Drop Leg Holsters Legal for IPSC?

No, no drop legs allowed
5.2.6. IPSC Handgun matches will not require the use of a particular type or
brand of holster. However, the Range Master may deem that a
competitor’s holster is unsafe and order that it be improved to his
satisfaction, failing which it must be withdrawn from the match.
5.2.7. Competitors must not be permitted to commence a course of fire wearing:
5.2.7.1. A shoulder holster or "tie-down" rig (visible or otherwise),
except as specified in Rule 5.2.8,
5.2.7.2. A holster with the heel of the butt of the handgun below the top
of the belt, except as specified in Rule 5.2.8,
5.2.7.3. A holster with the muzzle of the handgun pointing further than
1 meter from the competitor's feet while standing relaxed,
5.2.7.4. A holster which does not completely prevent access to, or
activation of, the trigger of the handgun while holstered.
 
It's partly to keep the equipment from helping the competitor violate safety rules
eg:
10.5.6. Allowing the muzzle of a loaded handgun to point uprange beyond a
radius of 1 meter from a competitor's feet during drawing or re-holstering
Also given the Division specific rules for holster position it may be that it would have to put the user in Open, though that could be an interesting discussion.
With so many better suited, and less expensive, holsters out there I'm not sure why anyone would want to use one in IPSC unless they were forced to use one at work and wanted to practice and compete with their duty gear.
 
Alright, thanks guys. What a stupid rule.

Have a look at the Blackhawk Serpa holsters. They can be converted from a belt holster to a drop leg holster by removing three screws and remounting the holster piece onto the Blackhawk drop leg platform.

I use this set up for my M&P; drop leg when it's allowed, belt when it's not.

If you really want to shoot pistol with the drop leg, c'mon out to the ORA CQB matches at Base Borden. It's allowed there.
 
Have a look at the Blackhawk Serpa holsters. They can be converted from a belt holster to a drop leg holster by removing three screws and remounting the holster piece onto the Blackhawk drop leg platform.

I use this set up for my M&P; drop leg when it's allowed, belt when it's not.

If you really want to shoot pistol with the drop leg, c'mon out to the ORA CQB matches at Base Borden. It's allowed there.

Yeah, I have been looking at the Serpa holsters and I kind of like them. The whole reason I wanted to use a drop leg holster is because I want one for the CQB matches and don't want to have to buy a separate holster for IPSC. You will definitely see me at CQB matches in the future :D.
 
It's partly to keep the equipment from helping the competitor violate safety rules
eg:
10.5.6. Allowing the muzzle of a loaded handgun to point uprange beyond a
radius of 1 meter from a competitor's feet during drawing or re-holstering
Also given the Division specific rules for holster position it may be that it would have to put the user in Open, though that could be an interesting discussion.
With so many better suited, and less expensive, holsters out there I'm not sure why anyone would want to use one in IPSC unless they were forced to use one at work and wanted to practice and compete with their duty gear.

I am kind of curious about the safety issue with drop leg holsters. Is there really a geater chance of sweeping or some other safety issue with them?

John
 
the reason why drop leg holsters are not allowed in IPSC is that when IPSC started drop leg holsters were used by fast draw ompetitors to shot balloons. The colonel did not want to be in any way associated with the fast draw crowd so he had them banned in the original rules.
 
Thanks Walter.

I was wondering why - they certainly don't give anyone any type of an advantage.

I really don't see any reason they can't be used....well other than the rules that is :)

John
 
I am kind of curious about the safety issue with drop leg holsters. Is there really a geater chance of sweeping or some other safety issue with them?

John

With a hip mounted holster you can perform most actions and the gun will be pointing more or less straight down. I'll have to look for it in the newer rule books but in the old ones it was required that the gun point within a 1 meter radius of your feet when standing relaxed and within 3 meters when drawing. With a leg mounted holster where does it point if you sit down? Kneeling? Even crouching? Now where will it point when drawing in these positions compared to a hip holster.
 
With a hip mounted holster you can perform most actions and the gun will be pointing more or less straight down. I'll have to look for it in the newer rule books but in the old ones it was required that the gun point within a 1 meter radius of your feet when standing relaxed and within 3 meters when drawing. With a leg mounted holster where does it point if you sit down? Kneeling? Even crouching? Now where will it point when drawing in these positions compared to a hip holster.

Ahhh.....of course you are right. Kneeling should be okay as long as the strong knee is on the ground but certainly sitting starts or just sitting around for that matter would be a problem.

John
 
With a hip mounted holster you can perform most actions and the gun will be pointing more or less straight down. I'll have to look for it in the newer rule books but in the old ones it was required that the gun point within a 1 meter radius of your feet when standing relaxed and within 3 meters when drawing. With a leg mounted holster where does it point if you sit down? Kneeling? Even crouching? Now where will it point when drawing in these positions compared to a hip holster.

Ok, that makes sense :). Aside from breaking that rule, I can imagine it being a huge pain drawing from a sitting position with a leg holster.
 
Which is not what they are meant for anyway (drawing from a sitting position). They are allowed in the CQB which is where they belong and in Defensive 3 gun matches.
 
To each his own, but... I've tried thigh rigs and gave up on them. Too damn floppy and uncomfortable. I've found that thigh rigs also get in the way while trying to navigate some CoF's... Climbing barriers, getting in/out of vehicles or crawling on the dirt..
No matter what the action shooting game I prefer my pistol snug at my hip.
 
To each his own, but... I've tried thigh rigs and gave up on them. Too damn floppy and uncomfortable. I've found that thigh rigs also get in the way while trying to navigate some CoF's... Climbing barriers, getting in/out of vehicles or crawling on the dirt..
No matter what the action shooting game I prefer my pistol snug at my hip.

The drop leg definitely takes some getting used to, but I found that once it's properly adjusted the Blackhawk is fairly comfortable and can be worn all day without a problem.

I agree that a belt holster is more stable and arguably safer if kneeling with a hot pistol is required (in CQB you never have a round in the chamber when holstered).

For me the primary purpose of the thigh rig is to allow the use of a tac vest for carrying AR mags. Getting the holster off the hip gives you a lot of freedom in terms of your kit.
 
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