Just wrapped up my 8-hour LASD CCW refresher with Medic Up Consulting, and let me tell you, these…read moreguys are the real deal. If you've been to enough of these classes over the years like I have, you know they can sometimes turn into a dry lecture or a massive instructor ego trip. Or both. Not here.
The guys running the show--Ron, Juan, and the rest of the crew--are active and retired law enforcement, veterans, and first responders. They aren't just reading slides out of a manual; they're sharing actual, street-level experience. There's no fluff and absolutely zero attitude, just straight-shooting, practical advice from people who have actually been there. Every single instructor, and there are a lot of them, are approachable, engaging, and legitimately want to help you become a safer and more knowledgeable CCW card holder.
The day starts with a safety brief and then some shooting drills, followed by the live-fire qualification, all of it up at Burro Canyon (give yourself extra time to get there, this place is in the middle of the boondocks). Safety was locked down tight, but the environment was relaxed enough that everyone could focus and get some solid training in. The instructors readily admit that the actual shooting qualification score is a no-brainer, so they weave in more things like drawing from the holster and dropping magazines. The instructors are constantly on the move, adjusting your grip, giving you tips to be a safer and more accurate shooter. Very, very cool.
Following the shooting qualifications and a lunch break, they handled the legal updates and use-of-force stuff clearly and kept the class moving. One of the best parts is that they actually weave trauma medical training ('Stop the Bleed') right into the course. Knowing how to save a life is just as important as knowing how to handle a firearm, and most other CCW classes completely skip that side of the coin. I will confess that as a new hunter, I carry a tourniquet, but I didn't consider some of the nuances the instructors brought up, like rapid access from the pack, putting it on one-handed, high and tight, etc. And we actually practiced using it!
If you need your initial permit or you're just looking for a renewal class that won't waste your time, don't look anywhere else. Professional, down-to-earth, and genuinely good people. Five stars all day long.