Merced County CCW Classes

Merced County

559 CCW serves Merced, Plumas, and neighboring Central Valley counties with DOJ-certified California concealed carry training priced at $165 for the 16-hour initial course and $125 for the 8-hour renewal. The operation is led by a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former Primary Marksmanship Instructor who holds DOJ certification. Students choose between interactive online courses—available to residents of Fresno (both PD and Sheriff), Tulare, Madera, Merced, Kings, and Plumas Counties—and in-person classes that include free lunch. Online instruction automatically saves progress, allowing self-paced completion before scheduling live-fire qualification at local ranges. The program meets Penal Code §26165 and SB2 requirements, with training structured around firearm safety, California use-of-force laws, shooting fundamentals, and responsible concealed carry. A specialized non-resident course is offered to qualified out-of-state applicants affiliated with organizations such as Gun Owners of California, CRPA, GOA, or SAF who demonstrate valid reasons for California travel. 559 CCW maintains 5.0-star Google ratings across 183 reviews, with students consistently noting the instructor's professionalism, patience, and hands-on guidance during range qualification. Direct booking is available through the website for all course options, including a 12-course firearms education bundle offered at $49.99.

Modesto, Merced County

Called2Arms Gun Range is an online training academy specializing in security professional and CCW classes for firearm owners. With over 30 years of experience in the Central Valley, they offer comprehensive training including CCW courses, BSIS security training, and various defensive skills courses. Their certified instructors hold NRA Law Enforcement, BSIS, DOJ CCW, and P.O.S.T. certifications, serving both civilian CCW holders and security professionals.

Chowchilla, Merced County

First Priority Security Consulting LLC holds both FFL01 and FFL07 federal firearms licenses, enabling the Tracy-based company to sell firearms and perform specialized modifications and armorer work. Keith Brown serves as CEO and principal instructor, leading CCW qualification courses, basic firearms training, and security guard certification programs across San Joaquin, Sacramento, and Alameda counties. The business maintains factory-certified armorer credentials for Glock, SIG SAUER, and AR-15 platforms, offering repair and modification services that preserve manufacturer warranties. Brown holds U.S. Department of Justice certification as an Active Shooter Threat and Use of Force Instructor and maintains training in basic and advanced life-saving procedures. The company's training methodology emphasizes shooting fundamentals—proper stance, grip, sight alignment, and sight picture—using replica AirSoft guns for skill confirmation before live fire. Beyond firearms services, First Priority operates as a California LiveScan fingerprint operator and provides security consulting for homes and businesses preparing for natural or man-made disaster events. The company also delivers California DOJ instructor certification courses, exposed firearm permit training, 8-hour Power of Arrest and 32-hour security guard skills training, and stocks self-defense products. Initial 16-hour CCW courses for residents of San Joaquin, Sacramento, and Alameda counties cost $325 and include foundational firearms instruction. All services operate strictly by appointment from the Banff Court location in Tracy.

Modesto, Merced County

Grover Group Training provides California-approved DOJ SB2 CCW curriculum with certified instructors holding credentials from California Department of Justice, NRA, USCCA, and California POST. They offer hybrid delivery with virtual instructor-led lectures and live-fire qualification, serving over 30 sheriff's offices and police departments across Northern California. Classes are limited to 10 students and include qualification for up to 3 firearms, with optional add-on training for Utah, Arizona, Florida and Virginia non-resident CCW permits.

Tracy, Merced County

Hammer Stryke Self-Reliance Training, Inc. is a California Corporation providing advanced firearms training and CCW permit courses for central California counties including Mariposa, Madera, Merced and Stanislaus. Their instructors have backgrounds in military, law enforcement, search and rescue, and emergency medicine. The company emphasizes comprehensive training beyond minimum requirements, offering not just qualification but practical skills development for real-world scenarios.

Gustine, Merced County

Hard Focus Firearms Training is dedicated to providing effective defensive shooting techniques to protect yourself and loved ones. They pride themselves on going above and beyond minimum standards by providing the best experience and safest environment for their students. The company is approved for CCW certification in seven California counties: Merced, Madera, Fresno, Tulare, San Benito, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus.

Clovis, Merced County

John Lewis began his firearms journey at age 13 on a hunting trip with Chuck, a retired California Highway Patrol officer and Merced County Constable, whose expertise and mentorship sparked Lewis's path toward professional instruction. Later working in the gun department at Herb Bauer Sporting Goods, Lewis was encouraged by colleagues to enter the training arena, eventually founding his Clovis-based business with a philosophy of keeping shooters "Forever In Training." The company provides initial 16-hour CCW courses at $425 and 8-hour renewals at $225, both meeting SB2 requirements and approved by multiple Central Valley agencies including Fresno County Sheriff, Fresno Police Department, Madera County Sheriff, Tulare County Sheriff, Kings County Sheriff, Merced County Sheriff, and Mariposa County Sheriff. Training emphasizes the distinction between mere shooting and genuine preparation, incorporating threat assessment, aftermath protocol, mental health components, and live-fire drills from 3 to 10 yards. Lewis offers private instruction, advanced courses focused on CCW holster draw and everyday carry, new owner orientation for handguns or modern sporting rifles, FSC instructor certification, and monthly membership programs for ongoing skill development. Students praise his knowledge, passion for safe gun handling, and decades-long commitment to Central Valley firearms education, with testimonials describing him as the region's premier trainer who builds lifelong client relationships through respect, integrity, and personalized attention.

Merced County

M2 Firearms Training offers NRA-certified firearms courses including Basic Pistol Training, CCW training, and Defensive Handgun Training. They provide an 8-hour CCW initial course and 4-hour renewal classes, along with specialized courses like Personal Protection in the Home. Students must contact them by phone to arrange classes, and they emphasize training focused on keeping students safe.

Mariposa, Merced County

Police Science Institute was established in 1991 as the Central Valley's first independent school for security and law enforcement training. The institute's founders built a curriculum that blends theoretical coursework with hands-on professional skills development, creating a learning model where students immediately apply classroom knowledge through field experiences. Instructors John Hammett, Robert Schantz, Teddie Chao Simpson, and Greg Delacerda are affiliated with law enforcement agencies and hold certifications from the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), California Department of Justice, P.O.S.T., and the National Rifle Association. The institute operates from 5133 North Gates Avenue in Fresno, serving Fresno, Mariposa, Kings, Madera, and Merced counties. Students can reach the institute at 559-276-9800 or 209-614-1718. Police Science Institute offers California CCW initial permit courses for $190 and renewal courses for $75, plus a Utah non-resident CCW permit option and supplemental California training hours materials covering SB2-compliant topics including less-lethal self-defense, mental wellness, and dry-fire practice. The facility houses The Range Pistol Club, Central California's premier indoor firearm range, which features a full-service showroom with handguns, ammunition, and accessories. Online payment is preferred for all CCW classes, with walk-in options also available. Beyond concealed carry instruction, the institute provides security guard licensing classes, BSIS mandatory and elective training, exposed carry firearms permits, firearms requalification, baton training, Taser certification, CPR/First Aid/AED courses, basic handgun instruction, and specialized women's self-defense and handgun classes. The institute maintains its commitment to placing graduates in full-time permanent positions within the security and law enforcement industries.

Fresno, Merced County

Sheriff-approved CCW instruction and renewal classes.

Redding, Merced County

Valley Defense provides comprehensive firearms training in the Central Valley with instructors who have served in local law enforcement and been trained by internationally recognized facilities. They offer handgun, shotgun, and carbine training for both civilians and law enforcement, including CCW concealed carry training, non-lethal defense, and courses ranging from basic to advanced levels. Their training emphasizes real-life application and includes consideration of the responsibility and liability of gun ownership.

Modesto, Merced County

Sheriff-approved CCW instruction and renewal classes.

Merced, Merced County

G&L Security Training is a professional training center that provides concealed weapons training for multiple California counties including Sacramento, Napa, Yolo, Contra Costa, Merced, and Placer counties, as well as the City of Manteca. They also offer online initial and renewal California Guard Cards and work with security companies throughout California to help connect students with employment opportunities.

Vallejo, Merced County

Kiwi's Custom Guns hosts a climate-controlled indoor shooting range in Vallejo with five 25-yard lanes engineered to handle calibers up to .50 BMG. The facility features Action Target's Defender Stall system with brass deflectors and muzzle blast barriers, tactical cart tables with shelving, and Genesis Smart target retrieval systems equipped with wireless carriers and touchscreen interfaces that allow shooters to control retriever functions, run time drills, adjust lane lighting, view targets via camera, and program custom courses of fire. The range's recirculation ventilation system maintains year-round comfortable temperatures while filtering 75% recirculated air and 25% fresh air through dual-stage bag and HEPA filters to create a safe shooting atmosphere. Kiwi's Custom Guns can be reached at 209-863-2355 or 707-344-1057 and serves Merced and Tuolumne Counties. The business also provides gunsmithing and retail services at its Vallejo location. Additional details about specific CCW training programs, instructor credentials, or pricing are not publicly available through the website.

Oakdale, Merced County

Sheriff-approved CCW instruction and renewal classes.

Salida, Merced County

Northern Firearms Instruction is a team of highly experienced NRA Firearms Instructors located throughout California, serving over 50 counties and cities. NFI is considered the authority on CCW law and firearm training throughout the state, offering California CCW courses for new and experienced shooters in a stress-free learning environment. They teach at multiple locations including various Sportsman's Warehouse stores and maintain strict instructor-to-student ratios with 100% NRA credentialed instructors.

Gustine, Merced County

Rescue74CPR is a training provider based in California that focuses on developing skills and muscle memory through frequent practice. They offer CPR, First Aid, and CCW classes with a philosophy that training builds fundamental capabilities and helps develop good habits for instinctive response in critical situations.

Modesto, Merced County

Stage Stop Gun Shop operates two California locations with comprehensive firearms training and retail services. Their Atwater facility features an 18,800 sq ft space with a 20-lane indoor shooting range, while their Mariposa location provides retail services. They offer CCW courses for multiple counties including Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne, along with skill development classes and online training options.