Holster Help

[jimbob_texas]

I have some guys here at the office who are looking at getting into shooting, probably starting with IDPA.  They asked me about holsters, so I shared my experiences and opinions with them. 

I'm not trying to start a holster holy war.  I'm just sharing my experience and have corroborated it with a huge number of competitive shooters here in the North Texas area.  Your mileage and experience will vary from mine, and my perspective is one of the competitive shooter.  This is my opinion, with which you're invited to disagree. 

I'm neither affiliated with nor in conflict with any manufacturer of these holsters.  It's just a private shooter's assessment of some of the equipment available today.  Hopefully, that's enough disclaimer.  Fire away.

See http://www.comp-tac.com  for holsters and mag pouches.  I (like many other who've been shooting for years) have a closet full of holsters and mag pouches that suck.  This is what you'll eventually end up buying.  I prefer the locking paddle holster and individual mag pouches for competition.  For carry, I like the C-TAC (inside the waistband).  The paddle holster is also a good one.

Blade-Tech holsters are nice, too, and less expensive. 

Uncle Mike's Kydex holsters are fine, and a little less expensive, as are some of the other brands like Blackhawk, Galco, etc.

Avoid the Serpa holster - it may enforce bad habits, and (right or wrong) is banned at some ranges.  Do not waste your money on a leather holster or mag pouches - depending on conditions, they can stretch, bind, and slow down your draw.  Do not waste your money on any Nylon anything.  Kydex is light, durable, and fast - no drag to slow your draw.  The Fobus holsters are inexpensive for a reason, and hold the gun too tight.

Avoid combo mag pouches.  Depending on the clothes you wear, they may not fit.  Individual mag pouches allow you to position them as you please.

Avoid belt-loop holsters and mag pouches, because they require you to take off your belt and loop it through the slots.  It's a pain, and if your belt isn't the right kind (Wilderness makes a great instructor belt), the fit will be loose and inconsistent.

In short, my advice is to spend a little more money up front and invest in the Comp-Tac products.  The others are fine products, but the quality of the Comp-tac stuff is top of the line.

jr

[jnevis]

What "bad habit" does the SERPA reinforce?  I have used one for about a year and there are a lot of others that do to (USPSA/IDPA).

If practiced with a leather holster is as fast as a Kydex but most Kypex holsters don't have the retention some areas/situations require. (thumb break)

With a nylon duty holster (Bianchi) I was faster than the guys using Safariland Kydex holsters.  Yes, there are crappy nylon holsters but if you get a good one that is rigid enough it is just as good as the rest. 

The combo pouches give you the option for your flashlight and mag in a compact package. 

In a daily wear CCW situation a pancake type belt holster is MUCH better than the current Kydex holsters because they blend the shape so you don't print as easily.

[jimbob_texas]

I don't see very many Serpas here in N. Texas.  I said they may be unsafe - I don't know from personal experience.  I just know that some ranges don't allow them.  As to why, I couldn't say.  I don't care for a holster that has retention mechanisms, personally.

You can make do with almost any holster, but most will find that if they stay in competitive shooting, they'll invest in something very much like the Kydex paddle holster.  They're versatile enough for all divisions of IDPA, as well as Production, Limited, and Limited 10 in USPSA.  It's not until you start shooting the Limited/Open guns with compensators, optics, full-length dust covers, etc. that you start to invest in the really pricey holsters.   

I wish someone had shared similar information with me when I started shooting IDPA - it would've saved me time and money.  At the very least, I hope this information is useful to someone.  YMMV.

jr

[MikeBjerum]

I have heard some competitors say they think the Serpa gives an unfair advantage when retention is required.  They are comparing the release mechanism vs. the strap and snap.  I have not heard of anyone saying they are not allowed, just some individuals.  I'm wondering if it is old school vs. new tech.

I personally do not have a Serpa, but I have been looking at one for a long time.  Some day I'm just going to buy it and try it.  I've got so many in the box already, I'm not sure why I worry about it.

[ellis4538]

Sorry, but I have been using leather since I started shooting USPSA (about 30 years ago) and in IDPA since it's beginning almost!  I see nothing wrong with leather.  That being said...Kydex holsters and mag pouches work well and are probably better for someone just starting out.  I use Kydex for one CCW gun and leather for the other.  Both retain well.  Also, I have individual and double mag pouches in both and they are all belt loop and I don't mind taking them off the belt.  As far as belts are concerned...but "gun belts" from name makers only not KM or WW.  The cost is worth it.

JMENG (Just my experience not gospel)

Richard

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[PegLeg45]

I carry a Glock 27 daily in a SERPA CQC. It is a combo and can be used with a paddle or belt loop. I use the latter as it keeps the holster tighter against my body. I have no complaints and it conceals well under a t-shirt. I have never used the paddle with it.
I carried for several years in a leather belt slide with no retention device. After heavy use, it loosened up so much that I felt uncomfortable with it. The gun was too loose. That is when I went with the SERPA. I have two Uncle mikes Kydex holsters for it. One is a belt loop style and the other is a paddle. Neither were comfortable and kicked the butt of the gun too far out and printed badly. Never even tried to CCW with them.
All my 1911 holsters are leather.
I carry my Colt Commander in a Ted Blocker IWB with thumb break or a Viking belt slide with thumb break. I have several other holsters that work OK. One is a full coverage pancake style and one is a belt slide with no thumb break.
I am thinking of a SERPA for 1911's.

Never shot IDPA so I can not comment either way as to holsters for such.