Just took my CCW class this past Saturday with Armed2Defend, recommended by my husband who had taken it a couple years ago. I walked in and there was a wide variety of participants (& a healthy amount of people) which automatically made me feel more comfortable. I'm a 24 small female and taking the class without anyone I knew had me a little hesitant on what to expect the class to be like. It is a family ran business and they were all very helpful and friendly. As a mom who also take their child to work sometimes I thought it was adorable that even their small daughter was helping out. The presentation was well put together and the added humor and outgoing personality of the staff made the class go faster than expected. I love that they had an Attorney come in to share his knowledge from different aspects of gun laws, ccw laws etc and answered any questions the classroom had. There were a lot of things people thought they knew (from general public perception) that was actually false. I walked away from it with a lot of new information. The structure of the class is made extremely simple to understand and for you to retain the information easily to then pass the test as well. This class is for anyone, if you've never picked up a gun to if you have an arsenal at home. One review complained about the "sales pitch antics" but in a GUN class they are going to offer you different information such as how to properly clean a gun, and they offer a gun cleaning kit. For someone new starting out or just pure convenience that's an easy way to get all the tools you need and for a business to also make a profit. I never felt forced to buy anything or overly pushed as well. However I don't recommend taking the class In January when the wind chill was in the negatives, I did love the range time. I had an older instructor (wish I could remember his name) and was partnered with another girl around my age and he was very patient with us as we both were shooting our (own) new CCW guns for only the 2nd time. It was also freezing so our hands weren't working as they normally would and things were taking longer than they should. He gave us great critique and the longer we were there the better we shot. They did pass out hand warmers and had turbo heaters set up, but it was just ridiculously cold out, but no one's fault but our because we're the ones who picked the date. My husband and I are interested in coming back to take the home defense training, and I would/do recommended the class to anyone wanting their CCW or who are wanting to become more familiar with their gun for home defense and the legalities that come with situations that can occur. read more

Having moved to OH from IL, I wanted to take advantage of the fact that I could get a CCW much easier and quicker in this state. My father-in-law took the same class before I did, using a Groupon, and he had great things to say so I went with Armed2Defend as well. The CCW class is a long day, around 8 hours or more, but it was packed with information and well organized. Sure, a lot of this information is very basic but it has to be- you have to be able to cover people from all walks of life with different levels of experience. I am a moderately experienced shooter so when it came time to go to the off-site range I joined a group that was more advanced, Dwhich allowed us to do a bit more "tactical" shooting- from different stances, angles, etc... The folks that run this business are super-nice and you can tell that they are very passionate. As mentioned before, things are quite organized and laid out for you. I brought my own gun but they have the option to try a variety to see what suits you best. They cover everything from basic gun safety to legal issues and rights to the actual shooting itself. Afterwards, you receive your certificate. I then went to the Sheriff's Office, applied for my CCW licence and had it within 4 days. Easy!! And so much better than what goes down in IL. But anyways, these guys are great and they are a perfect choice if you are looking for firearms training and/or CCW certification. Do it now! read more

The class is very informative and the instructors are very knowledgeable and helpful for first-time users. Kevin opened the floor to questions throughout the day. Armed2Defend also had an attorney present and answer questions about gun safety, gun law and how to differentiate between a life threatening situation and knowing when to walk away. They discussed the difference between a double action and a single action gun, how to identify ammunition and the right ammo for "your" gun. They also discussed the importance of gun safety in and around your home and stressed the importance of a gun safe for the home and car for travel or when you're not carrying. They also stressed proper care and cleaning your gun regularly and going to a gun range to learn your gun and practice shooting. We were also informed on the importance of identifying ourselves to the police and stating whether or not we are carrying if we are pulled over by the police or engaged with the police for any reason. It's a great class and great experience for anyone considering a concealed carry permit. I recommend the course to everyone. My husband and I have Armed2Defend business cards that we pass out. read more

Armed2Defend is truly a wonderful establishment. I took the class by myself; as a female I was really nervous but when I arrived and saw many women both working there and taking the class, I immediately felt comfortable. The instructors were AMAZING and the class it'self was extremely informative. I walked out feeling confident, excited and ready to go to the Sheriff's office to get my license! Also, I suggest taking the extra shooting package where you can shoot an array of different guns to figure out which one is best for you. It only cost and additional $25.00, if you go to Cabala's or any other location they charge you for that experience plus you have to provide your own ammunition or purchase it from that store. Armed2Defend provided all the ammunition which was a GREAT deal seeings how I didn't have a gun yet! I found Armed2Defend to be the most affordable CCL class for what I was looking for (the class to get the CCL and the package to try all the different guns-ammo included). I am considering taking other classes that they offer because I know it will leave me feeling more safe, confident and better educated. AWESOME, AWESOME place!!!!! read more

Kevin's course is everything you are looking for. It's very affordable, extremely informative, and top notch instruction. When I talk about the laws and do's/don'ts with people who have taken other courses I am amazed by how little they know compared to what we learned. My mother in law had never picked up a gun before let alone shot one. She took the class and was able to shoot 9 or 10 different guns of varying calibers to get a better idea of what she wanted purchase for herself. The ability to come back to any future class at no charge to get a refresher on the laws is a value in and of itself. The range officers are extremely knowledgeable and are there to make sure you handle yourself and your firearm in a safe and effective manner. In our group we had a wide range of familiarity with firearms and the instructors altered their approach to each of us to make sure we all left feeling comfortable and confident in our abilities. The class is a loose approach but thorough which I appreciated as it better held our interest. Oh, and if you paid $90.00 then shame on you as there always seems to be discounts on Groupon and other sites. read more

Very comprehensive course, catering to new and experienced shooters alike! They provide everything you need for license application, including a current Ohio gun laws manual. The class portion was interactive (some classes will sit you in front of a movie the whole time) they made sure everyone was clear before moving on. They take this time also to offer many items for sale (literature, Memberships, Guns, Ammo, Holsters). The lecture can be a little arduous for someone experienced with firearms, but the trainer Kevin made it bearable by being entertaining and even funny at times. The range was clean and covered (about 5 min drive from lecture location). The range was manned with maybe 15 Range Safety Officers. I was paired with a partner in the "Advanged Shooter" category to fire the mandatory state minimum 50 rounds while receiving instruction from one of the officers (very Imformative guys, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR SKILL AND KNOWLEGDE). This only took about 20 mins. The rest of the state required hours I spent observing other shooters take instruction. I enjoyed this class and would recommend it to anyone of any skill level. read more

its a good class Kevin is a good guy friendly. Makes you feel welcome. In class just go with the flow it all works out in the end . At the range they have you make two lines for experienced shooters and inexperienced. The only thing was I got in the experienced line fully expecting to waste some free ammo but that line is also for if you have your own sidearm. If you prefer to waste free ammo you could go to the back of the line. I just went to the car and got my gun. Range guys were nice very friendly. The only thing was the instructor belly aching about picking up brass . I did not want too . They could get a vacuum to sweep it up after class if they were that worried about it . I paid plenty to shoot and get trained. I feel that it was a good deal. If you choose to buy the extras then do so if not don't. I wish I would have asked the lawyer they have in class a few questions but I felt shy about it. Should have . I would recommend the class to anyone I accomplished what I wanted I have my concealed carry. One more thing they crack a few jokes and ease your nerves I like that. But when it counts its serious business. read more

It has been four years since my experience, but I also know a few others who recently attended Armed2Defend CCW courses. I would recommend Armed2Defend CCW courses for most everyone who is even considering gun ownership, much less getting a Concealed Carry License. The experience you get is well worth the cost. The great thing about them is the amount of training you get for the amount of money you pay. I give them 5 stars because of the bang for the buck. If you want to spend a fortune, there are more expensive and more experienced people, but you get everything you need and plenty of experienced, professional help from this group, and they will save you plenty of time and money while providing excellent service. They even have simple guns and most forms of ammo if you don't bring your own (I recommend you bring the gun you will use). Their classes should be easy enough to schedule for near anyone and their website is informative. Their instructors were most helpful with information and advice, if you just listen. Again, I highly recommend them for making a CCW class more affordable for the general population. read more

I HIGHLY recommend Armed2Defend! Kevin and his entire staff is very professional and next-to-none in customer service! They do everything for you short of calling and setting your appointment at the Sherriff's office! From the initial step of signing up to take the class, to emails after class is over, Kevin stays in touch and is very accessible with any questions. You leave class with everything you need to obtain your permit, including the picture! Everyone is very knowledgeable and friendly and the whole process is extremely organized. Kevin does a great job in the classroom, delivering the material with a touch of humor, so the day flies by! It doesn't matter if you're experienced with handguns or not, the staff really makes you comfortable. The time at the range is VERY productive and safe and you gain a lot of experience from it. The instructor/student ratio is amazingly low, (mine was 1:2) so you can take your time, ask questions, pick your instructor's brain...whatever you need to do to feel confident. I'm looking forward to taking more advanced classes from Armed2Defend! read more

An excellent choice. The officer at the Sheriffs office when seeing that I had an Armed to Defend Cert, made the comment that "It was one of the good ones". I am a veteran, hunter etc. and already knew how to shoot. I knew going in that I would be sitting thru a lot of general firearm information and that 8 hours would be a long day, and that the course had to cover the basics as some of the people there had never fired a weapon. However, in general it went quickly and was worth the effort. I especially felt that the legal section was worth hearing and the attorney was straight forward and no nonsense. Bottom line, it got the job done, I can carry legally and that is the point. I did not expect a country club setting, nor did I expect seal-level training out of the course. I don't expect 90 dollars to provide me with a bunch of creature comforts. The range instructors in my advanced session were very on point. Yes, there was some effort to sell a few extras, but no real pressure to buy anything. The value was there for the money. read more

I originally chose this company to take my CCW class last year, after meeting one of the owners at the recycle bin and having a chat. The class was well attended, well organized, well instructed, and thorough. There were also many instructors, each with their own expert skill set, taking a turn teaching to their specialty. It is clear that this company cares about the quality of their service and product. They have their own covered, outdoor range and it is very comfortable with tables, chairs and many stations for target shooting. Since I want to be a more well-rounded and responsible gun owner, I chose to join their women's shooting group. I paid for the entire summer and will be attending my third session at the end of this month I absolutely love it. Again, the instructor to student ratio is wonderful and I always get my questions answered and I'm able to get assistance from any one of them. I will continue to attend classes in order to maintain my comfort level with my pistol. I give this company an A+ rating. read more

I have taken the class for CCW and attended many of the women's classes. Both of these were outstanding. CCW-I took the one day training of 12 hours. This was a long day, but a lot of information and knowledge from the instructors made the day easier. The amount of knowledge, in my opinion, these instructors have is a great amount. They showed me/us how to clean a gun and the things that are important in being a responsible CCW holder. Women's group is amazing too. It brings woman together to feel comfortable in learning by other very knowledgeable woman. I've learned protection, aiming, and reinforces many things that we learned from the CCW class. It's great environment to ask questions and not feel stupid or embarrassed to ask. I highly recommend either of these two for anyone interested. To top off all of this, it's the most reasonable training's that I could find out there. They bring their passion for teaching others responsible gun ownership and CCW. read more

The Armed2Defend conceal carry class was a great experience. The class instructor was friendly, easy to understand and helpful, and without a trace of a know-it-all attitude. Being instructed by someone from the Marine Corps/State Highway Patrol gave a real credibility to the material he presented. The legal aspect of conceal carry was addressed very well too. Lots of insight, and again, easy to understand. The range portion of the class was a great experience as well. I felt at ease, and safe. The range instructors are very professional, friendly, and helpful as well. Again, with the instructors being in the Marine Corps/State Highway Patrol, there's legitimate credibility in what they're teaching you. I would recommend Armed2Defend's conceal carry class to anyone thinking about getting a conceal carry license. Well worth the time and money. In fact, I was so impressed with Armed2Defend's class and instructors, I plan on taking their Defensive Pistol Training Course too. read more

I recently took the Armed2Defend class so I could apply for my CCW license. I wasn't sure what to expect from the class since I have never really been around guns before let alone know anything about them. To my surprise I really enjoyed the class! The lecture portion of the class was very informative. I learned different types and parts of the guns to how to handle them. He even had Ken Hanson come in and speak to us and answer any questions we had about the law. My favorite part of the whole class though was shooting! I was really uncomfortable and nervous going to the range but as soon as it was my turn to shoot there was an instructor right by my side helping me every step of the way until they knew I was comfortable enough to pass the testing part on my own! The whole class was very informative and I would recommend it to anyone looking to get their CCW no matter what their experience already is! read more

I took the class back when it was 12 hours. It was a long day but it went by pretty fast. They train a lot of people and the class sizes can be large but they have a lot of people on staff. They have multiple presenters and a very knowledgeable attorney to go over current Ohio laws. During range time, they have many friendly and competent range officers to assist. If you are new to firearms and shooting, they will work with you one on one. There is a big focus on safety rather than hitting the bulls eye. You cannot beat the value. I attend the lady's shooting group. The value is unbelievable. Class time to go over cleaning, gun safety, holsters, etc and then range time. They have many range officers volunteering their time and they truly want to help you any way they can. The owners are really good people. I recommend Armed2Defend to all my friends! read more

Armed2Defend is totally family owned and operated. As such, everyone you encounter there, other than range instructors, has a vested, personal interest in seeing that you have the best possible experience. Their CCW class employs the best firearm-defense attorney in Ohio, and the instruction is flawless. The instructors on the range number one for every two class members which is exemplary. Restrooms at the range are primitive, and there is essentially no cooling in the way of fans in the hot summer months. Students should take water to the range (although a limited supply is available there, there is no running water). Their fees are the lowest in the area, as near as I can ascertain. This class is, indeed, "as good as it gets." If you want to do the range experience indoors, go elsewhere, but be sure to take your checkbook with you read more

I'm a woman who had virtually no experience with hand guns prior to this class. I came out of it feeling extremely comfortable and am continuing to practice. I've even made quite a few of my female friends comfortable handling different types of guns. (Husbands tend to skip the small details that make all the difference to us women.) I would recommend this group to anyone seeking their concealed carry permit. Even my husband and son were both glad that I insisted on a full class versus one of those "short-cut" classes. There's nothing gained by shortcutting something that can change or devastate your life forever. If you can't take this seriously enough to put in the time, you really have no business carrying. And remember "Perfect practice makes perfect!" read more

I discovered Armed2Defend through Groupon when I bought two passes for my husband and myself for Christmas. Didn't know a thing about guns or concealed carry laws, but I had always been curious. This was a great class, very educational and I had so much fun that the time quickly flew by. Spring for the sampler package - extra $25, but you get to try out several different caliber and models of firearms which ultimately helped me decide to purchase a Ruger LCP380 for my first handgun. The instructor I had on the range was very patient and took the time to help me perfect my grip and aim. I was shooting very accurately by the time I finished the 50 rounds. I have since gone on to apply for my permit. Very happy with the overall experience. read more

I can't imagine anyone running a course better than this and I didn't feel like I had to pay a premium to get it. First, they had weekday classes available which was a necessity for me. The price was perfect with the option to add on extras like a gun sampler package (a phenomenal deal) and various books and resources. From the moment I pulled in the parking lot it was very clear where to go and what to do. I loved that they took our passport style photo and gave us our certificate at the class. When I left at the end of the day I had everything I needed to go get my CCW all neatly packed in the folder they gave us. I had only shot a pistol once before the class, but during our range time I felt like I got all the help I needed. read more