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What To Expect From CHL Course

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:22 am
by Bones3
I've been reading the posts & have a question I haven't seen addressed.

I'm taking my CHL course this Sunday & am wondering if there is
anything out of the ordinary I should be aware of?

Is the course pretty straightforward or are there tricks I should look
out for?

Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks

Forewarned is forearmed.

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:29 am
by ghentry
No tricks that I've experienced. The shooting test is straight forward and you can find out ahead of time the course of fire. The written test was pretty straight forward. There were 1 or 2 questions I thought were worded tricky, but nothing that would cause you to fail.

Enjoy your class.

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:06 am
by AggieMM
For your reference, here is a PDF that summaries the shooting test:

CHL_Proficiency_Test.pdf

As for the written, if you pay attention during class, the answers are mentioned *several* times through-out the class. Nothing tricky, but if you day-dream, you might miss a few.

Ryan

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:26 am
by rodnocker1
No tricks. They aren't trying to trip you up or trap you. The information you receive is more just to make you aware of how much responsibility goes with carrying a weapon.

The best teaching device I have found (and that was just recently) is the information and people on this forum. If you don't know or can't find the answer, usually someone here will either know or know where to look. They have been great with making me aware of things I had missed when reading Regs. and keeping me updated with the latest legislation.

As far as the firearms qualification, our class had a woman who had never touched a weapon until a week before the class. She received some instruction from a Qualified Instructor and passed the range with more than enough points. Most people will have the required score before they even get back to the last position.

As far as tips. Make sure your gun has good sights-three dots or something very easy to see. Our range was outside and it was a very cloudy day. I used my Browning Hi-Power and it has black front and rear sights. Extremely difficult to see and I still only had three shots that weren't center and that I believe was due to slapping the trigger. At the time, I hadn't shot a pistol in probably 15 years, so it is not a difficult course.

One other tip if you hadn't already heard is use a semi-auto. This qualifies you to carry either a revolver or semi-auto. If you use a revolver, that is all you are allowed to carry.

I would say "Good Luck!" but I don't believe in luck, so I'll just sa "Relax, Have Fun, and It Will Be Good To Have Another One of Us Out There".

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:42 am
by Paladin
rodnocker1 wrote:One other tip if you hadn't already heard is use a semi-auto. This qualifies you to carry either a revolver or semi-auto. If you use a revolver, that is all you are allowed to carry.
+1 Absolutely

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 11:35 am
by Reysc
As everyone 's saying no tricks, maybe a few unconventionally worded questions designed to find-out if we are really understanding and analyzing the questions. Instructors are great!! They go out of their way to explain everything and solicit questions.. The old saying "no such thing as stupid questions" very well applies on CHL classes. Now, get ready because it can get boring talikng about laws governing CCW.. The fun part is the shooting profiency part.I got a little(?) nervous because I haven't been to a range in 5 yrs. but the CHL instructors knew their business and in no time I was shooting great.. Have fun and goodluck and see you in the "waiting room" soon!!!

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 12:52 pm
by txinvestigator
All of our instrucotrs actually go over every question on the test just prior to administering it. There would be no reason to miss ANY questions. ;)

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:15 pm
by Piney
Greetings--

Two quick comments--

1) Qualify with a semi-auto. Many ranges/instructors will make arrangements for your to use one. This way, your CHL will be valid for both semi-auto and revolver. Shooting a passing score shouldnt be a serious concern as its fairly easy to do.

2) Questions for the instructor-- Try not to bog the instructor down with "what if...." questions in class. He/she has an agenda and a plan for the lesson. Most likely, your questions/concern will be addressed in due time. Catch the instructor off-line after class-- or post your questions/concerns here.

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 7:08 pm
by Bones3
Thanks to everyone who answered my post & gave me some good
advice. :lol:

I'll let everyone know how the class goes

Thanks again.

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 8:08 pm
by KBCraig
Just remember, the CHL class is about training you to get the knowledge you need. It's not a barrier, trying to keep people out.

It's like military training: there is no grading on a curve, no range of scores. It's "train to the standard", and pass/fail. Some people will inevitably fail, but everyone else is rated as "fully qualified", no matter what their actual score is.

Kevin

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 9:08 pm
by Bones3
Just a note to thank everyone again & let you know that I aced the CHL
class & the paperwork goes in the mail tomorrow.

Thanks again guys.

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 9:13 pm
by longtooth
Welcome aboard & congratulations. We all knew you could do it. The easy part is over now. Waiting is hard work. Practice carry at home. Practice at the range & when the plastic arrives you will be comfortable. Welcome.

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 10:09 pm
by Reysc
Congrats on acing the test. Did not do too bad myself, how 'bout a 98. Well, looking forward to see you in the "WAITING ROOM"... I"ve been there for 47 days ( counting from the day I mailed my packet)...It's actually fun there hanging out with the rest of the gang awaiting our "plastics"..

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:26 am
by propellerhead
I hope I didn't just miss this in a FAQ but what is covered in the course? I've been debating with myself on whether to take the course or not. What I want to get out of it is a lot more of the gun laws in exchange for less tactical shooting training.

Thanks.

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:39 am
by Reysc
propellerhead wrote:I hope I didn't just miss this in a FAQ but what is covered in the course? I've been debating with myself on whether to take the course or not. What I want to get out of it is a lot more of the gun laws in exchange for less tactical shooting training.

Thanks.

I will leave the first part of your question for somebody else to answer... If you are looking for tactical shooting training, you wont find it in your CHL class.....