Need advice! CHL class this weekend? UPDATE!

[neilp]

I was at the range tonight and the customer in front of me as we checked in cancelled his CHL class for Sunday 5/3. So they have a place open. It seems a little expensive at $150 but that isn't my main concern.

Some background:

I had't been shooting for two years until this last month. I did shoot some as a teenage in the UK but that was mainly with rifles. It was with the military though, so range safety was drilled into our heads over and over. I did have a Springfield XD 9mm a couple of years ago and used it regularly for a year or so until my ex decided to sell it while I was out of town.

A few weeks ago I went to the range and the bug bit again so I bought a 22 (SIG Mosquito) thinking that the cheap ammo would allow plenty of practise and also be a good pistol to teach my 12 yo son to shoot. Of course almost immediately I started thinking about a CHL and the 22 isn't good for that. So this week I bought a used SIG P239 SAS 9mm with the goal of using it for the CHL once I am proficient with it. I've taken the 239 to the range twice now and honestly I'm a bit disappointed that I can't shoot it better. I used to be able to shoot the XD more accurately. Tonight I was averaging 5" groups at about 10 yards, with the occasional flyer.

The issue:

I have to decide about that CHL course by tomorrow morning - to get the place I should probably call them when they open at 9am. I have the time and ammo to go the range every day this week to practise. I wanted to be fully practised for the CHL - I like to do things well and expect that of myself. I don't want to look like an idiot! So part of me says wait, find a cheaper course and practise over the next few weeks. The other part of me wants to get the process underway as it takes so damn long to get the permit.

The question:

Should I take the course this weekend or wait? All advice appreciated.

Sorry for such a long winded post.

Neil

[Bunkins]

I say take it.. Even though 5 inch groups isnt that great, it's good enough to pass...... You'll do fine, most people worry about the shooting part, dont, it's easy.

[boomerang]

Unless money is the issue, I suggest taking the class and sending your application sooner rather than later.

The shooting test is easy. Really really easy.

[Skiprr]

Unless money is the issue, I suggest taking the class and sending your application sooner rather than later.

The shooting test is easy. Really really easy.

If you have been going to range and holding 5-inch groups with your new pistol at 10 yards, you're in like Flint.

For new or infrequent shooters the CHL qualifying course-of-fire can look, on paper, pretty intimidating. The only reason is that there are timed strings specified. Most have never shot against a timer.

But if I gave you two minutes, on the clock, to walk from your kitchen to your garage, would that seem intimidating?

Trust me: the timing is generous. If you have never done timed fire, you may have a natural tendency to rush your shots. Don't. The timing in the CHL test is lenient--a two-minute walk--and in no way requires fancy pistol-work.

Do it!

[dleewo]

I had't been shooting for two years until this last month.

I hadn't fired a a single round in about 4 years and I went and took the CHL class a month ago. All I did before the class was take out my handgun and ensure I remembered how to use it.

The shooting test is so easy. I still managed to score 243/250.

Derek

[stash]

When I took my initial class I had not picked up a handgun in a couple of years and only owned I gun (44 spl) so I had to rent a range gun (G17) and I was not the best shooter around. Cannot remember the score but it was around 240.

I did not do much better on my renewal and I shoot more now.

You will do just fine - just don't rush your shots - you will have plenty of time like others have said.

[dewayneward]

take it now...or you'll spend who knows how much time checking the website and your mailbox after you send your paperwork in saying "if I took the test on 5/3, i'd already have my plastic"

[longtooth]

Take it

[tfrazier]

I guess I'm going to be the minority, here.

With the clarification on vehicle carry and the number of years you've been without a CHL until now, why rush it by a few weeks for a seemingly exorbitantly priced class? $150 might be reasonable, if that includes range fees, notary, finger prints, photos, etc, and maybe ammo...but if not, it's way over.

Mine was $99.00 and didn't include the $12.00 range fee or ammo, but it did include all the fingerprints, photos, notary service, and the instructor personally assisted each of us with filling everything out properly and ensuring all items were in order and placed in the packet. All we had to do after class was drop it in the mail.

I'd say take your time and spend an extra week or two making sure all the necessary services are going to be provided and that you're going to feel comfortable and not rushed in any of it.

A year from now you won't care that you could have had your CHL two weeks earlier...unless the infinitesimal chance strikes that an event occurs during those few days that made the use of a concealed weapon necessary. Measure that against the number of times you've needed a weapon on your person to defend yourself in your life up to now.

[neilp]

I took the plunge and signed up. I'm looking forward to it. I plan to get to the range a couple of times and try the qualification shooting target at the specified ranges and round counts to see how I do.

Thanks for the advice.

Neil

[Pistol storm 40]

Take it

+1

[longhorn_92]

I took the plunge and signed up. I'm looking forward to it. I plan to get to the range a couple of times and try the qualification shooting target at the specified ranges and round counts to see how I do.

Thanks for the advice.

Neil

Let us know how you did. Would love to hear all about it.

[neilp]

OK I'm feeling a lot more confident after another visit to the range this afternoon. I was getting much better groups with the new 9mm. I practiced with the B27 target and using the CHL round counts and distances. I scored 250 using the CHL scoring.

I'm looking forward to Sunday now!

[USA1]

OK I'm feeling a lot more confident after another visit to the range this afternoon. I was getting much better groups with the new 9mm. I practiced with the B27 target and using the CHL round counts and distances. I scored 250 using the CHL scoring.

I'm looking forward to Sunday now!

good luck! as a side note, i have never heard of anyone not passing the shooting portion, i was nervous too, but afterwards i realized it was a piece of cake. one piece of advise.....pay close attention to the instructor , this is also true for the class room part.

[KC5AV]

OK I'm feeling a lot more confident after another visit to the range this afternoon. I was getting much better groups with the new 9mm. I practiced with the B27 target and using the CHL round counts and distances. I scored 250 using the CHL scoring.

I'm looking forward to Sunday now!

good luck! as a side note, i have never heard of anyone not passing the shooting portion,

I have. A buddy of mine told me about a woman that was in his class. She was missing the target (not just the silhouette, THE WHOLE TARGET) at 3 yards. I've since seen this woman shoot, and to say that she was flinching and anticipating the recoil is an understatement. I saw her shoot at an intro to handguns course, and she was afraid of the recoil on a 22 revolver. There was no way she was going to pass the shooting portion without some serious one on one with an instructor. Most other people should have no problems passing.