TexasCHLforum.com

Hi all, I'm looking to take a CHL course soon and I want to know where to go for the course in Katy, TX.

Initially, I was looking based on price only, but after reading a bit here I've decided to take some advice and seek out a good instructor instead. This seems to be the more approved of method since not all classes are created equally.

Thanks for any advice or direction.

How far are you willing to drive? There are some good ones outside the beltway down south.

Good question, I was hoping to keep it close to Katy. But maybe the better instructor is in Pearland...

I'm willing to drive 30-45 minutes. Assuming it can be done on a weekend, that should be anywhere West of Downtown, North to Tomball, and South to Pearland.

On the Southeast side of Houston, Charles Cotton (owner/moderator of this forum and legislation writer for CHL issues) does a class out at PSC (which is kinda between Friendswood and Alvin despite the Pearland Shooting Club name). Tom Estep is also great (League City area) and highly recommended. I can't comment on anybody else.

You could wait until September when the law changes and the class instruction time is reduced if you are content to wait.

ETA Charles and Tom are both members here on the site and you could PM them for advice also if you want other recommendations. They are both well connected in the CHL instructor circles. Tom goes by the handle ElGato.

I have taken courses at Top Gun (inside the loop) and The Arms Room (south of Clear Lake). Both places are good. Tom Estep's name was mentioned. If you really want to learn to shoot, then he is the man to take instruction from on marksmanship, and armed self-defense with gun or knife.

I know one Instructor that lives in Katy and I think he is probably the brightest, most humble and possibly the best looking Instructor in the greater Houston area. (me) OK, I exaggerated at least one of those. BUT....I have a lake house and we spent most of our summer there, so I am not teaching any classes any time soon.

I know nothing about Tactical Firearms on Mason Road in Katy, but I know they teach weekend and weekday classes. Their range and facilities are state of the art. Maybe someone else could add their experience with this class. Also, I have heard good things about the class at American Shooting Center in George Bush Park.

For me, 99.9% of the value of my CHL training was understanding the legal nuances of proper use of force and deadly force, plus the legal aspects of where I can/cannot carry. Getting this stuff absolutely correct is critical because getting it wrong can mean time in the gray bar hotel.

Therefore, I am pleased that my CHL class was taught by Charles L. Cotton. I knew I could trust him to be legally accurate and he does a terrific job explaining things.

I drove from further away than you are, and it was well worth it.

His CHL classes are usually the first Saturday of each month.

if you dont mind the drive Spring Guns and Ammo puts on a good class. I did mine there. Shilo is another good place I shoot there. Good Luck

Other have already said this but cost is not the best to go by. I took a cheap class and got exactly what I paid for. Thanks to many on this Forum I learn a lot.

In the end I re-took the class (even though though I had my plastic) given by Justin Franklin and learn what I originally should have been taught.

The Hot Wells (290 outside of the beltway, Barker Cypress area) class is good. Shooting is outdoors, though; I'm not sure I'd do it there this time of year unless shooting is first.

I took my chl class at The Arms Room with Brian Mobley (thatguy is his handle on here) in League City. Brian was great with the legal & nonviolent conflict resolution and also with how the handgun integrates into a larger protection system. I would gladly have paid full price, but as it happened they offered a $25 discount during the week. I've heard good things about Tom Estep as well. And I've been on this board enough to believe that Charles Cotton would also be an excellent choice.

I drove from Richmond to Friendswood to take the class offered by Charles Cotton at PSC. I drove not a short distance (good excuse to stop at Bass Pro) and paid more for the class than I would have for one of the cheaper classes but it was worth every penny in my mind. Sign up for the class, you will not be disappointed. He isn't the only great instructor out there but he is a great instructor none the less. He also won't subject you to a spiel from [Pre-paid legal service] or one of those other pre-paid legal services.

Charles Cotton and Tom Estep are worth traveling for your CHL.

I've taken their classes over the years so my recommendation is from experience.

Abraham wrote:Charles Cotton and Tom Estep are worth traveling for your CHL.

I've taken their classes over the years so my recommendation is from experience.

Same here. Couldn't agree more!