18+ Content Warning

By clicking Enter, you confirm you are 18 years of age or older and agree to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Notice: Any content or member activity - including anything you may buy, sell, transfer, or discuss - must comply with current and upcoming laws.

Members are encouraged to stay informed: California Firearm Laws: 2026 Outlook & 2025 Recap . Responsibility for compliance rests solely with the individual member.

caguns.net

Welcome to CAguns.net!
Join our growing community where you can ask questions, share knowledge, or browse our classifieds section.

Sign up for a free account today and unlock full access! Once registered, you can search, post, and take advantage of exclusive features unavailable to guests.

A note on why more of the site now requires an account: automated scrapers and AI systems have been crawling our forums and classifieds at a scale. Requiring sign-in for those sections is the most effective tool we have. It takes a minute to register, it's free, and it keeps what happens here between actual members.

New to California gun ownership or trying to keep up with the changing laws? Check out our sister site CA2A.com — free courses, plain-English legal updates, and step-by-step guides built for California owners.

Advanced features are available only to registered members. Register today!

CCW Contra Costa County

I applied November 2023 and haven't had any movement yet. When I emailed the Sheriff's department in December I was told they were currently processing November 2023 applications, its mid January and nothing yet
 
I applied November 2023 and haven't had any movement yet. When I emailed the Sheriff's department in December I was told they were currently processing November 2023 applications, its mid January and nothing yet
Process has taken over 2½ years for me. I submitted way before you. Still waiting for update after submitting my training documents
 
For those that qualified with CCCSD... how much scrutiny did they give to the gun? Is an aftermarket trigger going to get flagged?

Thanks

Answer my own question... Zero scrutiny. Qualified today at CCCSD range. You're first instructed to holster up, then load 6 rounds into 6 mags, then holster unloaded gun, proceed down range. You fill out your own app including serial numbers, the range master never gets close to your gun.

The whole qualification is simple, the range master was VERY lax on time, he genuinely seemed to want everyone to pass.

One caution.... the scoring system...

The center ring is 10 points, next oblong vertical rectangle is 9, next big ring 8, anywhere in the paint is 7. BUT, head shots and shots in the white (or off target) do not count as zero, THEY COUNT AS MINUS 10! Put 15 shots in the 10 ring and 3 in the white you do NOT have 150 points, you have 120 & fail (126 needed to pass). Best chance of passing is to aim under the 10 circle, not on it.
 
Process has taken over 2½ years for me. I submitted way before you. Still waiting for update after submitting my training documents

Don't wait.... I have qualified and my Permitium page still shows pending training. Email them as to your status & they will respond with open qualification dates.
 
Any updates on whether the CCC sheriff will start allowing red dot sights to be used on carry guns? Seems like there have been rumors about that for the past year, but not sure if it's actually under review internally or just wishful thinking.

Along the same lines.... the website clearly states that any mods to the gun after qualification can result in permit revocation. Any reports of anyone getting stopped, ticketed, confiscated, revoked etc. etc. for adding a red dot? Just my luck to wait 2 1/2 years then lose it in a day.
 
Finally scheduled to pick up my ccw permit next week. All I can say is they have made every step in the process super slow... hang in there 2½ year journey for me
 
Answer my own question... Zero scrutiny. Qualified today at CCCSD range. You're first instructed to holster up, then load 6 rounds into 6 mags, then holster unloaded gun, proceed down range. You fill out your own app including serial numbers, the range master never gets close to your gun.

The whole qualification is simple, the range master was VERY lax on time, he genuinely seemed to want everyone to pass.

One caution.... the scoring system...

The center ring is 10 points, next oblong vertical rectangle is 9, next big ring 8, anywhere in the paint is 7. BUT, head shots and shots in the white (or off target) do not count as zero, THEY COUNT AS MINUS 10! Put 15 shots in the 10 ring and 3 in the white you do NOT have 150 points, you have 120 & fail (126 needed to pass). Best chance of passing is to aim under the 10 circle, not on it.
Interesting, when I did my qualy in 2023 they stripped the slides off of both of my guns (g19 and Shield) and made sure the shield had the disconnect installed. Had to order some parts ahead of time to reinstall it which was a major PITA.

I would not roll the dice with aftermarket parts. I’m considering a minus connector for my Glock but beyond that I wouldn’t want to risk it.

I’ve got my renewal up in a few months and need to do training again.
 
Interesting, when I did my qualy in 2023 they stripped the slides off of both of my guns (g19 and Shield) and made sure the shield had the disconnect installed. Had to order some parts ahead of time to reinstall it which was a major PITA.

I would not roll the dice with aftermarket parts. I’m considering a minus connector for my Glock but beyond that I wouldn’t want to risk it.

I’ve got my renewal up in a few months and need to do training again.
Interesting. I did my qualifications in Jan and they barely looked at our pistols. Prob depends on which deputy you get.
 
Interesting, when I did my qualy in 2023 they stripped the slides off of both of my guns (g19 and Shield) and made sure the shield had the disconnect installed. Had to order some parts ahead of time to reinstall it which was a major PITA.

I would not roll the dice with aftermarket parts. I’m considering a minus connector for my Glock but beyond that I wouldn’t want to risk it.

I’ve got my renewal up in a few months and need to do training again.
Just did my qualifications, the range master didnt even look at my firearms. All he asked was for me to double check the serial numbers and load some magazines.
 
Finally qualified. Rangemaster was super supportive and clear. As long as you hit your shots center mass and follow all safety protocols, you will pass.

Best learning I took away was to take your time on the 7-yard and 10-yard rounds.. 10-15 seconds is a lifetime for 6 shots. Good luck!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5341.webp
    IMG_5341.webp
    128 KB · Views: 25
Hi everyone, wanted to give an update on my timeline with Contra Costa... long delay from application to the next steps, but after that it went far faster than I expected. (They've added staff dedicated to CCW processing and it shows.)

9.20.2023 - Submitted application (electronically)
3.5.2025 - Received an email prompting me to get a LiveScan (I've heard that now you can just go do that after applying, no need to wait)
3.17.2025 - CCSO confirmed my LiveScan was received and that I was good to proceed with training (which I had already done)
3.30.2025 - Did training class #1 (you don't have to wait to do this, either). I used BAT tactical, and I'd recommend them—good guys, good instruction,
very flexible in terms of scheduling.
4.13.2025 - completed training and shooting qualification with BAT (which of course is not accepted by CCSO, but it was good to have a practice run).
4.14.2025 - Received email letting me know that I could now schedule my qualification at the Sheriff's range, via a Calendly link.
The first available was not until the end of May, so I booked that. But I obsessively checked Calendly for any sooner spots that opened up.
And one did! So I booked 4.26.2025.
4.26.2025 - Completed range qualification. Very low key, deputy running it was cool, and we were done in like 40 minutes.
4.29.2025 - Got a call, text, and email from CCSO letting me know that I was approved, and sent me a link to book my pickup appointment. I booked it for
May 1.

I had one question during the process and sent an email to CCSO CCW staff, and it was answered within 2 hours.

So obviously very fast from LiveScan to issuance of permit, and I appreciate the CCSO staff and the improvements to the process.
 
Just did my qualifications, the range master didnt even look at my firearms. All he asked was for me to double check the serial numbers and load some magazines.
Did mine over the weekend, rangemaster didn't look at the guns either. Not sure if he would have ignored a dot or light but I wonder if this means they'll officially be relaxing their policies.
 
The CCSD is now referring Brentwood residents to the city. This leaves them in limbo as the city has not yet developed their program. Typical.

I can tell you Brentwood is NOT CCW friendly.
 
Back
Top Bottom