Don't Do This

Not all CCW classes are created equal. Here's what you should know before spending your time and money.

California requires CCW applicants to complete mandatory training, so it's tempting to think that one class is pretty much the same as another. After all, they all have to meet the same requirements, right? Not quite. Before you sign up for a class, here are three common mistakes worth avoiding.

Mistake #1: Thinking All CCW Classes Are the Same

A hamburger is a hamburger, right?

So a burger from In-N-Out must be pretty much the same as one from McDonald's.

Of course not.

Both restaurants sell hamburgers, but the ingredients, preparation, and experience are different.

The same is true of CCW classes.

California establishes minimum training requirements, but instructors have considerable flexibility in deciding what else to teach, how deeply to cover each subject, and how to spend their instructional time.

Meeting the same requirements doesn't mean receiving the same education.

Some classes focus primarily on the information needed to satisfy the licensing requirements. Others go further, helping students develop the knowledge and skills they'll need when actually carrying a firearm.

At Gun Kraft, we believe there's much more to responsible concealed carry than knowing how to shoot. That's why our curriculum covers subjects such as situational awareness, de-escalation, defensive decision-making, emergency trauma care, equipment selection, and practical firearm-handling skills.

Our advice: Before choosing a class, look at the course syllabus. Compare what you'll actually learn in each.

Student Review

Big thanks to Robin for an excellent 16-hour class! Learned a lot about the law, real-world scenarios, and the importance of critical thinking and making sound decisions under pressure. The class was engaging and informative, and the hands-on range training with different techniques was especially valuable. Really appreciate Robin sharing his knowledge and experience. Definitely time well spent and highly recommended!

Mistake #2: Choosing a Class Based on Price Alone

Spirit Airlines and a full-service airline can both get you to the same destination. But does that mean you'll have the same experience?

Of course not.

A cheaper ticket might save you money, but price alone doesn't tell you much about the comfort, service, or overall experience.

The same principle applies to CCW training.

We understand that getting a CCW permit is expensive, and there's nothing wrong with wanting to save money. But if you're going to spend 16 hours sitting in a classroom and training on the range, shouldn't you get as much out of that time as possible?

A class that costs a little less but teaches you significantly less isn't necessarily a bargain.

At Gun Kraft, we work hard to make our classes informative, practical, and engaging. In fact, we've had students tell us they wished the class were longer—not because they needed more hours, but because they were learning so much.

That's the kind of experience we strive to provide.

Our advice: Don't just ask how much the class costs. Ask what you're getting for your money. The best value isn't necessarily the lowest price—it's the class that gives you the most useful education for your investment.

Student Review

I had an amazing experience in Robin's 16-hour CCW class. The time flew by, which speaks volumes about his skills as an instructor. Normally, I struggle to stay awake in a classroom setting, but this class was completely different. Robin kept it engaging, interesting, and highly interactive with his students.

Mistake #3: Confusing Expertise With the Ability to Teach

What do Bill Belichick, Andy Reid, and Bill Walsh have in common?

They all coached teams to multiple Super Bowl victories. Yet none played in the NFL.

They didn't need to be the best players on the field. Their job was to make their players better.

Teaching firearms skills works much the same way.

An instructor might be an outstanding shooter, have decades of experience, or hold an impressive collection of certifications. Those are valuable qualifications, but they don't automatically make someone a good teacher.

Knowing how to do something and knowing how to teach someone else to do it are two very different skills.

A great instructor can explain complex concepts in ways students understand, recognize what they're doing wrong, and help them improve. Just as importantly, a great instructor understands that different students learn in different ways.

At Gun Kraft, our focus isn't on showing you how much our instructor knows. It's on helping you develop your own knowledge, judgment, and skills.

We explain not just how to do something, but why it works. We want you to leave understanding the material, not simply remembering what you were told.

Our advice: When evaluating an instructor, don't just ask about their qualifications or accomplishments. Ask yourself whether they're someone who can actually help you learn. After all, you're not paying for how good your instructor is at something. You're paying for how much better they can make you.

Student Review

Reflecting on this course, I was struck by how much ground we covered that other certification programs typically miss. Robin facilitates excellent situational discussions, providing a candid, unbiased perspective that is hard to find elsewhere. His range techniques and the specific drills he provided are high-value takeaways I'll be using in my own practice.

Why Choose Gun Kraft?

At Gun Kraft, we strive to provide the best training value we can.

That starts even before you arrive. Our Counties Served resources provide information to help you understand your issuing agency's requirements and prepare for class.

We continually review and update our course material to make our instruction more relevant, practical, and useful. And we focus on teaching the information and skills that matter outside the classroom—not simply what's necessary to pass a qualification.

We know that for some people, CCW training is just another box to check on the way to getting a permit.

We believe it deserves to be more than that.

If you're considering carrying a firearm to protect yourself and the people you care about, the training you receive matters. The decisions you may someday face are far too important to treat your education as a formality.

We can't promise that taking our class will make you an expert in 16 hours. But we can promise that

we'll work to make those 16 hours as valuable as possible.

Don't just get your CCW training done. Get something out of it.