IDPA holster for women?

chris in va · August 31, 2010, 05:34 PM

For lack of a better word, my friend has 'hips' that roll a normal holster inward, preventing her from drawing properly. I see there's a BladeTech DOH kydex, are there any others that she could use that won't cost a fortune? Only LEO's are allowed to use a thigh rig, otherwise that would be perfect.

She really liked her first IDPA match and looks forward to the next.

dmazur · August 31, 2010, 08:01 PM

While the IDPA rules used to refer to an "approved equipment list", I guess administering this proved to be burdensome and the 2005 IDPA rules describe what is permitted and what isn't rather than listing holsters by make and model number. A July addendum doesn't seem to change the holster language significantly.

The IDPA rulebook is available here -

http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf

Here's some sections that might prove useful -

F. Can have no offset backpieces and/or belt slots. The holster
may not offset away from the belt and/or body. No gap is
permitted in the following areas:
1. From the body to the inside of the belt.
2. From the outside of the belt to the inside of the
backpiece and/or backside of the holster.
3. From the outside of the backpiece to the inside of
the holster.
If you look through the belt slot area of the holster with it on
the belt/body, you should not be able to see any daylight. If
you can see through this belt tunnel area, the holster is not
approved.
Holster/backpiece must be constructed of “normal thickness”
common holster making materials, no filler is allowed to hide
an offset. In simple terms, the back of the holster must be held
tightly against the outside of the belt for proper concealed carry
(for questions, refer to #1 above and re-read the “Purpose”
section in the front of this rulebook).¹

...H. May not position the firearm where the breech face (autos)
or rear of the cylinder (revolvers) is below the center of the
belt. NO drop loops are permitted.³ Holsters for females may
position the breech face of a pistol or rear of the cylinder of a
revolver up to 1 ½” below the center of the belt.
NOTE: IWB style holsters are exempt from this criterion.
I. Must hold the firearm positioned on the body so an object of
¾”width cannot pass between the shooter’s body and the inside
of the firearm when the shooter is standing straight and
upright.² ...

¹ NOTE: Holsters for females are exempt from F. criteria, but may
not cant the handgun away from the body past 90 ° to the ground.
² NOTE: Female shooters are exempt from this test.

So, female shooters can use a holster with a drop loop (provided the breech face isn't more than 1-1/2" below the belt) and the 3/4" test doesn't apply.

My wife is still looking for a holster with a drop loop, but she's doing OK with a pancake holster worn with pants that fit lower on the hips. This sort of solves the problem of the holster canting the butt of the pistol into her ribs, but she'd prefer to wear pants with a higher waist.

I hope this helps.

chris in va · August 31, 2010, 11:34 PM

It does help, thank you. I'm still searching for the holster I saw at the last match where the holster was held away from the body so it could achieve the 90 degree vertical orientation.

Jim Watson · September 1, 2010, 12:05 AM

The Ready Tactical drop-offset holster might meet her needs:
http://www.cpwsa.com/ready_tactical.htm

The ad says not eligible for IDPA but women get a pass on those limitations.

Don P · September 1, 2010, 07:24 AM

IDPA allows differnt holster for women due to the difference in shape of the hips. There are holsters made specificly for women and cometiotion shooting. maybe pax could offer some help on this subject.
The IDPA rule book on pages 34 and 35 state that holster for female are EXEMPT form basicaly all hoster restrictions stating that the holster may not cant the handgun away from the body past the 90 degree to the ground.
here are the links to the info,
http://www.idpa.com/

and the rule book,
http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf
page 34 and 35 have the info needed

Waldog · September 1, 2010, 09:37 AM

My wife and daughter both use a BladeTech DOH holsters and compete in IDPA. They like the holsters as they have proven to be comfortable with their "hips".

chris in va · September 13, 2010, 10:48 PM

The lady got back to me about the holster she was using.

CompTac 'Diva'

Apparently they haven't started making a normal production run and it was more of a prototype. Looked really slick though.

August 31, 2010, 08:01 PM	#2
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	While the IDPA rules used to refer to an "approved equipment list", I guess administering this proved to be burdensome and the 2005 IDPA rules describe what is permitted and what isn't rather than listing holsters by make and model number. A July addendum doesn't seem to change the holster language significantly. The IDPA rulebook is available here - http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf Here's some sections that might prove useful - F. Can have no offset backpieces and/or belt slots. The holster may not offset away from the belt and/or body. No gap is permitted in the following areas: 1. From the body to the inside of the belt. 2. From the outside of the belt to the inside of the backpiece and/or backside of the holster. 3. From the outside of the backpiece to the inside of the holster. If you look through the belt slot area of the holster with it on the belt/body, you should not be able to see any daylight. If you can see through this belt tunnel area, the holster is not approved. Holster/backpiece must be constructed of “normal thickness” common holster making materials, no filler is allowed to hide an offset. In simple terms, the back of the holster must be held tightly against the outside of the belt for proper concealed carry (for questions, refer to #1 above and re-read the “Purpose” section in the front of this rulebook).¹ ...H. May not position the firearm where the breech face (autos) or rear of the cylinder (revolvers) is below the center of the belt. NO drop loops are permitted.³ Holsters for females may position the breech face of a pistol or rear of the cylinder of a revolver up to 1 ½” below the center of the belt. NOTE: IWB style holsters are exempt from this criterion. I. Must hold the firearm positioned on the body so an object of ¾”width cannot pass between the shooter’s body and the inside of the firearm when the shooter is standing straight and upright.² ... ¹ NOTE: Holsters for females are exempt from F. criteria, but may not cant the handgun away from the body past 90 ° to the ground. ² NOTE: Female shooters are exempt from this test. So, female shooters can use a holster with a drop loop (provided the breech face isn't more than 1-1/2" below the belt) and the 3/4" test doesn't apply. My wife is still looking for a holster with a drop loop, but she's doing OK with a pancake holster worn with pants that fit lower on the hips. This sort of solves the problem of the holster canting the butt of the pistol into her ribs, but she'd prefer to wear pants with a higher waist. I hope this helps. __________________ .30-06 Springfield: 100 yrs + and still going strong Last edited by dmazur; August 31, 2010 at 08:05 PM. Reason: Added link to IDPA rules

September 1, 2010, 07:24 AM	#5
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	IDPA allows differnt holster for women due to the difference in shape of the hips. There are holsters made specificly for women and cometiotion shooting. maybe pax could offer some help on this subject. The IDPA rule book on pages 34 and 35 state that holster for female are EXEMPT form basicaly all hoster restrictions stating that the holster may not cant the handgun away from the body past the 90 degree to the ground. here are the links to the info, http://www.idpa.com/ and the rule book, http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf page 34 and 35 have the info needed __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

September 1, 2010, 09:37 AM	#6
Waldog Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2007 Location: SOCAL Posts: 359	My wife and daughter both use a BladeTech DOH holsters and compete in IDPA. They like the holsters as they have proven to be comfortable with their "hips". __________________ I am the Christian Conservative that CNN warned you about!! “Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.” Winston Churchill

August 31, 2010, 05:34 PM	#1
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	IDPA holster for women? For lack of a better word, my friend has 'hips' that roll a normal holster inward, preventing her from drawing properly. I see there's a BladeTech DOH kydex, are there any others that she could use that won't cost a fortune? Only LEO's are allowed to use a thigh rig, otherwise that would be perfect. She really liked her first IDPA match and looks forward to the next.

August 31, 2010, 11:34 PM	#3
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	It does help, thank you. I'm still searching for the holster I saw at the last match where the holster was held away from the body so it could achieve the 90 degree vertical orientation.

September 1, 2010, 12:05 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	The Ready Tactical drop-offset holster might meet her needs: http://www.cpwsa.com/ready_tactical.htm The ad says not eligible for IDPA but women get a pass on those limitations.

September 13, 2010, 10:48 PM	#7
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	The lady got back to me about the holster she was using. CompTac 'Diva' Apparently they haven't started making a normal production run and it was more of a prototype. Looked really slick though.