Current USCCA instructors I’m looking for some opinions. I’ve been certified pistol through the NRA for a while now and recently added CCW. I really like CCW but I’m looking for more to offer students than BOPS (which is all my state currently allows for permit classes). USCCA CC/HD is also allowed, you have to teach one or the other. While basic pistol serves a purpose, I’m thinking from what I’ve been able to read up on, Concealed Carry/Home Defense is probably a better course for those serious about carrying everyday.
Those that have taught both, please give me the pros and cons. There is a USCCA Instructor training in my area at the end of next month and I’m trying to decide what I’m gonna do. Thanks!
One of the great things about the USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals (CCHDF) course is that it focuses more on concealed carrying and covers the basics of carrying a firearm, home defense, and basic handgun knowledge. I recently took the course to become a Certified CCHDF Instructor, but I have not taught yet. I do know that @Dawn has taught courses, and can probably chime in with what she likes. @Zee can also provide a lot of insight as well as she is a very active instructor.
Basic Pistol is a great class for those who need the introduction, @Jeff4.
The CCHDF (Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals) class does cover Concealed Carry, home defense, some basic pistol knowledge and state laws. I think it’s a great overall course (and much more inclusive than the CCW class I took over 7 years ago now).
I would also suggest taking the Defensive Shooting Fundamentals class - and then becoming an instructor if that’s the direction you want to go. Where CCHDF doesn’t have hands-on training, Defensive Shooting Fundamentals has AMAZING hands-on training!
The two classes offer a great progression from starting out to daily carry. Am I bias? Maybe a tinge. But I’ve taken multiple courses and the USCCA Classes are much more user-friendly, thorough, and well-rounded if you ask me.
No matter what, know your material and ask questions if you’re not sure. I’d much rather have an instructor say let me get the exact right answer than fake it and give me bad information.
I took my first NRA Pistol Instructor cert course in … 2004? the NRA materials have improved some since then, and the Personal Protection Inside the Home is a more comprehensive course than Basic Pistol. It’s a reasonable course for basing CPL training on (some states require it rather than Basic Pistol.)
That said, I think the USCCA material is better - more modern, more up-to-date, better presented. And from a teacher’s perspective, I think the organization of the teaching material is much easier to use in the USCCA courses than the NRA courses.
However, neither the PPin the Home or CCHDF are “shooting” classes. If you want to offer shooting skills, stress inoculation, real-life scenario context, and practical application of carry, draw, shoot, move, assess, or shoot/don’t shoot, the Defensive Shooting Fundamentals (I and II) are the thing to do. DSF is a pretty much all-shooting class, no sit-down instruction.
Thanks you guys have answered my questions. In my state it’s either Basic Pistol or CCHD for permits. The new nra CCW is a great course but can’t be used for permit classes. I just want to offer the best material for students who plan to carry daily and basic pistol just isn’t that. Great course for beginners and refreshers though.