Competitive shooters often have multiple firearms and need holsters to accommodate them all. When selecting a holster, it is important to consider the demands it will need to support, such as material selection, sizing, accessibility, carry and deployment.
Size
Various competition holster options offer the ability to mount pouches and other tools to a harness worn on your chest or shoulders. This allows you to redistribute the weight of your firearm across a larger surface area, making it much more comfortable. Many of these rigs can be adjusted to accommodate the positioning of your preferred holster for a more natural and effective draw. However, the downside is that you must unbuckle or undo the over-flap to access your gun, which can take up valuable time if pressed for it in a critical situation. A wide selection of competition holsters is designed for IDPA, USPSA and 3Gun use. These holsters feature a low-cut front, so your pistol will clear the holster faster, allowing you to get on target quicker. Select the ejection port cutout that best meets your needs from two available types.
Material
Competition shooting is hard on the body, so looking for comfortable holsters that won’t dig into your skin or cause chafing is important. The holster should also be pleased to wear for long periods and sit securely on the gun belt without moving around too much. Several different materials can be used to make a holster. Some are more traditional leather holsters, while others may be made from stiffened, molded plastic designed specifically for a specific pistol. Some holsters are even made from composite materials that combine the advantages of both leather and plastic.
The holster is an excellent choice for newcomers to IDPA and keeps the firearm close and ready while meeting IDPA standards. Its adjustable cant and ride height options help you discover what works best for your dominant hand and preferred shooting position.
Retention
A holster’s retention is an important consideration. Whether competing in a shooting event or simply a citizen carrying openly, you need to consider the possibility that someone could grab your weapon. This is why many holsters are rated by their level of retention. A higher retention level means pulling your firearm from the holster will be more difficult and can help prevent disarming by an assailant. However, this also often results in a longer draw time, which may be better for competitive shooters. Many of our holsters are adjustable, allowing you to adjust the retention to your preferred setting. Before changing your holster, ensure it is unloaded, and your clothing does not cover any part of it (printing). Some holsters have retention screws which can be adjusted with an Allen wrench included with the product or with a simple hex key. You can loosen or tighten these screws by 1/8 turn at a time and test your holster again until you reach the desired retention setting.
Adjustment
Many competition holsters are built to accommodate certain firearms. However, they can also be adjusted to fit other pistols of the same make and model. This allows for flexibility of rig construction and enables the shooter to customize the rig for use in multiple dynamic shooting disciplines.
Some holsters are canted in one direction or another to accommodate a specific carry location or desired draw motion. Holsters designed for concealed carry tend to be canted forward (to help prevent clothing from printing against the grip). In contrast, those intended to be used in competition are typically canted backward (allowing for the fastest possible draw to increase performance when under the clock).
Regardless of what holster you choose to use, the holster should be regularly inspected and maintained. This can include lubricating the holster’s screws with a lubricant such as Loctite (available from most sporting goods stores) to keep them properly adjusted and tightened.
