Freightman,
As you know in Texas, you can qualify for SA (to carry revolvers or autos) or NSA (other than autos). Last time I went through qualifications there were two poor women who ran into trouble when loading the magazine (have to do it 5 times under a time limit during qualification) &/or clearing a jam (if it jams you have to fix it on the spot and go on - again under a time limitation). They didn't pass. Add to that the fact that there is some pressure. During my qualification there were 10 people on the firing line that had to listen to and follow strict instructions, operate the gun, hit the target at various ranges, lots of noise & flying brass with about 20 other people behind the firing line looking on.
On the other hand, there were several women there that did very well. By the way, there were a couple of guys there too who ran into "operational" difficulties with autos and didn't pass either. So this isn't a gender thing. It's more a matter of being completely familiar with loading, operating and fixing minor mechanical problems - and being able to do it under some amount of stress.
The point being that simply being able to hit the target (which really isn't difficult at the fairly short qualification ranges involved) with a loaded and ready to go gun that's handed to you - in a realitivly stressless environment - with the knowledge that someone will fix it if it messes up - is not a good indicator that you will in fact be able to pass the CHL qualification session.
Hitting the target may be easier with an auto. But for someone who isn't necessarilly "into guns" - the inherant simplicity and reliability of the revolver may be the better option when considering all the other aspects of getting through qualification.
