I've heard good things of the CW9. Good luck with the class. At least in AZ you don't need the permit, only if you want to travel with recognition of your right in other states.

My Wisconsin license arrived in about 45 days. I submitted my app the first day our concealed carry law went into effect. I hear the WI DOJ is down to about a week now that they have caught up after the inital surge. 84,000 approved and issued licenses since 11/1/11!

My Utah permit took nearly the whole 60 days the Utah BCI is allowed to approve or reject a couple years ago.