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"I bought a gun, what holster should I get?"
JTH:
"I bought a gun, what holster should I get?"
I hear that question quite often from people have taken an Intro class, practiced with a .22, and finally gotten themselves a centerfire pistol. (Or maybe they HAVEN'T taken a class, but bought themselves a centerfire "first gun" because a friend already "taught them how to shoot.")
...and so they do a search on "best holster" and get inundated with tons of responses, links, and suggestions for holsters for all types of reasons when what they REALLY need is a simple reliable range holster so that they can go practice good handgun technique to reach competency before getting something more specialized for a specific function.
(Or worse yet, they don't ask or do a search but instead just run to the local gun store and pick up either a nylon "tactical" holster or a SERPA. Please don't do either one of those.)
So, I wrote an article about what equipment I would suggest for people who have bought their first centerfire gun, with an emphasis on equipment that was reliable, durable, and economical.
https://precisionresponse.wordpress.com/2015/06/29/basic-range-equipment/
Thoughts? For basic range practice to get someone competent at fundamental handgun techniques, anyone have any other comparably-priced equipment suggestions?
Mudinyeri:
Some competitions require active retention. Dismissing active retention and/or "SERPA" holsters out of hand only addresses a limited scope of need.
tstuart34:
I would say the blade tech basic kits would be a good starter system or just blade tech gear in general. There IDPA kit isn't bad money. You get a couple of belt loops, holster, mag carrier, and I think a practice barrel for around $75th.
I think serpa holsters have there place but maybe not for someone just starting out. Having to press a button near the trigger could lead to a ND.
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JTH:
--- Quote from: Mudinyeri on June 30, 2015, 03:04:10 PM ---Some competitions require active retention. Dismissing active retention and/or "SERPA" holsters out of hand only addresses a limited scope of need.
--- End quote ---
So, the entire set of comments and criterion about "basic range holster for practice for first centerfire gun" was missed?
Active retention holsters (like, for example, the Safariland ALS series) are great for their intended purpose. As that intended purpose has nothing to do with the topic of the article, nor does it match the criterion or purpose listed, I'm thinking---your comment isn't really relevant. (Or are you assuming that people who have just bought their first centerfire pistol are immediately going to start competitions in which they need a retention holster, and thus should immediately buy all the gear needed for such things? Really?)
And dismissing a SERPA isn't dismissing retention holsters. It is saying that a specific retention holster isn't a good choice, if you are buying retention holsters.
Did you even read the topic of the article?
JTH:
--- Quote from: tstuart34 on June 30, 2015, 05:32:28 PM ---I would say the blade tech basic kits would be a good starter system or just blade tech gear in general. There IDPA kit isn't bad money. You get a couple of belt loops, holster, mag carrier, and I think a practice barrel for around $75th.
I think serpa holsters have there place but maybe not for someone just starting out. Having to press a button near the trigger could lead to a ND.
--- End quote ---
I like the Blade-Tech stuff just fine. Actually, since you brought it up, I see that their Revolution series holster is just about the same price as the two I suggested in my post, which means I should add it also. (I'm used to the various Blade-Tech holsters being more like $60, not $30, but I don't normally buy the Revolution series.)
So thanks for reminding me of that---I'll update my article. Thanks!
The problem with their IDPA pack is that it is normally around $90 (if you have a common gun, and aren't left-handed) , and while all the gear is solid, good stuff, many people simply won't spend that--or don't need to, since they'll be switching for either better competition gear, or completely different carry gear. The holster/mag pouch combo I suggest in my post is about half the price of the Blade-Tech IDPA pack--which you can only get if you have a common gun as they don't sell the pack with all holster types. (And these days the pack is just a holster and a double-mag pouch.)
http://shop.blade-tech.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_130&products_id=6846
With respect to SERPA holsters---a Safariland ALS holster is about the same price (only slightly more), made of much more durable materials, with a significantly more reliable locking mechanism that doesn't get jammed, where the unlock function is not only completely intuitive, but doesn't make you push inward with your trigger finger while drawing the gun, and the locking mechanism also isn't in view and available to someone who might try to take your gun.
You can get a Safariland ALS for $40. In my opinion, there is really NO contest between the two. (And I'll note that I have both, and have practiced with both.)
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