I'm gonna get a ccl. so what is step one.
i'm in Aubrey, and will need recommendations on a lightweight small caliber pistol and holster. thanks

Go to a pistol range and rent a gun first.

Go to a pistol range and take a class. FIRST
Rent a pistol and if you like one, try another - try more

I've owned guns my whole life,i shoot in my backyard,I've just never owned small pistols and need some advice about lightweight guns.. a 1911 .45 tends to be heavy if you carry it all the time

Glock 30 for .45 acp

It's called an Ltc. First step is find a class near you. They can walk you through it. It's a very simple process.
Lots of good carry guns. I like a Glock 43

I often carry a 1911 in a shoulder holster under my blazer or suit coat. If it's warm and I'm only wearing shorts & t-shirt, I go to an "airweight" alloy revolver.

A good holster will do alot to reduce the perceived weight of your sidearm.

It is the best idea to take the class to get a Texas License to Carry. There are numerous instructors and classes all over Texas. At a lot of indoor Shooting ranges / Gun Shops you can rent a few different calibers and styles and get one you are comfortable shooting and carrying. Lots of target practice is great. Then take the class, it is a fascinating class really. They go over the statutes, handgun law, psychology, etc. YOU must know that YOU are the first line of defense for you and your family. When seconds count, the Police are minutes away. I've been carrying for 19 years now. In this day of thugs and lunatics, unfortunately YOU have to be ready to defend. Don't let the liberals goad you into thinking you must be paranoid, or must have a complex. Defense. It's what for breakfast.

Great idea. I did the same after the Sutherland Springs shooting in 2017. Did it at the Eagle Gun Range, Lewisville, TX. I carry a revolver, double action Ruger LCR 38sp. It only has 5 bullets, but I'm not intending it to be a gun battle. If it happens, one close range to the head or chest is what I'm hoping for. I just like the simplicity of the revolver for carry and I love the sticky holster (LG4) that it fits into. You just insert holster inside your waistband of your pants and its sticks. You may need to tighten pants one notch but you basically can't even feel the gun there. It is safer for me to carry with a revolver, IMO, to avoid any operator error from me or if my wife needs to shoot. Just point and pull trigger. I am once again sickened at the stomach this morning. I can assure you that I will be carrying much more than I have been as of late.

First pick your caliber.

glock 42 or 43 are excellent for carry, I have the 42 that I carry in a cross draw iwb holster.
try both at a range, there are a lot of good smaller semi autos out there and a ton of revolvers too.
as said go to a range and rent a few and shoot them, then decide on what caliber you want to use.

as for holsters, I probably have 12 or more now for 3 pistols, reason being the search for the one that is most comfortable and does what I want it to. my preference is leather iwb (in the waist band).

I'm a fan of carrying revolvers. Reliability is a key.

you made an important statement here about how heavy it gets when worn all the time. Worry less about caliber of gun, and find one that is comfortable. If it's not you won't wear it and it does you no good as a paper weight back at the house.

I took my LTC class yesterday but I have no plans on carrying

One woman showed up and had never fired a handgun before

Needless to say, she was asked to leave

I like the idea of having the license and especially the ID. I�ve been told it�s one of the best IDs you can have