You know you can only carry a revolver if you qualify with a revolver, don't you? If you qualify with a semi-auto, you can carry semi-auto or revolver. I would follow Alex's advice and rent a semi-auto to qualify for the CHL and then look at buying something later when you have the funds.
Question: I have my Massachusetts CHl. Texas honors my license. I didn't have to qualify in mass to get it. It was just a class and a fee. There aren't any restrictions on what I can carry is there?