I use a BladeTech OWB for IDPA for my G17 and G19. Works great! Also works very well for concealed
carry, only holster(s) I use anymore. Have an old Blawkhawk Serpa that is collecting dust somewhere in the garage.
There are other really good Kydex holsters available though. Back to youre question, I would and do compete with
the same stock Glocks/holsters that I carry. Something to ponder when picking out a holster.

 

I really like my Comp-Tac paddle owb holster for IDPA, works great for my 17.

 

I use this one for my 19. For the 34 (range and IDPA only) I use one made by Daranich Tactical.

 

You're going to get ton of responses but if I may add my experience.....

I tried several different holsters and after reading a thread on brianenos, many people recommended mastertac holsters.

and it's the best holster I've ever used , esp for IDPA, USPSA.

Look up his Facebook page and email him.

 

Thanks for that heads up to Master-tac, I googled him, his Facebook page came up and the header image is of two holsters for guns I want holsters for, my Glock and my S&W revolver.

Plus he makes affordable moon clip carriers!

http://www.master-tac.com/

 

Thanks for that heads up to Master-tac, I googled him, his Facebook page came up and the header image is of two holsters for guns I want holsters for, my Glock and my S&W revolver.

Plus he makes affordable moon clip carriers!

http://www.master-tac.com/

Bill makes good stuff. He also makes carry gear. I use a pancake holster he made for my 23.

 

The serpa, the trigger finger operated release is banned at some clubs. Not in the idpa rule book but club / range rules. Done poorly people have shot thmeselves in the leg. I don't agree with it but what some clubs have decided. Just to keep in mind when deciding.

I like comptac the best but bladetech or any kydex works fine.

 

The BladeTech is used by over 65% of USPSA shooters in Production Division.

 

Blade tech OWB has worked perfectly for me for both IDPA and USPSA.

 

I shoot IDPA and probably 75% or more of the holsters I see at matches are Blade Tech .

 

The Blade Tech. If you use the Blackhawk (finger button) for carry and you are using IDPA to practice, that's fine, but holsters with retention are less competitive.

 

I have an Askens Avenger style leather holster by Hicks Gun Leather. It is my carry holster and match holster for my 35/G4. I am not a Gamer, and compete with my everyday carry holsters.
I am an old guy and like leather holsters.
The Blade Tech or any of several other kydex holsters should serve you well also.

Bob

 

I checked all the stuff you guys mentioned and it was very helpful and interesting. I finally chose that Bladetech "Eclipse" inband/outband, left/right, straight pull holster. It was on sale and along with it I got the matching two mag pouch. I'm almost ready! Thanks for the help.

I think as far as ammo, I'll just use the same aluminum case Champion Wal Mart special ammo that I always use. And as for a "concealment garment" I'll just use a button-up short-sleeved shirt untucked like I wear anyway.

Gonna change up my practice routine some too.
This is awesome- almost like getting ready to go e.t. racing, or bass fishing!

It's a great life!

 

Bradley it looks like you are off to a good start. If you conceal carry, using your IDPA Match as practice is a good plan. I use Fishing Shirts for cover garments a lot in the Summer. I also wear Duluth Trading Working Mans Vest's a lot. I carry my Project Calculator in one pocket. Carpenter Pencil and Pens in outside pencil pockets. I call my Vest my Office. In the Summer I switch from my 27G4 to one of my 38/357 Revolvers and start packing shot shells for Copperheads and Cottonmouth snakes. I carry a speed strip in each front vest pocket for weight so the vest sweeps well. In the winter I go to Jack Shirts. I also carry under un-tucked shirts a lot.
For match ammo I reload. At the moment 155 grain Berry Plated Bullets.
I like to have a minimum of 7 magazines total. I have 7 for my 35G4. Not sure how many 1911 magazines I own, more than 7. I need to pick up more for my 27G4.

We do not shoot IDPA at our Club. We shoot Defensive Pistol.
The match coming up Saturday we will have the Texas Star, a Dueling Tree, and the Plate Rack set up in A Bay. In B Bay we have the Modular Wall System arranged using 3 Doors, 1 Door Opening (No Door), and 1 Window. We will use 6 Steel Silhouettes Targets that will be engages with 24 rounds total from multiple locations. The last Stage OR Two will be a close range drill using NRA D1 Silhouettes. This could be opening a door and engaging a bad guy. Walking away and Turn & Fire, Store Counter with the handgun under the counter. We might shoot out a car door. We might even use multiple targets (6) set about 1 foot apart getting 2 feet closer each target, simulating a Bad Guy running at you. Lots of options I will think over between now and Friday when I set up the range.
The Sunday after Defensive Pistol we will add a Qualifier Stage or two and shoot ICORE Revolver on the same course of fire plus a Stage or Two.

Get an Up Lula Magazine Loader. Waaaaa better than the one that comes with your Glock. It is worth the money.

Do not worry a lot about Winning, instead work on getting better each match. I do not spend much time on practicing drawing and getting my sight picture, OR Reloading anymore, BUT I Should. Find a place you can practice sweeping your cover garment, Getting your Grip, Drawing and Presentation, and Sight Picture. Then practice your Reloads. A Dummy Round would be very handy for this. Keep all loaded ammunition away from your practice area.

AND Read the Rule Book a few times. IDPA is pretty anal about some things.

Bob

 

I know the stuff is popular, but I sent the Bladetech just-too-pricey-for-plastic stuff back and am going for an Askins Avenger (gonna try it anyway). That's good advice, Bob. Thanks!

 

Brad, you should have stuck with the BladeTech instead of going to a leather holster. You will find out why after your first match. They are slow to draw from, and even more difficult to holster and have too much cant for competition. Actually the BladeTech Revolution is a low cost straight drop holster that works very well. I have an old school solid laminate one from 18 years ago, not longer made, but close to their Black Ice. You can only have 2 magazines on your belt for IDPA, and one in the gun. So while you might want to get more mags, you can only have 2 on you. Single mag pouches are better than doubles because they conform. Lastly check with the match director of the host club, they may require an all day orientation before you are allowed to compete. Some clubs do, some don't. Also some ranges do not allow steel or aluminum cased ammo. Do not read the rule book first. You will be confused beyond belief. The match director will know you are new to the game and place you with experienced shooters. You do not have to be a member of IDPA, or classified, to compete. The gun you use will determine what division you are in. Don't shoot 40S&W or .45acp in SSP or ESP because those divisions are minor power floor.

Also you will need a good gun belt, like a Wilderness Tactical Instructor belt, not a WallyWorld dress belt, and if you can spend an extra $60 , get Peltor Tac 6 electric ears. And dump the OEM plastic sights, look at Taran Tacticals, Dawson Precision or Heinies. You will see plenty of those at the match.

 

Brad, you should have stuck with the BladeTech instead of going to a leather holster. You will find out why after your first match. They are slow to draw from, and even more difficult to holster and have too much cant for competition.

Seriously? Like there's only one kind of leather holster out there? Leather comes in a lot more variety than kydex and it's only slower if you buy the wrong one. Most people try and buy a cheap-o leather holster and have no idea what's really available.

However, the gear survey at the IDPA Nationals says that a large majority of the holsters used are either Comp Tac or Blade Tech.

Page 31 of the Tactical Journal:
http://www.idpa.com/content/tactical-journal/14V18I4.pdf

 

I recommend JM Kydex.

http://www.jmcustomkydex.com

 

Yup, there is pretty much only one kind of holster out there, and it's Kydex. I remember when the first BladeTechs came out, and we were all like, whoa! The first significant development in holsters since the cow, having started with Col Cooper in 1967 running a MIlt Sparks Summer Special II IWB, Colt Gold Cup, and 2 7 round mags in a opposite facing pouch. Plastic holsters for plastic guns, they are faster.

Kydex is cheap and works great for competition, hence the popularity. That doesn't make what you said about leather holster being slow, true. I can't even figure out the part about how leather holsters have the wrong cant - they have whatever cant you want.