I would like to know if those who shoot IDPA with a harder to conceal handgun prefer a certain holster setup. I understand that you must use a strong side rig of some sort, so a cross draw holster is not acceptable. Do you prefer IWB so that the holster might be more practically hidden? Or do you generally prefer a SOB set-up? Or a plainjane hip holster and a cover garment? The questions come up because I found that with Double stack midsize auto (a Steyr) is not so easy to conceal comfortably. Thanks in advance.
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IDPA shooters using mid size or full size handguns
- Thread starter mept
- Start date
John Forsyth
New member
I carry a full size 1911 and that's what I compete with. But they are not the same pistols. I have a 10mm/.40 for ESP and a Kimber CST for competition. I carry a Kimber Classic Stainless. I have shot my carry gun in matches, but I never carry my competition pistols.
Both of my competition guns have adjustable rears wirh FO fronts and S&A magwells. My carry has low profile fixed and no magwell. All of my holsters are on the IDPA aprroved list. But let's be real here, some are better in competition than others, and some are better in CCW than others. I do not change my wardrobe for matches vs. everyday.
Bottom line, I like to carry strong side with a belt holster when I can conceal easily or an IWB with a short vest, weather permitting. I do not compete with an IWB, but I do know some that do. I do not care for plastic holsters, dead animal hide here.
Go with what is comfortable.
Both of my competition guns have adjustable rears wirh FO fronts and S&A magwells. My carry has low profile fixed and no magwell. All of my holsters are on the IDPA aprroved list. But let's be real here, some are better in competition than others, and some are better in CCW than others. I do not change my wardrobe for matches vs. everyday.
Bottom line, I like to carry strong side with a belt holster when I can conceal easily or an IWB with a short vest, weather permitting. I do not compete with an IWB, but I do know some that do. I do not care for plastic holsters, dead animal hide here.
Go with what is comfortable.
1911A1 fan
New member
Get the most out of it.
If you plan to get the most out of IDPA then you should shoot what you carry and carry what you shoot ! What brought IDPA to be is that IPSC lost its P. IDPA although it's not training, it is a good way to get into competition with street guns and street gear. In other words if I were you I would use the same gear that I use for my CCW.
If you plan to get the most out of IDPA then you should shoot what you carry and carry what you shoot ! What brought IDPA to be is that IPSC lost its P. IDPA although it's not training, it is a good way to get into competition with street guns and street gear. In other words if I were you I would use the same gear that I use for my CCW.
I personally don't use my carry holster in IDPA for safety reasons. My CCW rig is IWB (although I almost never actually carry), for IDPA I use a belt holster with a cover garmet. I don't nessessarily think an IWB is dangerous, but with all the other shooters standing behind me, I would rather not have the muzzle of my gun sweep them or my self. This is just my personal preference. I agree that should should use what you carry, but then, I don't carry so the point is moot.
I use both an IWB and OWB. Depending on my mood that day. Most of the time I carry IWB, so that's what I use in IDPA most often. Like they say, "train with what you'll use" Even though IDPA is a competition, for me it is also training for me. At my club I'm fortunate to have many shooters who have gone to the big schools. (Gunsite, Frontsite, ThunderRanch, etc) They are willing to teach those who want to be taught.
I shot a BUG-legal .45 for the first year, holstered in an "avenger"-style belt rig. Deciding that it might be nice win occasionally, I changed to a full-size gun, and an IWB holster. Other than a match barrel/bushing, Heinies and a trigger job, the gun is stock (G.I.-style stock). It serves for both competition and carry.
9x45
Can you tell me where you saw that SOB holsters are not legal for IDPA ? This is what I see in the rule book:
HOLSTER and AMMUNITION CARRIER RULES
Holsters and ammunition carriers permitted for Defensive Pistol competition must be specifically designed and marketed for concealed carry/duty use and NOT for range or competition use and must be suitable for continuous all-day concealed carry wear, unless you are a full-time law enforcement patrol officer, and then your duty gear is acceptable. All holsters/ammunition carriers must be worn in a manner consistent with everyday concealed carry use. A maximum of two (2) spare magazines carried in 2 single pouches or 1 double pouch or three (3) speedloaders may be worn at any time. One additional magazine may be carried on the person for “charging” purposes only. Up to two (2) speedloaders may be worn immediately in front of the holster. If a holster or ammunition carrier is listed in the competition section of a manufacturer’s catalog, it’s probably NOT suited for IDPA use. If a holster or ammunition carrier is listed in the law enforcement or concealed carry section of a manufacturer’s catalog and can be worn behind the centerline of a shooter’s body, it is probably appropriate for IDPA use. A three-man holster committee will review and decide which holsters best meet IDPA criteria. Additional holsters will be added to the list as the holster committee approves them and rule books are re-ordered. The web site is your best source for an up-to-date listing. ALL retention features of the holster MUST be used. All holsters must fully cover the trigger when the pistol is holstered. The front of holsters for autos may be cut no lower than ¼" below the ejection port. Revolver holsters may be cut no lower than half way down the cylinder. Holster and pouches must be worn on a belt that passes through regular pants loops. The holster must position the pistol so the center of the trigger pad is behind the centerline of the body from a side view and all magazines and magazine carriers for pistols must be positioned behind the centerline. Revolver ammunition carriers may be worn directly in front of the holster on the strong side. The seam on the side of a shooter’s pants may or may not indicate where the centerline of a shooter’s body is located. If you can conceal your pistol/holster/ ammunition carriers with a light windbreaker and comfortably draw your pistol while seated in an automobile with bucket seats, your equipment is probably okay. Exception – Police/military officers may use their duty rig, but ALL retention features of the holster MUST be used.
HOLSTERS AND AMMUNITION CARRIERS MAY NOT BE MODIFIED AND THEY MUST BE USED IN THEIR ORIGINAL FACTORY CONDITION FOR IDPA COMPETITION.
Can you tell me where you saw that SOB holsters are not legal for IDPA ? This is what I see in the rule book:
HOLSTER and AMMUNITION CARRIER RULES
Holsters and ammunition carriers permitted for Defensive Pistol competition must be specifically designed and marketed for concealed carry/duty use and NOT for range or competition use and must be suitable for continuous all-day concealed carry wear, unless you are a full-time law enforcement patrol officer, and then your duty gear is acceptable. All holsters/ammunition carriers must be worn in a manner consistent with everyday concealed carry use. A maximum of two (2) spare magazines carried in 2 single pouches or 1 double pouch or three (3) speedloaders may be worn at any time. One additional magazine may be carried on the person for “charging” purposes only. Up to two (2) speedloaders may be worn immediately in front of the holster. If a holster or ammunition carrier is listed in the competition section of a manufacturer’s catalog, it’s probably NOT suited for IDPA use. If a holster or ammunition carrier is listed in the law enforcement or concealed carry section of a manufacturer’s catalog and can be worn behind the centerline of a shooter’s body, it is probably appropriate for IDPA use. A three-man holster committee will review and decide which holsters best meet IDPA criteria. Additional holsters will be added to the list as the holster committee approves them and rule books are re-ordered. The web site is your best source for an up-to-date listing. ALL retention features of the holster MUST be used. All holsters must fully cover the trigger when the pistol is holstered. The front of holsters for autos may be cut no lower than ¼" below the ejection port. Revolver holsters may be cut no lower than half way down the cylinder. Holster and pouches must be worn on a belt that passes through regular pants loops. The holster must position the pistol so the center of the trigger pad is behind the centerline of the body from a side view and all magazines and magazine carriers for pistols must be positioned behind the centerline. Revolver ammunition carriers may be worn directly in front of the holster on the strong side. The seam on the side of a shooter’s pants may or may not indicate where the centerline of a shooter’s body is located. If you can conceal your pistol/holster/ ammunition carriers with a light windbreaker and comfortably draw your pistol while seated in an automobile with bucket seats, your equipment is probably okay. Exception – Police/military officers may use their duty rig, but ALL retention features of the holster MUST be used.
HOLSTERS AND AMMUNITION CARRIERS MAY NOT BE MODIFIED AND THEY MUST BE USED IN THEIR ORIGINAL FACTORY CONDITION FOR IDPA COMPETITION.
Jim Watson
New member
444,
I'm not 9x45, but it says so in the FAQ, which have the force of rules:
"WHY AREN’T ANY CROSSDRAW, SMALL OF THE BACK OR SHOULDER HOLSTERS PERMITTED? This is strictly a safety issue. It is simply too easy to point the muzzle at yourself or in an unsafe direction using these holsters."
I'm not 9x45, but it says so in the FAQ, which have the force of rules:
"WHY AREN’T ANY CROSSDRAW, SMALL OF THE BACK OR SHOULDER HOLSTERS PERMITTED? This is strictly a safety issue. It is simply too easy to point the muzzle at yourself or in an unsafe direction using these holsters."
So what is the difference between a small of the back holster and an inside the waist band holster ? How far behind the hip can an IWB holster be carried ? My carry holster, which isn't on the approved list anyway, is carried by me basically right in the crack of my *ss. The small of the back provides a depression that hides the gun better.
This is all exactly the reason I just bought a Fobus padde holster strictly for IDPA.
This is all exactly the reason I just bought a Fobus padde holster strictly for IDPA.
Most IWB holsters are designed to be worn on the hip or behind the hip. Basically the same position as most OWB designs only inside the waist band.
A true SOB design has much more forward (side?) cant to it than would the IWB/OWB designs. As a general rule, the amount of forward cant needed to facilitate a clean draw increases as the position of the holster/gun on the body moves to the rear.
The IDPA ruling on not allowing SOB holster use is due to the fact that when you draw from a SOB holster and then move the gun into a firing position, you will sweep a lot of area behind you with the muzzle.
I have tried wearing my IWB holsters in the SOB position and found them to hinder my draw considerably. This is due to the fact that they do not have enough forward cant. If it works for you then great. Just move it forward into the "behind the hip" position for the matches.
A true SOB design has much more forward (side?) cant to it than would the IWB/OWB designs. As a general rule, the amount of forward cant needed to facilitate a clean draw increases as the position of the holster/gun on the body moves to the rear.
The IDPA ruling on not allowing SOB holster use is due to the fact that when you draw from a SOB holster and then move the gun into a firing position, you will sweep a lot of area behind you with the muzzle.
I have tried wearing my IWB holsters in the SOB position and found them to hinder my draw considerably. This is due to the fact that they do not have enough forward cant. If it works for you then great. Just move it forward into the "behind the hip" position for the matches.