A little while ago I let my CHL (Concealed Handgun License) here in Texas expire. I finally took the day off work to renew it. The class was easy and fun. I got to meet a couple of amazing people and even learned a couple things.
I took the class at Lone Star Handgun here in Northeast San Antonio. The owner/operator/instructor Josh is a great guy. I took an advanced course from him years ago where I was the only person that showed up. We ended up teaching each other stuff and just shooting for fun. He’s a decent instructor that I have a lot of respect for because he knows why he teaches things. He and I disagree on a couple of things on teaching and fighting with a handgun, but he knows why he teaches what he does and can explain it to people. Every instructor is going to have a different opinion on things, it’s the why that matters (because I said so or this is the best way isn’t a good enough reason).
Josh taught the first half of the class and was fun and informative. He covers the state mandated stuff with enough fun so I didn’t fall asleep. That’s saying a lot if you haven’t been to state mandated courses before. About lunchtime we headed to the range to shoot our qualification. The course here in Texas is a joke. With a little help, someone that has never shot before can pass it (I’ve seen it more than once). Lone Star has a little private range with a shade canopy and a paved shooting area. It was nice to be at the private range and not deal with other shooters moving around. We all posed for pictures with our targets and didn’t know why until we got a glossy photo of ourselves later in class. It was just fun to get the photos. Here’s mine:
Don’t judge the group size, I was shooting horribly that day and had a shooter three people down that kept hitting me with brass. I decided to stay there and get a little mental practice. During one of the strings of fire a piece of brass fell on my neck. I kept shooting just for the practice, but man that hurt. I got my wife to take a picture the next day.
After the range we went to lunch. I got to have lunch with four other guys from the class. Sometimes taking the class is worth it just for the people you get to hang out with.
Returning to the classroom, it was time for the law part of the class. I’m interested in the Penal Code, but it can get boring. One of the other instructors, Russ, taught this part of the class. Russ was a book of knowledge and could quote you everything out of the book without looking at the slides. He also had some good practical knowledge to go with the book knowledge. To tell you the truth, it was a little hard to stay awake because of the range and lunch. But he gave us plenty of breaks to walk around.
Over all I enjoyed my day of training with Lone Star. I think I’ve yet to have a bad training day. I just enjoy this stuff too much. I don’t think people should have to get a permit to carry a gun, but it’s a good idea to follow your local laws. Since it’s something you have to do anyway, if you live in the San Antonio area, you should check out Lone Star to get your CHL. They have everything in house and can complete all of your stuff that day. They also teach some other classes. I think I’m going to take their shotgun class because I need some more training on that weapon system. After I do, I’ll let you know how it went.
Stay Safe,
Ben
Aug 16 had CHL class took only 4 1/2 hours very easy Josh is an amazing people he explained every thing right I love the class. I leave in San. Antonio and I will be going to their shooting range from now on its awesome place to shoot and to get your CHL.
Thanks Josh and God bless you
I’m glad you enjoyed his course. I did too. The range is a lot of fun with steel targets to shoot and a relaxed attitude. I go there once or twice a month. Maybe I’ll run into you. Thanks for being a reader. If you see me on the range come say hi.
Sounds like a fun day, hot brass and all. I’ve caught hot shell casings on various body parts a few times at the range – the bend of my strong-side elbow seems to be a brass magnet and once, when shooting a Colt Gold Cup National Match M1911, I caught three casings in a row there.
Just be glad you’ve never had the experience of hot brass landing inside one’s bra. It can be a real challenge to stay safe when you’re dancing around going “ow ow ow OWW” and trying to shake it out without muzzling someone and/or looking like an idiot. Yup, been there, done that. Even with a high-necked T-shirt.
I don’t have a reference for the bra, but I have had plenty of brass down my body armor. That is the worst because the armor holds the brass against your skin and makes it almost impossible to get to. FYI machine gun brass is hotter then other brass. I don’t know why, but man it really sucks.
As for looking like an idiot, everyone does when they get brass down their shirt. Very few people look cool when trying to get hot brass off their skin.