ezypikns
Member
I carry either a 5" 1911 or a BHP in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II (IWB) holster. Is this a good choice for IDPA competition?
Do you use your everyday carry holster in IDPA competition?
- Thread starter ezypikns
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Jenrick
Member
Are you getting into IDPA for some "practical" shooting experience or for the competion aspect? If it's the first, then shoot what you carry, who cares if it's a "match winner."
-Jenrick
-Jenrick
ezypikns
Member
At this point...
I'm thinking more about improving skills than competing. It would seem that an OWB holster would be faster for competition though.
I'm thinking more about improving skills than competing. It would seem that an OWB holster would be faster for competition though.
Yes I do. I shoot IDPA with my carry gun and usual carry holster. Holster is the Blackhawk CQC w/ Serpa active retention. It holds the gun _very_ securely. I even shoot IDPA w/ the holster in my normal carry position, which is about 4 o-clock.
I can gain a little bit of speed if I use a non-active retention holster where I don't have to unsnap a strap or push a button to get the gun out, but it is only about .2 sec faster on average (so .2 * ~6 draws = 1.2 sec per match). So far, in my 4 local IDPA matches, I've been more than 3 seconds away from the next better score so it hasn't changed my standing.
I also use my carry gun in IDPA, which is an HK P2000v3 DA/SA. The DA pull is like 10lbs or something and the SA pull isn't much better. But this gun is reliable and well built to the point that I've stopped cleaning it regularly (haven't cleaned it for the last 2 months, 3 matches, 5 range trips, ~500rnds); it has absolutely ZERO failures.
It is great, after the match, I just switch in my carry ammo and no need to switch out gun or holster
I used to even shoot w/ my carry clothing, but after timing myself, I got a 5.11 vest. So the only thing I do when showing up is to change my cover garment. The 5.11 vest (w/ the backup belt stiff pads) save me .5 sec!
I can gain a little bit of speed if I use a non-active retention holster where I don't have to unsnap a strap or push a button to get the gun out, but it is only about .2 sec faster on average (so .2 * ~6 draws = 1.2 sec per match). So far, in my 4 local IDPA matches, I've been more than 3 seconds away from the next better score so it hasn't changed my standing.
I also use my carry gun in IDPA, which is an HK P2000v3 DA/SA. The DA pull is like 10lbs or something and the SA pull isn't much better. But this gun is reliable and well built to the point that I've stopped cleaning it regularly (haven't cleaned it for the last 2 months, 3 matches, 5 range trips, ~500rnds); it has absolutely ZERO failures.
It is great, after the match, I just switch in my carry ammo and no need to switch out gun or holster
I used to even shoot w/ my carry clothing, but after timing myself, I got a 5.11 vest. So the only thing I do when showing up is to change my cover garment. The 5.11 vest (w/ the backup belt stiff pads) save me .5 sec!
johndoe1027
Member
I use my carry setup for IPSC Limited. IWB holster and M&P 9mm compact. The only thing I change is the mags (I go to full size mags to reduce the overall time). This lets me practice drawing under pressure, and firing while on the move. I can understand why someone would want to build a gun strictly for IDPA or IPSC and spend exorbitant amounts of money to make it as fast as possible for competitions sake. I however would rather get practice with what will most likely be the gun that saves my life (hopefully no gun will ever need to save my life but you get the idea).
Yes a race holster will gain you a split second on the draw but it sounds like you have the same idea as me right now.
I'm not saying that I won't get another 1911 to put it back in the race holster I still have one day but for now its my CCW at all of the matches.
Plus it's priceless to see the look on the "open" class guys faces when I get better accuracy than them and almost as good of a time with my cheap little plastic compact!
Maybe it's just me.
Yes a race holster will gain you a split second on the draw but it sounds like you have the same idea as me right now.
I'm not saying that I won't get another 1911 to put it back in the race holster I still have one day but for now its my CCW at all of the matches.
Plus it's priceless to see the look on the "open" class guys faces when I get better accuracy than them and almost as good of a time with my cheap little plastic compact!
Maybe it's just me.Jenrick
Member
My CCW mag setup, and holster are both IDPA illegal. I just show up in my duty rig and shoot that. I've actually had some people complain that I was getting an unfair advantage. I never understood how a level 2 holster and 8lbs of junk around my waist was an advantage.
-Jenrick
-Jenrick
Wakal
Member
My carry gun is marginally legal (must be downloaded by 8 rounds, and is woefully overpowered for the game), but my everyday carry holster is illegal to play in their interpretation of the shooting games.
Just keep repeating to yourself "...IDPA is ONLY a game, IDPA is ONLY a game" and have fun
Alex
Just keep repeating to yourself "...IDPA is ONLY a game, IDPA is ONLY a game" and have fun
Alex
Mac Attack
Member
A lot of people who shoot in IDPA have a match gun and then a carry gun. I have shot in two IDPA matches thus far and have made it a point to use my EDC CCW and leather - Colt 1911 in .45 ACP carried in a Milt Sparks VMII.
I feel inhibited by my ability to make follow up shots as quickly with my .45 as when compared to the 9mm gang. I have a Colt 1911 in .38 Super and was thinking of using it for next months qualifier. The nice thing is that I am still sticking with the same manual of arms but with my match gun and carry gun.
I feel inhibited by my ability to make follow up shots as quickly with my .45 as when compared to the 9mm gang. I have a Colt 1911 in .38 Super and was thinking of using it for next months qualifier. The nice thing is that I am still sticking with the same manual of arms but with my match gun and carry gun.
I as stated earlier use the same (type) of leather for IDPA as daily carry, in case of autos a Bianchi 82 carry lock for the 1911s and BHP; and a Serpa for the XD.
I have found through some research that my time for 2 shots in the COM of target is just about the same for both Pro sized 1911s in spite of an aluminum and steel frame. The first shot is quicker with the alloy frame, the second sooner with the steel. Must be the weight difference.
As stated earlier it depends on if you want to "compete" or practice skills. That is where the difference comes in if you want to work on skills or win a sport.
I have found through some research that my time for 2 shots in the COM of target is just about the same for both Pro sized 1911s in spite of an aluminum and steel frame. The first shot is quicker with the alloy frame, the second sooner with the steel. Must be the weight difference.
As stated earlier it depends on if you want to "compete" or practice skills. That is where the difference comes in if you want to work on skills or win a sport.
HeavyDuty
Member
Yep, even though I only carry a few days per month (when traveling). It was a G23 in a Carry-Lok, now a 1911 in a Carry-Lok, a G36 in a Braveheart or a M&P Compact in the same Braveheart. I race what I drive.
DarinC
Member
Just remember, if your carry gun and equipment are slow in IDPA, what's it going to be like if you actually have to defend yourself with it? Try pulling a gun that is hard to shoot fast out of a tight, IWB holster while under the stress of a self defense situation. Bang, your dead.
RobMoore
Member
Bingo.....that is my response to all those "gamer" comments about speedy Kydex belt holsters in IDPA.
Just out of curiosity, how many folks wear the same clothing and shoes at matches as they do when they are CCWing? In 6 years of shooting IDPA, I only saw one person show up in a suit.
I carry a little snub in my pocket every say. I also own a Glock 17, a 1911, and several revolvers. When I shoot IDPA, I shoot whatever gun I have picked out to compete with. My holsters are IDPA legal, and I range from IWB to belt holsters. I have about .5 seconds difference between the IWB and other holsters. Not much to cry over in my opinion.
I sense a recurring theme in all the threads, IDPA is a game. The rule book states that it is not intended as training, even though many of us use the matches to test theories or whatever we learned in a class, or even things we read about on the internet.
The best advise I can give you is, pick a path, and have fun with it. If you want to be one of the tacital teds, get your gear, and shoot the matches, talk over you theories with guys on the range, and have fun. If you want to be uber-competitive, get your gear, talk over your theories with guys on the range, and have fun.
Wheeler
I carry a little snub in my pocket every say. I also own a Glock 17, a 1911, and several revolvers. When I shoot IDPA, I shoot whatever gun I have picked out to compete with. My holsters are IDPA legal, and I range from IWB to belt holsters. I have about .5 seconds difference between the IWB and other holsters. Not much to cry over in my opinion.
I sense a recurring theme in all the threads, IDPA is a game. The rule book states that it is not intended as training, even though many of us use the matches to test theories or whatever we learned in a class, or even things we read about on the internet.
The best advise I can give you is, pick a path, and have fun with it. If you want to be one of the tacital teds, get your gear, and shoot the matches, talk over you theories with guys on the range, and have fun. If you want to be uber-competitive, get your gear, talk over your theories with guys on the range, and have fun.
Wheeler
RobMoore
Member
Interesting that you bring up suits. Of all the Agents that I see shooting my agency's monthly requalification, rarely do I see one keep their suit jacket (that they wear at all times while on duty) on for the requal. They always remove the jacket to give themselves that "edge" to get a better score.
As for clothes and shoes, my wife sometimes complains about it, but I often wear my IDPA Gear (Duluth fire-hose pants, boots, vest, wilderness belt) when I'm carrying around town. She says "You dressed alot nicer before you became a cop".
As for clothes and shoes, my wife sometimes complains about it, but I often wear my IDPA Gear (Duluth fire-hose pants, boots, vest, wilderness belt) when I'm carrying around town. She says "You dressed alot nicer before you became a cop".
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