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5/23-24 - took the CHL-Texas.com two-evening class
5/25 - took my app to DPS Building I, waited while they called someone from the CHL Section, watched her go through my packet to make sure everything was there & signed, got a dated receipt for my app & cashier's check

tick-tock-tick-tock

6/1 - DPS generates letter with PIN (day 7)
6/4 - DPS meters envelope for letter with PIN (33.4 cents) & mails it (day 10)
6/5 - Received PIN letter - Processing Application (day 11)

I've been having fun carrying concealed on my own property with no one noticing (not even the wife & kids!). It's been great for building confidence that no one is going to notice.

I even carried during one of my kid's birthday parties with about 30 people in the house!

tornado wrote:6/1 - DPS generates letter with PIN (day 7)
6/4 - DPS meters envelope for letter with PIN (33.4 cents) & mails it (day 10)
6/5 - Received PIN letter - Processing Application (day 11)

I've been having fun carrying concealed on my own property with no one noticing (not even the wife & kids!). It's been great for building confidence that no one is going to notice.

I even carried during one of my kid's birthday parties with about 30 people in the house!

That is the BEST practice you can do. Get to the range some too.
Post a picture of your rig.

My "rig" so far has been a Colt Commander 1911 tucked into my pants at 4 o'clock, covered by a shirt.

I'm still looking for something else for everyday carry. Most recently I've been looking at the Glock 30 and Ruger P345. My dad carries a P345, and my uncle carries another Ruger that uses the same magazines. There's something to be said for being able to share ammo & mags if the need arises.

The Ruger is a little heavier, longer and taller than the Glock, but it's 1/4 inch narrower, which I like. It's narrower because it's single stack 8+1 vs. the Glock's 10+1 double stack. The Ruger's also over $150 less (yes, I know price shouldn't be the main factor, but by golly, it's still a factor).

I need to shoot them both. I think that may be what decides it. Red's in Pflugerville has a G30 for rent, and I ought to be able to borrow my dad's P345. I just need to make the time, and soon.

I have to wear a tucked shirt at work, so I'm also seriously considering a SmartCarry, even though I can't carry at work. I'd be able to unholster/reholster the handgun in my car without untucking my shirt.

6/15 - looked at my uncle's S&W Sigma 9mm, liked it and its heavy trigger pull
6/16 - went to the Saxet Gun Show in Austin, but nobody had a Sigma 40 Allied Forces (black slide)
6/18 - bought a S&W Sigma SW40VE Allied Forces at Sportsman's Warehouse for $299 (haven't gotten to shoot it yet)
6/21 - Processing Application (day 27)

I decided to go with a .40, obviously. There are other topics addressing people's opinions of the Sigma already.

tornado wrote:My "rig" so far has been a Colt Commander 1911 tucked into my pants at 4 o'clock, covered by a shirt.

I'm still looking for something else for everyday carry. Most recently I've been looking at the Glock 30 and Ruger P345. My dad carries a P345, and my uncle carries another Ruger that uses the same magazines. There's something to be said for being able to share ammo & mags if the need arises.

The Ruger is a little heavier, longer and taller than the Glock, but it's 1/4 inch narrower, which I like. It's narrower because it's single stack 8+1 vs. the Glock's 10+1 double stack. The Ruger's also over $150 less (yes, I know price shouldn't be the main factor, but by golly, it's still a factor).

I need to shoot them both. I think that may be what decides it. Red's in Pflugerville has a G30 for rent, and I ought to be able to borrow my dad's P345. I just need to make the time, and soon.

I have to wear a tucked shirt at work, so I'm also seriously considering a SmartCarry, even though I can't carry at work. I'd be able to unholster/reholster the handgun in my car without untucking my shirt.

Nothing wrong with carrying a 1911.

I can understand if you have to dress up, though. I carried my little PA-63 IWB when I wore a suit all day for a wedding this past weekend. My Hi-Power was just a little too bulky to carry in the OWB rig I have for it and printed a little too much to carry well under my suit jacket. A 1911 might have been slim enough to pull it off. I'll have to test out that theory when I get one someday.

Not sure I'd go with the smartcarry, though. I wouldn't be confident that I could draw it in any reasonable amount of time when seated in a car. A kangaroo holster might be a little better, as reaching inside your shirt is a little easier than reaching inside your pants, at least while seated. Depending on your build, a 1911 carried this way might be a little easier to carry than a blockier gun like a Glock. It seems the P345 and Cold Commander are about the same size, with the colt being only 1/4" longer in overall length. Any particular reason you're looking for something else?

Any particular reason you're looking for something else?

The Commander is all metal and doesn't have any kind of firing pin safety, so there's the worry with dropping it. The Sigma's actually about the same size as the Commander, but significantly lighter, and it's 14+1 vs. the Commander's 7+1. And if I needed it lighter still, I could carry it without the full 14. But I doubt I'd do that.

And although the Sigma doesn't have an external safety, it's got a firing pin safety and a nice, heavy DAO trigger pull. I'm told they're around 9 lbs. Some hate it, some love it. YMMV

So far I like the feel of the Sigma. I've got to get it cleaned so I can get it out to the range. The kids keep staying up too late. (I've shown the Commander to the 7yo, but the younger two are still unaware. And I don't need them blabbing about anything. When they're older, they'll get introduced properly.)

I finally got to shoot the Sigma on Saturday, and I love it. 141 rounds with no problems. Lots of shots hit low & left, but I expected that from what I've read. It will take a little while to get used to the heavier trigger pull. Oh, darn, I have to practice.

NcongruNt wrote:A kangaroo holster might be a little better

I did some more readingon the Kangaroo Friday night, and I wound up buying on at Red's in Pflugerville. I talked with John there, who was involved in the development of the thing. I'm glad I bought it there instead of online (less than retail. same price as a reseller) because he showed me just where to wear it and how to draw from it (lean over and raise your weak hand while pulling up & out). It makes all the difference, and I wouldn't have figured that out on my own.

I got the AM model, with the larger holster and a pocket for an extra mag. (Plus a pocket for handcuffs, but I'll have to find a different use for that.)

It was $27, so I'll try it around the house to see how I like it. Thanks for the tip.

tornado wrote:I finally got to shoot the Sigma on Saturday, and I love it. 141 rounds with no problems. Lots of shots hit low & left, but I expected that from what I've read. It will take a little while to get used to the heavier trigger pull. Oh, darn, I have to practice.

NcongruNt wrote:A kangaroo holster might be a little better

I did some more readingon the Kangaroo Friday night, and I wound up buying on at Red's in Pflugerville. I talked with John there, who was involved in the development of the thing. I'm glad I bought it there instead of online (less than retail. same price as a reseller) because he showed me just where to wear it and how to draw from it (lean over and raise your weak hand while pulling up & out). It makes all the difference, and I wouldn't have figured that out on my own.

I got the AM model, with the larger holster and a pocket for an extra mag. (Plus a pocket for handcuffs, but I'll have to find a different use for that.)

It was $27, so I'll try it around the house to see how I like it. Thanks for the tip.

I'm glad it's working out well for you. I'm considering one myself, as I was faced with a rehersal dinner for a wedding a week ago where I didn't have a suitable way to carry. This would have been perfect for wearing underneath the button-up shirt and slacks that I wore. A tuckable IWB (which I don't have) would have probably done the job as well, though would probably have been less comfortable and probably about the same as far as draw speed goes - really varies with the situation, I suppose.

Howdy,

I'm in P-Ville too. we took a class from John @ Reds. didn't know he had a hand in the Kangaroo. I'll have to ask him about it next weekend when we go shootin'.

I just dropped my application in the mail!! (6-25)

The wait begins.

5/26 - Called and found out they're still working on background info. I've heard Travis County can be slow. (day 32)

tornado wrote:5/26 - Called and found out they're still working on background info. I've heard Travis County can be slow. (day 32)

Yep. Got mine on day 59.

7/24 - Application Completed - license issued or certificate active (day 60)

It was still processing at this time yesterday.

Time to camp by the mailbox

Gratz...

Guess I cant complain to much about long time line.