Inexpensive but relatively decent holster?

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Moylan

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I'm hoping to shoot a few more matches this year. My only holster is my iwb concealment holster, which works just fine at matches, but obviously slows me down a little bit. What would be a good beginners try-the-sport-out holster? I'm looking at a cheap Fobus holster on Midway for $25. (Also, is there any difference worth mentioning between the paddle version and the belt loop version?) I know some will say to just go ahead and buy the comp tac, and I get that, but I'm wondering if there's a usable entry level holster anyway. Thanks!

I also know many will say to shoot matches with street gear, and I also get that. I think it's good advice, I'm just looking to try something different here. Part of why I don't want to buy a good competition holster is that I expect I'll go back to street gear pretty quickly. Anyway, time will tell.
 
Moylan said:
I'm hoping to shoot a few more matches this year. My only holster is my iwb concealment holster, which works just fine at matches, but obviously slows me down a little bit. What would be a good beginners try-the-sport-out holster? I'm looking at a cheap Fobus holster on Midway for $25. (Also, is there any difference worth mentioning between the paddle version and the belt loop version?) I know some will say to just go ahead and buy the comp tac, and I get that, but I'm wondering if there's a usable entry level holster anyway. Thanks!

I also know many will say to shoot matches with street gear, and I also get that. I think it's good advice, I'm just looking to try something different here. Part of why I don't want to buy a good competition holster is that I expect I'll go back to street gear pretty quickly. Anyway, time will tell.
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What kind of match are you going to be shooting? A good kydex belt holster would work for most.


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Duh...sorry.....IDPA-type stuff. Foothills in Wilkesboro is about 1 1/4 hours from me. There's also a ZSA match in Burlington I think I'll try to get to. Sounds like it's similar to IDPA in equipment terms.
 
Moylan said:
Duh...sorry.....IDPA-type stuff. Foothills in Wilkesboro is about 1 1/4 hours from me. There's also a ZSA match in Burlington I think I'll try to get to. Sounds like it's similar to IDPA in equipment terms.
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Bladetech. Cheap/work great for idpa I found a holster/mag carrier combo for like 40-50 bucks when i first started. I still use them 3 years later. They work amazing.

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I don't know anything much about Fobus holsters but as long as they are rigid enough to not collapse on themselves and have some adjustability for retention they should work. That said, for not much more money you can get a very nice kydex holster. The comp tac international comes with belt loop, paddle, direct attach, and drop off set attachments so you can configure it many different ways to find out what you like best, and they are only about $68.

If you really want to go with a cheaper version at least go to a retailer that has one in stock so you can see how well it fits you and your gun.
 
Beef15 said:
Blade tec, or a basic safariland without the locking doohickies.
Blade tec fits all the good hangers if you decide to branch to USPSA or 3 gun later.
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If the ZSA match youre talking about is at central carolina gun club I believe they have been postponed indefinitely. Just wanted to give you the heads up on that, I was looking forward to trying one out also.
 
Thanks all. No chance I'd take a bad holster to a class, or use one as my edc holster. But to play a game...yeah, maybe. :)
 
Great posts above. But I’ll toss out a little secret:

(For those who have made this place a home and have contributed know this)

If you were to post a “wanted” ad for a holster for your firearm, with a description of why then probably in short order you will be sent one at an extremely reduced cost, or free.

The membership of this forum has nearly as many spare holsters as the Clintons have kills.


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B00ger said:
Great posts above. But I’ll toss out a little secret:

(For those who have made this place a home and have contributed know this)

If you were to post a “wanted” ad for a holster for your firearm, with a description of why then probably in short order you will be sent one at an extremely reduced cost, or free.

The membership of this forum has nearly as many spare holsters as the Clintons have kills.


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^^^ so true I know ive got 2 or 10 laying around.
 
I picked up some of the Serpa holsters out of the discount bin for $10 at various places, broke the retention button out of them and have been running them in matches and training for at least 3 years now with zero problems. Because they're designed as a retention holster they're fairly solidly built and the paddle style easily clips on/off my (admediatly high quality and expensive) belt easily yet doesn't move around.

The M&P model holster fits both the M&P and Glock well enough; I've actually been running my G34 in the M&P holster for over a year now at a few dozen matches. The Glock version holster is on my dryfire belt setup all the time so it gets more actual use than the M&P version but has held up to zillions of draw/holster cycles.

I used to have a piece of gaffers tape over the broken button hole, but after having to show a few ROs that the button was gone (by removing the tape) I just stuck it on the side of the holster at one match and it's been there ever since. Kinda forgot about that until just taking the picture now.

All that said, the Blade Tech stuff seems like a nice step up from my gear, when this stuff wears out it's what I'll go to next.

IMG_6359.JPG
 
Moylan said:
Thanks all. No chance I'd take a bad holster to a class, or use one as my edc holster. But to play a game...yeah, maybe. :)
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that's a great attitude to end up shooting yourself or, more likely, the innocent RO running your stage.
 
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I'm not a gamesman, but I like my Safariland duty paddle for OWB quick draw type stuff. It's the one I wore to Battery Oaks in October. It works well with almost every belt I have, and it really works well with a Fatboy XL. Good retention and convenient for removal with a little effort. I'm sure the bladetech is similar.
 
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Love2shoot said:
If the ZSA match youre talking about is at central carolina gun club I believe they have been postponed indefinitely. Just wanted to give you the heads up on that, I was looking forward to trying one out also.
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That is correct, unfortunately our MD at that location can no longer run ZSA matches there, we run 8 matches per month here on the Coast of NC, 7 miles from main gate at Camp Lejeune, join us every weekend, many thanks, and as always be SAFE and have FUN!!
 
For some fun matches like 2 gun I will wear my 19 in an OWB kydex holster similar to below. Cost less than 30$.

But a holster with a little offset works way better. Re-holstering just as important and just a lot easier with something like the bladetech.

I'd also point out that nice quality holsters retain value. I literally could not GIVE a Fobus away. Been in a box for 4 years. Taking up space and being worthless.

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Tim said:
that's a great attitude to end up shooting yourself or, more likely, the innocent RO running your stage.
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I know you don't know me, so of course I don't take this personally. But if you're thinking I would run equipment with live ammo, in public, without having thoroughly vetted the equipment for safety and functionality, you are very wrong indeed. :)
 
Slappy McTrigger said:
@RedBaroness runs a two gun match (rifle & pistol) at that same range that is a freakin blast and is very beginner friendly. 2nd Saturday of every month, IIRC.

ETA: another vote for the bladetech.
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Slappy is right! We have a 2 Gun Match the 2nd Saturday of every month and try to keep it beginner friendly. Lots of fun, great attendance, and terrific shooters passing along help. Thanks for the endorsement too!
 
B00ger said:
Great posts above. But I’ll toss out a little secret:

(For those who have made this place a home and have contributed know this)

If you were to post a “wanted” ad for a holster for your firearm, with a description of why then probably in short order you will be sent one at an extremely reduced cost, or free.

The membership of this forum has nearly as many spare holsters as the Clintons have kills.


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And I have a grunch of left-handed ones!
 
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