I'm begining the process to get my Tx CHL
 

I recently applied for my Tx CHL and have signed up for my class in a few weeks. Has anyone else gone through this process? How was it? Are there any surprises I should know about?

Thanks,
-1981

Re: I'm begining the process to get my Tx CHL
 

great move. i havent taken any classes in texas but i imagine the mantra of....

treat every gun as if it was loaded
do not point the gun at anything you dont want to destroy

will be heard throughout. just pay attention and try not to fall asleep.

Re: I'm begining the process to get my Tx CHL
 

I took the class nearly a year ago and waited 93 days once I mailed it to get my CHL.
1. Do you know where you will take it?
2. Do they do it all in one day and have their own range? Indoor or out? Believe it or not, there are some two night jobbers and then a third day at the shooting range. Do a one day class.
Make sure they help you get the application filled out completely and they have one there for you, fingerprinted, notarized, and pictures taken. The other portions are the target shooting test and the class room education for the written test. They usually serve lunch unless they are cheap.
3. Target shooting test - If you know where you are going to take the class and they shoot there, practice there if they will let you. When you practice, shoot a few times with other people shooting around and/or next to you. Very important. I practiced for several weeks by myself and the day of the test, the first shot or two with other people shooting around me jolted me pretty good. Be comfortable with the pistol you are going to use.
If I had to do over I would have probably used a Sig 232 380! You really have to miss to fail.
4.The classroom portion is not too lengthy. Just follow along in the book and underline where discussed in detail about. If your teacher is any good, they will give you some clues about what to really remember.
For more help go to: http://www.texaschlforum.com/
Several other forums out there as well.
Do it now while you can.

Re: I'm begining the process to get my Tx CHL
 

1981,

My wife and I have had our TX CHLs for several years and have each renewed once.

Several thoughts:

1. I don't know your level of experience with firearms, but make sure you already know the Four Rules of Gun Safety.

My instructor told me about the dumbass (a guy who was renewing his license, no less!) who turned around on the firing line with his pistol aimed at the instructor's belly button - needless to say, dumbass failed and was booted off the range.

2. The lecture does not just drone on about gun safety - you will learn about the legal requirements which must be met before you can use deadly force in self-defense, where you cannot carry your concealed firearm, etc.

3. Don't be "that guy" - the clueless dolt who doesn't know how to load his gun, or the braggart who says he can shoot a perfect score with either hand (my buddy had a guy like this in his class who turned out to be a terrible shot, but made all sorts of excuses for his piss-poor performance).

4. Practice the course of fire several times (with time pressure) before you attend the class, so it won't be as stressful when you shoot the qualifier.

Hope this helps - PM me if you have any questions.

[Edit] Here's a link to the TX DPS page with the proficiency requirements:

TX CHL Proficiency Requirements

Re: I'm begining the process to get my Tx CHL
 

http://www.texaschlforum.com/

Excellent resource if you haven't already checked it out.

Also - do some studying before hand= it makes the class more of a review and the test will be no problem.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/adminis.../chlsindex.htm


As for the live fire evaluation - I remember it being really really easy - you have to have NO idea what you're doing to fail.

The majority of the rounds are sent down range at 7 to 15 yards of I remember correctly.

_ and what Raymond said about "that guy"..... yeah we had one in our class too. The Instructor had talked his neighbor and long time friend into taking the course. We did the range portion first thing that morning.

That guy - no less than 4 times would rack his slide by holding the weapon in his left hand and by the top of the slide with the barrel in his belly and then push the frame foward chambering a round......And the idiot swore up and down that "that's the way they tought me in the air force".

We were all just shaking our heads.....

The instructor sent his idiot buddy home.


Good luck

Re: I'm begining the process to get my Tx CHL
 

Thanks alot guys, very useful info! Thanks!:bear_thumb: