TexasCHLforum.com

And now it's in hand -- postmarked the 26th, in hand on the 28th.

One really odd thing: On the 26th I got a form letter from DPS saying that they hadn't gotten my fingerprints. I called on the 27th, and explained the letter and that the website 'status' said all was well with my application. The guy on the other end laughed and said not to worry, every so often 'the system' burps out a letter like that for no apparent reason anybody can figure out. I laughed right along with him, because I figured that was the case, but you can never be too sure . . ..

So now I'll be off for my first foray with a new item of apparel.

So here's my final chrono:
Online Application (9/1/11)
Class Completed (10/1/11)
Packet Mailed (10/2/11)
Fingerprints Taken (10/6/11)
Fingerprints: Complete (10/12/11)
Background Completed (10/18/11)
Manufacturing Pending (10/19/11)
Manufacturing (10/20/11)
Mailed (10/26/11)
PLASTIC (10/28/11)

So 22 days from my last required action.

Good luck to all who follow.

Hey, noosh, me, too:

Here's my chrono so far:
Online Application 9/1/11
Class Completed 10/1/11
Packet Mailed 10/2/11
Fingerprints Taken 10/6/11
Fingerprints: Complete 10/12/11
Background Completed: 10/18/11
Manufacturing Pending (10/19/11)
Manufacturing (10/20/11)
Mailed (10/25/11)

I checked mid-day yesterday (Monday the 24th) and it was still "Manufacturing." As noosh said, they may have been having some printing issues late last week. I don't imagine that will slow down others who were in the earlier stages.

GIJoe: I didn't apply 'military' (could've: 22 yr retiree), but I do hold a high clearance (sr civ service with a fed agency now) and it doesn't seem to have changed the speed at which these things proceed.

Like noosh, I seemed to have stalled for a day or two at "Manufacturing." IIRC, I checked Wed after hours and that's when it moved to "Manufacturing." Still there Sat AM.

Here's my chrono so far:
Online Application 9/1/11
Class Completed 10/1/11
Packet Mailed 10/2/11
Fingerprints Taken 10/6/11
Fingerprints: Complete 10/12/11
Background Completed: 10/18/11
Manufacturing Pending (10/19/11)
Manufacturing (10/20/11)

I thought I'd have it Mon/Tues; likely Wed or so now. So about 3 weeks from my last item that had to be submitted (fingerprints). Still not bad for gubmint work. I moved to TX eight years ago, and the speed and transparency (e.g., we can get day-to-day status of the CHL process) of TX state and local govt, compared to 3-4 jurisdictions I dealt with in the Northeast, is pretty remarkable.

Well, forget what I speculated about 'background check' triggered solely by 'fingerprints.' I think if you look at (I think it was) ericks' timeline, where he did fingerprints before mailing the packet, you'll see that they probably didn't move on doing the background check until after they got the packet, too.

I'm not sure of eric's exact dates, but I'm in the same ballpark as he and noosh:

Here's my chrono so far:
Online Application 9/1/11
Class Completed 10/1/11
Packet Mailed 10/2/11
Fingerprints Taken 10/6/11
Fingerprints: Complete 10/12/11
Background Completed: 10/18/11
Manufacturing Pending (as of 10/19/11)

So, for all you others, about two weeks after the later of 'packet' or 'fingerprints.' I'm not sure it would have affected the timing if I'd done the fingerprints before I took the course and mailed the packet, but my guess is that that would have sped things up. I imagine that the background check flows solely from the fingerprinting.

Well, I'm a lefty and primarily a C&R military rifle guy, so I was looking for reliable + accurate + ambi + cheap + 03 FFL. I've got a CZ-82 (9mm Makarov, 12+1) that I really like, that I'd put about 1000 rounds thru before I signed up for the course/test. I shot 247/250 on the qualifying test with it, even though it's been about 40 years since basic pistol in the military (well, I did shoot Expert after a week). Now I'm looking into tuckable holsters so I don't have to wear 'over' clothing or whatever it's called. I also have a PA-63 (7+1) that's more concealable, but it came with righty grips that I've got to change out.

I chuckled when I saw the "Wally Walk" right-of-passage described on this site. I suppose I'll have to do that.

I'm on my way to a Long Island, NY wedding this weekend. I'll look for every opportunity to make the upcoming CHL a topic of conversation (it's a Texas thang."), but with a father-in-law a retired NYPD sergeant and my nephew the grooom as a court officer, I may not get as much amusement out of those conversations as I anticipate.

Trying not to be to itchy about this after first posting just yesterday, but I checked today, and saw a change, "Fingerprints: Complete." All that remains is the "Background Check: Complete." It sure looks like things in this process move along pretty smartly.

Here's my chrono so far:
Online Application 9/1/11
Class Completed 10/1/11
Packet Mailed 10/2/11
Fingerprints Taken 10/6/11
Fingerprints: Complete 10/12/11

First post on this forum for me, too. I registered about 2.3 minutes ago.

I also have my DL number memorized -- I suppose we all do. They should change the rule so that if you don't have the actual CHL on you, your ability to recite your DL number must mean you're OK.

Here's my chrono so far:
Online Application 9/1/11
Class Completed 10/1/11
Packet Mailed 10/2/11
Fingerprints Done 10/6/11

Pends fingerprint review and BG according to the on-line status.

Based on what I've seen, I would imagine about 2-3 weeks to go. I'll update my info as I check it, so the folks behind me in the queue can judge when theirs might arrive.