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I am new to IDPA, and shot my first match yesterday. I chose IDPA because I thought it was designed to allow competition with the equipment you actually carry as opposed to IPSC where it has become an equipment race.

Can someone point me to the place in the rule book that requires a holster be snapped? I have read and re-read the rule book and I can't find it. If there is a retention lock in addition to the snap, does it have to be engaged?

I was told to snap my holster, but no mention of the retention lock. Was that because the SO didn't notice it? I don't mind unsnapping while drawing, because it is one fluid motion, but the retention lock requires a separate motion. Also, snapping the holster is awkward in Condition One, which leads to a lot of fumbling around while making ready.

I like my holster, but it became readily apparent that it was not suitable for competition. I can get another one just like it and cut off the snaps, which will solve the problems. But now we are talking about getting competition specific equipment which to my mind violates the spirit of IDPA.

freeidaho wrote:

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Sir Henley,
Another way to look at this is that maybe you learned of a deficiency in your carry gear. If you are unwilling to take the time to deal with the holster during competition when nothing is really on the line, are you really going to want to take the extra time in a life saving situation?

Ken, thanks for the response, but I don't believe there is a deficiency in my carry gear.

To begin with, the holster has adequate retention by itself.

The thumb break is rigid and prominent, and does not slow me down in drawing my gun.

It is, however, awkward to snap in Condition One. Under carry conditions, it is snapped at home at my leisure. In a match, it has to be snapped in front of a crowd as I'm making ready for a stage. Fumbling around with the snap while making ready is somewhat embarrassing.

The biggest problem in competition is the retention lock, which locks the thumb break snap.

To disengage the retention lock, I have to reach over the thumb break and pull it up and back. This is a separate motion from drawing the gun.

The purpose of the retention lock is to make it virtually impossible for an attacker to disarm me by taking my gun out of the holster from behind, and it is only appropriate for open carry. It is awkward to disengage by design. In 99.9% of carry situations it is not necessary. But for those 0.1% it's nice to know I have the option of using it if I want to.

For my own carry purposes, I make the rules, and I decide whether or not to use the retention lock depending on the situation. Obviously in a situation where it appears that I may have to draw my gun, I will disengage the retention lock while evaluating the situation. I guess it is the same rationale behind carrying in the first place: It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it
Jim Henley

Thanks, I'll take that under advisement...

Jim Henley