thinking about getting a CHL, have questions, i are LOST

[Detritus]

greetings to all.

reacently My wife and I decided that as soon as we can afford to (i'm unemployed at the moment and funds are tight) we are BOTH going to take the Texas CHL course. thing is as i understand it to get teh license the gun holster combo carried must be proven to be "legally concealed" (ie not visable to joe public so as to avoid "panic" ). well all i know about holsters was learned through and has to do with the my time shooting Cowboy action. and therefore is USELESS

so my fellow shooters i need advice on what, how, and WITH what, in regards to concealing a full sized 1911 (my wife and i are both of a body frame size that will allow this, though a ruger P-97 may be used instead)

i KNOW for a fact that true concealment will involve an at least a change to the types of shirts adn so on i wear. and that we both need to get pants that are a little bit larger than normal to facilitate an IWB holster.

i HAVE looked around some and like the looks of the Holsters from Tucker Gunleather. (Tucker first caught my eye b/c i live near Houston, and i like to support local business, plus local gunshop is going to start carrying Tucker again)


ok time to flood the newbie with "too much info" lol . i'm all ears guys, and any and all information and advice is welcome and appreciated.

than you

 

[SoDFW Jason]

E-mail me Grasshoppa, I will lead you down the road to enlightenment. I can also answer your CHL questions.

 

[Blackhawk]

thing is as i understand it to get teh license the gun holster combo carried must be proven to be "legally concealed"

Nonsense. After you get your CHL and when you carry, the gun must remain concealed at all times. Doesn't matter how you do it or what you use to conceal it.

 

[tonerguy]

Blackhawk is correct. The means are not legislated, only the end. They don't care how you conceal your gun, just that it remain out of sight.

Things you will care about:

1. Keeping it out of sight.
2. Having easy access to the gun with a full firing grip.
3. Comfort - all day comfort

The most concealable method is usually IWB worn strong side just behind the hip, in the "sweet spot" with an FBI cant. The IWB style holsters keep the gun tight against the body, allow for a full firing grip and hide the lower half of the gun and holster should your cover ride up too high. Pancake belt holsters are my second choice. They position the gun in tight at the right angle.

Personally, I like aluminum framed .45's or Kahr pistols for ease of concealment, but almost anything can be concealed with a vest or jacket. In the heat of summer you have to go tuckable, wear a lightweight vest, or use a pocket holster and a smaller gun.

Good luck.

Rob

 

[Detritus]

ok a really stupid question but it's just to "CMA"

wife brought up a question that i never even thought COULD be a problem. and i still don't think it is. but just in case.

question brought up was. is there any reason that my wife adn i could NOT use the same gun to go through the CHL course (same class same time,) i figure no prob b/c i figure the qualification shooting is done one person at a time.

any reason for this to be a no-no??


(see i told you it was a dumb question )

 

[Smoke]

When I shot the CHL course we shot 5 people at the same time. Take 2 guns.

 

[Greybeard]

Most instructors will "shoot" several students at a time, often in different relays. In early days of the program, I (we) commonly had 6 to 8 shooters at once. These days, I much prefer private indoor range with just one or two students on the line at a time.

Instructor policies, pricing, procedures, ect. will vary. Rental or loaner guns are often available. Some may even require use of their guns only. When a little more time, I'll try to get you some CHL instructor contacts in that area.

 

[Greybeard]

Texas Concealed Handgun License Instructors Assn. www.txchia.org/ Click on "Find an Instructor".

www.comp-tac.com/ IIRC, the main man on these holsters has done 7,000+ Houstonians

Texas DPS CHL Info. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/chl/chlsindex.htm

At least 4 of the pages at www.dentoncountysports.com is "required reading" for my prospective students. Beyond that, if you are so inclined, the "Links" page can keep you busy for the rest of the month.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Detritus, so where did you hear that you must have a gun and holster proven to be legally concealed? By your quotes, I assume that is something that has been stated to you specifically. Strange lore creeps up now and then and this seems to be pretty strange and so I am curious.

 

[Detritus]

don't remember where or from who i heard that, it just stuck. sounded "fishy, but just about possible" i guess ~shrug~

i think i know who i'll wind up having as an instructor. a local LEO by the name of Gary Broadus runs a CHL class here in my comunity. he also uses the gun club i belong to as the range for the shootign portion of the class.

thanks for the info guys i'll take all that you cna give me, the more i know the better i can be prepared.

 

[MacPelto]

There's no reason you couldn't use the same pistol, as long as you aren't on the same relay. Many instructors will have a few loaner guns available for just such situations, though.

 

[Blackhawk]

Detritus,

You only need one gun, .32 ACP or bigger caliber.

Take a semi automatic instead of a revolver to qualify. That way, you can carry any revolver or semi automatic under your CHL. If you qualify with a revolver, you'll only be able to carry a revolver.

 

[Blackhawk]

Detritus,

You didn't say how old you or your wife are, but here's a tip on fingerprints.

The older you are, the more likely your print cards will be rejected as "unreadable". Each set of cards costs $10 (per person), and if they're rejected, you'll have to pay again.

The tip is to just go directly to a police station with the inkless fingerprinting computer setup. The operator can see exactly how to hold your fingers to get the best results. Then ask for a letter saying your prints are as good as they get.

It seems like the DPS doesn't trust print cards taken by Al's Muffler and Photo ID Shop nearly as much as they do those taken by a PD ID Unit. Imagine that...!

 

[.45Ruger]

All the info. you will ever need available at www.packing.org

 

[Jim March]

On holsters:

With a full-size 1911, the absolute no-brainer easiest way to go for either gender is a fanny pack. Access is a hair slow although not bad with a good one, and it's not compatible with all fashions.

On *guys*, IWB ("Inside Waist Band") is a definite possibility even on a gun that big. I've been experimenting with IWB rigs, you can see where I'm at so far here:

http://www.ninehundred.com/~equalccw/holsters.html

But I don't see this as being practical with ladies...it's a "shape issue". Shoulder holsters can work, but she's gotta be a big gal to pack a 5" 1911 that way.

 

[TIMC]

My wife and I used the same gun when we took the test. Keep in mind here in Texas it gets hot. A full size 1911 may get bothersom in the heat. The Mrs. and I have both changed carry guns since we first received our licenses. She now carries a Kel-Tec P32 and I carry a NAA .32 Guardian. I carry something bigger in when I'm in the big city.
As far as holsters I like the IWB holsters made by Old World Leather. Michaels of Oregon carry them for just about any gun. They are light, thin and make for a fast draw.

http://www.michaels-oregon.com/


The Mrs. carries her's in her purse. she tried a few of the purses made for concealed carry but has found any purse with a center pocket works just as good if not better.
Hope this is some help.