Holster course whats better paddle or belt?

[BP7]

In Response....

Your showing your noob status.... when shooting IDPA, IPSC or courses you rarely fire more then 2 mags thru the gun before reloading and reholstering (remember the mantra, retrieve, reload and reholster)

so lets take IDPA for example, most courses of fire are under 10 rounds to a maximum of 18 rounds total. so for an IDPA competitor to fire a match of say 8 stages of fire he would "load and make ready, reholster", "draw, fire, unload and show clear, reholster" so for each course of fire he holsters twice..... he will holster/unholster a minimum of 32 times during an 8 stage match and not including his initial holster and the end of the day put away.

during Tactical Responses "Basic Pistol" the first day we probably draw and rehostered the gun probably 100 times, with some round counts being as low as 1 shots fired and rarely more then a full magazine.... the second day was a bit slower but still we fired 750 rounds over the 2 days.

it wsounds like you have a holster as a fashion accesory....

so much for that last post!

the OP is obviously NOT taking a $1000 2-day tactical response course, yet you appear to be going full-out on the holster recommendation. he has even flat-out said that he has no intention of competing. i'm not entirely sure why you insist on the most expensive holster that he can possibly afford. hey, did you even ask him if he needs Level-2 retention or not? what if he needs Level-4? kinda skipped over that bit, didn't we.........

it's been pretty obvious since the beginning that he's just starting out, and he even said that he's got limited funds. those two factors say "buy simple, see where it takes you, if you wanna continue then spend on the most ideal item". a beginner musician doesn't need a $4,000 Gibson Les Paul Custom. a $200 Korean will do just fine until the student decides "yeah, i want to keep doing this, i now know what i like and don't like, and can select the right tool based on that"

i use my holster for IDPA days and for range days. during range days, i can reload as many times as i want before i reholster - i have 7 mags for my Glock, so i can go through all of them in between the draw and reholster actions. it's not a fashion accessory - it's a simple basic black plastic thing that holds my firearm. it's not made of glossy carbon fiber or embossed leather. heck, for IDPA days (even just practice), the damned thing is covered by clothing anyways!!! not much of a "fashion accessory" at that point.

 

[pizdets17]

hmm...Dammit..

seriously dude.... the other courses that TSE offers all require a handgun in a holster.... transition drills from shotgun to pistol or carbine to pistol are kind of hard withou it.

 

[TIM_COX]

no the OP is taking a basic holster course at TSE with the intent of taking some of thier other training courses... ie: He is spending his money to learn and I applaud him for that.

he is not spending a HUGE amount of money on a holster, the bladetech "5.11" series are around $40, a bobby mcgee IDPA combo pack from bladetech is uder $90 and includes the mag pouch, a stingray combo pack (Holster an Dbl Mag Pouch) from bladetech is under $60 as well..... a comp-tac combo is $100 and includes holster and double mag pouch.

your making this sound like it is the end of the world.... considering your fobus holster and a double mag pouch will cost at least $50 ($30 holster, $20 mag pouch)

instead you recommed a paddle holster... that is unsuitable to use for any "firearms training" as they break easily... watch the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDeKtgkZKmQ&feature=player_embedded

 

[BP7]

instead you recommed a paddle holster... that is unsuitable to use for any "firearms training" as they break easily... watch the video.

seen it before - a few times. and no, i'm not recommending a paddle specifically. believe it or not, Fobus offers their holsters in belt versions as well, though they appear to be better known for the paddles. and i think other companies also offer their holsters in paddle versions (as well as belt). so.... where exactly were you going with that?? paddle doesn't inherently mean Fobus, and belt doesn't inherently mean Blade-Tech (or any other brand). lots of brands make various attachment styles.

and really, i think this whole thread diverted from "belt or paddle" on page 2 and now we're squarely in "Fobus or anything but". COMPLETELY detached from the original question.

i'm saying "nothing wrong with a Fobus, it's affordable and effective, and if you're on a budget it might be worthwhile" - regardless of whether it's a belt or paddle. gee, i think i even said so on page 3 when we briefly dipped into "where should i shop? ebay?"

you seem to be saying "it's a POS cuz it's a paddle and it won't last a decade"

and besides, i already pointed out at the beginning that IF he plans on getting into IPSC, the paddle is automatically out (and it don't matter squat who makes it)

 

[TIM_COX]

you seem to be saying "it's a POS cuz it's a paddle and it won't last a decade"

No, I am saying its a POS because it is a fobus.... plain and simple.... here are better more durable makes of holsters out there, the guy obviously knows quality since he bought a nice sig pistol.

I like paddles for some things, a night gun for example where you grab it out of the safe if need be or a "general" use range holster where the only time the gun is going to be it is to change the targets.....

it is definatly not a competition use holster or somethingthatshould be depended on for any course....

and frankly, WTF do you know about quality, the ONLY holster you have owned is a fobus.... you want to argue that fobus is the greatest thing in the world, well wake up mister you got a lot to learn.

sorry for being blunt.... but again I point out you have less then 2 months of gun ownership under your belt and less time of holster usage.

 

[TIM_COX]

Just wondering what the best solution for a p226 holster would be. Is it the paddle or the belt version?

you know what the best answer is, go down to the Edge and ask them to show you some holsters, check out the makes and models the range staff are wearing and then ask JR what he likes.

end of story, and you get to play with some holsters.... they may not have the model to fit your gun but you will be able to see how well made they are.

 

[BP7]

and frankly, WTF do you know about quality, the ONLY holster you have owned is a fobus.... you want to argue that fobus is the greatest thing in the world, well wake up mister you got a lot to learn.

sorry for being blunt.... but again I point out you have less then 2 months of gun ownership under your belt and less time of holster usage.

good god, mate. LEARN TO READ. nowhere did i say that it's the best - you're the one who seems to be assuming i say so. i've CLEARLY said that "it is what it is - affordable and effective".

so again, i point out that you lack reading comprehension skills. you seem to be exceedingly narrow-minded here, focusing ONLY on the expensive brands and gear that's designed for "tactical response" duty. in fact, you remind me a lot of that TDC guy that was on here. you're bordering on a "if it doesn't say tactical on it or isn't endorsed by a SWAT team and hasn't been proven in service since the fall of the Roman Empire, it's worthless crap!"

go back and read ALL of my posts here - if you go slowly, you will likely notice that i'm saying "it's cost-effective" and "if it breaks 4 times faster than another holster that's 4 times more expensive, you're still at the same pace"

or would you like me to quote my own posts in one easy-to-view location, so that you can CLEARLY see how i describe Fobus gear?

(ps - i also own a Pro-Tech holster for one of my other guns.... ooops, bet you didn't know THAT...)

 

[BP7]

Dear TimmyCox,

For your re-reading pleasure, I here re-quote my own posts, UNEDITED - though i have taken the liberty of putting some words in bold to highlight the key phrases.

paddle IS permitted in IDPA as far as i know, but IS NOT permitted in IPSC. if you want one that'll cover you for both disciplines, then paddle is out - go for a belt. (at least as far as the gun holster is concerned - not sure if mag paddle is allowed in IPSC)

personally, i use paddle. i find it easier to put on, and as long as the belt is properly tight (ie my pants aren't down around my knees like an 18-year-old wigger), the holster hasn't come undone on me. also, i can place it anywhere i want regardless of pant loops.

i use Fobus paddles for everything (gun holsters and mag carriers) except my S&W 22A and speedloaders. sure, they're not the most amazing quality on the planet, but they're cheap and effective. so far, i like 'em.

eBay. that's where i found all my Fobus stuff, but i'm sure you can find lots of other brands on there. sometimes, the prices can be a lot better than other online stores, and some sellers have much lower S&H than others even for the same part.

now, to be real, i haven't abused them or used them [the Fobus holsters] to their breaking point, so i can't speak to their longevity, but it seems good so far. and i got the adjustable ones (Evolution series). i haven't had any issues with the one for my Glock - as long as it's adjusted well, the gun clicks in nicely and pulls out well, and is reasonably secure.

i've never tried a kydex, but the one Uncle Mike's that i did use was a nylon softie which i hated cuz it wasn't secure and kept collapsing when the gun was removed so reholstering was a PITA.

brand aside, i'd stick with a molded hard plastic over nylon or fancy expensive leather.




but the question was: paddle or belt?

the answer is: do you want to do IPSC or IDPA or just range? cuz IPSC says "paddle not allowed" so that might make your decision for you - unless you want a separate dedicated one for IPSC and a different one for IDPA / range.

*cough* i have 3 Fobus holsters that say otherwise... adjust the screw to make the draw easier or harder - that's what it's there for!!!

that's cool - i'm not saying that the Fobus is spectacular, but for around $20 it's not a POS clamp. and regardless of age, if the pistol comes out the FIRST time, after X years it will continue to come out. if it comes out too easily - or not easily enough - simply adjust the screw. THAT is the point i was addressing.

a $20 holster that lasts 1-2 years, versus an $80 holster that lasts 4-8 years. so far, the math says it's the same thing. but there's less money spent up front, and if the owner doesn't keep that same gun for 4 years, he's better off with the cheaper holster. if he's gonna keep that same gun for many many years, then perhaps the $80 is more sensible.

but evidently he has to also allow for the course fee, and presumably the ammo. if a $20 holster will do well for the course AND the next 12 months of use, i see no issue. if an Uncle Mike's costs the same and lasts just as long, then it's the same story.

if my Fobuses (Fobi?) break after 2 years, i'll be ok with that. they only cost me $20. by then, i would have gotten a good amount of use from them. every item has a breaking point - even an $80 holster or a $4000 gun. it WILL break if abused appropriately.

they are what they are - a simple cost-effective item, and some models are adequately adjustable so that a draw is easy and yet secure enough for the rules of the sport.

no, i don't own any eBay or Fobus stocks, so i'm not looking to gain from this. but i DO have first-hand proof that a Fobus WILL allow a gun to be drawn with acceptable force.

i assume you don't have any holsters at all, but you appear to have multiple handguns. that being the case, you might be better off with a generic nylon holster since it ought to fit all of your toys equally well (or poorly, depending on how you look at it). not sure if the kydex / rigid plastic ones are generic or gun-specific (the fobus definitely are gun-specific). the benefit is that you can use it for different guns, and possibly even sell it to someone else for $10-15 after the course is done and you don't need it anymore.

so much for that last post!

the OP is obviously NOT taking a $1000 2-day tactical response course, yet you appear to be going full-out on the holster recommendation. he has even flat-out said that he has no intention of competing. i'm not entirely sure why you insist on the most expensive holster that he can possibly afford. hey, did you even ask him if he needs Level-2 retention or not? what if he needs Level-4? kinda skipped over that bit, didn't we.........

it's been pretty obvious since the beginning that he's just starting out, and he even said that he's got limited funds. those two factors say "buy simple, see where it takes you, if you wanna continue then spend on the most ideal item". a beginner musician doesn't need a $4,000 Gibson Les Paul Custom. a $200 Korean will do just fine until the student decides "yeah, i want to keep doing this, i now know what i like and don't like, and can select the right tool based on that"

i use my holster for IDPA days and for range days. during range days, i can reload as many times as i want before i reholster - i have 7 mags for my Glock, so i can go through all of them in between the draw and reholster actions. it's not a fashion accessory - it's a simple basic black plastic thing that holds my firearm. it's not made of glossy carbon fiber or embossed leather. heck, for IDPA days (even just practice), the damned thing is covered by clothing anyways!!! not much of a "fashion accessory" at that point.

seen it before - a few times. and no, i'm not recommending a paddle specifically. believe it or not, Fobus offers their holsters in belt versions as well, though they appear to be better known for the paddles. and i think other companies also offer their holsters in paddle versions (as well as belt). so.... where exactly were you going with that?? paddle doesn't inherently mean Fobus, and belt doesn't inherently mean Blade-Tech (or any other brand). lots of brands make various attachment styles.

and really, i think this whole thread diverted from "belt or paddle" on page 2 and now we're squarely in "Fobus or anything but". COMPLETELY detached from the original question.

i'm saying "nothing wrong with a Fobus, it's affordable and effective, and if you're on a budget it might be worthwhile" - regardless of whether it's a belt or paddle. gee, i think i even said so on page 3 when we briefly dipped into "where should i shop? ebay?"

you seem to be saying "it's a POS cuz it's a paddle and it won't last a decade"

and besides, i already pointed out at the beginning that IF he plans on getting into IPSC, the paddle is automatically out (and it don't matter squat who makes it)

 

[krausb]

TIM_COX: Wow! You are a total mad man when TDC is not here to keep you in check!

 

[pizdets17]

$40 is fine. Where? Enough drama. TSE barely ever has anything in stock, everything is "on order with no date of arrival".

No, I am saying its a POS because it is a fobus.... plain and simple.... here are better more durable makes of holsters out there, the guy obviously knows quality since he bought a nice sig pistol.

I like paddles for some things, a night gun for example where you grab it out of the safe if need be or a "general" use range holster where the only time the gun is going to be it is to change the targets.....

it is definatly not a competition use holster or somethingthatshould be depended on for any course....

and frankly, WTF do you know about quality, the ONLY holster you have owned is a fobus.... you want to argue that fobus is the greatest thing in the world, well wake up mister you got a lot to learn.

sorry for being blunt.... but again I point out you have less then 2 months of gun ownership under your belt and less time of holster usage.

 

[BP7]

ok, so i tried out that Pro-Tech that i have (similar to the thing you linked on eBay) and i don't like it for the type of use i think you'll have. it's too floppy and it covers far too much of the grip on all of my guns. it's probably OK for just casual range days, but nothing more.

oh, one of my Fobus holsters is a little floppy in the paddle, and it isn't as quick and easy to draw the gun as with the other (Fobus) holsters. the other two are perfectly fine and nicely adjustable.

 

[RoscoeP]

You can get a Blade-tech for a P226 from mdgardner.com for $54 I don't think spending an extra $20 or so will break the bank. Much bigger difference buying a sig @ $1000+ to say a Glock 17 @ around $700. I think skip 1 case of beer and get the better holster. Cheers

 

[daveg01]

I have a Blackhawk Serpa (I got with my Sig (used)). It came with belt and paddle attachments so I can switch between them with a screw driver. I love the holster and I often get requests to try it at the range. I find it quite comfortable and others who have tried it agree.

My wife has a Scott Penner we had made for her revolver. It is also very nice and comfortable. She also got a belt from him. Highly recommend his work.

If you are planing to use it, don't cheap out IMO. You'll probably regret it later.

 

[bollox]

Man, some people are really getting their post count up with this thread.....

Seriously though, Pizdets, have you been over to 9-11 supply? They should have a Bladetech for your SIG in stock. I have had 3 bladetechs and highly recommend them for their quality and will last a long time (you never know you may want to try IPSC or IDPA down the road..). Little price jump from the junky Fobus, though.

 

[pirate604]

+2 for the Serpa, comes with provisions for either belt of paddle. Spend the extra $$, you won't regret it.

 

[curtmg]

TIM_COX: Wow! You are a total mad man when TDC is not here to keep you in check!

He'd look silly if he was just agreeing with nobody, so he needs to channel the Tactical God, Himself.

I googled the western artist Tim Cox, I was disppointed, I couldn't find out his middle name. I'll bet it's David

 

[TIM_COX]

your continued jealousy of TDC is funny, at least he gets out there and trains... one day you will realize the folly of your ways and bow down to the perspicacious ways of the master.

thats if you don't crash your bus again...

 

[Gundoggy]

Back to the original question. Paddle vs. Belt. First are you considering a paddle for 'easy on/easy off'??

In my limited experience, it doesn't take that much longer to put on/take off belt holster which also gives a more secure attachment to belt. That being said, the pancake style holsters with quick on/off snap loops like the Alessi CQC/S, the exact clone of CQC/S the Ritchie CQ-QR (buy from Lightning Arms), or the Comptac Minotaur Gladiator version of the same with leather backing and kydex outer shell are my favorite holsters. Compared to a 100% kydex belt holster the straps tend to pull the holster closer to the body and offer better concealment. I own several Alessi's and to be honest I find the Comptac Gladiator to be more comfortable and works just as well. They are also affordable and ship to Canada in about 2 weeks.

Bladetech and Comptac are both good quality, affordable and durable holsters. However when I first started I used a crappy nylon holster. A lot of people go this route. Review the advice given but every person must do what they feel is best, nothing wrong with that either. Just costs more later.... Trust me I know!!!

 

[BP7]

i hate nylon holsters. heck, i now even regret buying that Pro-Tech or whatever it is that i have.

i find paddles easy to put on, a pain to take off, and so-so to adjust (if you tuck your shirts in, they move your shirt around since that rubber piece presses against it and that can be kinda annoying)

i've only tried one or two belt types, and find them a pain to put on and take off, limited (or annoying) adjustment due to pant loops but at least your shirt stays put. draw might be a little bit better, but it's been a while since i used one and it wasn't the same brand / type as the paddles i have, so not exactly a reasonable comparison.

the only thing i haven't tried yet is IWB, but i'm not sure if those are ok for your course. they're ok for IDPA, but outside of that i've got no clue. i actually have an IWB, but no pants loose enough to stuff one on the inside! yeah, dress pants are not suitable for that. gonna need to buy a pair of jeans one size bigger than normal.

but really, if there's a chance you'll do IPSC, then your choice is dead easy: belt. and if you also wanna do IDPA, your choice is even easier: belt ONLY, no thigh attachment.

 

[fingers]

Back to the original question. Paddle vs. Belt. First are you considering a paddle for 'easy on/easy off'??

In my limited experience, it doesn't take that much longer to put on/take off belt holster which also gives a more secure attachment to belt. That being said, the pancake style holsters with quick on/off snap loops like the Alessi CQC/S, the exact clone of CQC/S the Ritchie CQ-QR (buy from Lightning Arms), or the Comptac Minotaur Gladiator version of the same with leather backing and kydex outer shell are my favorite holsters. Compared to a 100% kydex belt holster the straps tend to pull the holster closer to the body and offer better concealment. I own several Alessi's and to be honest I find the Comptac Gladiator to be more comfortable and works just as well. They are also affordable and ship to Canada in about 2 weeks.

Bladetech and Comptac are both good quality, affordable and durable holsters. However when I first started I used a crappy nylon holster. A lot of people go this route. Review the advice given but every person must do what they feel is best, nothing wrong with that either. Just costs more later.... Trust me I know!!!

Lightning Arms are very good to deal with. Prices are reasonable and they ship fast. Also very helpful if you are not sure what you want.