Things I've done since starting the CHL process

[silverbear]

I was thinking of the many things I've done during the CHL process and thought I'd share. Some serious, some funny -

- first and foremost, decide that I would take action and get my CHL
- take CHL class - had a great instructor!
- fill out online application, still waiting for packet.......
- attend more gun shows this year than I have in past five years
- sign up to this forum, glocktalk, and ar15.com - review posts daily - this forum first
- become much more "situationally aware",
- look to see if I can spot folks "printing", none yet.....
- stopped talking about my CHL activities with anybody except for a couple of other colleagues at work with CHLs,
- buy a Glock 26 for carry, buy +2 extenders, buy extra mags,
- figure out I'm gonna need a holster, um, make that holsters (plural)
- take action to lose 10 - 15 lbs so I won't have to buy that many new pants one size larger than needed for IWB holster - 8 lbs lost so far
- read EVERY post on the internet regarding mtac vs crossbreed, still unsure which to buy, but leaning towards the mtac, no crossbreed, no mtac, no crossbreed........
- buy a set of four OWB holsters from a G27 owner who had gone through own holster trials, for a very good price,
- read about smartcarry holsters, figure what the heck and buy a smartcarry type holster off of ebay
- decide to start off with the smartcarry as primary holster as the wife and boys have never known when I was carrying in the house,
- decide to stop reading the mtac vs crossbreed holster threads that pop-up daily on the forums, at least for a couple of weeks,
- decide I will get hand gun instruction and training sooner rather than later!
- take my eight year old son to the range to begin learning to shoot and the IMPORTANCE of gun safety,
- buy a pocket 180 lumen flashlight and Kershaw for EDC,
- look over texasguntrader on periodic basis, come to the conclusion that I might be able to sell my LNIB Glock 26 for a couple hundred more than I paid at the gunshow,
- buy a 5.11 tactical trainer belt for OWB, and the eventual mtac, crossbreed, or other IWB

I think that's it so far - how about you?

[davidtx]

My experience is similar. I started with the SmartCarry because it appeared to be able to work in almost any situation. II just bought an OWB because of a last minute decision to check out IDPA. I highly recommend IDPA as a way to get more comfortable with your gun, shooting on the move and reloading. After wearing the OWB around all day, I'm thinking hard about buying a Minotaur - mostly waiting for the 1911 models to become available again.

I also signed up for Krav Maga classes. I had been procrastinating about getting in shape and Krav Maga is a GREAT way to get in shape and learn some self defense skills to. I've been taking classes for about 3 weeks and have seen a huge improvement in my stamina and coordination. And nobody should use age as an excuse - I'm 55 and was very, very out of shape. On Saturday, one of my classmates had his 60th birthday - the instructor celebrated by making us do 60 burpee's. One of the other studio's in Austin has a 71 year old student.

[RHenriksen]

I love both of your posts! Getting in shape pays ALL kinds of benefits, and if you're doing it through some sort of self defense training, then the benefits just keep multiplying.

As has been so often said, a firearm is just a tool, not a magical talisman. If you're got lots of other tools at your disposal (ie, the rest of your body), you're more likely to keep your composure if your firearm is inaccessible, jams, is compromised, etc. and KEEP FIGHTING.

Good on both of you.

[davidtx]

Thanks! It has been slowly dawning on me that as I become more proficient at KM, I'll have options. I like options.

[cubbyjg]

I have been trying to get into some sort of Krav Maga class here in Houston. I went to one and like the instructor but did not want to pay for a second gym membership just to take the class. Still trying to find another one in the houston area but no luck so far.

[RHenriksen]

I don't know what KM options are available in Houston. I've been training at Kim Soo Karate since 1987, over in Spring Branch. They're a more traditional environment, rather than focusing on MMA, street fighting, or BJJ.

[TDDude]

I was thinking of the many things I've done during the CHL process and thought I'd share. Some serious, some funny -

- first and foremost, decide that I would take action and get my CHL
- take CHL class - had a great instructor!
- fill out online application, still waiting for packet.......
- attend more gun shows this year than I have in past five years
- sign up to this forum, glocktalk, and ar15.com - review posts daily - this forum first
- become much more "situationally aware",
- look to see if I can spot folks "printing", none yet.....
- stopped talking about my CHL activities with anybody except for a couple of other colleagues at work with CHLs,
- buy a Glock 26 for carry, buy +2 extenders, buy extra mags,
- figure out I'm gonna need a holster, um, make that holsters (plural)
- take action to lose 10 - 15 lbs so I won't have to buy that many new pants one size larger than needed for IWB holster - 8 lbs lost so far
- read EVERY post on the internet regarding mtac vs crossbreed, still unsure which to buy, but leaning towards the mtac, no crossbreed, no mtac, no crossbreed........
- buy a set of four OWB holsters from a G27 owner who had gone through own holster trials, for a very good price,
- read about smartcarry holsters, figure what the heck and buy a smartcarry type holster off of ebay
- decide to start off with the smartcarry as primary holster as the wife and boys have never known when I was carrying in the house,
- decide to stop reading the mtac vs crossbreed holster threads that pop-up daily on the forums, at least for a couple of weeks,
- decide I will get hand gun instruction and training sooner rather than later!
- take my eight year old son to the range to begin learning to shoot and the IMPORTANCE of gun safety,
- buy a pocket 180 lumen flashlight and Kershaw for EDC,
- look over texasguntrader on periodic basis, come to the conclusion that I might be able to sell my LNIB Glock 26 for a couple hundred more than I paid at the gunshow,
- buy a 5.11 tactical trainer belt for OWB, and the eventual mtac, crossbreed, or other IWB

I think that's it so far - how about you?

Your forgot the most important thing:

Practice!! Practice!! Practice!! Practice!!

[silverbear]

Your forgot the most important thing:

Practice!! Practice!! Practice!! Practice!!

You are absolutely right! That's why instruction and training are next on my agenda so I don't practice bad form.

[gmantx]

i have just started the process too in fact I have not even had my class yet(two more weeks) and as part of a compromise with my wife she wants me to take a self defense martial arts class so my daughter(15) and I are starting Krav Maga too. Kinda same thinking here need to get in shape and might as well learn some usefull things while doing it.

Gary

[davidtx]

i have just started the process too in fact I have not even had my class yet(two more weeks) and as part of a compromise with my wife she wants me to take a self defense martial arts class so my daughter(15) and I are starting Krav Maga too. Kinda same thinking here need to get in shape and might as well learn some usefull things while doing it.

Gary

Good job - I can't think of a better gift for a 15 year old daughter. There is at least one father/daughter in our program. She's doing great. My 28 year old daughter will be here visiting for a week and we already have plans to take a couple of classes together.

[silverbear]

Question - Why Krav Maga versus other martial arts?

[davidtx]

Question - Why Krav Maga versus other martial arts?

I didn't spend a lot of time evaluating the alternatives. I first heard about KM here on the forum and after doing some research, I took a free introductory class. I like the fact that it is 100% focussed on self defense. There is no sporting federation, no uniforms, no ritual. There are no rules - the goal is to go home after a fight. That could involve anything from running away to a fight.

I like the exercise, both studios I looked at also teach Cross Fit and I hope to take advantage of that once I'm in a little better shape.

As a side note, my partner in class the other day is a Muay Thai instructor and has been studying martial arts for almost 30 years. The next time I see him, I'll try to find out why he's taking KM. My chest and ribs were pretty sore for a few days after taking punches from him...

[cubbyjg]

KM is a no-nonsense approach to self defense. Men, woman, and children can all do it and benefit from it. You can start anytime and pick it up very easily. Plus, it seems they use very natural movements that dont require you to think about perfect technique. This is just my opinion; im no expert but this is what i was looking for in a self defense class.

[silverbear]

Thanks for the input. I'll have to check to see if anything is offered my area - Seabrook/Kemah.

[fm2]

- take CHL class - had a great instructor!
- fill out online application, still waiting for packet.......
- attend more gun shows this year than I have in past five years
- become much more "situationally aware",
- stopped talking about my CHL activities with anybody except for a couple of other colleagues at work with CHLs,
- figure out I'm gonna need a holster, um, make that holsters (plural)
- take action to lose 10 - 15 lbs so I won't have to buy that many new pants one size larger than needed for IWB holster - 8 lbs lost so far
- buy a set of four OWB holsters from a G27 owner who had gone through own holster trials, for a very good price,
- decide I will get hand gun instruction and training sooner rather than later!
- take my eight year old son to the range to begin learning to shoot and the IMPORTANCE of gun safety,
- buy a pocket 180 lumen flashlight and Kershaw for EDC,
- buy a 5.11 tactical trainer belt for OWB, and the eventual mtac, crossbreed, or other IWB
-practice

I like these moves the best. Probably the most beneficial is to get healthier.

One thing you may do is to decide on a belt width and stick to only buying holsters that fit that belt width. Then you'll not be stuck with holsters you like not fitting the belt you like. The 1 1/2" width works well for jeans & carharts and some kahkis.

A couple of things I suggest is to get a blue gun in the same model as your carry gun. A blue gun or red gun, depending on the maker, is a detailed copy and exact size of a real gun. It doesn't have any moving parts and it's made of rubbber or plastic. You can practice drawstroke, movement, etc... with your blue gun.