TexasCHLforum.com

Hello everyone!
This is my first post and it's a question.
What is the low dollar rout for someone starting from absolute scratch?
What are the considerations?
Is a CHL tied to one particular gun?
If so, I don't want to get a low quality fire arm.

I know there are fixed costs, but what of the variables?

Your opinions are appreciated.
Thank you,
Rob

Glad you are here, Rob.

Your CHL will allow you to carry as many guns as you can conceal. It is not tied to a single weapon.

JRG

The only caveat is if you take the shooting test with a revolver you will only be able to carry a revolver. That being said most teachers will try and get you a semi auto to test with. Price has a lot of variables. Most classes are $100-$150 then the fee to Texas is $140. The real cost comes from equipment and ammo and range fees, i.e. practice. Could cost thousands and could cost much less depending on if you have previous experience with firearms.

Also, assuming you don't have a gun yet, a good, reliable handgun that you can count on safety-wise and could trust your life with generally starts at around $300. However, this is all *highly* subjective. There are some recent threads discussing specific guns in this price range.

Welcome to the forum. Lots to be learned here.

As others have indicated, for at least semi-experienced "pistol people", the typical "start-up cost" is around $300.

If needing some beginner training and not yet owning a gun, the cost can reach $1,000 pretty quickly. Unless someone has a compelling need, I suggest that students take one or more of my classes and learn a little about "trade offs" before even purchasing a "carry gun". In all too many cases, I've heard CHL students say "I wish I had known THAT before I spent the money on this thing ..."

Quite a few folks have borrowed one of my semis for the shooting portion, then gone out and bought a 5-shot revolver to carry. If able to find a used j-frame, that typically at least gets 'em going for around $600 ...

ColdFusion_Rob wrote:Hello everyone!
This is my first post and it's a question.
What is the low dollar rout for someone starting from absolute scratch?
What are the considerations?
Is a CHL tied to one particular gun?
If so, I don't want to get a low quality fire arm.

I know there are fixed costs, but what of the variables?

Your opinions are appreciated.
Thank you,
Rob

Welcome aboard Rob. This is an excellent 1st post.
I commend you for getting started. Most just sit & think the job too big. Your questions in order except I will leave the one on considerations for last.

Is a CHL tied to one particular gun?
CHL is not tied to a particular gun as in some states. In some the gun you carry is registered & #erd on your permit.
In Texas you must qualify w/ a .32 caliber or larger. After that you may carry any caliber you choose. As stated above, if you qualify w/ a revolver, you are restricted to a revolver. If you Qual w/ a semi then you can carry either or both at the same time.

Not wanting a poor quality firearm.
Good decision. You can get a very reliable carry gun for around the $300.00 range. It may not be the one you want to carry for the rest of your life but affordable & reliable. My 1st carry rig was a Ruger P89 in a Don Hume PCCH, inside the waste band (IWB) holster, & a good western belt. That whole rig was less than $400.00 Ruger's P89 is not a small frame gun but still very concealable w/ a good but not expensive holster.

Fixed costs?
State fee is $140.00. That may be the only fixed one.
You class will vary a little according to location & occasionally a special offer. Be careful of any deal that is way below the going rate. The 2 that I know personally in my area charge $85.00. In the big cities they will run from $100.00 to about $125.00.

Variables?
You will need a cleaning kit. This is something most folks never think about at the start. Starter pistol kit at Academy $10.00. After the patches in the kit are gone, cut up an old T-shirt. I am 57 & have never bought any cleaning patches. T-Shirt for your oil rags & wipe off rags too.
Ammo cost. 9mm is going to be your most affordable. Ammo is continuing to go up in cost.
Range fees. Depending on where you live can run from our $85.00 a yr to several hundred. Many indoor pistol ranges are by the hr.
For a new shooter these 2 are far more important than their expense. They are IMPERATIVE. When you are ready to start shooting I can give you some practice drills that will give you the most practice & improvement for the ammo you shoot & the time on the range.
Holsters & belts. You can start w/ Don Hume & get a real quality starter for about $50.00 to $60.00 freight included, at your door. If you are going to start w/ IWB holster then you can get by w/ a lesser belt. If you wear a belt holster then you really need a good gun belt. Beltman or Don Hume again.

What are the considerations? Questions to ask yourself & KNOW the answer too before you spent the above money.
Can I & will I use deadly force against a person?
Am I willing to INVEST the time & money to get some proper training. This is more than schools & siminars. You are now investing some very wise time in the reading you do here. There are some excellent gun magazines that have personal defense articles as well as gun reviews. You can learn a lot by reading.
Practice time is an important time committment, especially in the beginning. That time will vary depending on where you live & range availability. Some are able to step out the back door & have a practice burm w/ in 50yds. The range I shoot at is 7 miles from my house. In the big city some have to allow an hr for the round trip. I imagine there are some that it is more. We that have shot for 40 yrs can have an unusually busy schedule & not shoot for a month & it will show, but not near like it will show for the shooter that started 6mo ago. Practice is imperative.
What will my carry criteria be. I encourage folks to decide on when they will carry & stick to the decission. If you decide you dont like the decission then change it but dont get up this morning & say, "Well, I believe I will take it today."
Some choices:
24-7 when legal. My favorite
Only when I go on vacation or leave town.
Soon as I get home from work where I am not allowed.
If I leave the house.
Just decide & stick to it or change it & then stick to that one.

Conclusion. Good job. You are headed in the right direction. This is a great place to learn. We will help all we can.

Wow! Thank you for the great information!

longtooth wrote:

ColdFusion_Rob wrote:Hello everyone!
This is my first post and it's a question.
What is the low dollar rout for someone starting from absolute scratch?
What are the considerations?
Is a CHL tied to one particular gun?
If so, I don't want to get a low quality fire arm.

I know there are fixed costs, but what of the variables?

Your opinions are appreciated.
Thank you,
Rob

Not wanting a poor quality firearm.
Good decision. You can get a very reliable carry gun for around the $300.00 range. It may not be the one you want to carry for the rest of your life but affordable & reliable. My 1st carry rig was a Ruger P89 in a Don Hume PCCH, inside the waste band (IWB) holster, & a good western belt. That whole rig was less than $400.00 Ruger's P89 is not a small frame gun but still very concealable w/ a good but not expensive holster.
.

You think a Ruger P89 is easily concealable?

rx9790 wrote:You think a Ruger P89 is easily concealable?

My duty carry (open, obviously) is a P89DAO. My personal daily (concealed) carry is a P97DC.

Trust me, in comparison, the P89 is a pocket pistol.

Kevin

rx9790 wrote:

longtooth wrote:

ColdFusion_Rob wrote:Hello everyone!
This is my first post and it's a question.
What is the low dollar rout for someone starting from absolute scratch?
What are the considerations?
Is a CHL tied to one particular gun?
If so, I don't want to get a low quality fire arm.

I know there are fixed costs, but what of the variables?

Your opinions are appreciated.
Thank you,
Rob

Not wanting a poor quality firearm.
Good decision. You can get a very reliable carry gun for around the $300.00 range. It may not be the one you want to carry for the rest of your life but affordable & reliable. My 1st carry rig was a Ruger P89 in a Don Hume PCCH, inside the waste band (IWB) holster, & a good western belt. That whole rig was less than $400.00 Ruger's P89 is not a small frame gun but still very concealable w/ a good but not expensive holster.
.

You think a Ruger P89 is easily concealable?

He's posted pictures of his 4" Ruger GP 100 carry setup.
You can find them here:

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... &start=195

A P89 isn't that big of a gun, really. I'd say it's around the same size as my Hi-Power, and I don't have any problems wearing it around everywhere I go. It really all depends on how you wear it and how you dress. I'd imagine if all you wore was slacks and a button-up shirt, it might be a little more difficult. I only switch to a smaller gun if I'm getting fancied up and wearing a suit, or maybe wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

I would listen to everything the Old Man (Longtooth) said.

carlson1 wrote: I would listen to everything the Old Man (Longtooth) said.

I carry a Ruger P95 almost everywhere. Its almost the thing as the P89 except its plastic and stainless A Don HUme JIT holster and a good belt it disapears pretty good.. For some reason the Plastic guns seem more comfortable to me.

Don't sweat the cost of the weapon. Here's why: If you shop carefully, buy a used weapon in good shape,and take care of it, you can sell it later and get nearly the same price. It may go up in value if it is discontinued and demand persists.

In the long run, it's ammo and range fees (if you can't shoot at home) that add up. It's 12 to 35 cents per round of centerfire ammo. Range fees can be $5 to $20 per session, or $50 to several thousand a year, depending upon where you live.

Speaking of which, if you mention your town or county, it's possible a forum member lives around the corner and will help you get started.

Good luck.

- Jim

I regulary wear a P 95 without any problem. Are other guns more concealable? Sure. I have tried and sometimes still carry a Kimber Ultra, a Kel Tec P11 or a Hipower. They all conceal a little better but I just seem to shoot the P 95 better although the Hipower comes close. And my P 95 cost only $360, is built like a Mack truck and goes bang everytime I pull the trigger with every kind of ammunition I have tried. That's better reliability than any of the other three although they are pretty reliable as well.