How to choose a CHL class?

[Dreamliner]

There are so many offerings for CHL classes and different price range. How to choose a CHL class, from whom and typical price?

[USA1]

Welcome to the forum. It would help if you mention what area you live in. That way you can get references and recommendations from forum members based on their positive experiences from your area.

[Medic624]

I've been wondering this too...I found my DD214 and I'm finally going to give up my WA State CHL for a TX CHL and, the amount of ppl who offer the class is pretty daunting!

Im not looking to hijack this guys thread but I also don't want to open a brand new one asking the same thing.

[Keith B]

Welcome to the forum Dreamliner.

And, as USA1 stated, depending on what area you are in, we have some awesome instructors that are members of our forum. Let us know where you are looking to take a class and I am sure someone on the forum will be able to help steer you to a good class or away from a bad instructor.

[Keith B]

Medic624, there is only one logical answer for you in Pearland, and that is to take the class from out forum owner Charles Cotton over at Pearland Shooting Club. Can't get any better than that for awesome and local!

[A-R]

Medic624, there is only one logical answer for you in Pearland, and that is to take the class from out forum owner Charles Cotton over at Pearland Shooting Club. Can't get any better than that for awesome and local!

You won't likely find a more knowledgable instructor than Charles. His Use Of Force clinic should be the basis of the state's CHL requirements.

[Dreamliner]

I'm on the NW side town of between Cypress or Tomball.

[USA1]

I'm on the NW side town of between Cypress or Tomball.

I took mine at Guardian Defensive Solutions. The price is $150 which is high in my opinion but the class was well done.
http://www.guardiandefensive.com/

Spring Guns and Ammo has $85 CHL classes. I don't have any experience with them.
http://www.springgunsandammo.com/chlclasses.htm#buttons

If you're willing to go to west Houston, we do CHL classes every day (7 days a week) for $99 with a top notch instructor.
All of our clients give very positive feedback.
Click my signature line for contact info.

[canvasbck]

The following is just my opinion and is worth exactly what you paid for it.

If you don't get any recommendations on here that fit your specific needs and you have to choose yourself among the plethora of choices, I would do the following.

1. Stick with instructors who are teaching at a public range, I would stay away from the ones that have a classroom one place and then have everyone go over to a range for the range portion of the course.

2. Call the ones you are thinking of using and ask them what time the class usually lets out, if you get any response that would indicate the class will be out in less than the required 10 hours, strike them off your list.

3. Also ask them what other firearms courses they offer, I would stay away from the ones who only offer CHL classes, I would much rather take my CHL from someone who has a background in teaching defensive pistol classes of some sort (like Charles).

These qualifiers should cut down on your choices considerably.

From your OP, I'm assuming that you are new to defensive carry. If my assumtion is correct, don't stop at the CHL class, use the time you are waiting on your CHL to get more firearms training.

[Keith B]

I'm on the NW side town of between Cypress or Tomball.

If you are anywhere in the Houston area, then I would recomeend the drive to Pearland for one of Charles' classes if you find a date taht fits you. You won't be sorry.

[goheeled]

I've got to chime in...
I've heard so many good things about Mr. Cotton's class that I was going to take it... AND MY WIFE IS AN INSTRUCTOR!

That couch is lumpier than I remember.

[goheeled]

Things that I looked for in a class... in no particular order

Experience - both as an instructor and as an operator
Does it fit my schedule?
Cost - is it all inclusive? photos, range, targets, paperwork, etc.
Customer feedback
Location

I don't see that it matters if they own a range or not... just my opinion.

Above all else... call them. If the instructor sounds shady, comes across as being a blow hard, or is anything less than 100% accommodating... blow them off and continue your search. My wife and I are both instructors and for the most part, we can honestly say... there are a lot of very good options out there.

Good luck!

[Jumping Frog]

I'm on the NW side town of between Cypress or Tomball.

If you are anywhere in the Houston area, then I would recomeend the drive to Pearland for one of Charles' classes if you find a date taht fits you. You won't be sorry.

I live off 249 near Tomball and took my training from Charles L. Cotton. An easy Saturday morning drive to PSC.

[Medic624]

Medic624, there is only one logical answer for you in Pearland, and that is to take the class from out forum owner Charles Cotton over at Pearland Shooting Club. Can't get any better than that for awesome and local!

I contacted Mr. Cotton and I will be attending one of his classes as soon as my schedule permits!!! Thanks for the suggestion!

[Liberty]

The following is just my opinion and is worth exactly what you paid for it.


1. Stick with instructors who are teaching at a public range, I would stay away from the ones that have a classroom one place and then have everyone go over to a range for the range portion of the course.

Just curious; Why is this important?