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I would like to personally recommend Dallas Concealed Carry for all who live in/near Bid D. I attended their CHL class in mid-January - taught by Daniel Harmon. Daniel gave us all a picture of what concealed carry entails, and what the risks are (he's got a great story himself). I'm one totally satisfied customer. Good goin' Daniel. And kudos to your helpmate. That was an awesome day!

Robert Gray, Plano TX.

Thanks for the review! That's where the hubby and I are taking our class too!

I took Daniel's class on the 10th in Grand Prairie and I was not as impressed. Now it wasn't "bad" and nothing unsafe was taught or occurred, but our class had something like 44 people in it and it took forever to get everyone done with the range portion (which we did before class and then towards the end for some folks) and there was a lot of instruction going on with people out of the room and it just felt like An Evening at the CHL Improv. Now, I totally get that there's probably a lot of filler needed to make this thing go the required 10 hours, but it also feels like there were a lot of shortcuts taken in the interest of being schtick-y and hopping on the soapbox. There was a "review" for the exam that introduced things that weren't discussed during the class, etc. Add to that the 20 minute TX Law Shield sales pitch as well at the pitch for his own line of holsters and I felt like I was at a time share presentation. Now I did sign up for the [Pre-paid legal service] so I guess that part was effective, but it was just madness in that place.

ALL OF THAT SAID, I think Dan was a really nice guy and I think that maybe the size of the class was a big contributor to the chaos. I hope that if he reads this he sees places to improve. His personal story is compelling, and I can tell that he has a lot of knowledge, I just think that the way it's delivered and the way the class is organized could be much better.

Seems to me they should limit the size of the classes. If they're going to have classes that large why not just have the training portion available on the Internet and then show up to do your shooting and take the test.

How instructors for 44 people? In particular what was the instructor-student ratio during the range?

There were only 7 lanes at the facility so it was 7 shooters to 1 instructor. There was an assistant there, but she didn't seem to do a whole hell of a lot. there was quite a bit of texting.

Jumping Frog wrote:How instructors for 44 people? In particular what was the instructor-student ratio during the range?

I took the class in G.P. on the 25th, same instructor and 45 people in my class. The was one instructor sitting by the laptop and one instructor talking during the classroom portion. During shooting there was one instructor and 7 lanes, so 1:7 ratio.

I agree with what was said above about too many people and too much soapbox. This was the most unsafe place I've been in a long time. Students that have never fired a pistol were playing with their rental guns and loading magazines all over the place in the classroom. I saw almost no instructions being given to anyone prior to picking up their loaded gun in the range. I wish someone would audit his class just for the sake of safety.

I think someone must have jumped him about that because he did not allow any weapons out during our class.

MikeInTX wrote:

Jumping Frog wrote:How instructors for 44 people? In particular what was the instructor-student ratio during the range?

I took the class in G.P. on the 25th, same instructor and 45 people in my class. The was one instructor sitting by the laptop and one instructor talking during the classroom portion. During shooting there was one instructor and 7 lanes, so 1:7 ratio.

I agree with what was said above about too many people and too much soapbox. This was the most unsafe place I've been in a long time. .Students that have never fired a pistol were playing with their rental guns and loading magazines all over the place in the classroom. I saw almost no instructions being given to anyone prior to picking up their loaded gun in the range. I wish someone would audit his class just for the sake of safety.

This statement is absolutely not true. The only rental weapons we have, stay in the instructors possession until we are on the range, and under NO CIRCUMSTANCES is ammo allowed to be out during class

Everyone is safety briefed before the range portion, and the examination is throughly explained before starting. I shouldn't have to give "instruction" in the range portion, as this is not a learn to shoot class. Shooters are closely monitored, and unsafe behavior is quickly dealt with.

If you felt there was too much soapbox, that is your opinion, and as such you are entitled to it. I do appreciate the feedback (at least the section that was honest)

Hey Daniel, I hope you understand that my issue with the "soapbox" was that I felt like there should have been more content related to what was gonna be on the test. I had done a lot of prep leading up to the class so it wasn't an issue for me, but it might have been for others. I also had an issue with the instruction going on with student out on the range. There were also students on the range during the "review" so they missed out on that as well. Now, the communal testing environment pretty much guaranteed that a mentally disabled chimp could still pass, but I feel like a little tweaking on your part might change "my opinion" which not only am I entitled to have but to share.

I have not attended this class (actually I've only attended one class) but I would be reluctant to attend a class with 45 people. My instructor limited his classes to a much smaller size even though he had room for many more. His rationale was to ensure that every question by every person was answered before the end of the class. I do not believe that is even remotely possible in a class of 45.

jmra wrote:I have not attended this class (actually I've only attended one class) but I would be reluctant to attend a class with 45 people. My instructor limited his classes to a much smaller size even though he had room for many more. His rationale was to ensure that every question by every person was answered before the end of the class. I do not believe that is even remotely possible in a class of 45.

I called to get into one class and they said they were full. 15 students. I was able contact another instructor that same weekend. Very few students a lot of individual attention. So so glad I got in Longtooths' class!!! He was awesome. I live in East Texas so I'm sure it's a little different out here to start with. Supply and demand.

Kabong30 wrote:Hey Daniel, I hope you understand that my issue with the "soapbox" was that I felt like there should have been more content related to what was gonna be on the test. I had done a lot of prep leading up to the class so it wasn't an issue for me, but it might have been for others. I also had an issue with the instruction going on with student out on the range. There were also students on the range during the "review" so they missed out on that as well. Now, the communal testing environment pretty much guaranteed that a mentally disabled chimp could still pass, but I feel like a little tweaking on your part might change "my opinion" which not only am I entitled to have but to share.

As I can appreciate your position on instruction while people were on the range, THAT instruction was not on any of the 4 areas the state requires. I do appreciate your (and others) feedback on the course.

Oh, and the communal testing method is the same method that the state uses when you go to Austin to take their course.

It works apparently :)

If a person is taking the CHL class they should already be very experienced with their firearms, shooting and the safety rules. Too many people leaping into the class before they are ready or experienced enough.