People Love Cedar Valley Firearms Training - See for Yourself!

I've spent some time gathering some more feedback from people that have taken the Iowa Basic Pistol course to get their Iowa Permit to Carry Weapons. Here are some of their comments.

"I liked the course. I think it was very well laid out with the different modules focusing on different areas in logical progression. I also liked having the videos and web links, etc. incorporated as well. Far better than just sitting and reading page after page of text! I particularly liked the last module with focus on additional training and resources, as I think this is an extremely important topic and it was good to get some exposure to places to get more info. I bookmarked a lot of the links, so thanks for the effort to put this information together. Overall, I'd have to say I was very pleased with the course, and would definitely recommend to others." -- Randy

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"I have found that this course is a lot more in depth than what my friend attended in person. They did not even discuss the Iowa laws there, and while it was challenging for me, I did appreciate taking it over again so that I know I have a basic understanding of how Iowa permit to carry laws are.

At first, I was going to attend a face to face class when they came to town at the end of the month, and although skeptical at first of an online permit to carry class, I decided to do it this route as it fits my schedule better. And I am very happy that I did! All the resources are very valuable and will help ensure that I have received the best training I can get as of now!

I will be sure to pass along a reference to anybody who is looking into obtaining an Iowa permit to carry, as I believe this was the most informative and also the most "bang for the buck" option, even though it was the same cost as a face to face class, but I feel I have learned much more here than I would have there." -- Keegan

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"Good job fellow educator! Like the testimonials said (I shopped around before choosing this course) the content was well rounded and not shaped by off-the-wall stories and questions you might hear in a live classroom. (My brother told me about his experience...) I think the videos were very informative. I look forward to getting back to a range to check my grip." -- James

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"I found the course to be very informative and thought provoking. The information was very well organized and supported by numerous links and outside resources. Although I have been a hunter and gun enthusiast for many years, I learned a great deal about gun laws, safety, etc. As you state at the beginning of the course, read and study all of the materials. It's well worth the effort." -- Douglas

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"I have enjoyed this course and found it very informative and educational.The videos were great.You have done a great job in putting this course together.I found it even better than a sit down class I attended in the past. Thanks for making this course possible." -- Randy

More Happy Customers!

I just wanted to share a couple of email messages that I've received from happy customers about my course. This is one from a husband that had his wife take my class recently.

"Just wanted to give you some feedback on your online course.  My wife took your online a few weeks ago and I was impressed with the course content and structure.

Being new to pistols, I actually believe she got more out of the online course than she would have gotten in attending an actual class.  Sometimes I think a physical class gets sidetracked on stories about this and that and the attendees, especially those new to pistols and CCW, lose focus on the actual content and purpose of the class.  Not to mention that individuals' attention spans vary.  This course allowed her to complete sections at her pace.
She received her permit within one week of submitting it to the sheriff's office.

Anyway, well organized material and I hope it is successful for you.  I have recommended it to several of my friends who were interested in obtaining a CCW permit but for whatever reason have been reluctant to attend a face-to-face class.
-- Steve"

And another one from a woman that took my course a few months back...

"I will definitely tell any friends that I come into contact with about your course.

I did enjoy all the links to the articles about the different ways to carry concealed.  Especially the article from a woman’s perspective.  It gave me a lot of information that I had never even previously considered.  For example, making sure that you are only wearing clothes/bags/ etc. that you would wear regardless of whether or not you were carrying a gun.  That it was important to be comfortable and confident.  If you were wearing something simply because it conceals well, you may look more awkward and out of place, which might draw more attention.

As I began looking into it, I realized that carrying for a woman is definitely a totally different ball of wax and I will need to really get ‘hands-on’ when purchasing my equipment.  It appears there is a wide variety and unless it works and it comfortable, I will not be likely to utilize it.  I was also able to come up with pros/cons of carrying on the person or in a bag.  I think that is an important discussion.  I think carrying in a purse is better than nothing, but it does present problems that need to be thought through before attempting to do that.  I think had I not had the information presented, I would have simply opted for this rather than realizing that I did have good options for carrying on my person.  So, I think that was a good article to include.

--Steph"

I couldn't have said it any better!

Shopping for an Online Iowa Permit to Carry Course? BUYER BEWARE!

It's amazing that over the last 6 months how many other online courses have become available. They offer "discount" pricing and empty promises that their course is being accepted by ALL Iowa Sheriffs. The funny thing about this is that these companies aren't even from Iowa. They don't know Iowans and they CERTAINLY don't know how seriously we take our new law! They don't even know that Iowa does not have a "concealed carry permit", Iowa's permit is a Permit to Carry Weapons. There is a difference! They claim that you can get through their material in 65 minutes, or an hour, but what are they really teaching you? Do you learn about Iowa law? NO!!! Do you learn about concealed carry techniques? NO!!!! Do they give you resources that you can take with you? NO! Do you learn about carry options like...

• What handgun should I be looking for?
• What options for carry for women and men are there?
• What's the best way to conceal a firearm?

NO NO NO!!!

When looking for the BEST online Iowa Permit to Carry course option, make sure you take this into consideration! Take your course from Cedar Valley Firearms Training! I'm FROM Iowa, I know Iowa and I offer you MORE FOR YOUR MONEY! Don't believe me? Check out these testimonials from Iowans that have taken my course. 

The quest for the everyday carry flashlight - Fenix PD31

I've been looking for a nice carry flashlight for a while now, but really hadn't found the perfect one. The light that I want has to be small enough to fit in my pocket, at least 180 lumens, a strobe feature was highly desired as well as the ability to take rechargeable batteries. I looked long and hard at the AA ones that were out on the market and although they were a nice size, to get the lumens I was looking for I had to go with a model that took two AAs, and I felt that was getting a bit too long. I found the Streamlight ProTac 1 and 2AA models and thought the 1AA model was the perfect size, but wasn't nearly bright enough. I then looked at the ProTac 2L version and it had everything I was looking for, except for the rechargeable batteries. I almost pulled the trigger on it anyway, then I was advised to look at another brand from one of my friends that is a police officer...

And that brand was Fenix! So I started doing some research and found some great reviews on several of their lights on YouTube. It seems that lots of people are happy with their lights and my friend said he LOVED his TA21 which had ALL of the features that I wanted, but is certainly isn't small enough to put in your pocket!

So I started to looking for a smaller flashlight that might possibly fill my needs. I started finding information about their "PD" series and found the PD10, PD20 and PD30. All three of these flashlights met my requirements for 180 lumens, which is pretty amazing despite the small size of the PD10 and PD20. The PD10 was out, because it had no strobe. The PD 20 and 30 both had enough lumens, were both small enough to fit in my pocket and both had a strobe feature. I was leaning towards the PD30, just because it is rated at 257 lumens! The only problem was that it only used CR123s not the rechargeable 18650 Li-ion battery. I was wanting one that could use both like the TA21. Then I found the PD31!

The PD31 is a limited edition flashlight from Fenix that is about the same length (2mm longer) and about the same diameter (2.5mm larger) as the PD30. The PD31 is rated at 304 lumens, nearly 50 lumens more than the PD30! It also takes the rechargeable 18650 Li-ion battery, which accounts for it's larger diameter, and CR123s. It has a "general mode" which is accessed by turning the bezel counter-clockwise which will allows you to throw a beam of light at 2, 67, 124 lumens and an SOS mode at 124 lumens by taping the tail cap switch. Then if you tighten the the bezel ring, and click the tail cap switch, you get the "turbo" mode which is an amazing 304 lumens! Tap it again, and you get a strobe at 304 lumens. To be honest, it's pretty impressive.

Although this light has a higher lumen output than the TA21, it does not throw the light as far as the TA21. The TA21 is rated to throw over 200m and the PD31 is rated at just 140m. This is because the beam is not quite as focused as the TA21. The PD31 is a more of a flood than a spot. The PD31 also does not have a momentary tail cap switch, it is a click switch, but it's not considered by Fenix a tactical light. That is covered by their TK and TA series lights.

PD31 and TA21 with Ruler

PD31 left, TA21 right

PD31 with 18650 Li-ion and CR123s

Overall I am VERY impressed with the PD31. It has all of the features I was looking for in a pocket light although some may find it too big. I've included some pictures of the PD31 compared to the TA21. Let me know what you think.

Don't be fooled into taking another online training course to get your Iowa Permit to Carry Weapons!

I've been doing some research into some other sites that offer ONLINE training to get your Iowa Permit to Carry Weapons and what I've found is amazing!

Number one... Cedar Valley Firearms Training is the ONLY company that is housed here in the state of Iowa. All of the others are "out of state" companies are from Virginia, Colorado, and Maryland, and NONE that I've found COVER IOWA LAW!

Number two... If you visit many of these sites you'll also notice that they state up front that their training ISN'T accepted by many of the Iowa sheriffs. Some of them state that only about ONE FOURTH of the counties in Iowa accept their training! That is NOT the case with Cedar Valley Firearms Training. I have YET to be denied by ANY sheriff's department in the state of Iowa! As a matter of fact, I have MANY Iowa sheriffs that are recommending my course as the ONLY online option that they are accepting!

Number three... most of these courses take the term "basic" to the extreme! They are ONLY covering about 90 min or less of material on the different parts of a handgun, how to clean it, and how to take a sight picture. Wow! Nothing about what to carry, how to carry, choosing a handgun, IOWA LAW, where you can and CANNOT carry in Iowa, interacting with police and options for further training like you will find in the Cedar Valley Firearms - Basic Pistol Online Course.

Number four.... For most courses out there you cannot contact any instructor if you have questions! That's not what you'll find with the Cedar Valley Firearms Training - Basic Pistol Course. I make myself available to ALL of my students so they can ask questions either by phone or by email EVEN AFTER THE COURSE IS COMPLETE! I have several of my students that have contacted me to further their training or for advice on what to purchase for their concealed carry gear. I'm here to answer your questions!

And the most amazing thing is, MOST OF THEM COST THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY! I guess when it comes to other courses out there you AREN'T getting what you pay for.

Don't be fooled by other online firearms training courses. The other companies out there are just wanting to take your money and leave you with nothing more than a certificate and a bunch of questions. Take your course from Cedar Valley Firearms Training and rest assured you've taken your class from an IOWAN that is here to help!

Face to face training this weekend in Cedar Falls!

I have some openings for a face-to-face Basic Pistol class that I'm offering this weekend at Blackhawk Sprinklers. The class starts at noon and will go till 4pm on Saturday, April 2nd. If you'd like a spot, email me at instructor@cedarvalleyfirearmstraining.com and I'll save one for you!

At the Waterloo Gunshow this Weekend

Come on by to see me this weekend at the Waterloo gunshow!

I've been spreading the word about getting an Iowa Permit to Carry Weapons this weekend and have talked to a bunch of great people. I've also been pushing people to get involved with the NRA and the Iowa Firearms Coalition so we can keep this right and work to streangthen it!

I've also seen some great deals on guns, so if you haven't checked it out, you should! Here's a link to get $1 off of admission.