Folks, before you show up to your first IDPA match, please check a few things.
Your holster is a vital part of your safety equipment. Your holster must allow you to safely holster a gun with one hand. The holster must remain open after you draw. If your holster collapses after you draw, it will be almost impossible to safely holster a loaded gun. Holstering a loaded gun is probably the most dangerous thing you will do at a match, even with a proper holster. Without a proper holster it becomes untenable.
Second, the holster must cover the trigger guard.
Third, the holster must attach firmly to your belt, so that when you draw the gun, the holster stays on the belt. A holster with belt loops works better for competition than one with a paddle or clip.
Fourth, during a match you will be drawing and holstering a number of times. This is much easier to do with an OWB holster than an IWB holster, particularly if you are new to this type of shooting. Getting your shirt caught in the holster while holstering isn't just inconvenient, it is a potential safety problem. I understand the argument about using your carry rig, but for your first several matches, please consider using an OWB holster.
Fifth, you need a strong, stiff gun belt. Your typical floppy belt will not properly support the holster, and can cause problems while drawing and holstering.
Check on all these things before attending a match. Try on all your gear at home, with an empty gun and empty mags. Make sure you can holster and draw with one hand. When holstering and drawing, your support hand should be on your belly. If your support hand is over near the holster, then you will likely muzzle your support hand, and the safety officer will not take kindly to that. If you find that your gear doesn't work, then don't attend a match until you get gear that does work.
A proper Kydex OWB holster can be purchased for around $70, and will serve you far better than a $20 collapsing nylon holster with a clip that doesn't hold. Please trust me that a junk holster is a serious safety issue.
Bring a range bag. You'll need it to carry all your gear and your ammo. In the event that your holster goes south, you can at least use your range bag to safely take your gun off the line. You don't need a fancy, expensive range bag. You can get a great soft tool bag from Lowe's or Home Despot that will work just fine for not a lot of money.
Also, if you don't have any training or experience in drawing from a holster, please consider attending an intro to IDPA class or an IDPA practice prior to coming to a match. We'll have time to help you at a class or practice that we just don't have at a match.
I do encourage people to try IDPA. It's a great sport. But I want your first match to be both safe and a good experience; it is hard for it to be either when you don't have correct gear.
Your holster is a vital part of your safety equipment. Your holster must allow you to safely holster a gun with one hand. The holster must remain open after you draw. If your holster collapses after you draw, it will be almost impossible to safely holster a loaded gun. Holstering a loaded gun is probably the most dangerous thing you will do at a match, even with a proper holster. Without a proper holster it becomes untenable.
Second, the holster must cover the trigger guard.
Third, the holster must attach firmly to your belt, so that when you draw the gun, the holster stays on the belt. A holster with belt loops works better for competition than one with a paddle or clip.
Fourth, during a match you will be drawing and holstering a number of times. This is much easier to do with an OWB holster than an IWB holster, particularly if you are new to this type of shooting. Getting your shirt caught in the holster while holstering isn't just inconvenient, it is a potential safety problem. I understand the argument about using your carry rig, but for your first several matches, please consider using an OWB holster.
Fifth, you need a strong, stiff gun belt. Your typical floppy belt will not properly support the holster, and can cause problems while drawing and holstering.
Check on all these things before attending a match. Try on all your gear at home, with an empty gun and empty mags. Make sure you can holster and draw with one hand. When holstering and drawing, your support hand should be on your belly. If your support hand is over near the holster, then you will likely muzzle your support hand, and the safety officer will not take kindly to that. If you find that your gear doesn't work, then don't attend a match until you get gear that does work.
A proper Kydex OWB holster can be purchased for around $70, and will serve you far better than a $20 collapsing nylon holster with a clip that doesn't hold. Please trust me that a junk holster is a serious safety issue.
Bring a range bag. You'll need it to carry all your gear and your ammo. In the event that your holster goes south, you can at least use your range bag to safely take your gun off the line. You don't need a fancy, expensive range bag. You can get a great soft tool bag from Lowe's or Home Despot that will work just fine for not a lot of money.
Also, if you don't have any training or experience in drawing from a holster, please consider attending an intro to IDPA class or an IDPA practice prior to coming to a match. We'll have time to help you at a class or practice that we just don't have at a match.
I do encourage people to try IDPA. It's a great sport. But I want your first match to be both safe and a good experience; it is hard for it to be either when you don't have correct gear.
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