USA Carry
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Maps
  • State Guides
    • A-E
      • Alabama
      • Alaska
      • American Samoa
      • Arizona
      • Arkansas
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Delaware
    • F-J
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
      • Indiana
      • Iowa
    • K-M
      • Kansas
      • Kentucky
      • Louisiana
      • Maine
      • Maryland
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Mississippi
      • Missouri
      • Montana
    • N-O
      • Nebraska
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Jersey
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • North Dakota
      • Northern Marianas
      • Ohio
      • Oklahoma
      • Oregon
    • P-U
      • Pennsylvania
      • Puerto Rico
      • Rhode Island
      • South Carolina
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Utah
    • V-Z
      • Vermont
      • Virgin Islands
      • Virginia
      • Washington
      • Washington D.C.
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Deals
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Maps
  • State Guides
    • A-E
      • Alabama
      • Alaska
      • American Samoa
      • Arizona
      • Arkansas
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Delaware
    • F-J
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
      • Indiana
      • Iowa
    • K-M
      • Kansas
      • Kentucky
      • Louisiana
      • Maine
      • Maryland
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Mississippi
      • Missouri
      • Montana
    • N-O
      • Nebraska
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Jersey
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • North Dakota
      • Northern Marianas
      • Ohio
      • Oklahoma
      • Oregon
    • P-U
      • Pennsylvania
      • Puerto Rico
      • Rhode Island
      • South Carolina
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Utah
    • V-Z
      • Vermont
      • Virgin Islands
      • Virginia
      • Washington
      • Washington D.C.
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Deals
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
USA Carry
No Result
View All Result
  • DAILY GUNS & AMMO DEALS – CLICK HERE!
Home Articles

NRA Basic Pistol or Hunter’s Safety: Which To Take For Concealed Carry Training?

Sam Hoober by Sam Hoober
June 29, 2017 - Updated On November 8, 2021
in Articles, Concealed Carry, General Firearm, Training
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

There are a lot of different courses to take that will satisfy requirements for a concealed carry permit, the two most popular and therefore easily found and taken are NRA Basic Pistol and the typical hunter’s safety course. Most states that require training accept accredited hunter’s safety courses, after all.

Which to take?

Well, that sort of depends. Most people will find NRA Basic Pistol suits their needs very well and others may find hunter’s safety is the better option. It really comes down to the person in question. Each, however, does have benefits.

Hunter’s Safety Is Great…If You’re Going To Hunt


The reason why hunter’s safety courses satisfy requirements for a CCW permit and carrying a gun in a concealed carry holster is rather simple. These courses include a range day and basic safety instruction for firearms. Millions of people have taken hunter’s safety courses and learned the basics of both hunting and outdoor safety as well as the basics of firearm’s safety.

After all, the principles generally stay the same. The 4 laws of gun safety don’t make exceptions for long guns, after all, so the principles apply no matter what kind of gun you’re holding.

So, if you’re the outdoorsy sort, hunter’s safety is actually a good course to take. That opens up the possibility of hunting should you choose to do so and satisfies requirements in many states for getting a concealed pistol license, making it – in a sense – a bit more useful than a basic pistol course.

However, there are a few drawbacks. First is that it usually takes a couple weekends to complete if you’re taking the classroom version. Second is that hunter’s safety courses taught by instructors can be a bit more expensive depending on economy of scale (Your area, whether you take the in-class version or an online course with a range day, etc.) and that’s something to consider for the person on a budget.

Also, if the chances you’ll ever hit the field, forest, mountain or blind in search of edible critters is remote at best…then it’s probably not the better option.

NRA Basic Pistol Is Great For Everyone Else


The beauty of NRA Basic Pistol, which just like hunter’s safety satisfies a great many states’ requirements for CCW training prior to getting your permit, is how ubiquitous it is. The course is offered in every state; you can even find instructors in your area on the NRA’s website.

It’s also fairly cheap (often enough you can find it offered for about $100, sometimes less and sometimes more depending) and very brief, as it’s an 8-hour course. There’s a range portion, and you don’t even need to bring a gun or ammunition.

That said, unlike hunter’s safety, the NRA Basic Pistol course only gives a person instruction in handguns. That includes their function, safe handling and operation and so on – which hunter’s safety doesn’t always cover. Actually handling a handgun on a range is part of Basic Pistol courses, which is also not something every hunter’s safety course will offer.

Which Is Better For Concealed Carry Training Requirements?


It depends on the person, as both satisfy most states’ concealed carry training requirements.

Since handgun instruction is not always covered during the range portion of hunter’s safety, a person that isn’t familiar with guns already (to some degree) is better served with a pistol course. This gives them some basic instruction with the firearm that they are going to be carrying, instead of the general firearm safety that’s more the focus of hunter’s safety courses.

Basic Pistol requires a lesser commitment in terms of time and expense, which is certainly a consideration. If you aren’t very “outdoorsy” and don’t envision hunting at all, then the pistol course is the better bet.

However, hunter’s safety may be more readily accessible in some locations as Basic Pistol requires a certified NRA instructor and some areas aren’t exactly crawling with them.

So really, it comes down to what suits your situation best. If you could see donning blaze and camo at some point and you’re already somewhat familiar with firearm safety, taking Hunter’s Safety will let you do that as well as qualify for a CPL. However, if all you care about is carrying for protection…take Basic Pistol.

Tags: classconcealed carrynrapistoltraining
Sam Hoober

Sam Hoober

Sam Hoober writes about DGU incidents gun accessories, gun safety, open and concealed carry tips. In his free time, Sam enjoys camping, hunting and spending time at the gun range as often as possible.

Next Post
Sight Radius, Accuracy, & Precision in Defensive Shooting?

Sight Radius, Accuracy, & Precision in Defensive Shooting?

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Connect with
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect with
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Please login to comment
4 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Previous Post

Some Thoughts on CCW in Schools

Next Post

Sight Radius, Accuracy, & Precision in Defensive Shooting?

Related Posts

24 Attorneys General Unite and Demand Congress Pass National Concealed Carry Law
Firearm Laws & Litigation

24 Attorneys General Unite and Demand Congress Pass National Concealed Carry Law

June 13, 2025
Freedom to Carry Bill Clears Key Vote in NC House, Veto Threat Still Looms
Firearm Laws & Litigation

Freedom to Carry Bill Clears Key Vote in NC House, Veto Threat Still Looms

June 13, 2025
Carjacker, 18, Shot Dead by Armed Citizen After Robbing Three People During Chicago Crime Spree
Defensive Gun Uses

Carjacker, 18, Shot Dead by Armed Citizen After Robbing Three People During Chicago Crime Spree

June 12, 2025 - Updated On June 13, 2025
Armed Good Samaritan Stops Violent Carjacking Spree | Tackles & Detains Suspect at Gunpoint
Articles

Armed Good Samaritan Stops Violent Carjacking Spree | Tackles & Detains Suspect at Gunpoint

June 11, 2025

© 2025 USA Carry LLC

Navigate Site

  • State Guides
  • Maps
  • Articles
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Deals
  • Giveaway
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity Maps
  • Concealed Carry Permit Guides By State
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • American Samoa
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Guam
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Northern Marianas
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Puerto Rico
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virgin Islands
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Washington D.C.
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Giveaway
  • Store
  • Daily Deals
  • Contact

© 2025 USA Carry LLC

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity Maps
  • Concealed Carry Permit Guides By State
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • American Samoa
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Guam
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Northern Marianas
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Puerto Rico
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virgin Islands
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Washington D.C.
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Giveaway
  • Store
  • Daily Deals
  • Contact

© 2025 USA Carry LLC

wpDiscuz
4
0
Join the conversation, please comment.x
()
x
| Reply
You are going to send email to

Move Comment
Gun Deals
Gun.Deals