd]

The qualification can be done with a blindfold on.

[Stargeezer]

I haven't done the series yet, but I shoot B27 targets all the time, from much longer ranges. If a person can't hit that at 70% +, perhaps you need a eye exam - seriously, easy shooting.

[RoadyRunner]

The other day, I got 90% (of 10 rounds) to a B27 at 25 yards, with an LC9. And the one missed was a rookie mistake. I only did 25 because there were others on the range and I couldn't advance the line at the time (ASC).

 

Surprisingly easy to hit such a large target.

[TyGuy]

Yeah. I can finally keep all my LCP rounds within 7" at 50 feet. Not great, but better than I was. Maybe I'll qualify with that gun....or with my 6" revolver. IDK

[bigbob]

I was in Rocco's class on 10-10 and was very impressed with his style of teaching. I am taking day 2 on 10-20 and can't wait to attend. He make' it a fun day for all, and i highly recomend him and his company [bLACK FLAG FIREARMS TRAINING].

[Blade13]

Just finished taking CLIC course with Safety 1st Firearms Training in Iuka. Had a great time! Wonderful instructors.

[jkdkaliman101]

Allccw gets my vote. Just did my 2nd 8 hr training with them today (had 8hrs credit)....Tim and Jeff (owners) were very professional, personable and knowledgeable. Both of them have extensive training backgrounds. Jeff's list of credentials with his time in special ops and fed training was impressive. They will be adding three gun and scenario training to their curriculum soon (above and beyond their illinois ccw training). There website is still in it's infancy so don't let that influence your perception. Class was $100 plus $25 range fee and they bought doughnuts for bfast and catered pizza for lunch :-D

[Elmer Fudd]

Yeah. I can finally keep all my LCP rounds within 7" at 50 feet. Not great, but better than I was. Maybe I'll qualify with that gun....or with my 6" revolver. IDK

 

There is a very simple reason why my EDC is a Colt Defender.....its barrel is 3" but the ignition group is pure Colt Series 80.

[BIGDEESUL]

I was in Rocco's class on 10-10 and was very impressed with his style of teaching. I am taking day 2 on 10-20 and can't wait to attend. He make' it a fun day for all, and i highly recomend him and his company [bLACK FLAG FIREARMS TRAINING].

 

+10!

 

I just finished his NRA basic pistol instructor class. Literally just got home, and class started at 8am. Goes to show how much knowledge I took in today. Rocco was willing to spend over an extra 2 hours sharing knowledge that I could NEVER find anywhere else. I'll also be at the class on the 20th, and cannot wait, I'm sure its going to be VERY exciting.

 

I will never go to another instructor other than Rocco, unless I absolutely have to.

 

Oh yeah, and I'm now an instructor woohoo!

 

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[DownButNotOut]

Finished my first 8 hours with CGS ( Saturday - Oct 12th ) - "Chicago Gun Smith", Niles, IL. Great group, Awesome instructor. I enjoyed the training/atmosphere so much that it did not feel like training, just a bunch of buddies talking about trained and concealed carry laws, gun handling... I could easily do another 8 hours with-out it feeling like a drag.. Nice work Thomas!

[AlphaKoncepts aka CGS]

Finished my first 8 hours with CGS ( Saturday - Oct 12th ) - "Chicago Gun Smith", Niles, IL. Great group, Awesome instructor. I enjoyed the training/atmosphere so much that it did not feel like training, just a bunch of buddies talking about trained and concealed carry laws, gun handling... I could easily do another 8 hours with-out it feeling like a drag.. Nice work Thomas!

Thanks!

[safety1stfirearmstraining]

Just finished taking CLIC course with Safety 1st Firearms Training in Iuka. Had a great time! Wonderful instructors.

Thank You JBP !! was our pleasure looking forward to seeing you again !

[RoadyRunner]

Just completed my 8 with pdpsc (Dan) at RKA in Plano.

 

One word - Awesome. Dan went above and beyond. Thank you!

[Booxone]

Last Tuesday I took my last 8 hrs with Firearm Safety Group and the instructors were Casey, Stan and Paul. Excellent class. It started out at Gander Mountain, then we all went to a private range on a farm.

[Indigo]

I did 16 hrs with Colleen and David Lawson at LHI Thursday and Friday. Thursday was NRA Basic Pistol, and we followed the course outline, checked off all the boxes. What made this course exceptional for me was Colleen's mix of relaxed approach and her passion for the subject matter. Nothing upsets her, and she adapts her style and content to the student's needs. She's always positive and has that rare ability to correct her students without making them feel like they've had their wrists slapped. It's alway a positive experience. She coaches and makes things better rather than having a "bad student, do that over" moment. Her personal energy is infectious, and makes even the "boring" parts interesting. David is cool, competent, and hits you with his humor when you least expect it, enlivening the class just when your attention starts to wander. He adapts to the student's needs as well, and shows great patience in getting the content across.

 

Friday was a really different day because Paul Meinecke and his camera man Rich from Channel 7 were there for most of the day. Colleen and David made sure on Thursday that those of us who would be in class Friday were informed about the filming, and how that would impact the class, giving us the choice to participate (or not) in the interview. It made for a longer day in order to cover all the material, but it was an interesting addition to the curriculum, making us think more about why we were there, and where we planned to go with further training. ( The Channel 7 piece that aired Friday can be seen at http://abclocal.go.c...ois&id=9292703# ) Colleen and David made sure we went through every bit of the CLIC material. Massad Ayoob's video (he's wearing what looks like an IC polo shirt in it) was clear and concise. The ILGA's contribution, the laws and rules, not so much. But then it is the legal stuff....David did a good job of guiding us through it.

 

We got to the range, and with two instructors for three students, we got through the qualifications in short order. We had a good choice of firearms, including the option to use LHI's handguns or our own handguns. We used the Article II range in Lombard, where Colleen and David are well known. The Lawsons used the opportunity to continue refining the fundamentals, and didn't just turn us loose with a target and 30 rounds. They made sure we were ready to qualify before proceeding.

 

Overall, all three of us had a great time, and learned a lot during the two days of instruction. I would recommend Colleen and David for these classes, regardless of your ability level. You'll get the instruction you need to be successful.

[Duck888]

I just got home from completing 16 hours at Top Shot Academy. The class was great and we got a lot of time to practice drawing and firing with SIRT pistols. I highly recommend their class. They made it as painless and educational as possible. Julian needs to polish his jokes a bit though

 

Thanks Chip, Julian, Michelle and Tony. My father and I had a great time.

[askoop]

Finished my training today with Trooper Trained out of Pinckneyville. They did a great job, especially with the newer shooters who needed a few more pointers than those more experienced. Their long history of law enforcement/training experience was evident and added an element missing from other trainings I have taken. They did a nice job breaking up the sections that were inherently more dry, were fantastic with the personal interaction in drills and on the firing line as well. They made sure everyone was ready for the qual shoot, which everyone passed with flying colors. We got to do a little shooting each day as well which was nice. Class size was small enough to allow for personal interaction with the instructors. No frills classroom and range, but a high quality training. The 3 instructors had 3 very different personalities and areas of specialty, but were all well equipped to handle any area of the training as needed. Would highly recommend if you are in their area.

[Federal Farmer]

For the record, Indigo shot the heart out of the B-27... practically murdered it. It was self-defense though. Honest.

[chip]

I just got home from completing 16 hours at Top Shot Academy. The class was great and we got a lot of time to practice drawing and firing with SIRT pistols. I highly recommend their class. They made it as painless and educational as possible. Julian needs to polish his jokes a bit though

 

Thanks Chip, Julian, Michelle and Tony. My father and I had a great time.

Glad to have you and your dad in the class. He's a pretty cool dude. I'll let Julian know not to quit his day job.

Thanks for the kind review.

[Duck888]

Is it difficult to pass the live fire target shooting

It is pretty easy. I have never picked up a gun before and Chip and Julian got me to qualify with this target. They only asked that we spread the holes out a bit so that they could count the holes. It was not difficult even with my target swaying violent side to side from the air movement at the range.

 

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i368/wonway2/Bikes/kTM/C991A8B9-2020-4D0C-9B56-FF76CB2520B6-4176-000008C0B552404B_zps6b4b0f0d.jpg

[BIGDEESUL]

Attended Rocco's "day 2" Illinois specific course today. As usual, Rocco was awesome, can't find a better instructor. Even kept it interesting during the boring law portion. He ou course went above and beyond the required information, and I received MUCH more knowledge than what he charged for.

 

Knowledgeable, top notch equipment, and shot at the nicest and cleanest indoor range in illinois, Maxon's.

 

I qualified by shooting one large jagged hole in the head of the b27, but dropped one shot low to the right near thw neck, for a total of 97%. I'm still angry at myself. And like a dumbass I didnt take a pic either.

 

Plus after the qualification shoot we had the range for an extra hour or so, in which I tried out a shield .40, g30s, and shared my s&w500 with everybody.

 

I would recommend no trainong other than Rocco.

 

BLACKFLAGTRAINING.

 

THE BEST, PERIOD!!

 

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[Craigcelia]

I was in a class today with SAFE Gun permits and let me tell you...the training was awesome ...almost as good as the 6 dozen bakery made donuts these guys brought to class today.

 

These guys were very knowledgeable, funny and Craig's jokes were just stellar (just like his obvious physical svelte).

 

Instructors Rob, Keith, Tom, Kevin, Karl were really into it and made the students feel empowered in their studies but Craig was my personal favorite.

 

(Sorry, I had to)

 

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[Buckfarrack]

There was a ILCC class held 7 miles from me today with 40 students in it and range time on a farm.Next weekend there will be a ILCC class exactly 5 miles from me the opposite direction.

 

 

And Next weekend i am driving 330 miles round trip to get my ILCC training from a person i have had TWO previous training classes with!

 

See ya next weekend Craig!

[Indigo]

From the reviews posted so far, it looks like we have a lot of top-notch instructors here on IC. After lurking in the training forum and watching all the pole-vaulting going on, it's a real relief to find so many of our IC member instructors have not allowed the shenanigans by the state to affect the quality of their classes. Give yourselves a round of applause, a pat on the back, and a big smile for YOUR successful launch of CC in Illinois!