re: Concealed Carry license

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I kind of wish the state would stop allowing this unless the shooter has a medical condition that necessitates the need for something weaker than a service caliber. You might as well not take the shooting exam; I could probably get my dogs to shoot inside a B27 silhouette with a .22 at the test distances.

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I agree. I require .380/.38 as a minimum (9mm is the most common one I use though). But one thing for you to understand - the shooting portion isn't necessarily testing your skill level. You should be able to hit the silhouette every time. The main thing it that is being tested is your shooting form and your firearm safety. I have never failed a student or seen anything negligent but the first time a shooter hits the firing line it usually requires a bit of repetition for me - take your finger off the trigger, don't cross your thumbs behind the slide, bring the gun to your eyes, etc.

LSP accepts NRA basic pistol as one of their approved courses. Some instructors teach it straight up this way but the NRA avoids using anything in their basic pistol guide that would imply having to shoot a human being. If you want a high quality class, make sure the instructor covers more than just NRA basic pistol. My personal one includes the basics from NRA basic pistol but also extensively covers the law with some hypothetical scenarios and I have an FAQ section afterward.

One big thing to know is this - the CC course is NOT a defensive shooting course. It is a legal use of force class. It will tell you the basics but it will not make you an outstanding shooter. If you really want to improve your handgun skills, take a defensive shooting course where you put 100s of rounds downrange. Those teach you the fundamentals, force you into uncomfortable shooting positions, and require you to think critically very quickly. They are invaluable.