Newb to IPSC: Equipment needed question

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zephyr064

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Hi folks,

I've been talking to our local IPSC guys. They are happy to let me join them and get me trained up for when I'd like to take the Black Badge.

However, the person I was talking to, told me that I'm going to require 5 magazines, a holster and magazine holsters. Which I expected of course.

But now I find myself wondering, which ones to get.

I have a S&W M&P9 that came with a Bladetech holster, which is just a friction holster, no other retention, and a Bladetech magazine holster. After some research, I found that people do use Bladetech for IPSC. But I can't seem to find any local suppliers that have Bladetech on hand or being able to order them in.

I also have a Sig Sauer P226, but have no holster or mag holster for it.

But what about something like the Blackhawk Serpa CQC Concealment Holster? I know this holster was designed more for law enforcement in design. But a store close to me has plenty of them.

CQC%20Matt.jpg


What I'm getting at is that, I want to buy the proper equipment, but I don't want to go all out yet as I'm just starting.

Recommendations?
 
If you have a Bladetech for your M&P, you're set. There's no need for any more retention for IPSC. I can't recommend strongly enough AGAINST a Serpa for ANY application. They are sh*t.
 
I've also seen guys that have added these blocks to the bottom of their magazines. I'm guessing it's to add a little weight to help drop the magazine, because sometimes the mag doesn't drop just when pressing the magazine release.

However, I've only seen them for Glocks online. But have seen them for other guns on IPSC videos.
 
Serpas are dangerous. To draw your pistol you must use your index finger to push the button and when you pull out your pistol your finger is dangerously close to the trigger. If you aren't careful it's easy to have a negligent discharge.
 
MikeD81 said:
Serpas are dangerous. To draw your pistol you must use your index finger to push the button and when you pull out your pistol your finger is dangerously close to the trigger. If you aren't careful it's easy to have a negligent discharge.
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Agreed. I'm a member at "Front Sight" in Nevada, where Serpa holsters are not allowed for this very reason. Bladetechs are the recommended holster.
 
If you prefer the Sig, use the Sig. If you need a holster for it, Blade tech is fine, ghost stinger is fine (my preference and I have both) and pretty much any other kydex holster is fine. Another nod to avoiding the Serpa though. Too many guys around with holes in their legs...

You won't need special mag pads to do the course. They are not for adding weight; they are generally just bigger for more positive insertion and they are good for protecting the mag when dropped. Get them later if you want when you get a chance to look at/try them. For now, just spend money on ammo.
 
Sera do work fine. You can always disabled the retention lever if you don't want to spend for another holster. I'd take a bladetech 10 times out of 10 though. As for a p226, you will be just fine.
 
+1 for select shooting supplies, they are local for me and carry a ton of Blade Tech stuff. If he doesn't have it he'll get it.
 
+1 on the bladetech - they are good quality and not hugely expensive. If you can't find what you need from one of the site sponsors, you can order directly from Bladetech (I did for a holster for my DE) it may take a couple of extra weeks if they don't have any stock, but at least you'll know it's coming. Shoot whichever you feel most comfortable with and get a holster if you need to.

As for mags and mag pouches, 5-6 or more is pretty much mandatory, many have more than that for a couple of reasons:

1) most ipsc shooters don't go to slide lock (empty mag) to reload, they plan their course based on groups of targets to avoid slide lock (it's quicker) so you may be shooting 8 then reload with some left in the mag.
2) convenience - more mags means less loading at the range, shoot a course, drop off the empty mags, pick up full mags. Now if only we could find some mag sherpas to fill up the empty ones ;)

In the end, think about a long course of fire - say 16 targets plus a couple of steel plates. minimum 38 rounds equates to min 4 mags. probably grouped you'll want 5 just for shooting, and what if you have to drop one because of a jam or some other malfunction? Most shooters are carrying 5-6 mags on their belt (I carry 6) plus another 1 or 2 in a pocket for insurance.

It may seem like a lot, but mags last a long time, so the up front cost is amortized over the years.

BTW - you in the east end or west end?
 
kb007 said:
As for mags and mag pouches, 5-6 or more is pretty much mandatory, many have more than that for a couple of reasons:

1) most ipsc shooters don't go to slide lock (empty mag) to reload, they plan their course based on groups of targets to avoid slide lock (it's quicker) so you may be shooting 8 then reload with some left in the mag.
2) convenience - more mags means less loading at the range, shoot a course, drop off the empty mags, pick up full mags. Now if only we could find some mag sherpas to fill up the empty ones ;)

In the end, think about a long course of fire - say 16 targets plus a couple of steel plates. minimum 38 rounds equates to min 4 mags. probably grouped you'll want 5 just for shooting, and what if you have to drop one because of a jam or some other malfunction? Most shooters are carrying 5-6 mags on their belt (I carry 6) plus another 1 or 2 in a pocket for insurance.

It may seem like a lot, but mags last a long time, so the up front cost is amortized over the years.
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I won't disagree that you'll see most shooters with 5-6 mags but I'm pretty sure the longest course of fire allowed is 32 rounds minimum. I did my black badge and novice match with 4 pouches and I put a stripper mag in my back pocket. Since then I've now gone to a 5th pouch (magnet actually) and carry a 6th mag as a stripper in my pocket.
 
Also have a look at the "getting started" section on the IPSC Ontario website for information on equipment and such.
Can't go wrong with the Bladetech, might want to get yourselfthe DOH piece for the one that you have for your M&P.
 
I own a Bladetech holster and while the holster itself is great, the part that actually makes contact with the belt is ####. It's not built just for competition belts, so it has a plastic piece that you can adjust to the size of your belt. That piece kept slipping under the belt. I had to remove it and use zip ties to pin the holster in place. It works great now, but looks kinda Bubba'd.

If you need mag pouches have a look at Ghost. I use their 360 mag pouches and they are great. They also have their rig setups on sale
 
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