OWB holster for 1911 and IDPA

[RTK]

Hello all, I am looking to get started doing some IDPA and some other local club matches this year and am in need of a good holster for my stainless springfield 1911. I am looking for one purely for these matches - concealed carry has no weight in my decicison. I am also looking for one that will not take any of the finish off of my stainless gun - it looks nice right now and I am very intent on keeping it that way. I have been looking at some leather pancake holsters like the de santis speed scabbard but have heard that leather will wear off some of the finish? Any suggestions would be very helpful.

Thanks
-Ryan

 

[ar10]

I am looking to get started doing some IDPA and some other local club matches

I've been in a number of IDPA matches and can't recall one that didn't require some type of concealment during the matches. IDPA matches are designed to practice with your hand gun and for the competition. You do a lot of drawing and shooting in a lot of different positions.

I am also looking for one that will not take any of the finish off of my stainless gun - it looks nice right now and I am very intent on keeping it that way.

About the only way you won't get some type of wear on your gun is not using it.

 

[Jim Watson]

The suede lined holsters are easier on the finish IF you clean them regularly so the nap of the suede does not hold grit. SafariLaminate holsters are stiff enough for a reasonably easy draw but a conventional leather holster will have more drag than plastic.

The Tucker Silent Thunder holster is Kydex lined with smooth leather, which they ADVERTISE will protect your finish. But I have not seen one in use.

Me?
I call holster wear "character" and don't worry about it.

 

[dmazur]

I use this one. It was on the IDPA approved list (when they used lists) and I believe is still considered a "pancake" style holster by IDPA -

Galco quick slide holster

It is leather and has good retention without a strap. Reholstering is easy with some practice.

Unless they've changed the rules, IDPA requires you to wear the holster behind the centerline of the body, i.e. at 4:00 or 5:00 for a right-handed shooter. (Mag carrier also behind centerline...most shooters choose opposite side.)

Also required is some kind of "cover garment". Most choose some kind of vest.

As I understand things, IDPA is about practice for concealed carry and most of the stages are designed around hypothetical self-defense situations. Whether the shooters actually carry the guns they use for competition is hard to say, but that's the intent...

 

[David E]

Stainless won't wear off. It goes all the way thru !

Still, if you're worried about marking up the finish, then box it up immediately and put it in the gunsafe.

I remember a letter to the "Gunsmith" column of Guns and Ammo magazine complaining about the "wear marks" on the sides of the Ruger Single Six hammer. (these are the result of cocking the hammer to shoot it) "I'd like to polish them out and avoid them in the future, how can I do that?" he wrote.

The response was, predictably, "If you don't want your gun to show wear marks acquired thru honest use, then don't use it."

Looks like the same thing applies here.

Honest wear acquired thru use shows character, both for the gun and the shooter.

As far as a holster, IDPA Champions, Dave Sevigny and Bob Vogel both use a KyTac Sooper Hooper.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I use a Galco G-Slide, (now called the quickslide) but there are a variety of inexpensive kydex holsters out there that will fit the bill. Your pistol rubbing on your clothes will wear it more than your holster does, so maybe an 'open ended' the the quick slide or Yaqui style holster isn't for you.

 

[Sam1911]

Kydex holsters are probably the most popular with the "go-fast" set.

I can vouch for the Desantis Speed Scabbard as being a fine holster for competition and carry as it's what I use for my 1911 when it won't be in the Summer Special II IWB. Very comfortable.

Not to belabor the points that others have made, but using a gun causes wear. Carrying/holstering a gun (even just in competition, for whatever reason) causes wear. Competition is going to greatly accelerate that wear as you're (almost by definition) going to be working in less than optimal conditions (dust, grit, water ... sometimes all at once*) and every process (like drawing/holstering and loading/unloading) will be repeated many thousands of times.

(* -- As a general rule, if there is an IDPA or USPSA match, it will be raining. Further, if it is raining, the ground will be VERY soft/muddy. Still further, if the prior two conditions are met, the match will feature multiple prone stages.)

Worrying about your gun's well-earned character marks is kind of like worrying that your soccer ball looks like it's been kicked a few times...

Good luck, RELAX, and enjoy!

-Sam

 

[bpl]

RTK,

I use this one with my 1911 and it works well. http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/product.aspx?pid=568

As an added bonus, it also fits my Browning Hipower with a minimal screw adjustment.

It has a suede interior which has been gentle on my guns thus far. It will not completely prevent wear though, as no holster can (which has already been mentioned).

 

[Nowhere Man]

A Blackhawk Non-Serpa holster. A piece of 1500 grit emry cloth will remove any scratches and keep the slide polished.


Dave

 

[ar10]

When ever I shot in IDPA matches I've always used the same holster I use to carry every day. I seldom win anything but I do get the practice carrying, drawing, and shooting. Isn't that one of the main purposes IDPA holds those matches?