Holster set up for novice

QuickDraw16

QuickDraw16

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Hey all,
I recently upgraded to an RPAL and have a 1911 on hold until I get my license.
I would like to get into some fun styles of shooting (PPC, LEAP, IPSC, etc...). What type of holster would be suitable? What about mag holsters? And a belt?
(Been eyeing up a black hawk serpa)

Thanks for the input.
 
Bladetech is a good one same for mag pouches. Stay away from nylon or fabric holsters for the types of shooting you mentioned.
Also you don't need a locking holster for any of those activities just adjust the tension screws
 
Sosa said:
Bladetech is a good one same for mag pouches. Stay away from nylon or fabric holsters for the types of shooting you mentioned.
Also you don't need a locking holster for any of those activities just adjust the tension screws
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I'm not a big fan of Bladetech pouches. I find them too tight/slow for IPSC. Love the holster but not the pouches. On the pouch topic, I love my DAA racers. I'm not sure who carries them for a 1911.. Talk to Joshko at Doubletap Sports. Great guy and if he doesn't carry them, he'll be able to tell you who does. You can also order them from the manufacturer but you wouldn't be saving much if anything over going with a local business that supports our community.
 
As already mentioned, a bladetech holster is your best bet and DAA mag pouches and belt would your best bet. I really like the DAA belt over others too because it's the stiffest one I've used so far.
 
Stay away from any holster that requires you to do anything retention wise other than pull the gun out. There's no need for that level of retention in any of the shooting disciplines. If you were to carry in the bush or otherwise...there may be some argument for it. For the games we play it just slows you down and arguably could increase risk. Serpa holsters have the release right in line with the trigger - google shooting yourself with a serpa holster.
 
toxic said:
Stay away from any holster that requires you to do anything retention wise other than pull the gun out. There's no need for that level of retention in any of the shooting disciplines. If you were to carry in the bush or otherwise...there may be some argument for it. For the games we play it just slows you down and arguably could increase risk. Serpa holsters have the release right in line with the trigger - google not keeping the finger out of the trigger guard while using a serpa holster.
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Corrected :cool: Bottom line: you are responsible for your actions. With that being said, extra retention holsters will always slow you down. Not by a lot, but it will make a difference in a short IPSC stage. I'm running one of those on my 2/3 gun belt, but got a regular Bladetech on my pistol only belt.
 
What is it about the bladetech that everyone likes?
The Solely Canadian product seems similar to bladetech. Can anyone speak to the differences between the two?

Thanks!
 
A good sturdy belt would be good investment. i do not know what discipline you are getting involved with, check the rule book for each game and buy a belt that will work for both or all. Get the belt a little bigger than you waist size.
 
andrew771 said:
A good sturdy belt would be good investment. i do not know what discipline you are getting involved with, check the rule book for each game and buy a belt that will work for both or all. Get the belt a little bigger than you waist size.
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If you will be shooting multiple disciplines, it pays off to have multiple outer belts, even though inners are dirt cheap so you might as well pick them up in sets.. I am currently running 3..

1) Pistol belt - CR speed, the one i bought first and mounted my Bladetech holster/DAA pouches on. They are mounted exactly the way I like them, so I don't wanna mess with that configuration ht tp://www.doublealpha.biz/ipsc-holsters-rigs/belts/cr-speed-competition-belt
2) Rifle/2gun/3gun belt - That one is a 2" duty belt ht tp://www.tetragon.ca/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=HT%2D398, mostly because of my rifle mag pouches that like wider belts. Running an IMI holster on it, which has button retention, but at my level of 2/3 gun, that extra split second won't make a difference. I could disable the button retention but it will get used in some games where they require it, so I'll keep it as is. Note the hardware up front - that reduces the number of things you can mount on the belt, so these don't make good general purpose belts, especially in games where you have to mount a lot
3) Shotgun belt - DAA, nice and stiff, just running some CC shellholders, only been used once (Thanks for the great match, Chris R :D), will see more use in the upcoming months https://www.doubletapsports.com/double-alpha-academy-/double-alpha-academy-competition-belt-32 I would have been running my pistol setup off it had I got it first as it is a bit stiffer than my CR Speed, but it won't make enough of a difference at my level, If I were you, I'd get this one before anything else
 
for IPSC DAA belts are a best/stiffest. I'm also a big fan of the racer mag pouches from a cost to quality stand point. The aluminum race masters are nice but not really needed unless you have to have shiny gear
 
heavenIsAlie said:
for IPSC DAA belts are a best/stiffest. I'm also a big fan of the racer mag pouches from a cost to quality stand point. The aluminum race masters are nice but not really needed unless you have to have shiny gear
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That was the general consensus when I inquired on the Racer vs Race Master dilemma when I was looking to replace my crappy Bladetech mag pouches. Love my Racers and chances are I'll never wear them out lol
 
I don't really have a rifle thats suitable for 3 or 2 gun. I have a "combat" shotgun, but I don't know of any shoots that are shotgun and handgun...
So that leaves pistol matches. I don't know what divisions I will shoot in, I just want to get into action shooting. Like I said in the original post, PPC, LEAP, IPSC, or whatever else that I can shoot in, I'm out to have fun!
I don't really know what is out there in the world of action shooting. I know that I have 8 months off of university for work so I want to spend more time shooting. However, I don't want to stand at a bench/firing line static the whole day.
If I can get one holster that will work for all styles then great, I don't mind putting it on different belts.

So what I am hearing is a blade tech holster with DAA belt and mag pouches...
Thanks for the input! Keep it coming please!
 
The "combat" shotgun will probably be useless for action shooting. If you wanna go pump, look for a Supernova.. I scored a great deal off EE. If you wanna go semiauto, I think Versamax is the flavour of the day. For rifle, you'll need an AR, period. No rush.. I got into shooting with the intention of only shooting IPSC pistol.. Well I found out that rifles are more fun to shoot so I haven't shot a single pistol-only event this year. Both IPSC matches that I shot were long gun (one was rifle, the other was shotgun) and I shot another couple of 3gun and 2gun matches. Funny part is that I (relatively speaking) do better with the pistol than with the rifle at those events but still.. My favourite toy is my favourite toy.

You've got a good start on getting your pistol belt well equipped. My recommendation is also to pick up a magnet. They're cheap enough and highly useful for both the stripper mag and to hang the last mag at the end of the stage. Joshko carries those as well. Give him a call, really good guy to deal with and really active in our sport.
 
Here are my thoughts.
If you are just getting into the Action Shooting Sports, and you are on a budget (sounds like you are still in University) I suggest getting the
IDPA Competition Shooters Pack......http://shop.blade-tech.com/index.php?cPath=1_130

It has most of what you need to get started....you provide a decent belt. (you probably have a leather belt that you wear on a regular basis)

If you do take the Black Badge course, beg, borrow or steal a couple extra magazine pouches and you are GTG.

If you have a wad of cash burning a hole, by all means go for the DAA stuff, just understand that it is not necessary to get yourself started....IMHO!
 
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We are a Bladetech dealer and stock a good variety of their products in Canada and can special order anything else that you may want.

http://selectshootingsupplies.com/collections/vendors?q=Blade-Tech

As for pouch tightness, their mainstream pouches are intended for carry use or carry games in which your mags must be retained when upside down, they are not intended for IPSC use but you can certainly losses the tension screw off for IPSC. They also make a competition series, we don't keep it in stock but can order it in by request.
 
Remember the holster is just a part of the rig. The belt is a big one. If it twists while you're drawing even the best holster will bind. Blade tech, CR speed or Double Alpha academy etc. around $50. Money well spent.
Bladetech and CompTac are good brands and what are seen at matches. Serpa does sound like a good idea but the concept did not work out so well in reality. There are some good applications of serpa you will read about but not in competition. There are also breakage issues with serpa's design.
The 1911 will be a good gun for your area you'll be in the Classic division of IPSC. I highly suggest talking to the local black badge instructor. You will get a lot of good free information on the next steps to take and will save you time, money and frustration.

I would also suggest the Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm range package. Includes holster, mag pouches etc. The price is great for a competitive gun. Ammunition is the biggest cost in this sport and .45 ACP is pretty expensive. "If you wanna race a gun you gotta put fuel in it"

DNH
 
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