What has changed for you?

[74novaman]

Since you first got your CHL? I'm sure we've all had life changes like moves, marriage, divorce, kids, jobs, etc....but I'm talking about guns and shooting mainly. I'm currently doing my first renewal and got to thinking about what has changed.

For me:

First got my CHL in 2009. Only owned 2 guns at that time, a rifle and a subcompact .45 Taurus (the PT145). Shot a 248 or 249 on the CHL test and thought I was pretty hot stuff for it. Once I starting learning and shooting more, I discovered that the ability to hit a man sized target with a pistol on a static range is pretty much the smallest part of being proficient and ready to defend yourself with a pistol.

I originally started carrying the PT145 in a Crossbreed supertuck. It was comfortable enough and the gun worked fine, but the trigger wasn't great.

That was replaced by 1911s for a while, in both an IWB Crossbreed and some Galco OWB holsters. Much better triggers, fun to shoot and easy to conceal. I really enjoyed the full size 1911 but learned that those can get a little heavy on hour 12 or so of wearing one.

At this point, my EDC is usually a Glock 19 in a leather OWB holster (or occasionally a J frame in the front pocket or ankle if absolutely necessary). I traded size and a nice trigger for capacity and a usable trigger, but most importantly lighter weight. I really like OWB holsters now, and while IWB holsters will always have a place in my carry rotation, if I can choose I far prefer OWB.

And my gun collection may be slightly larger than 2 at this point.

In summary, in the last 5 years I've learned that concealing a handgun can be incredibly easy and comfortable, even in shorts and a t shirt with the right holster and belt, that when you're going to carry a gun around all day ounces really do matter, and that I will always have more to learn on the road to becoming a proficient pistol shooter. I have still not had to draw my pistol to defend myself, and hope to report back in another 5 years with nothing having changed on that front at least.

I'd also like to say that Texas continues to improve its gun laws, in no small part due to the hard work put in by folks like Mr. Cotton. When I first got my CHL, it took 102 days to get from mailbox to mailbox. I just renewed online less than 2 weeks ago and am already through with everything but the manufacturing of the license. What a great change! Soapbox time: Join the NRA and TSRA so we can talk about how much better guns laws have gotten in another 5 years.

So the question I put to the rest of you is simple: How has your gun/carrying techniques changed since you first got your CHL?

[nyj]

I carry a full size Glock 20 without a care in the world about if it's bulging. Not something I would have done when I first started carrying, and I sold a lot of guns in the process of finding one that didn't print.

I do prefer pocket carry, though.

[Teamless]

What a difference 3 1/2 years makes (thats how long since I got my CHL)
My wife and I talked in December 2008... Ok I talked and told her I wanted to get a gun for protection in the house, but had no thoughts of concealed carry at the time.
She said she was OK with it, as long as we both got a bit of training, just to understand the laws.
So for Christmas she bought me a SW Sigma 9mm.
Prior to this I had only shot pistols once or twice, in the early to mid 1980's.

A couple friends of ours went to take their CHL test with Tom Estep, and we soon followed in taking theirs as they complimented the course that Tom gave.

Prior to taking the course, my wife found that she did not like the long trigger on the SIgma, and she heard "GLOCK" from a few friends and since her friends recommended it, and "it sounds cool" - yes, her words, we bought a Glock 19.

We took our tests, 240+ for both of us.

So now we are waiting for CHLs and Im thinking, there is no way I can conceal this big gun! So I asked around (on here and elsewhere) for suggestions and ended up buying a Taurus PT111 Millennium Pro.
It was a fun gun, easily concealable in a Crossbreed.
But soon I decided it wasn't right, so I moved up to the Springfield XD sub compact, but only after my wife, who had to have a Glock, decided she would only carry in her purse, not on body, and didn't want a gun in her purse without a manual safety, or at least more safety just the trigger.

So The Arms Room owner, God rest his soul, took apart the XDsubcompact, explained the grip and trigger safeties and she decided she could carry that.
We bought one, then I decided it was better than the Taurus as I don't like manual safeties, so we bought another - note, she has never conceal carried the XD,so why did we buy one again? lol.

Without going gun by guy, I go from nothing just about 4 years ago, to 10 pistols, 2- 22long rifles and a home defense shotgun in the house...

What else have I learned, A LOT, mostly from this forum for laws and how -to's, but also my brother-in-law (NordicTexan) and I hit the range every 2-3 weeks and I am always learning something new in my stance, trigger, grip, etc, but mostly learned that I cant regularly hit a quarter sized target from 5 yards regularly! - even with my Ruger Mark III.. so I am not a marksman, but I am happy anyway!

Renewal time for me isn't until end of 2014, so another year or so.

[RPBrown]

About to send in my 3rd renewal. Went from 1 pistol to over 20 but some (2) belong to my wife. Got my wife and daughter to get their CHL and to start carrying every day.

[Pecos]

The only thing that changed for me is I have 4 guns now 2 Full size Glocks (!7 & 22 Both Gen4) & Glock 19 Gen4 & Ruger P95. I can carry any one & conceal with no problem.
I practice a lot. I also get shirts one size larger now.
I an currently carrying the G19. I feel like a person of higher standards too!!!

[Shoot_First]

After over 12 years of CHL I have gone from one pistol to 10 pistols, two rifles, and 1 shotty and learned that Glocks and 1911s can be kept in the same safe. Over time, I have become less comfortable carrying a Ruger LCP, tend to favor a compact 1911 for EDC, but don't feel at any disadvantage with a Glock 19.

I remain challenged by shooting on the move. Today from a holstered IWB starting at 3 yards and drawing my 1911 while moving diagonally to the left or right rear I shot it dry (8 rounds) while reaching about 15 yards from the target. I can only get 2-3 rounds COM with the rest on the B-27 silhouette . I cannot do any better with my Glock 19 equipped with Trijicon red dot sight, but shooting stationary with the red dot makes it easy. I can consistently break clay pidgeons placed on the berm from 20 yards with the Glock 19 but only 10 yards with a 1911. I would sure like to know the secret of shooting on the move, but I can't afford the expensive training.

At age 72 shooting skills seem more perishable which means more practice to just maintain an adequate level of proficiency. I now try to get to the range every week but the Southeast Texas heat summer heat makes that a challenge.

I have really come to appreciate this forum and the wise counsel provided in response to almost any issue. My thanks to Chas, the mods, and you members who make it such a great resource. The forum is my homepage. I don't post much, but I am looking at posts for hours every day. I note the boss' patience seems to be getting thin lately so let's not screw up a good thing.

Regards,

Dave

[Dragonfighter]

No fanny packs...been about 10-12 years.

[jmra]

What's changed over the last 6 years? $20k in guns and ammo and still have a long wish list. May never actually get to retire if I don't stop buying guns.

[Weg]

For me the biggest change in the 8 years since I got my CHL is I have a much much more lax attitude about printing. I carry in whatever manner is most comfortable, and don't worry about bulges on my sides or pockets, I just keep them concealed to the letter of the law. Also, when I first got it, I was very fearful of how my first LEO stop with a CHL would go. In those 8 years, I have had 3 incidents where I informed the LEO I was carrying and they all went fine. As for guns, yeah I keep buying them, always looking for a better carry gun......

[chasfm11]

Two words: a lot.

I'd been around rifles and shotguns all of my life. But other than a .22 pistol that I bought back in the 70s, I had no information or experience with them. I never planned on body carry. I never planned to carry daily. I never expected to be an advocate for gun rights. I was probably like many of my fellow citizens - unaware and uninformed.

I started hanging around people who know guns, particularly pistols. I started reading this forum almost daily. And I now carry everywhere except to places where I'm prohibited. Our daughter has her CHL, our son and his new wife are working on theirs with a friend so I feel a sense of accomplishment in spreading the word.

My regret is that I didn't start this process sooner.

[Chuck Amuck]

I worry less about being spotted now than when I started carrying. I also shoot less now but that's because of ammo availability and prices.

[WildBill]

Probably the biggest change in my behavior storing and handling handguns is keeping them loaded and ready to use. I am more educated in the concealed carry laws and the use of deadly force. I do own a few more handguns, but that is mostly because I changed my choice of handgun and method of carry several times. I have always been pretty good about keeping alert and staying aware of my surroundings, but I have become better since I got my CHL. The biggest change has been in the increase in time that I spend reading and posting on the forum.

My spending on "accessories" have also increased: I own seven new holsters, five new belts and four new magazine carriers.

[Dadtodabone]

I buy XLT polo shirts instead of XL. The T for tall usually equates to a 3.5 to 4 inch increase in the length of the shirt tail providing more than enough coverage for my pistols and magazines.

[Blindref757]

Bought a Sigma 9mm 4 years ago this month for home defense with the intent of getting a CHL someday. Someday came the following May. I qualified 248 with the Sigma and started talking guns with my friends and on this site. I now have 4 pistols, an AR-15 and my hunting shotguns have PD loads in them. My wife now likes to go to the range with me and she will soon be getting her CHL. I now pocket carry about 90% of the time with my XDS in a DeSantis. I've tried a couple of IWB holsters and they are an option if dressed correctly...but I wear a lot of shorts when I'm not teaching school...and when I'm teaching school, I'm not carrying.

[longtooth]

This has been a great one to read for me. Glad to see all the growth.

For me only about 2 things have really changed over 14yrs.

+ 25 lbs
Went from IWB to OWB.