Top Shot Academy
Every instructor at Top Shot Academy holds NRA certification and competes in USPSA matches. That combination keeps them sharp and means your instruction comes from people who use this knowledge in real competition, not just theory. Top Shot Academy is Illinois State Police approved and certified to ...
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Full description and what we offer
Every instructor at Top Shot Academy holds NRA certification and competes in USPSA matches. That combination keeps them sharp and means your instruction comes from people who use this knowledge in real competition, not just theory.
Top Shot Academy is Illinois State Police approved and certified to teach the mandatory 16-hour CCW curriculum. They offer multiple formats to fit actual schedules:
- •2-Day Fast Track: Saturday & Sunday, 10am–6pm both days
- •After Work: Tuesday–Friday, 5pm–9pm (4 consecutive days)
- •Once a Week: Monday only, 5pm–9pm (4 consecutive Mondays)
$250 all-inclusive. No hidden fees. Your tuition covers classroom instruction, range time, and qualification.
Active, retired, or honorably discharged service members qualify for 8 hours of credit toward the 16-hour requirement. They accept DD-214 forms as proof. Second half (8-hour course) runs $225.
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Firearm Safety | 4 basic safety rules, home/vehicle/public storage |
| Marksmanship Basics | Stance, grip, sight alignment, sight picture, trigger control |
| Care & Handling | Cleaning, loading, unloading, ammunition identification |
| State & Federal Law | ILCS 430 emphasis on lawful interaction with LEO during traffic stops, prohibited carry areas, parking lot exception |
| Live Fire Qualification | Minimum 30 rounds: 10 at 5 yards, 10 at 7 yards, 10 at 10 yards on B-27 silhouette target (70% pass rate required) |
Prior Training Cuts Your Time. If you have military service, an NRA Basic Pistol certificate, or an NRA Personal Protection course certificate, you get up to 8 hours credited. That means you only need the final 8 hours covering state law and qualification.
- •Classroom: 812 S. McLean, Elgin, IL (TLT Defense / Top Shot Academy facility)
- •Range Time: Usually at Fox Valley Shooting Range (right across the street), but they utilize several indoor ranges within 20 minutes of the Elgin classroom depending on scheduling.
- •Chicago Classes: Private and semi-private instruction available by appointment only.
Beyond the CCW requirement, Top Shot Academy offers:
- •8-Hour IL CCW Compliance Class (for renewals or additional training)
- •Florida & Arizona Concealed Carry Permit Adder (non-resident permits)
- •Home Defense & Street Survival
- •Personalized Hourly Instruction (private training available)
- •Intro to Competition Shooting
- •Holster Skills & Drills
- •WIG-OUT (Women's Intro to Guns Outing)
- •NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course
- •NRA Basic Personal Protection In the Home
- •NRA Basics of Personal Protection Outside the Home
- •NRA Defensive Pistol
- •NRA Home Firearm Safety Course
- •NRA Refuse To Be A Victim® Seminars
- •Intermediate & Advanced Competitive Pistol
- •Bring Your Kid to the Range Day
You don't need to own a gun to take the class:
- •SIRT Training Pistol provided for dry-fire and holster work
- •Blade-Tech Holster provided during class
- •Rental handgun available ($30) if you don't have your own firearm for live-fire qualification
For qualification, most students bring their own firearm and ammo. If you do, bring at least 60 rounds (you only need 30, but extra rounds let you practice first). You can qualify with any concealable handgun—no magnums during qualification.
Fingerprints aren't required to get your permit, but they speed up state processing. If you skip them, expect an extra 30 days on top of the 90-day standard review. Top Shot Academy offers optional LiveScan fingerprinting onsite from their vendor.
- •Phone: 630-474-4466
- •Private Training: [email protected]
- •Class Registration: [email protected]
"The class was fun and the stories were informative and relevant. When the ILCCW is available, I'll be bringing the entire 822nd MP Company." — Ryan, Lisle, IL