Knowing what you know now..How was your original CHL course?

[HotLeadSolutions]

I took my original course with David Gilbreath at CHLTX.com and was satisfied with the level of instruction that I recieved. We covered all the points of law that are required for CHL licensing, and had a video presentation of "Shoot no Shoot" situations.
He took time to cater to the less experienced on the range, and made sure everyone was safe, comfortable and kept the class interesting.
He had well thought out answers to most of the questions that were thrown his way, and overall the class moved fluidly.

The only thing that I have found to be wrong about what he taught was...
Someone asked about carrying at a racetrack, and specifically asked about the dragstrip. He wanted to know where the "premises" was since there were no gates and it was all open air. He was informed that in that instance the "premises" would be anywhere owned or leased by the track, and that you could not have your firearm anywhere...even in your car.

While that may be true about the premises...a dragstrip does not qualify as a "Racetrack" and as long as it it not posted you should be able to carry anywhere. (as long as it is not a professional sporting event)

But that being said, the rest of the class was spot on.

David taught to "Shoot to stop", stressed the importance of shot placement and shot control and covered what to do after a shoot.

With all of the talk about substandard instructors, I though I would give a high five where it was due.
I would recommend his course, especially for ladies who might be intimidated by handling handguns.

[seamusTX]

Tom Estep. 'Nuff said.

As for dragstrips, they are not the parimutuel horse or dog racing tracks specified in PC 46.03(a)(4).

However, aren't most of them professional or semi-professional? I don't know why the police would search anyone's car at a dragstrip, so there is no case law.

- Jim

[jamisjockey]

Charles Cotton. Excellent. No, I'm not kissing up just because he's the board owner.

[USA1]

There were over 60 people in class. It was done well, but I think I would have gotten more out of it if the class was smaller allowing for more individual interaction.

I've learned much more about all CHL related things from this forum.

[RoyGBiv]

My original CHL class (in NC, 1995?) was taught by a local Deputy Sheriff. A two-night class, IIRC. The class and instruction was VERY good. Covered the details very well, especially "Justifiable use of force". The instructor also brought along several holsters of different types and allowed students to try them out (no weapons)...

My recent TX class was a disaster. The instructor (who shall remain nameless) was HORRIBLE. I felt quite bad for the other folks in the class who, IMHO, did not get adequate instruction in CHL legal aspects.

TX and NC law is reasonably similar... some important differences (Castle), but I had already read the TX regs on my own, so, I was satisfied just completing the process and getting my certificate.

[Teamless]

Tom Estep - what more needs said?
He did a fantastic job!

As others before have said, I have learned A LOT more on this board, but that is over 8 months of reading, in a 10 hour class you just can't learn (or maybe just remember) all of that.

Anyone in South Houston, Galveston, etc, call Tom!

[Rex B]

Mine was terrible. The instructor was a poor teacher, missed on important points of law, and all the followup - fingerprints etc - we were on our own. My wife took the course with me and never took the extra steps to get her card.
Nice guy though.

[Middle Age Russ]

My wife and I took the class last year from Steve (SRVA) and Donna (CompVest). I highly recommend them to anyone in the Conroe area. Ten hours went by much quicker than I thought it would.

They teach other classes as well, and we intend to take a few of these in 2011.

[alvins]

my instructor spent most of the time going over the answers to the test. and then after everyone passed the written and firing test we spent a lot of time filling out the paper work.

The rest of the time was spent listening to her tell us how in a past life she was a body guard and such.

we might have spent 30 minutes asking questions and such.

1 - 5 ; 5 being good. about -50

[Cobra Medic]

Even knowing what I knew then, mine was a waste of my time and money, but the government required the expensive rubber stamp so I bent over and endured it. However, knowing what I know now, I probably won't renew but will replace it with a license from another state.

[baldeagle]

I took my class with Captain McKeown of the Terrell Police Department. He was thorough and entertaining and kept the class interesting. The only thing he did "wrong" was having everyone fill out the paperwork and do fingerprints in the class. He was not aware that you could do fingerprints and apply electronically. (Since it had just changed, he can be excused for that.) He emphasized the point that you shoot to stop not to kill and that you keep shooting until the threat is neutralized. I can't recall anything regarding the law that I later found out was inaccurate.

I have learned a great deal more here, but as others have said, you can only teach so much in a ten hour class.

[bigred90gt]

I took my class in Baytown with Dan Blackford. The class was very informative, and almost everything he taught was spot on with everything I have read. The only thing I disagree with him on is he said alcohol is absolutely off limits (meaning there is a zero tolerance law, though the written law does not state this).

He brought in several blue training guns, and a bag full of holsters to show. He went over what to do in the event you had to use deadly force, and when it was legal to do so.

We did the paperwork and fingerprints in class, but I was ok with doing it that way as opposed to doing it online and through whatever other fingerprinting methods are available. When I left the class, everything I needed was in one package. All I had to do was write out the check and mail it. I did not have to go somewhere else to do this that or the other.

[Commander Cody]

Tom Estep. 'Nuff said.

[RHenriksen]

Dan Blackford taught the class @ Top Gun when I took it a couple of years ago - ditto, thought he did a solid job.

One of the things I really appreciated was his '2 strikes and you're out' policy on the range. Meaning, that if people had poor muzzle discipline, finger inside the trigger guard, etc, they only got 1 warning before they were pulled off the line. Given the stories I hear about CHL students who've never touched a firearm before, I was glad he was strict about those points.

[kyreb]

I am not naming names, but our first experience was terrible. The instructor did nothing but read from the book for hours on end. To compound matters, the instructor had a friend in the class who was an older man and he definitely had problems. This man would take any opportunity to jump in....usually off topic....and drone on and on. He easily added two hours to an already long day. Finally at the end of the day, the guy admitted he had been hospitalized in the past for severe depression and asked if that would have any effect on his ability to get a CHL!

Wife and I renewed with Tom Estep a few months ago. It could not have gone better! I have given several people his contact information already.