Holster/Gear for Run and Gun?

Supermatch

Supermatch

That's my purse!
Life Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Jun 29, 2022
Messages
3,684
Location
NC
Rating - 100%
9   0   0
All of my holsters are either IWB or OWB with concealment in mind. What holsters are standard fare for run and gun events? If I give one a try, I’ll be shooting a Rival with an optic.
 
Safariland would be on the short list.

I can’t remember the levels of retention and stuff but I got the one with the hood. You can just choose not to use it and it’s still plenty secure if you’re just walking around.

I also got one that would take an optic even though I don’t use one, just in case I upgrade.

There is also a belt mount you can buy to bring the holster closer to vertical that is nice. I haven’t looked into the QD fork attachments yet.
 
Last edited:
Safariland has one for the TP9 SFX, but my understanding is that doesn’t fit the Rival.
 
I've been running Tier 1 concealed holsters for a while. You can add a SLS hood which gives you great retention for run and gun stages and you can get them with the QLS fork setup. 0 complaints with anything from Tier 1.
 
What's wrong with a regular owb kydex? The stuff I buy from JM Custom Kydex has retention sufficient to shake the gun in the holster upside down and it stays put.
 
Last edited:
Timfoilhat said:
What's wrong with a regular owb kydex? The stuff I buy from JM Custom Kydex has retention sufficient to shake the gun in the holster upside down and it stays put.
Click to expand...
Probably nothing, but may as well buy whatever will work best since I won’t every carry it outside of competition unless it’s IWB. The factory holster has bad retention unless you crank it down to where it becomes difficult to draw.
 
Safariland
Without a doubt for any running , crawling , in and out of weird positions. The pistol will not come out - ever
 
Timfoilhat said:
What's wrong with a regular owb kydex? The stuff I buy from JM Custom Kydex has retention sufficient to shake the gun in the holster upside down and it stays put.
Click to expand...

Simply put, that’s not enough. A RnG event will have you crawling through obstacles, working with your rifle sling, etc. there is a ton of opportunity for something to snatch the gun out of the holster. I have DQ’d several competitors for loaded pistols coming out of the holster.

A holster with retention strap/hood is strongly recommended.

I run DARA holsters, most run Safariland.
 
Tim said:
Simply put, that’s not enough. A RnG event will have you crawling through obstacles, working with your rifle sling, etc. there is a ton of opportunity for something to snatch the gun out of the holster. I have DQ’d several competitors for loaded pistols coming out of the holster.

A holster with retention strap/hood is strongly recommended.

I run DARA holsters, most run Safariland.
Click to expand...
Exactly holsters without an active retention-it’s not a question if it comes out , it’s only a matter of when because it will happen sooner or later with ANY holster that only has “friction” or “passive retention.
 
Tim said:
Simply put, that’s not enough. A RnG event will have you crawling through obstacles, working with your rifle sling, etc. there is a ton of opportunity for something to snatch the gun out of the holster. I have DQ’d several competitors for loaded pistols coming out of the holster.

A holster with retention strap/hood is strongly recommended.

I run DARA holsters, most run Safariland.
Click to expand...
Learn something every day, I didn't know what I didn't know for sure. Thanks for the clear explanation.
 
Highly suggest a KT Mech and pay the extra $5 for a bungee loop. Super simple, fast to manipulate, and won’t fail. Here’s a pic from the one I wore to a tactical games event that had me upside down, sideways, banging into walls and barriers and thrown all about for 2 straight days with no loss of the gun. Guys running much pricier gear had drops or the gun come partially out when hitting a wall etc. For a run and gun this is likely easy and a no-fail solution.

TTG Sawmill 2022 --0545.jpeg
 
Wilmingtonppb said:
Highly suggest a KT Mech and pay the extra $5 for a bungee loop. Super simple, fast to manipulate, and won’t fail. Here’s a pic from the one I wore to a tactical games event that had me upside down, sideways, banging into walls and barriers and thrown all about for 2 straight days with no loss of the gun. Guys running much pricier gear had drops or the gun come partially out when hitting a wall etc. For a run and gun this is likely easy and a no-fail solution.

View attachment 756871
Click to expand...
I'd be curious to see photos of the holster and how the bungee loop is attached. Seems like idea could be adapted to an existing owned kydex holster for $2.
 
As everyone else has said, safariland with ALS seems to be the standard (I hear the 6xxx series is more durable / has fewer issues than the 7xxx series but have no experience with the 7s). I recently got a Safariland since I was changing up the pistol/light but haven’t used it in a competition yet. Every RNG I’ve done has been with a Tier1 Centurion, which is their holster mentioned above with a retention hood.

Tim mentioned the rifle sling, you can get a lot of force on a pistol if you are trying to rapidly move your rifle around and the sling catches on the pistol.

One thing to think about is how the retention is disabled. Eg a bungie or something is an extra step in the draw while the ALS or the Centurion hood are thumb activated as part of the draw. I would strongly recommend you avoid anything that is released with pressure from your trigger finger. Maybe you can do it safely but that’s just extra risk of a ND when you’re tired and your brain is mush. I would also be worried about a long elastic piece being caught during a reholster and causing a ND. Again, maybe you could prevent it but just one more thing you could avoid entirely with an equipment choice.

Also, avoid a drop leg holster where the gun is flopping around as you run. I’m sure they have an application but it is just unnecessary force on the pistol / hard to see a benefit for RNG at least for me. And anything you use to attach the holster to your belt is a point of failure too. Eg if you use a quick detach system that puts the holster 4 inches away from your hip, that’s a lot of potential for it to hit doors or obstacles or whatever and if nothing else just adds leverage to any force if/when it does get hit. I tried to use QLS forks for my Centurion holster but felt it was too far from my hip so I attached it directly to the belt loops. I’m trying a GCode rti wheel with my new safariland holster, it seems to be thinner than the QLS system but I haven’t run a match with it yet.

I would encourage you to not try to go super budget on the holster. It’s a critical piece of gear that protects a potentially much more expensive pistol (and maybe preventing you from losing it in a swamp), design details have a massive impact on your draw (and potentially the safety of your draw), critical for covering the trigger guard (important all the time but especially if you are moving through woods/brush). Losing the pistol might cost you money, dropping it might get you a DQ, but an ND could be life ending/altering. As I’ve RO’d more, it be grown to appreciate that more. You don’t have to run a safariland but please don’t be the guy muzzling his pelvic girdle trying to reholster into his floppy nylon holster while his after market bungie is getting caught up in the trigger guard!
 
Last edited:
dct said:
One thing to think about is how the retention is disabled. Eg a bungie or something is an extra step in the draw while the ALS or the Centurion hood are thumb activated as part of the draw. I would strongly recommend you avoid anything that is released with pressure from your trigger finger. Maybe you can do it safely but that’s just extra risk of a ND when you’re tired and your brain is mush. I would also be worried about a long elastic piece being caught during a reholster and causing a ND. Again, maybe you could prevent it but just one more thing you could avoid entirely with an equipment choice.
Click to expand...

1,000%.

Read all of that a couple times.

The bungee cord lashed to Kydex just makes me absolutely cringe for events like these. It’s so dang easy to get that loose strap caught up in your gear and cause an ND while holstering.

If you’re ever a competitor and see your RO scrambling to reposition himself while you reholster, that’s a good clue your gear sucks.
 
Last edited:
dct said:
I’m trying a GCode rti wheel with my new safariland holster, it seems to be thinner than the QLS system but I haven’t run a match with it yet.
Click to expand...
The RTI wheel is the way. Not a fan of the QLS forks.
 
Frack N Cylons said:
Safariland would be on the short list.

I can’t remember the levels of retention and stuff but I got the one with the hood. You can just choose not to use it and it’s still plenty secure if you’re just walking around.

I also got one that would take an optic even though I don’t use one, just in case I upgrade.

There is also a belt mount you can buy to bring the holster closer to vertical that is nice. I haven’t looked into the QD fork attachments yet.
Click to expand...
I lost my hood the first time I used it lol
 
So I hope @Supermatch doesn't mind my adding to his thread, but now that it's been established the need for some type of active retention device is basically a necessity for RnG, what other kit is needed? I've noticed these holsters all have wild looking mounts, nothing like what would go on a "normal" EDC belt. So along with choosing a holster it seems like you also need a belt. That new belt won't take your normal edc mag pouches...on and on...
 
Last edited:
Here is my gear still in a pile on the floor from the last one.

Cheap condor chest rig.

Ancient Safariland inner and outer belt.

A pistol mag holder and rifle mag holder (I like to put mags here between stages so they’re ready to go). Blade tech maybe? Probably from Amazon.

Safariland holster.

Cheap dump pouch. When I reload I try to remember to put my empties here.

You could certainly just use cargo pockets or your back pockets for much of this.

IMG_0241.png
 
Timfoilhat said:
So I hope @Supermatch doesn't mind my adding to his thread, but now that it's been established the need for some type of active retention device is basically a necessity for RnG, what other kit is needed? I've noticed these holsters all have wild looking mounts, nothing like what would go on a "normal" EDC belt. So along with choosing a holster it seems like you also need a belt. That new belt won't take your normal edc mag pouches...on and on...
Click to expand...
I have the same questions, so fire away. I started thinking about that earlier today when I saw the Kore 15% off sale, since they have their adjustable 1.75" battle belt. I also follow the Tactical Games on YouTube, and its interesting to the see the differences in opinion. Some guys want everything on their chest to keep the weight off their hips, some want their carrier as smooth as possible because it makes it harder to carry stuff or hurdle walls, but then the stuff on the waist hangs up during crawls, etc.
 
Timfoilhat said:
So I hope @Supermatch doesn't mind my adding to his thread, but now that it's been established the need for some type of active retention device is basically a necessity for RnG, what other kit is needed? I've noticed these holsters all have wild looking mounts, nothing like what would go on a "normal" EDC belt. So along with choosing a holster it seems like you also need a belt. That new belt won't take your normal edc mag pouches...on and on...
Click to expand...
There’s a particular regular that comes to mind. She did her first 4-5 runs with an old school backpack for mags, water, etc and her pistol (run completely cold) in a cheap milsurp with a flap.

Just come out.
 
Last edited:
I've been looking at level II holsters online, and pondering chest rigs for rifle mags, yada yada...

Two questions come to mind:

1. How do the thumb-activated retention hoods fare when muddy? Do the mechanisms fail or lock up?

2. How do mag pouches fare for obstacles or crawling? As in, do pistol mags fall out of belt-mounted plastic mag pouches, does mud get into rifle mags in a chest rig when crawling?

Ok, 4 - 5 questions, technically.
 
So I have a pair of Truspec cargo/tactical pants. The pockets on each leg are sized to hold an AR mag and a pistol mag. I have a trainer's/rigger's belt that can carry my holster, my TQ, two pistol and two AR magazines. I'd need to be increase my tactical girth (get fatter) to carry more. I've never seen the practical use of a chest rig, they always seem to prop a guy up off the ground so he can't get low with a curb in an urban no cover situation...so I don't have one. Also, no armor. I have a sling bag and a backpack, but I'd expect both are going to be a hindrance if I'm also running a slung rifle. It's been years since I've worn any of this stuff, but I definitely remember it making for a rough day lugging around the weight of the rifle and belt all day, and all we did was move through a shoot house or up and down a firing line.
 
Windini said:
I've been looking at level II holsters online, and pondering chest rigs for rifle mags, yada yada...

Two questions come to mind:

1. How do the thumb-activated retention hoods fare when muddy? Do the mechanisms fail or lock up?

2. How do mag pouches fare for obstacles or crawling? As in, do pistol mags fall out of belt-mounted plastic mag pouches, does mud get into rifle mags in a chest rig when crawling?

Ok, 4 - 5 questions, technically.
Click to expand...

My Dara holsters have never failed when covered in mud or fully submerged. The Safarilands have a great rep and is pretty much the standard

Mags…yeah…every run ends up having a busy lost and found table. I have one of @Frack N Cylons AR mags from the last one! That’s just part of the game. Belt mounted carriers tend to lose more than chest. And most good chest rifles will have a bungee type retention for mags that work well.
 
Last edited:
Timfoilhat said:
So I have a pair of Truspec cargo/tactical pants. The pockets on each leg are sized to hold an AR mag and a pistol mag. I have a trainer's/rigger's belt that can carry my holster, my TQ, two pistol and two AR magazines. I'd need to be increase my tactical girth (get fatter) to carry more. I've never seen the practical use of a chest rig, they always seem to prop a guy up off the ground so he can't get low with a curb in an urban no cover situation...so I don't have one. Also, no armor. I have a sling bag and a backpack, but I'd expect both are going to be a hindrance if I'm also running a slung rifle. It's been years since I've worn any of this stuff, but I definitely remember it making for a rough day lugging around the weight of the rifle and belt all day, and all we did was move through a shoot house or up and down a firing line.
Click to expand...
Given my "physique" and the thought of running in the Carolina heat, I'm very tempted to just carry some pistol mags on my hip and throw any rifle mags in my USWE hydration pack.
 
Supermatch said:
Given my "physique" and the thought of running in the Carolina heat, I'm very tempted to just carry some pistol mags on my hip and throw any rifle mags in my USWE hydration pack.
Click to expand...
Something else I hadn't thought of.
 
Ok, another Q: what about scope covers? Do most carry lens caps or optic covers btw stages, or just growl and squint through the smear?
 
Windini said:
Ok, another Q: what about scope covers? Do most carry lens caps or optic covers btw stages, or just growl and squint through the smear?
Click to expand...
carry a microfiber cloth.

Scope covers/caps are typically litter by stage 2.
 
If you are not running a light, I like these alot:

safariland.com

578 - GLS™ Pro-Fit™ Holster, Paddle & Belt Loop Combo

The Model 578 GLS™ Pro-Fit brings the unique GLS™ (Grip Lock System) and SafariSeven™ together in a holster designed to fit a wide variety of guns. The Pro-Fit™ is customizable and adjusts to securely fit over 225 firearms. The 578 also features the GLS™, an innovative technology that...
safariland.com safariland.com
 
Heres my RnG kit. Safariland ALS is the way to go for me. On my belt I use 3 Kywi pistol mag holders. So, 60 on belt and 20 in gun since we can carry hot pistol in RnG. 3 ar mags on simple chest rig, again Kywis. 1 ar mag on belt, gets me well over the round count for most RnGs but is also a really handy deal for 2 gun matches since I'm not running my chest rig for those.
Usually have my camelbak for water.
Did a Sniper/DMR RnG and ran the camelbak, it has a few pouches I stuffed some extra mags in just so I'd have a fresh mag for each stage. Didn't wanna bother with stripping and reloading mags while running and definitelydidnt wanna reload during the stage if I didn't have to. So using your hydration pack as something other than a water resource is definitely a viable option too.
Keep it simple, so less thinky when comes time to do-ey. But robust because rocks, mud, sand, briars, thorns, slings and things will surely test your equipment's ruggedness and it's retention.
Oh, and a multitool isn't a bad thing to have either. Other than that, I'd leave all the other fancy gazmos and gidgets at the truck.

Screenshot_20240318-223822_Gallery.jpg
 
Are any of you running a leg strap attachment on your holsters?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom