Speed/Competition Holster Questions

[Roy7]

Alright, so I'm very new to the whole competition shooting scene and I'm looking for some guidance from the guys on here that have experience using Speed/Competition holsters. I've been doing a lot of research around for a decent beginner rig set up and I came across the "Ghost The One" set up and it look pretty good and from the reviews that I've read it sounds like a good start. I'm hoping ya'll can give me some advice on this matter and help me get started in competition shooting. Here's the link to the set up.
https://www.ghostholsterdirect.com/shop/ghost-holster-the-one-rig-set/

Also, If this is in the wrong thread please feel free to move it to the correct one!


Thanks guys.

[ray1970]

I suppose it depends on which sport you are getting into.

[Roy7]

I'm looking at getting into either USPSA or IDPA.

[MarkCO]

They have different holster rules. USPSA has different rules per division as well. I tell me shooters not to waste money on a race holster. A good kydex holster works well and costs less. Probably won't affect your score either.

[Irving]

You can't use that holster for IDPA. Are you shooting at a level where a holster like that will help you? Personally, I wouldn't spend the money on a rig like that if you haven't even decided which sport you want to do yet. Take my advice (and everyone else's) with a grain of salt as I'd likely never spend money like that on a holster at all. You can shoot both of those sports with very little gear at all, just to get a feel for which you prefer. Having a race holster will never give you an advantage unless your shooting skills are up to par first.

[Roy7]

If it helps, I've been leaning towards going to USPSA, after reading through both events I feel like it would be better for me.

I think I'll have to just look into a nice Kydek holster then. I wouldn't say my competitive shooting skills are the best or even close. I just know it's something I definitely want to get into after doing it several times with some buddies of mine that have done it previously.

[ray1970]

The Blade-Tech holsters I like to use come with a removable piece for an offset drop. I use them without that piece for IDPA and would probably use it just the same for USPSA but I believe the piece for the offset and drop could be used there if I wanted.

My holster was less than $60, my mag holders were about $25, and my belt was maybe $30. Definitely not the most bad ass equipment by any means but it serves me well and I doubt $250 worth of gear would cut one more second off my times.

[Irving]

That holster, and every holster, just holds your gun between runs. Once you draw your gun, everything else is up to you and it doesn't matter how much money your holster cost because it can't help you from your belt. If you're shooting skill is exactly the same as the guy you're trying to beat, but you can get your gun on target a quarter of a second faster, then you win. I think you really have to be at the top of your game before $250 for a quarter of a second improvement becomes worth it. I know I'm not there.

I competed (IDPA) out of an IWB concealment holster for years and just this year started using a $25 BladeTech. I'd use the BladeTech for USPSA over the concealment holster for the faster draw, but honestly my shooting skills once out of the holster are the biggest thing holding me back from being competitive in USPSA. I also did reloads out of my front pocket for the first few matches before ever getting a mag carrier as well. My advise is a decent kydex holster and decent kydex mag carrier to start you out. Those will last you for as long as you need until you feel like your gear is what is holding you back. When it comes to gear that you'll actually utilize while shooting, you're going to want to look toward sights and triggers. Everything else is just a fancy holder with incremental increases in your ability to remove the gun/mag from said container.

[KS63]

Blade Tech Black Ice

[MarkCO]

To underscore the recommendations for Kydex, you will find a lot of top level shooters using them even if they can use a true race holster. Better protection and retention and a draw time that is virtually the same.

[thermobollocks]

The biggest thing the bikini holsters get you are:
Clearance for an optic
Ability to use your 5 different shapes of STI off the same belt
Ability to interchange with N-frames and STIs if you're me
Hot purple. Definitely hot purple.

Even for classifier stages where your draw time matters, Kydex will likely not hold you back.

[Irving]

Have you decided what you're going to go with for now OP?