Training Review: Onlinecarrytraining.com

Advantages: Qualify for an Arizona Non-Resident concealed carry permit anytime, anywhere there’s an internet connection

Disadvantages: Basic information only, no interaction, no re-watching 

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

The guys over at Onlinecarrytraining.com reached out to me and asked me to review their product, which was fortuitous, because I’d been thinking about online firearms training for awhile now. Online education has become quite the thing since I took some online classes back in 2002, and I was curious to see what their course was like and if it was a viable alternative to real-live people classes. 

The verdict? Sorta. It depends not on what they’re teaching, but rather on what you want to learn.

A little about my firearms training background. At this point, I’ve got about 100 total hours of gun-related training under my belt, some in big classes, some of it one on one. I’ve gone through the NRA Instructor class and USPSA Range Officer training, taken classes from a bunch of different local and national schools, and I’ve got Massad Ayoob’s MAG40 class and an Appleseed event on my training horizon. I’m not Todd Green, but I’m not Gecko45 either. 

The OnlineCarryTraining.com class is simplicity itself: A fifteen minute video, with a short test afterwards. Pass the test, you’ll get a get a certificate that says you took the class and qualify for a CCW permit. A note of caution: The video covers the basic information you need to know to safely use a semi-automatic pistol: It doesn’t cover the operation of revolvers at all. and what it teaches about pistols is short and to the point. Grip, stance, sight picture, all the things that my NRA First Steps class covered, but it’s covered in less than an hour, not half a day. Take notes. No, really, take notes, especially if you’re unfamiliar with firearms. There’s a lot of data packed into this class, and unlike a class with a live person, you can’t get more help if you need it. 

To be honest, I missed being able to ask questions, but then again, I have a curious mind and I learn what I want to learn, which may or may not be what’s being taught. I’m always “that guy” in the class that just can’t sit still and listen to the lecture and always has to ask questions, and there was no opportunity to do so with this class. 

As for what’s taught, the course is comprehensive, but short. It’s pretty much the standard NRA stuff about sight picture and gun safety, but taught via video and not by a person. The product values are first-rate, and the presentation was easy to follow. Due to my training and experience, the test (for me) was easy, but I was a little quick on the clicker and entered two wrong answers due to errant mouse clicks, ending up with a 90%. 

Sue me. 

As an Arizona resident, I wasn’t familiar with what an Arizona Non-Resident permit gets you, but it’s not bad. Complete this course successfully, and you get to carry in… 

• Alabama
• Alaska*
• Arizona*
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Utah
• Vermont*
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wyoming*

*These are “Constitutional Carry” states. You don’t actually need a permit to carry concealed in these states, but in my opinion, it’s a good idea to have one anyways. 

As I said, not bad. If you live in a state without reciprocity for those states, this course is a pretty good deal for you. 

So, was it worth it?

Well, that depends on what you’re trying to get out of it.

If you actually want to learn to use your gun defensively, you’ll definitely need more training than this course, and to OnlineCarryTraining.com‘s credit, they mention this fact a number of times throughout the class. This course is a painless way to get the government’s permission to accomplish the “Carry” portion of “Carry, Compete, Practice, Train”. Nothing more, nothing less. 

However, if you want an easy way to qualify to carry in a bunch of states quickly, it’s worth your money and time to enroll. Set aside an hour, have some note paper handy, turn your computer speakers up, and get your CCW. It’s as easy as that. 

Technology. Gotta love it!