Holster Cant

[GoRon]

I just started "practical" shooting at my range. The holster I am using is leather with a cant (FBI?) made by Galco.

This Christmas season I am getting a new holster by Blade Tech.

What is a better holster to get for eventually getting into competition, straight drop or FBI cant?

This will strictly be for range work, no concealed carry in Illinios.

The Galco is more of a concealed carry holster so I want to get the right one this time.

 

[C. H. Luke]

If you are going to be working on your draw & presentation, a neutral or "Straight Drop" holster is best.

While many do not work on their draw stroke in IDPA it's quite important to practice and get it right as generally your 1st. shot sets up the whole string or Stage for you. In other words, if you blow that 1st. shot the whole thing has much more of a chance to go bad.
This is something that can be practiced "Dry" at home along with developing good trigger control, etc.

 

[Edmond]

How about a Sidearmor holster that has an adjustable cant?

 

[MrMurphy]

For a pure "Range Commando" holster where concealment is not an option, straight drop on the belt.


For concealed carry, 15 deg. cant inside the waistband.

 

[victory]

If you're doing an IDPA like competition and shooting to win, a straight drop holster is the way to go. Personally, i don't shoot to win, i shoot using the gun and holster i carry with proper tactics even if it adds time and i come in dead last.

If you're just playing a game, however, play the game.

 

[psyopspec]

If you're doing an IDPA like competition and shooting to win, a straight drop holster is the way to go. Personally, i don't shoot to win, i shoot using the gun and holster i carry with proper tactics

Agree, I do the same thing.

While straight drop makes more sense for competition, you may find FBI cant to be more comfortable. Like many other aspects of shooting, personal preference can trump the popular opinion on the details. If you know anyone who will let you try a straight drop, check it out.

How about a Sidearmor holster that has an adjustable cant?

You'll very likely be happy with the Blade Tech, but the versatility and quality of the Sidearmor certainly wouldn't be a letdown either.

 

[rick_reno]

I carry with a FBI cant - so that's what I use for everything else.

 

[B36]

Angle/cant

is not really important, unless it is beyond 15/20 degrees.

The important factor is practice. Speed will not be a factor in IDPA or on the street {gun should be in your hand when the action starts on the street}--practice and preparation will.

IF you are willing to do 100 perfect presentations a day for a month, whatever holster you are using will work fine.

 

[JerryM]

For sheer speed, there is no question that the straight drop holster is faster. I don't use one as I do not compete, and so use the holsters that I carry concealed.

All of my holsters,except one, have the FBI cant. Recently, however, I got a Comp tac with a 25 degree cant, and I find that better for concealed carry as it places the butt of the gun more in line with my body.

I think that in the future I will get all my CC holsters with that cant if I can.

Jerry

 

[victory]

I have my C-tac set to about 25 degrees. Glock 26 is invisible in it.

 

[C. H. Luke]

"Speed will not be a factor.... or on the street..."

What distance does the "normal" gunfight take place at?
How much time does same take place in?
You should do some reading!

 

[GoRon]

Looks like straight drop is most common for competition and the cant is most comfortable for carry.

Is it that difficult to transition between styles of holsters?

How many of you compete with one style and carry with another?

All my holster time will be on the range, like I said before no concealed carry in the Democratic stronghold of Illinios.

Thanks for the replies folks!

Most likely I will go with the straight drop.

If we ever get concealed carry here I will just have to practice with my carry rig with the same enthusiasm I am approaching the game.

 

[Nando Aqui]

I just started competing IDPA (just one match for familiarization) and I am about to order a holster (Blade-Tech, Cen-Dex, or similar) that will properly fit my HK USP 45 Tactical - albeit there are not many available for the Tactical.

Could someone briefly describe the various 'cants' - forward, FBI, straight, cross-draw...?

Thanks!

Alex

 

[Edmond]

I think FBI is a 15 degree cant. The straight one is where the holster is vertical and you have to pull the weapon straight up to draw it.

 

[Mannlicher]

A lot of ranges do NOT like you to carry a handgun in a holster at all.

 

[Edmond]

A lot of ranges do NOT like you to carry a handgun in a holster at all.

Very true, most around here don't let you do that and it's explicitly written on the signs that are posted on the range walls.

Had to tell the guy across the street that they don't like people wearing holsters at the range and he asked why, kind of looked disappointed. I said because they don't want idiots thinking they're cowboys and because they don't know if the people who walk in off the street are well trained enough to use a holster.

He was just another one of those guys who wants to walk around with a gun in a holster so everyone can see it.

 

[deputy tom]

When I was a youngster(no laughing) the FbI cant was in vogue.As of late I stay with the straight drop holsters for range work.tom.

 

[DMF]

For concealment the "FBI" cant is the way to go. For gaming only then the straight drop is better IMHO. I love Blade-Tech products, and use two of their holsters (IWB and Belt), but strictly for range use I would get an Uncle Mike's Kydex belt slide holster. It's lousy for concealment, and is straight drop only, but great for range use, and about 1/4 the price of the Blade-Tech belt holster. You can get great prices at cheaperthandirt.com

 

[DMF]

"Is it that difficult to transition between styles of holsters?"

No, you won't notice much if any difference. I use a straight drop Uncle Mikes for my 1911, but I carry and practice constantly with my Sig 228 in my Blade-Tech holster which both have the "FBI" cant.

"How many of you compete with one style and carry with another?" My 1911 mentioned above is not for carry, so I switch back and forth between my holsters with and without the cant with no problem. The gun is always in the same basic spot, strong side hip. People that have problems with holsters are the ones that put the guns in different places. For example, if you compete with a gun on strong side hip, but carry in a shoulder rig ( ), then when the SHTF you are likely to reach for your hip, not the gun dangling on the weak side, because you've probably done more draws from the hip holster on the range.

 

[P95Carry]

Have to say - I carry with generous cant - which of course makes for easier concealment - see below a pic of my SP-101 in a KDHolsters rig - made specially for me by Kevin Manley to my spec - well in fact it is a copy of a Jim Burke I really have liked and still use.

All my draw practice is with cant - and tho I have tried straight drop in IDPA - it just does not feel good, to me. Sure, gun comes out fine but, my muscle memory makes the cant draw feel more natural and I get my grip set up quicker and better.

Last shoot or two at IDPA used my BHP in a delicious Horseshoe leather rig, designed in fact for 1911 Gov't but - just happens to hold BHP nicely, perhaps cos still very stiff. It has about half the cant of the rig shown below but still, enough to feel justb about OK. I tried a Fobus paddle as straight drop with BHP and tho gun came out just fine - presentation did not feel natural enough.

I am getting on so maybe ''old dog - new tricks'' deal!! I'll stick to what feels best and works best.

 

[C. H. Luke]

"Looks like straight drop is most common for competition and the cant is most comfortable for carry.

How many of you compete with one style and carry with another?"

One of the significant advantages to a straight drop holster over the std. FBI cant is not having to brake your wrist on the draw.
Many makers don't realize that different handguns require less severe cant angles than the stereotype ca. 15 degree "FBI". It's origins go way back to the mid 1930's and the "FBI Crouch".
If you've seen the photos of FBI Agent "Jelly" Bryce you know how extreme it was.

http://www.gutterfighting.org/jellybryce.html