My CHL Story So Far...

[trentwhite778]

Great post. Way to take it serious and get everything done. Nice guns as well. I have been pushing my mom and grandmother to get thier CHL. I take it your wife has shot her revolver? My grandmother had never really shot a handgun minus a .380 one time. Only one round. I took her to the range to fire her new S&W .38 special and it scared the crap out of her. I helped teach her how to fire it and am trying to get her to take some beginner classes.

Yes, she shot a full box with it yesterday. She loves it. I shot it a few times as well. I'd say it kicks about the same as a 9mm semi, maybe a bit less. But it's smaller, lighter, and the grip is shorter so you probably feel it a bit more.

[wharvey]

As long as you don't shoot 158 gr. +P's in it, it should be enjoyable to shoot. Nothing wrong with using them as carry ammo but they do tend to sting a bit in practice.

I hand load 158 gr. lead to the low side of +P for my practice ammo for my .38 snub. (Max load for standard .38 and lower end for +P's.) Makes the 125 gr Nyclads I use for carry seem mild by comparison. Neither is by any means unpleasant but would sure hate to try one of the air weight .357's. I'd bet that would be an experience sooner forgotten.

As to your poly framed 9mm, it should be really nice to shoot. I'd swear my metal 3rd. gen has more recoil than my wife's much lighter Kahr.

BTW, while I don't like the pink on the snubbie it looks too pretty to shoot!

[trentwhite778]

Hey Guys, thanks for all the feedback and tips so far.
One question I had. I didn't find out until way after I had submitted all of my documentation to DPS, that you're supposed to send along any official documents about any past records? I didn't know you were supposed to send this along, I kinda figured that's what the background check was for.
Anyway, I have a small blip from back in 2001 (11 years ago) for a $40 bounced check (my wife's fault actually ) that I turned myself in on PR, was booked, and sent right back out the door. It was immediately dismissed. I listed that on the application as dismissed because it does still show up in a search.
I know this won't affect my eligibility as it was 11 years ago, but I wonder if it will hold up my approval. I've seen several here post that they already have their plastic after submitting their documents at the same time or after I did. Do I need to try to get a copy of this dismissed record to them now? or wait to see if they ask for it (not much of a background check if they ask me for records)? Or just leave it alone and quit checking the DPS site twice a day?

[trentwhite778]

Went with my brother and a few other guys from work to Bass Pro in Grapevine today for lunch. My third time shooting my SR40C which will be my EDC once my license arrives.
I'm feeling much more comfortable with it now.

This is at 7 yards.

[trentwhite778]

I decided to pick up a small pocket gun for when I run or for when I'm out in light shorts. I also ride a motorcycle so my EDC will be difficult to get to quickly while on the bike with my leather jacket. I have a small zipper pocket on the inside lining of the jacket that is perfect for this.
I chose the Ruger LCP after shooting a rental. So far I'm really happy with it. I've taken it to the range twice and feel it is more than adequate as a backup gun.


On a side note, my status updated to manufacturing today so there's a light at the end of the tunnel!

Thanks again to everyone for sharing their input, wisdom, knowledge, and experience. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far.

[paula]

I have a Ruger LC9, it's easy to conceal (I'm actually not wearing it concealed except around the house as i'm still waiting, waiting, waiting for my CHL to finish processing) but I'm not real happy shooting it. The trigger pull is very long and it's not real comfortable to fire. I'm not thinking it will be an EDC once I find something I like better. My other handgun is a Taurus PT145 Millenium Pro (.45 acp). I'm much more confident shooting it, get much better accuracy and it fits my hand much more comfortably. The only problem is it doesn't conceal as well.

cheers,

Paula

[trentwhite778]

I didn't like the LC9 either. Not sure exactly what it was but the trigger pull was strange to me. I like the long trigger pull on my LCP just because there's no safety. If you like Ruger but don't like the LC9, take a look at the SR9C. It's identical to the full size SR9 but a shorter barrel and shorter butt.
I ended up with the SR40C and absolutely love it.

[paula]

I didn't like the LC9 either. Not sure exactly what it was but the trigger pull was strange to me. I like the long trigger pull on my LCP just because there's no safety. If you like Ruger but don't like the LC9, take a look at the SR9C. It's identical to the full size SR9 but a shorter barrel and shorter butt.
I ended up with the SR40C and absolutely love it.

That SR40C looks sweet. Unfortunately, I need to save some pennies before any new acquisitions. Did you receive your plastic today? Should be soon, huh?

-Paula

[trentwhite778]

My plastic should be here any day now, so I decided to install a holster in the center console of my car for long trips and to be able to secure it when I CAN'T carry without it flopping around or getting bumped.
I got a Blackhawk Serpa holster made for the Ruger SR9 (they don't make them for the SR40C). with a quick disconnect adapter. It was a little snug but fit and locked just fine so I snagged it. I flexed the barrel portion of the holster a bit to widen it just a hair so it would fit better. I ended up having to remove my center console to get the angle I needed to install the female end of the adapter. Here's the final result. It clicks right in and is over to the side so I can still put a few things in there if needed. The trigger is completely covered and the whole thing is secure so it doesn't get jostled. The best part is it came with two female adapters so I can mount the other one under my desk at work or hang it from a piece of L-shaped Kydex wedged in between my mattress and box springs. I can then just attach the gun-still in the holster to wherever I need it.

Female end of the disconnect


Holster attached.


With the gun.

[trentwhite778]

My plastic came in today, so I'm officially legal! I thought I would feel more excited about it, but I actually just feel relief and a quiet calm that I can now legally protect myself, my wife, and my son if I ever have to. I feel satisfaction about reaching this goal. I feel proud that I live in a country and a state that still allows me to protect myself. And I feel thankful to all the people who fought to allow me to keep this right.
To celebrate, I'm taking the family out for dinner and out around town, maybe do my Wally Walk tonight.