suggestions for an IDPA/CDPA style vest or jacket?

maurice

maurice

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Just curious as to what people are using. i was thinking about getting the 5.11vest, or Sig PRo vest, or maybe something else.......?
 
Mo get the Galco combat master holster... very nice fit..and good concealment. Shop Galco direct.
 
thanks for the suggestion, but I think I will stay with the Bladetech belt holster. I am familiar with it.
 
When we used to shoot Tactical Pistol out here ( long before IDPA ), I used to use a hi-ride paddle holster that pulled the gun pretty high on my hip. I could then wear a long sleeved dress shirt with the shirt tails untucked. Complete concealment and relatively easy access if the shirt was unbuttoned. Not super hot on sunny days, either.
 
the Sig Pro is great, if you get the 511 you need to cut the seams in the zippers and insert a couple zap straps in each side and stitch it back up. doing that makes it nice and stiff for sweeping through to grab your gun. Don't get that ### one you see advertised in the gun rags with the fat guy with the beard modeling it. It sucks.
 
Can someone explain to me the fascination with "tactical vests" in IDPA? I would have thought that theory would be to pick out something in your closet that you would normally wear on a daily basis that would reliably conceal your gear.

I can't remeber the last time I saw someone wearing a fishnet and canvas black vest in a restaurant or at the mall.
 
hungrybeagle said:
Can someone explain to me the fascination with "tactical vests" in IDPA? I would have thought that theory would be to pick out something in your closet that you would normally wear on a daily basis that would reliably conceal your gear.

I can't remeber the last time I saw someone wearing a fishnet and canvas black vest in a restaurant or at the mall.
Click to expand...

Ya I bought one to fit in with the crowd. Tell you the truth I never use any of the 20 or so pockets on my Sig vest.

Use whats comfortable to you.

D_
 
From the IDPA Rule Book:

Competition only garments are prohibited. Competition only garments are defined as: Vented or mesh vests that allow the firearm, holster; spare ammo or ammo carriers to be visible when standing normaly; chest pockets, specially-made pockets or any material inserted in pockets, specially-made pockets or any material inserted in pockets or around to keep the pocket open for stwoage of partial magazines after reload.

Take Care

Bob
 
Dress Normally Eh!

My own pick for IDPA would be to use just normal dress.
Any normal jacket or even a suit jacket should work. The popular photographers jacket is one classic choice although to me in actual application it is a "dead giveaway" unless accompanied by a camera or two..
Many pictures show Col Jeff Cooper wearing the "classic photographers vest"; my intuitive guess is that in those 1960's Guns and Ammos pics he was demonstrating as would be clear now that a photographers vest is an easy way to carry a Colt 1911A1 'all set to go".

In Bill Jordan's 1962 book "No Second Place Winner" Bill Jordan demonstrates a draw while wearing a standard business suit jacket.

Essentially "no muss or fuss" just some meaningful practice where you are conditioned to sweep the coat tail side of the jacket away so that there is no "fumble factor" esp with a IWB holster, another Jeff Cooper favourite made originally by Milt Sparks.

Think "Tom Threepersons" eh! He thought up a practical carry holster for use with a suit in and around 1920 or so for his Colt SAA as did Frank Hamer for "Old Lucky".

In Ed McGivern's book and films of him giving aerial shooting in the 1930's he demonstrates time and again practical carry some 80 or so years ago.

Is it fair to say that the concept here is "Hidden In Plain View" i.e. unobrtusively under normal garments where CCW is legal and licensed.
 
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hungrybeagle said:
Can someone explain to me the fascination with "tactical vests" in IDPA? I would have thought that theory would be to pick out something in your closet that you would normally wear on a daily basis that would reliably conceal your gear.

I can't remeber the last time I saw someone wearing a fishnet and canvas black vest in a restaurant or at the mall.
Click to expand...

Remember......It's just a game......just like IPSC.....
 
While it is just a game, the intent was to have a shooting sport that mirrored the skills required for defending oneself with a handgun. Bill Wilson, with the rule amendments made in 2006, re-asseerted this concept as he saw IDPA going the way of IPSC.

Much depends on what you want to get out of the sport.

Take Care

Bob
 
Anything that is comfortable, and can conceal... those brightly coloured Magnum PI shirts are light and cool on hot days.

I usually use a 511 vest, or a light windbreaker depending on the weather.
 
+1 on what Popurhedoff does, I also use a 5.11 vest, it is great and no modifications are required as earlier stated. Currently I am using a Blackhawk Serpa holster, but have used several other types of holsters made form leather and Kydex and the vest has not given me any problems with one of them on a draw. Give Nicholls a call, I know they were blowing out 5.11 as they are no longer suppling the line and I picked up 2 more vest for $39.95 each.
 
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found something last minute. I saw a fall type (thin, semi-insulated) vest at one of those stores in the mall that sells t- shirts for $7, and pants for $20. The vest cost me $20 +tax. Used it all weekend. Did the job, but the pockets were on the side were a little hard to access quickly. Used it for handgun, rifle and shotgun. Easier to sweep the jacket out of the way when drawing than the leather jacket I had practiced on, and it didn't get caught on anything.
 
Hi Maurice,

I have seen everything from 511 vest to winter coats (in the middle of summer). I have tried a lot of stuff, however check out the website as guy like Peter who weld open pocket, starch up flaps, and put weights in to get a better swing are circumnavigating the rules. Ideally, because IDPA is basically supposed to be catering to the concealed carrier in the States, you should try to find a jacket or vest that you would wear in an everyday situation. I am going to sign off now and wait for Peter to explode. LOL:)

Steve
 
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