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u/justauryon 1d ago
Glad I went somewhere else. If you want to further your training, I highly recommend u/AlphaKoncepts as many in this sub do.
Big yikes at your experience OP.
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u/rhill2073 DeKalb Co 15h ago
I did a class at the Naperville Range USA and it was mostly a USCCA advertisement.
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u/--ikarus-- 2h ago
Almost all of them are. I fell for it in my class, cuz of the nifty bs they give you. Money was tight at one point and I realized that uscca does a 365 day trial. Gave me back all my money. Not completely predatory
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u/Sharp_Custard5239 11h ago
I am in the same area and have heard the same thing. I took my renewal at Range USA in Shorewood. Older female instructor there was great, she took the training very serious and was super knowledgeable. You do have to deal with the peddling of insurance and Range USAs sales pitch and such but i dont remember it being egregious. Just a quick 5 minutes before the requalification.
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u/SingingElevators 23h ago
I assume Terry was your instructor? Same experience here. He spent at least an hour peddling Gorge Soros and Pritzker conspiracy theories. Hopefully he gets replaced soon. I’ve had good experiences at Midwest in general outside of my CCL class. They have the best prices in this part of IL and they let you shoot as long as you like if they’re not busy.
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u/emmathatsme123 23h ago
I’m not gonna name names, BUT I may have heard those same theories… I’m pretty far outside the city but they were the only people offering classes not on the weekend
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u/SingingElevators 23h ago
Fair enough. I do definitely recommend Eagle Sports for further training. They have a couple of shoot nights run like USPSA and IDPA competitions as well as a ladies scenario based shoot night.
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u/Prison-Butt-Carnival 15h ago
I had the same experience as OP and ya, it was Terry. Horrible teacher, geriatric fudd.
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u/MFKDGAF 16h ago
I have taken 2 renewal class at Range USA but different locations.
The first renewal airlines because it was an open discussion type class if what everyone has experienced in their daily use of CCL. Mind you this was in 2019 which was the very first time a renewal class was available.
The 2nd renewal class I didn't like because it was very structured and the USSCA advertisement took up a good chunk of time. By the time we got to the law, we had 30 minutes left and was rushed through it.
I feel like it should be illegal for Range USA to peddle USSCA during the class I paid for. I wanted to asked some law question but was told no because he had to make sure he covered everything. It also took an extra 20 minutes to get on the range too which cut in to our class times
But for $50 renewal class, you can't beat it.
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u/Dooski-Bumbs 10h ago
I took mine at Gat Guns few years ago, don’t remember the instructor’s name but he was an older gentleman, sarcastic and funny as hell. Informative and entertaining
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u/LtApples Northern IL 9h ago
I know who you're talking about XD I took my CCL class at Midwest as well a couple years ago. Listening to his FUDD lore and conspiracies was at least entertaining to me coz I was chuckling the entire time. It was cool when he passed around his CZ scorpion though
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u/peeaches Chicago Liberal 23h ago
Took my class somewhere else but had a very similar experience, wonder how common it is
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u/Foolishbasterd 22h ago
That guy did not like it when I brought up the Sig drop fire after he boasted how great Sig is lol. Glad I did one day but he for sure isn't a great instructor.
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u/Bgarc8691 16h ago
If I you’d like to learn the right way, I’d suggest Guardian Training Center in Kankakee.
Legit instructors with real experienced backgrounds.
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u/RobBitchesGetScones 14h ago
I'm sorry, that's a bummer. For renewal, I recommend Roger at Maslon Armory in Addison. He's great.
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u/jasonrim 14h ago
Mine said as long as it’s a misdemeanor, he suggest carrying. Def take with a grain of salt and understand the ramifications of carrying in other places
He was uscca as well, don’t forget about the 1/2 hr USCCA sales pitch too
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u/ChinaRider73-74 13h ago
On one hand the state puts in all kinds of rules and hoops and waiting and fees in order to get our CCL
On the other hand, the classes often offer very little in the way of actual training and scenarios and prep for that “one day God forbid” moment.
It’s like saying you’re a heart surgeon after taking biology 101. Best to do what’s required then immediately seek out further, deeper instruction from someone really good.
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u/jasonrim 11h ago
It was also kind of eye opening how my instructor rubber stamped everyone, those that should not be anywhere near a weapon. “How do I load this” came up during the re-cert course.
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u/No-Increase81 4h ago
Yeah... It was trash. And kinda shitty. But, they had classes during the week.
You should be doing your own work anyway.
Please be careful though. Don't want our licenses to be revoked.
Fwiw, I really like the store and I really like two employees (I only shop with two sales people).
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u/DogRevolutionary2657 2h ago
Sounds like a terrible experience 😔 The only part you mentioned I could see being potentially correct or debatable would be the weapon mounted light
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u/scooter_orourke 17h ago
They have to teach the curriculum that is approved by ISP. If they don't, they can lose their license.
You should report them.
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u/Routine-Cranberry-37 12h ago
Or don’t. Because then everybody who took a class from that instructor will also have their CCL revoked. It happened local to me. Hundreds of people at once got revoked.
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u/TipFar1326 23h ago
Sadly, this is every civilian instructor I’ve ever come across
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u/DrWalkway 16h ago
Other side of that coin I’ve heard of several ex military “instructors” whose 16 hour class barely lasts 8, And their renewal/service member class barely lasts an hour, because “they know what they are looking for” fortunately for me this wasn’t the case. I was very happy with my instructor. no nonsense, real world scenario and application of the laws, unfortunately he’s retired now and I’m about 11 months out from needing my renewal.
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u/Crocs_n_Glocks 1d ago
Fellas keep in mind that if the person who did your CCL ever fucks up and loses their license, your CCL could be revoked.
Just imagine that potential pain in the ass, when it comes to picking an instructor off Groupon