Understanding the Illinois CCL Shooting Qualification 🎯– No Need to Be Nervous!

Completed the Illinois CCL Shooting Qualification

If you're new to firearms and considering getting your Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL), you might be feeling a little nervous about the shooting qualification. That’s completely normal. At West Suburban Concealed Carry, we work with beginners and first-timers every day, and I promise—it’s not as intimidating as you might think.

What is the Illinois CCL Shooting Qualification?

The State of Illinois requires all CCL applicants to demonstrate safe handling and basic marksmanship by shooting a qualification course. The good news? The test is designed for everyday people, not expert marksmen. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

• Fire 30 total rounds at a B-27 silhouette target

• You’ll shoot from three different distances:

  • 5 yards (15 feet) – 10 shots

  • 7 yards (21 feet) – 10 shots

  • 10 yards (30 feet) – 10 shots

• You must hit 21 out of 30 shots inside the silhouette area (which is quite large)

  
  

That’s it. No timed drills, no moving targets, and no pressure to be perfect. If you can aim and shoot at a general target area, you’ll do just fine.

"I’ve Never Shot a Gun Before. What If I Fail?"

This is one of the most common concerns we hear from new students. The reality is that almost everyone passes on their first try—even those who have never held a firearm before.

At West Suburban Concealed Carry, we specialize in teaching beginners. Our class will prepare you before you ever touch a firearm at the range. We take time to cover:

✅ Proper grip and stance – How to comfortably and safely hold your firearm

✅ Sight alignment – How to aim properly for accuracy

✅ Trigger control – How to smoothly press the trigger without flinching

✅ Safe firearm handling – Ensuring you’re always in control

We also practice dry-fire drills (shooting without live ammo) so you can get comfortable before heading to the range. By the time you take your qualification, you’ll feel much more confident.

Our Approach: No Intimidation, Just Learning

A lot of people worry that gun training will be strict, intimidating, or overwhelming. That’s not how we do things at West Suburban Concealed Carry.

Our classes are designed for real people, not military professionals. We focus on creating a relaxed, supportive environment where every student—especially those who are new or nervous—feels comfortable.

If you’re unsure about your shooting skills, don’t worry. We will work with you to make sure you understand what you’re doing before we even step onto the range.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’ve been putting off your CCL because you’re worried about the shooting qualification, now is the time to take action. We’ll walk you through the process, step by step, and make sure you feel confident when it’s time to shoot.

Sign up for an upcoming class here:16-Hour CCL Class Registration

Still have questions? Reach out to us—we’re happy to help.

See you in class,

Joe Motto

Lead Instructor, West Suburban Concealed Carry