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Chrispy wrote:-- The range was a nice experience although a little nerve racking. Having the turning targets and having to start from the ready position makes it a little more difficult. Of course I passed with both guns but didn't leave a nice group in the center like I do on a normal day at the range.

The range was fun although the wind was a bit of a distraction.

“HEADS UP, HEADS UP” as the silhouettes came raining down on our heads from behind. I got a kick out of the female rang instructor, “It’s raining little green men!!”

The wind picked up so hard at one point it lifted up a bunch of the cardboard silhouettes out of the cart they were stacked in and threw them up about 30 feet in the air. Then they all fell on the shooters and firing lane in the center left portion the firing line. It was some what hard to even stand at that point and then dodging airborne items all the while keeping muzzle discipline. It was rather comical.

It is hard to get that nice fist sized hole we’re all used to when the wind is not only blowing the bullets around but blowing us around.

It was a great class.

MasterOfNone wrote:For those attending, if the instructors/presenters indicate that something is new, please share it here. We'd all appreciate it.

Well, let me see if I can answer this one.

Since this is my first class, don't really know if anything is new. Doing everything online is really cool. CHL100 replaces the TR100 but I'm sure all you old timers know that already.

They really, REALLY, REALLY, don't want to see any paper forms sent in anymore. The same can be said for having to handle money. A credit card online is what they want. Having the applicant fill out forms online means no one at the DPS has to handle any mail and do any data entry. Successful background checks and license issue can take as little as three weeks. If stuff is missing or inaccurate it still takes awhile but not having to deal with mail and data entry takes weeks off the application time.

The 800 number is going away.

If the applicant is behind on child support but is keeping up current and back payments, being behind no longer qualifies as a condition for suspension. She wasn't clear on when that change happened but NOW, as long as the CHL holder is keeping current, the plastic is still good. Before, even if the holder was keeping current with the catch up payments, the plastic was suspended until everything was caught up. This interested me because I've hit a couple rough patches in the past and got behind and even though I was always making up the arrears, I never realized I could have been suspended.

With L-1 doing the prints and all the forms filled out online, the only service that could happen at the class would be passport photos. They are looking into having the L-1 picture also count as the passport photo but it’s not happening yet. The L-1 gear costs $14k I believe so having a gun range or individual teacher purchasing one isn’t really an option. L-1 is looking for partners to open up locations but only in areas that aren’t covered very well such as small towns. If applicants live out in the boonies, they are out of luck and will simply have to drive the hundred or so miles to a location. L-1 and DPS realize this is a problem but so far it has no solution. Paper print cards will not be accepted for any reason.

All the big law changes happened in '09.

I will say that after actually studying the statute on Tuesday evening, I never realized how many gray areas there are but hey, that's what keeps lawyers in business.

Just got here myself from Houston.

Strange hotel, couple pistolas and couple hundred rounds of ammo and nothin to do.

Only in Texas!!

I'm driving up Sunday afternoon. My wife got me a hotel deal through her Continental Airlines bank card. $60/night. I don't remember which hotel it is but they're supposed to have a hot breakfast included.

I have some friends in the area but they live in South Austin off of William Cannon. I considered the commute but with that hotel rate, I'm not saving near enough money for the aggravation of sitting in traffic 4 hours per day. South Austin to Georgetown would be about a 90 mile round trip commute.

I'm thinking about bringing my mountain bike. I'm sure there's a trail or two that can take the edge off after having to sit in class all day. At my age, that type of activity usually tends to put me to snoozin.

See you there.

Is anyone scheduled to go to the April 11th class? I'll be the bald head with the grey beard. Give a holler and we'll get a cup during a break.

Since we have to score a 90% (or thereabouts) I used that as an excuse to go out and "practice". I was somewhat concerned about passing with a revolver since I don't really shoot much with it anymore. So I purchased a few boxes of .38 sp from Cheaper than Dirt, downloaded the shooting string instructions, took a late afternoon trip to Shiloh last Thursday, and gave myself the test. I passed.

I have to confess that I forgot how much absolute fun it is to put a Python through it's paces. If you haven't shot a Colt Python, it's a lot like operating a swiss watch that goes BANG!!

Anyway, if any of you are there, look me up and say “hey”!!