Recently went to watch an IPSC match and would like to get involved in the near future in my home province of Newfoundland. Trying to put together some gear but not having the best luck. Looking for a suitable holster to fit a Ruger P85, cant seem to find one anywhere. As well, a list of other items i need to get started and some options on where to buy, preferably online. Thanks.
Recomendations on some IPSC gear
- Thread starter BigC396
- Start date
this might sting, but honestly, upgrade your pistol and get gear for a more competitive pistol. You will save money in the long run. You will find it difficult to get quality gear for that pistol and eventually you will discover it is holding you back and you'll get something else, which means you have to buy another new holster.
If you're tight on cash and can't afford to buy a new pistol I understand, just realized you'll be doing it at some point.
If you're tight on cash and can't afford to buy a new pistol I understand, just realized you'll be doing it at some point.
Slavex makes a good point.
CZs are crazy popular in IPSC (for good reason.......) and the Shadow 1 in particular is a bargain. I shoot a Shadow 2 and have no desire to get something else. It just feels "right".
For gear I love DAA stuff but I'm sure some folks will highlight other good options.
CZs are crazy popular in IPSC (for good reason.......) and the Shadow 1 in particular is a bargain. I shoot a Shadow 2 and have no desire to get something else. It just feels "right".
For gear I love DAA stuff but I'm sure some folks will highlight other good options.
Please do not use a Ruger P85 for IPSC I will send you a message
Why not explain this in public?
Maybe Ipscshooters is just trying to avoid an argument? Moving on, Slavex knows what he is talking about. See post #2.
- Location
- Halifax - NS
30 years ago; I took my BB with a Ruger P85. I didn't finish that weekend. I did makeups later with a 586 and passed with that revolver.
It was easier to shoot a revolver than that gun.
Having owned one and shot a P85; I can't think of a more difficult gun to shoot for IPSC competition.
OP, do yourself a favor and look for another pistol. You'll just be beating your head against a wall until you do.
I shoot IPSC with these guys and I disagree. I knew of three competitors that used a ruger p 85. They shot well and had fun. When I started shooting IPSC I used a 1942 Colt 1911-A1 and I had a great time with that old gun. Thank god we did not have the internet back then as someone would have told me that a stock 1942 Colt 1911-A1 is not good for IPSC. It is all that I had and I did not have the means to replace it. I would have never taken the black badge, never shot in competition and never met all the great people that shoot this sport.
As for recommendation if you really think the sport is for you. You could go with a CR speed or Ghost holster. These are adjustable and capable to fit your pistol and any that you may buy in the future. Or if you are not committed enough to spend that kind of money on a holster than you can buy an inexpensive kydex one molded for your p 85. Honestly many off us start with a kydex holster than move on to the full race holster then eventually move back to the kydex holster.
I dont know why others do that but for me the reason is simple it is a bit easier to reholster into a molded kydex holster than a full race holster. Now in competition that is meaningless if it takes you an extra second to reholster it totally does not matter. But it matters in that it makes practice a bit easier and how much and how well you practice makes far far more difference that the style of gear that your using.
As for recommendation if you really think the sport is for you. You could go with a CR speed or Ghost holster. These are adjustable and capable to fit your pistol and any that you may buy in the future. Or if you are not committed enough to spend that kind of money on a holster than you can buy an inexpensive kydex one molded for your p 85. Honestly many off us start with a kydex holster than move on to the full race holster then eventually move back to the kydex holster.
I dont know why others do that but for me the reason is simple it is a bit easier to reholster into a molded kydex holster than a full race holster. Now in competition that is meaningless if it takes you an extra second to reholster it totally does not matter. But it matters in that it makes practice a bit easier and how much and how well you practice makes far far more difference that the style of gear that your using.
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The Sig P320 is taking over the CZ Shadow line these days. I like the Shadow II, and many do, but there is more and more P320 that were showing up before the pandemic. Of course, this is based on the limited view of matches around, but if any indication, people with P320 showing up at the range and in the limited ipsc practice that are held at our range.
CZ will get put a new polymer gun..seem very interesting...
For the Ruger P85, I owned one and liked it.
Starting in IPSC, shoot what you have. The OP can make his mind on which division and gun he want later on. If the OP is familiar with his gun, go for it. The gear for it is scarce but it can be found. One of those Kidex holster will fit..
IPSC is not for everyone. It cost money AND time. Starting with what a shooter got until he is sure that he want to continue with it, is the sensible way to approach it.
CZ will get put a new polymer gun..seem very interesting...
For the Ruger P85, I owned one and liked it.
Starting in IPSC, shoot what you have. The OP can make his mind on which division and gun he want later on. If the OP is familiar with his gun, go for it. The gear for it is scarce but it can be found. One of those Kidex holster will fit..
IPSC is not for everyone. It cost money AND time. Starting with what a shooter got until he is sure that he want to continue with it, is the sensible way to approach it.
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Both Slavex and JBD are correct. You can gear up to participate with a Ruger P-85, and once you start IPSC you will almost-certainly be deciding to move from the P-85 to something more contemporary. Either way, for IPSC, you'll need a suitable pistol, 4-5 magazines, a suitable belt, a suitable holster, and at least 3 magazine pouches. Wisely chosen, the belt (and I suggest 1.5") can be used with any subsequent pistol, and - wisely chosen - the magazine pouches (again, I suggest 1.5") can be used with a subsequent pistol. Magazines, however, will not work with anything else, and any money you spend on magazines and holsters is money you could spend on magazines and holsters for a much more appropriate pistol.
Right now, the question in my mind is this: how invested are you in the P-85?
Is the P-85 new to you (and do you have only 2 or 3 magazines for it), or have you shot it for years, and know it intimately (and you already have 4 or 5, or more magazines for it)? If it's the former, you should follow Slavex's advice and cut your losses now, before you start spending (limited) money on gear that is made just for it. If it's the latter, however, and you already know that you can operate your P-85 at a high level (or at least high enough to meet the Black Badge standards) and wish to stick with the P-85, by all means, find yourself a suitable holster for the P-85. (Good luck.)
Right now, the question in my mind is this: how invested are you in the P-85?
Is the P-85 new to you (and do you have only 2 or 3 magazines for it), or have you shot it for years, and know it intimately (and you already have 4 or 5, or more magazines for it)? If it's the former, you should follow Slavex's advice and cut your losses now, before you start spending (limited) money on gear that is made just for it. If it's the latter, however, and you already know that you can operate your P-85 at a high level (or at least high enough to meet the Black Badge standards) and wish to stick with the P-85, by all means, find yourself a suitable holster for the P-85. (Good luck.)
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The point here is having fun, but all the investment in gear and time also should be considered. The gear is not that cheap and if I could start right avoiding spending twice I would appreciate.
If OP does not like polymer guns, forget glocks and Sigs 320s, go for a CZ or Tanfo, for production they are great to go and have plenty of market out there. I shouldn’t go other way to start in IPSC now.
So going back to the point of having fun, you must have something that is reliable and don’t gives you headache. Welcome to IPSC!
If OP does not like polymer guns, forget glocks and Sigs 320s, go for a CZ or Tanfo, for production they are great to go and have plenty of market out there. I shouldn’t go other way to start in IPSC now.
So going back to the point of having fun, you must have something that is reliable and don’t gives you headache. Welcome to IPSC!
If you can, try to at least hold the guns you're considering and find out how well they fit your hand and how naturally you can raise/safety-off/aim/trigger them. A lot of us have paws that fit one thing really well and another thing awkwardly, and you'll do a lot better with something that fits you well.
Thanks to all for your responses, to answer your questions and give a little context aout myself and my intent. I'm looking to get into this to get out amongst some of the local shooting community, make friends and have some fun. Ill be joining the local skeet shooting club as well in the spring. Im not too concerned about being particularly "competitive at this time. I also dont have the spare cash to invest in a whole new gun at this time, however i do have a NOrc 1911 in 45 that i could consider, i already have a paddle holser and 2 mag carrier for that one so maybe i could consider that. Iv seen several people speak about the P85 not being good for this but not why its not good could some of you elaborate, iv owned this pistol for a couple years and had it out a number of times and its been decently accurate for my usage that i know the gentleman i bought it off of used it for 3 gun for some years before he upgraded, and possibly some IPSC as well. Id hoenstly prefer at this time to not have to invest 1000 dollars plus into the kit as im a sailor by trade and would be away 6 months a year so this is for fun for me right now not so much for the competition. If later on i decided to get more into it as a sport I can always save up and get some new stuff later as required. thanks again.
A second hand CZ Shadow 1 can be found for sub $700 on EE, less if you wait for a good deal. Spare mags (Italian MecGar) are about $30-35. Many people compete with P320 and Glock 17 - both are in the same price range.
I’d suggest meet some people locally who would be willing to let you try their gear.
A 45 will be very expensive to feed if you don’t reload: the Black Badge course usually requires about 350-400 rounds, a typical one day match 150-ish, give or take.
I’d suggest meet some people locally who would be willing to let you try their gear.
A 45 will be very expensive to feed if you don’t reload: the Black Badge course usually requires about 350-400 rounds, a typical one day match 150-ish, give or take.
And even if you do reload, IPSC matches are typically "lost brass" since it would take far longer if people were crawling after it.
If you volunteer for cleanup/teardown crew there's often a share of the brass you help sweep up (depending on club/organizer) but of course that's everyone's mingled together including some with the infamous Glock Bulge and others that were loaded to 9mm Major pressure so it all bears close inspection or taking a pass on bringing any of that home.
- Location
- Halifax - NS
"I just shoot IPSC for fun." It's a great statement and a nice attitude, but in the decades I've been in this - I've never seen anyone who had a gun that didn't function properly (accuracy, malfunctions, whatever) tell me at the end of his day (or run) that it was fun.
I'd honestly be concerned about a persons' sanity if they told me they're happiest when they are frustrated.
I'd honestly be concerned about a persons' sanity if they told me they're happiest when they are frustrated.
