|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Today's Posts | Search |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
August 30, 2017, 11:37 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 30, 2015
Location: Dallas Texas
Posts: 268
|
New to Competition advise on holsters/gear
I have been shooting pistols frequently for the past few years and am ready to get out of the static paper target environment and start challenging myself and hopefully see a lot of growth in my shooting skills. The best way I know to do this is with some competitive shooting and classes!
I plan to start by shooting USPSA possibly IDPA and some local steel matches. I will likely shoot primarily USPSA until I get the gear and confidence for 3 Gun. I know there is better competition specific gear than what I am mentioning but I am really looking at gear that will work for practical/tactical shooting as well as competition. I just purchased a glock 17FS, I have been shooting glocks primarily for a few years and have decided to stick with the glock platform almost exclusively. I edc appendix carry a glock 19 that has had slidework done to it, I have a glock 22 converted to 9mm with a lone wolf threaded barrel as well as a 26 that is often carried. I will likely sell the 22 since it is now being replaced by the 17FS. I got an incredible deal on the 17 which is why I decided to buy it, I also wanted a 17 over a 34 because I can carry the 17 with no issues. Ive had 2 34s in the past but havent seen in practical difference for be between the 19, 17, and 34. all shoot well for me. So heres where my questions come in. To shoot production what all can I do to my 17 to make it more competition ready? I am looking at buying a trex arms ragnarok holster which will mount to my safariland UBL with a leg strap. I'm looking at the light compatable model with a streamlight tlr 1. Is the leg strap, and light allowed on the 17 when shooting production? Whats the minimum number of mag pouches will I need for my first competition I have a double mag holder (the new convertable ones from aliengear) I would like to get away with those for the first match or 2 so I can figure out whatall would work best and then purchase more specific gear. Or should I pick up a bladetech revolution combo that comes with a glock 17 holster(no light - with belt slide) and double mag pouch for $50 and throw on an alien gear mag pouch or 2 along side it. Will a standard leather gun belt be okay for my first few matches or should I go ahead and purchase an inner and outer belt more specific for competition? Sorry for the long post, thanks for any and all advise!
__________________
Frequently asked Questions: Q:First gun purchase, what should I buy? A: Get training and go rent all of them and buy what fits your hands. Q:What upgrades should I get for my gun? A: None, just buy ammo and training. Q:Are you using sarcasm? A: Is the Pope Catholic? |
August 30, 2017, 11:39 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 30, 2015
Location: Dallas Texas
Posts: 268
|
Also if anyone is based in Dallas and would like to show a rookie the ropes I would love to meet up with you just shoot me a PM!
__________________
Frequently asked Questions: Q:First gun purchase, what should I buy? A: Get training and go rent all of them and buy what fits your hands. Q:What upgrades should I get for my gun? A: None, just buy ammo and training. Q:Are you using sarcasm? A: Is the Pope Catholic? |
August 30, 2017, 06:34 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 25, 2001
Location: Alabama
Posts: 18,546
|
Read the rules, especially the appendix for Production.
There are limits on holsters and an attached light would probably not be allowed, no matter how kewl. |
August 31, 2017, 06:48 AM | #4 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 17, 2005
Location: Swamp dweller
Posts: 6,187
|
As Jim stated read the rules before buying equipment at USPSA.org.
Quote:
Handgun Rules, February 2014 Edition APPENDIX D4 — Production Division 1 Minimum power factor for Major Not applicable 2 Minimum power factor for Minor 125 3 Minimum bullet weight No 4 Minimum bullet caliber / cartridge case length .38 cal. / 9x19 mm (0.354” x 0.748”) 5 Minimum bullet caliber for Major Not applicable 6 Minimum trigger pull No 7 Maximum size Handgun and all magazines (revolvers are exempt) Yes, handgun with empty magazine inserted must fit wholly within a box with internal dimensions of 8 15/16” x 6” x 1 5/8” (tolerance +1/16”, -0”) (8.938”x6”x1.625”) (227.01mmx152.40mmx41.28mm) 8 Maximum magazine length See # 7 9 Maximum ammunition capacity Yes, maximum 10 rounds loaded in any magazine after the start signal 10 Max. distance of handgun and mags/speed loaders from inner side of belt Handgun and Mags - 2” 11 Rule 5.2.3.1 applies Yes 12 Restriction on position of holster and other equipment (revolver speed loaders, moon clips are exempt) Yes, see Appendix E3 13 Optical/electronic sights permitted No, notch and post only 14 Installed flashlights permitted No 15 Compensators permitted No 16 Barrel ports permitted No 17 Slide ports permitted Yes, on factory-original approved models 18 Maximum weight Yes, 2 ounces with empty magazine inserted over weight listed on approved pistol list 19 Handgun specific approval for Division Yes - see Special Conditions 20 Holster and magazine holder restrictions •Suitable for everyday use. “Race gun” type holster prohibited. •May not be manufactured or cut lower than, and must cover the slide up to, 1/2” below the ejection port (belt slide “Yaqui” type holster exempt). •Revolver holsters open no lower than halfway down the cylinder. •The drop offset type holster is allowed in production Division as long as the heel of the butt of the gun is above the belt per 5.2.7.2 and the rest of the criteria are met. •Each magazine must be contained individually within the magazine pouch. Magazines may not be retained through magnetic means. I have place answers to your question in bold text
__________________
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. |
|
August 31, 2017, 07:18 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 30, 2015
Location: Dallas Texas
Posts: 268
|
Thanks that is very helpful!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
August 31, 2017, 09:40 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 25, 2001
Location: Alabama
Posts: 18,546
|
Blade Tech Revolution holsters are injection molded and therefore cheaper than formed Kydex like Comp Tac or Ready Tac. Still serviceable, though.
|
September 2, 2017, 09:55 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 23, 2007
Location: Red Rock. TX
Posts: 820
|
USPSA Production limits you to 10 rounds in a magazine. The magazines can hold more, you cannot load more than 10. Round count max on a stage is 32, so you need 4 minimum. But always have a spare, so 5. Not unusual to have 6.
I suggest you shoot a match and not wait for your gear to be perfect. If that means loading the G17 mags full and shooting Limited instead of Production, then go for it. Have fun! |
September 12, 2017, 05:55 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 15, 2004
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Posts: 715
|
Many shooters get all hung up on what kind of modifications they should make to their gun before beginning competition.
The answer is "none", especially if you are trying to build skills relevant to your duty/off duty/CCW gun. Get a quality gun, a decent holster, a good belt, two double magazine pouches and six magazines and a nice bag to hold all your stuff in, and go to a few matches and shoot. Be safe, worry about accuracy over speed, and get an idea how the events are conducted. Rather than spend a bunch of money on custom accessories, buy some practice ammunition and maybe attend a relevant class or two. That will be more useful in the long run.
__________________
You can only learn from experience if you pay attention! |
October 1, 2017, 09:48 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 14, 2000
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,089
|
OP, the first best thing you can do is find the nearest match, even if it's a local action, and jump in. For USPSA, Production Division is your best bet because it's scored all minor. Wilderness Tactical belt, BladeTech holster, at least 5 single mag pouches (only 2 allowed for IDPA) and electric ears, you are good to go. Check with the match director first as some clubs require a safety class before you are allowed to shoot.
Now is you really are fixed on a drop leg holster or appendix*** (and wonder why everyone is looking at you funny) it can be worn in USPSA Open, Limited or Limited 10 Divisions, as holster position is not restricted. Drop legs are not faster to draw from.... and those divisions are all scored Major, and you would be shooting a Minor power floor, which means you only get half the available points for Bs,Cs and Ds as Major. Competition shooting is 99% shooter ability and 1% gun and gear. So the 1% that counts on your gun is better sights, like Dawson Precision, Taran Tactical or Heinies, and decide if you want to roll with black on black, or a fiber optic front. Then put in a 3.5 OEM connector, and a $19 magwell. That's it for the gun. Then take competition shooting lessons from a USPSA Grand Master and get the fundamentals down: stance, grip, sight picture and trigger control, moving on to transitions and movement. And after all that, prepare to be humbled..... *** not allowed in IDPA. https://www.amazon.com/Assistant-37-...=glock+magwell
__________________
Sometimes my Glock forgets where to look..... Last edited by 9x45; October 1, 2017 at 09:58 AM. |
October 1, 2017, 11:33 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 22, 2007
Posts: 348
|
I am not sure where you are getting that a drop leg would be for the race holster divisions, as there is nothing in the rules explicitly prohibiting drop leg holsters in production.
The only difference between the race holster divisions and production is that you are required have all equipment behind the hip bone. The rule that would most affect a drop leg holster, the vertical position, is the same between production and the race gun divisions. 5.2.7.2 applies to all divisions except single stack (which requires the front strap of the gun above the belt). |
October 1, 2017, 01:39 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 14, 2000
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,089
|
It's not race divisions, it's Open, Limited and Limited 10 per Appendix D1, D2, and D3, 12 Restriction on position of holster and other equipment No
Production and Single Stack per Appendix D4 and D5 12 Restriction on position of holster and other equipment (revolver speed loaders, moon clips are exempt) Yes, see Appendix E3. Both E2 and E3 restrict holster and gear. Notice for Open, Limited and Limited 10 Divisions that E3 is not referenced therefore it does not apply.
__________________
Sometimes my Glock forgets where to look..... |
October 1, 2017, 02:00 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 22, 2007
Posts: 348
|
All three divisions you cite allow race holsters thus I was calling them collectively the race holsters divisions. It is just easier to type than Open, Limited, and Limited 10.
But as I mentioned there is no rule against drop leg holsters. The only limitation that could affect drop leg holsters is 5.2.7.2 which requires the butt of the gun to be above your belt. It is highly unlikely that a drop leg holster would be affected by Appendix E3 (the requirement to help your holster and mag pouches behind your hip bone), due to how the holsters would naturally be positioned on your leg. |
October 2, 2017, 06:30 AM | #13 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: December 17, 2005
Location: Swamp dweller
Posts: 6,187
|
Quote:
Major Scoring A-5, B-4, C-4, D-2 Minor Scoring A-5, B-3, C-3, D-1 Quote:
__________________
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. |
||
|
|