View Full Version : Concealed Handgun Training.... Question..
I'm trying to get my concealed handgun training and license. Where do you guys recommend I do it?
Is this a decent place? http://www.texashandgunacademy.com/
Also, I've never bought a gun. Can I go buy one without the license? How does this all work? I just want a 9mm. I'm not sure about brands or anything. It's mainly to keep in the car.
With all these weirdo out there you can't ever be too safe.
Thanks in advance.
In case you can't tell, I'm new to this.
jakesford
03-02-2009, 07:50 PM
You can buy a handgun without a CHL, the CHL just makes it a little easier/quicker. Unless you have some "background" issues all you do is fill out the form, and the dealer calls it in... Takes 5 minutes... Also I would definitely find a pistol and spend some time at the range before the class. Its not that the shooting portion of the test is difficult, but its always good to be comfortable with your weapon. Knowing proper and safe handling is #1
suggestions on where to buy one? I'd hate to get a used on and later find out it was used in a crime....
jeremycg777
03-02-2009, 07:56 PM
If its just to keep in the car i heard of a new law that just passed allowing you to keep it in your car loaded ready to go.
LZRREDGT
03-02-2009, 07:58 PM
suggestions on where to buy one? I'd hate to get a used on and later find out it was used in a crime....
I bought my at B&S Guns on beltline and 30. You can try Bass Pro they have a good selection.
If its just to keep in the car i heard of a new law that just passed allowing you to keep it in your car loaded ready to go.
Yeah, but you never know. What if I have to run an errand to east dallas or some shady neighborhood. Might as well be a little safer. And I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Disclaimer: I have nothing against people from south dallas :D
MireFire 2.0
03-02-2009, 08:08 PM
If you find one that is being sold by an indivdual and would rather buy that one. Just write up a simple bill of sale that includes your info (name, address, date) and the sellers info (same) and make, model and serial number of said weapon...then you both sign it. That way IF for some reason you ever ran into the POPO and they had an issue with the weapon, you have that bill of sale to cover your ass.
When I bought my .40 from BP off the board here, I did that. Not that I didn't trust Brandy or anything...I didn't know him. But just in case he was prone to using that gun to take out anorexic vampire midgets...I am covered. :)
David
Id rather order guns online from Budsgunshop.com
Their prices are really hard to beat unless buying used. Just get it transferred to a FFL and pay him $15 to run your background check and register it in your name. Very quick and easy. I just picked up a xd45 from Jeff @ Livetoshoot (he is a FFL) and was in and out in 5 minutes. Ordering online, the guns are usually cheaper and you dont pay sales tax.
I recommend a Springfield XD9. They are hard to beat price wise and very reliable. Just do a search. You will see the big brands that are always recommended are: Springfield XD's, Glocks, Kimber, Sig Sauer, etc. Just go to Academy and see what feels comfortable and then buy online. I paid $505 for my XD45...local shops want $550+tax.
For CHL class, I recommend David Gilreath at www.chltx.com. The class was very informative and brief. He has everything you need...you shoot at Winchester Gallery which is 5 minutes from his house (where he teaches). He will preach to NOT get a 9mm for your carry gun due to high velocity of the bullet. You want penetration but you dont want to shoot the person through the guy you are shooting. 9mm shoots at 1200fps vs a 45 at 800ish fps.
Id recommend not going below a .40. 9mm is cheap to shoot but questionable if it will get the job done. He shows you a video where cops shoot a guy in the back 17 times with a 9mm before the guy stops running.
oh yeah...and if you need some education about shooting..just post up when you want to go to the range. Im more than willing to go if I have the time, and Im sure you will also have a lot of others here willing to go with ya.
GT Dan
03-02-2009, 09:36 PM
Do you have any experience at all with guns?
Do you have any experience at all with guns?
Nope, the only experience i have is with rifles at the shooting range and stuff like that. Oh, unless you call "super soakers" experience back in the days. :D
Id rather order guns online from Budsgunshop.com
Their prices are really hard to beat unless buying used. Just get it transferred to a FFL and pay him $15 to run your background check and register it in your name. Very quick and easy. I just picked up a xd45 from Jeff @ Livetoshoot (he is a FFL) and was in and out in 5 minutes. Ordering online, the guns are usually cheaper and you dont pay sales tax.
I recommend a Springfield XD9. They are hard to beat price wise and very reliable. Just do a search. You will see the big brands that are always recommended are: Springfield XD's, Glocks, Kimber, Sig Sauer, etc. Just go to Academy and see what feels comfortable and then buy online. I paid $505 for my XD45...local shops want $550+tax.
For CHL class, I recommend David Gilreath at www.chltx.com. The class was very informative and brief. He has everything you need...you shoot at Winchester Gallery which is 5 minutes from his house (where he teaches). He will preach to NOT get a 9mm for your carry gun due to high velocity of the bullet. You want penetration but you dont want to shoot the person through the guy you are shooting. 9mm shoots at 1200fps vs a 45 at 800ish fps.
Id recommend not going below a .40. 9mm is cheap to shoot but questionable if it will get the job done. He shows you a video where cops shoot a guy in the back 17 times with a 9mm before the guy stops running.
oh yeah...and if you need some education about shooting..just post up when you want to go to the range. Im more than willing to go if I have the time, and Im sure you will also have a lot of others here willing to go with ya.
Thanks, I'll check into them. I appreciate the info...
evil jose
03-03-2009, 12:48 AM
Memo, I'd recommend Academy for Firearms Training (http://chltraining.com/) in Grand Prairie. There pretty reasonably priced, there near to you (assuming you still live in Irving), and they offer Sunday classes if you have a weird work schedule like I do sometimes. The class was actually pretty interesting, better than the first time I took it. One of the guys who actually wrote the law sometimes helps teach the classes and he's got some interesting stuff to say. They provide guns and ammo as well (9mm Glock 17's) so if you don't have one you don't have to worry.
GT Dan
03-03-2009, 01:47 AM
Nope, the only experience i have is with rifles at the shooting range and stuff like that. Oh, unless you call "super soakers" experience back in the days. :D
I would seriously consider taking 8mpg's offer... You need to see a few different guns and understand what they hell they offer before you spend the cash on one...
There are places that offer basic gun courses that would help if you're willing...
You're about to drop ~$280 for a license and another $500-$1000 on a pistol...
You need to get edumacated before you jump off in the deep end... :)
Pokulski-Blatz
03-03-2009, 02:00 AM
oh yeah...and if you need some education about shooting..just post up when you want to go to the range. Im more than willing to go if I have the time, and Im sure you will also have a lot of others here willing to go with ya.
I would be glad to go as well. I have a 1911 and a USP compact that You could try out. I also have good IWB holsters for both if you would like to get a feel for carrying.
Sgt Beavis
03-03-2009, 06:31 AM
Somewhat related question.
My wife has decided that she wants to get her CHL. She doesn't like my Glock at all (too large for her hands), so I want her to try several weapons before we make a purchase.
Do any of these CHL classes have a large variety of weapons that she can try out before making a purchase decision?
HOOCBB
03-03-2009, 06:38 AM
Somewhat related question.
My wife has decided that she wants to get her CHL. She doesn't like my Glock at all (too large for her hands), so I want her to try several weapons before we make a purchase.
Do any of these CHL classes have a large variety of weapons that she can try out before making a purchase decision?
you are better off going to a range that rents firearms and try them out that way...I would actually go to a gun store and make a list of what she feels is comfortable to hold, then find a range that rents those guns and try them out.
HOOCBB
03-03-2009, 06:40 AM
Id rather order guns online from Budsgunshop.com
Their prices are really hard to beat unless buying used. Just get it transferred to a FFL and pay him $15 to run your background check and register it in your name. Very quick and easy. I just picked up a xd45 from Jeff @ Livetoshoot (he is a FFL) and was in and out in 5 minutes. Ordering online, the guns are usually cheaper and you dont pay sales tax.
I recommend a Springfield XD9. They are hard to beat price wise and very reliable. Just do a search. You will see the big brands that are always recommended are: Springfield XD's, Glocks, Kimber, Sig Sauer, etc. Just go to Academy and see what feels comfortable and then buy online. I paid $505 for my XD45...local shops want $550+tax.
For CHL class, I recommend David Gilreath at www.chltx.com. The class was very informative and brief. He has everything you need...you shoot at Winchester Gallery which is 5 minutes from his house (where he teaches). He will preach to NOT get a 9mm for your carry gun due to high velocity of the bullet. You want penetration but you dont want to shoot the person through the guy you are shooting. 9mm shoots at 1200fps vs a 45 at 800ish fps.
Id recommend not going below a .40. 9mm is cheap to shoot but questionable if it will get the job done. He shows you a video where cops shoot a guy in the back 17 times with a 9mm before the guy stops running.
oh yeah...and if you need some education about shooting..just post up when you want to go to the range. Im more than willing to go if I have the time, and Im sure you will also have a lot of others here willing to go with ya.
I don't know how many times we have to go through this...there is no registration in Texas. The FFL only transfers it to you. It merely creates a paper trail as there is not a state or federal database (yet) that your information goes into.
Somewhat related question.
My wife has decided that she wants to get her CHL. She doesn't like my Glock at all (too large for her hands), so I want her to try several weapons before we make a purchase.
Do any of these CHL classes have a large variety of weapons that she can try out before making a purchase decision?
Just hit up a range and rent a gun. You will have to buy their ammo. I believe its about $10/gun rental...so it adds up quick. Id hit up Academy or similar and let here get a feel of them. Find a gun or two that is comfortable and then go shoot them at the range. Winchester Gallery in Ft Worth probably has 40 different guns to rent.
I don't know how many times we have to go through this...there is no registration in Texas. The FFL only transfers it to you. It merely creates a paper trail as there is not a state or federal database (yet) that your information goes into.
Thanks for the info...didnt know that.
evil jose
03-03-2009, 12:00 PM
Id recommend not going below a .40. 9mm is cheap to shoot but questionable if it will get the job done. He shows you a video where cops shoot a guy in the back 17 times with a 9mm before the guy stops running.
WTF??!! They shot the guy 17 times in the back??
GhostTX
03-03-2009, 01:14 PM
If this is the right link (work blocks it), its a decent read on how well each ammo is suppose to perform.
http://www.internetarmory.com/handgunammo.htm
WTF??!! They shot the guy 17 times in the back??
Thats what the CHL guy said...didnt look like 17 but he seemed pretty certain about it.
FatassLX
03-03-2009, 07:37 PM
Carry what you are comfortable with, like a few others said go rent a couple. My new carry is a smith & wesson m&p 9c. It's light, small and easy to carry. It's also loaded with 100gr powerball.
evil jose
03-03-2009, 07:41 PM
Thats what the CHL guy said...didnt look like 17 but he seemed pretty certain about it.
I'm talking about the fact that they shot a fleeing perp in the back :eek:
I'm talking about the fact that they shot a fleeing perp in the back :eek:
he had something in his hand, it was dark, he ran so they shot him. All legal.
FatassLX
03-03-2009, 08:04 PM
I'm talking about the fact that they shot a fleeing perp in the back :eek:
He's comin right for us shoot! I mean away, with a cucumber.
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