Handgun for Class/Qualification

[Crossfire]

I have seen an instructor or two that allowed lasers, even though he way I read the code it's a no no.

Can you quote the code that you have interpreted to not allow lasers? This has come up several times on the forum, and if there is something written in the DPS rules, I would love to have that answer.

[nightmare]

I have seen an instructor or two that allowed lasers, even though he way I read the code it's a no no.

Can you quote the code that you have interpreted to not allow lasers? This has come up several times on the forum, and if there is something written in the DPS rules, I would love to have that answer.

Administrative rule 6.11 says "The proficiency demonstration course will be the same for both instructors and license applications." Some people think that means lasers aren't allowed because DPS doesn't allow instructors to use lasers. I don't know if anyone got an official answer from somebody high enough in DPS.

[TexasGal]

This was asked in our Instructor class in April. The answer was no lasers for either students or instructors.

[srothstein]

It is also part of rule 6.73 which ends with:

No optical enhancers will be allowed for instructor applicants or for applicants of concealed handgun licenses.

DPS takes the stance that lasers are optical enhancers. I think it means scopes, myself, but it is their rule and they get to say what it means.

[punkndisorderly]

The answer at my CHL instructors course was also no lasers. Neither instructor I've had allowed them.

The term "optical enhancers" is a little ambiguous. I know I've seen students jn others classes. I've never seen an official clarification as to what is and isn't an optical enhancer.

[Crossfire]

Thanks for the answers, all. I agree that the rule is a bit ambiguous, and this was not discussed in our original instructor class back in '97, and I don't know that it has been discussed in any renewal I have been to.

The rule about instructors and students proficiency being the same is not completely true either, as students are allowed to use no less than .32 caliber, and instructors are limited to .38 caliber, or larger.

[Keith B]

This was asked in our Instructor class in April. The answer was no lasers for either students or instructors.

same thing was told to us in our class.

[Bitterclinger]

I put a hundred rounds through the sp101 with laser grips yesterday, half with the laser off, half with it on. It got me wondering why these are not allowed. At first I thought it might be to keep people from relying on something that might fail, but that seems iffy. I have an old .40 Sigma S&W SA pistol that is so wonky, it rarely gets off ten rounds without an FTF.

[MoJo]

I had to lend a student my carry gun to shoot his qualification when his shiny NIB gun quit working. I have had people come and shoot almost any brand of handgun, yes Virginia even Hi Point, and all have passed most, with flying colors.

The main thing is to have a gun that's in good working order and is LUBED the only other time a student had trouble with a gun it was almost as dry as burnt toast. He got his "truck gun" (one of the Hi Points I've seen) and finished in grand style. Use one of the 9mm guns you have and don't worry about it.

[Abraham]

I took my 2nd CHL qualification shooting with a borrowed gun from my CHL instructor. Thanks Tom...

It was a Glock 17.

I was quite able to get an almost perfect shooting score.

If you can shoot reasonably well, you'll pass.

When the time comes, relax. There's plenty of time to get off all your shots. Don't rush and you'll pass with flying colors.

If you do decide to go with your revolver, may I suggest you shoot .38 Specials and not .357 magnums.

[Bitterclinger]

I've decided to go with the Vektor SP1. It's a full sized SA in 9mm that shoots like a dream. I'll probably never carry it, because it's huge and plus, It belongs to my wife. I'll keep the Kel Tec PF9 in the trunk in case the Vektor has any issues, but the Vektor usually feeds ball all day long. I have every confidence in its accuracy. It's site picture so big it looks like a cartoon.

This whole exercise has helped me to realize that there is really no link between what I qualify with and what I end up carrying, provided I qualify with a pistol. After I qualify with a pistol, I can carry a pistol and/or a revolver.

[Bitterclinger]

I wound up using my Kel Tec PF-9 to qualify last Saturday and got a 250 of 250. Turns out I was worried about nothing. I got a 98 on the fifty question test. Would have gotten them all, but one question had a weird double-negative sentence structure that through me off.

1-18-2013: Online Application
1-19-2013: Class
**1-24-2013: Fingerprints
**1-24-2013: Checklist documents, scanned and Submitted via https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/RSD/contact/default.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
**1-24-2013: Obsessive checking of TXCHL site for status updates.


**In Progress

[flechero]

Turns out I was worried about nothing.

That's a pretty common reaction...

[Bitterclinger]

I just submitted my required docs as PDF files attached to the elusive "contact us" email form. I attached the checklist with the barcode, a copy of the Fast L1 fingerprint form with the printers sigs, my CL-6 with "Please use drivers license photo on file" written in the photo section, and my pass/pass CHL-100 form. I don't think the fingerprint form is necessary since Fast L1 said they would be sending it to DPS, but I attached it anyway. I figure DPS can 86 it if they don't need it.

Now, I've got this internal debate going about giving myself a break from checking the site for a couple of weeks. Something like: "They will probably notify me via email if there are any problems"... "but, they might not..., what if they post something important on the site and I miss it!?"


I think I'll go check the site real quick just to be sure.