A Guide to IDPA and Holster Use
IDPA, or the International Defensive Pistol Association, is a competitive shooting organization. IDPA offers a more realistic shooting environment where shooters can face what they may encounter in a real-world scenario. This is not simply a shooting sport but shooting with focus on concealed carry, self-protection and law enforcement. IDPA matches are held in all 50 states and eight foreign countries at more than 700 IDPA-affiliated clubs. Competitors are classified into divisions based on their firearm and associated gear. IDPA has directors and representatives who are tasked with keeping the game consistent as there are regional, national and international IDPA matches held.
Holster rules are a vital component of IDPA competitions as they address how shooters draw their firearms. IDPA rules are designed to help competitors get their gear set up to draw their gun from concealed carry positions. The holster rules can be very strict , but those rules are defined in the IDPA rule book. Your holster should ideally be nothing like one you may have seen in a movie or on the television. You won’t see competitors using level two or three retention holsters in the IDPA. It is a requirement that competitors use a holster that covers the entire trigger guard of their gun. It should be noted that guns need to be functional and of a universal type. A pistol with external hammers, exposed triggers, or ported barrels are prohibited.
IDPA holster rules are kept in place in order to help level the playing field while providing safety and uniformity. A key part of the rules is that competitors must draw their loaded and ready to go handgun from concealment, which is why it is necessary to have a concealable holster. Holsters could either be inside the waistband (IWB) or outside waistband (OWB).
IDPA Acceptable Holster Types
A holster that meets IDPA’s requirements for Retention, Covered Trigger and Gun Fit is not automatically an approved holster. There are several approved styles of holster that the competitors use. Some of the more popular styles include inside-the-pants, outside-the-waistband, and paddle holsters. Let’s take a look at each of these styles in further detail.
Inside-the-Pant (IWB) Holsters
Inside-the-pants or IWB holsters bring the firearm closer to the body and serve the dual purpose of concealment and retention. Re-holstering with an IWB holster can be a chore depending upon shirt-length or type of belt you are wearing. Traditional leather IWB holsters can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.
External Trigger Guard Holster – Trigger guard holsters are designed so that the trigger guard fits over the trigger and holds the weapon in place during movement. While some people find that a very secure way to carry a pistol, the IDPA rules require that the entire trigger guard be covered with an adequate covering garment while your weapon is being carried. In addition, IDPA requires that any holster (including one with a trigger guard) be fitted to the IDPA-approved belt and must be worn within two inches of the hip bone.
Outside-the-Waistband (OWB) Holster
Holsters that are worn on the outside of the pants are the most popular among competitors. The reasons include comfort and ease of re-holstering during a match. Leather, kydex and plastic holsters that are molded specifically for your gun will serve you well during a match. Remember the IDPA "Coverage Rule" when selecting a holster:
Paddle Holster
These holsters eliminate the need for a belt holster belt-slide. Instead they come with a plastic sleeve that fits onto the slide of your pants, commonly referred to as a "paddle." The paddle is held in place by the weight of the holster. The main disadvantage for competitors is that you must wear a belt for the paddle holster to work.
IDPA Essential Holster Rules
Much like the rules and regulations governing shooting performance, there are also stringent guidelines and technical specifications that must be followed concerning IDPA holsters. IDPA holsters must securely retain the firearm so that it will not fall out while moving through a course of fire. The gun must be mounted between the top of the belt and the bottom of the shooter’s ribcage. This allows for a strong hand draw while keeping the gun out of the way as much as possible during movement.
IDPA rules state that "Any holster that would foul the draw or impede recovery to the ready position due to excessive bulk, such as a slotted belt, or bulk at the full service pistol height is prohibited." Belt holsters and paddle holsters can be used but must conform to IDPA guidelines. Metal clip-on style holsters are not permitted. Shoulder holsters and ankle holsters are also prohibited. It should be noted that there is an exception for concealed pistol or revolver competitors, where the holster may be clipped on to the inside of a belt so long as it is covered by long and loose fitting clothing.
Holsters must never cover or block the trigger guards and guns must always be placed muzzle up in the holster when not in use. "At no time, except when on the firing line or designated waiting area, may competitors mount their guns in their holsters with the exception of a tightly secured revolver in a front pocket."
Holsters are considered "secured" if the following items are secured: Each handgun is considered empty until the shooter is clearly on the designated range, unless otherwise indicated by the Range Safety Officer (RSO) or Match Director (MD). If you are in the designated waiting area, the shooter must have an "Empty Chamber Indicator" (ECI) in the barrel; a plastic "string" of some sort. Alternatively, the chamber must be visibly empty and have the action completely locked open to view. Further restrictions may be imposed by the IDPA RSO or MD, if necessary.
The IDPA Chief Range Safety Officer will inspect guns for compliance with IDPA regulations prior to course of fire.
IDPA Holster Positioning and Safety Considerations
Correct positioning of your holster is critical for both safety and to maximize your performance during competition. The IDPA rulebook clearly defines in detail the standard holster position. Engagement of one of the finger activated line segments in the IDPA Uniformity Test is a guaranteed method to have your holster position reviewed, and often time resulting in the competitor being required to adjust his holster position.
IDPA Rule 7.3 clearly states that the competitor should "wear a belt, around the waist, and high enough to allow normal movement of the hands to the gun". Merely by allowing for this slight movement the probability of unintentional contact with the trigger is diminished. This is crucial because all unintentional discharges are directed at yourself are avoidable with proper training and situational awareness. IDPA Rule 7.3.1 states that "the leather holster on which the barrel of any loaded handgun must be secured may not touch the body of the competitor except on weight belt bullets." This is in effect stating that your loaded handgun is not allowed to touch your body. Some subtle caution is advised here because holsters made from other materials such as nylon or Kydex do not always actually touch the body. Most leather holster made to IDPA specifications are actually fitted to touch your leather belt. These leather holsters do have bumps, seams and stitching which can actually create areas where contact with the firearm is possible. Leather is a naturally porous material that absorbs water and moisture. These holsters need to be kept clean and dry otherwise the material will break down, weaken and possibly wear into the lines, stitches or bumps. The result will be that the holster can bend, flex, stretch or in other ways separate from the original inner molding impression of the firearm the holster was originally molded after. This can cause clearance problems with both IDPA holsters, and Duty holsters. The possible acceptance of these leather holsters hinges on each individual’s attending to their duty to maintain and inspect all gear which is ultimately the Rights Holders responsibility. IDPA Rule 7.3.2 states that your "holster must be secured to the belt with a strap at least one inch (2.54cm) wide." For some individuals this can be an issue with the various types of weight carrying belts now available and routinely used in competition. Commonly used belts include a lever action retention mechanism with individual compartments. Merely transferring a strap over the holster to hold the holster on while leaving the D-ring alone has been noted to violate this rule. A simple solution is to add another 1 to 1 ½ inch belt loop to the holster that can work in conjunction with the existing belt loop mechanism. IDPA Rule 7.3.3 requires that "the holster must be rigidly attached to a belt". Use of a holster that is simply held on by tension along the outer edge is considered a violation of IDPA rules with respect to holster retention. Common issues are muzzle retention straps and Kydex holsters that are not molded around the handgun. Regarding muzzle retention straps, competitors are responsible for the safety of their choices and should inspect their gear regularly to see that it will continue to perform to the proper level. With regard to Kydex holsters, they should be molded around the barrel of the pistol to secure proper retention upon the draw. IDPA Rule 7.3.4 requires that "holsters may not attach to any harnesses, vest, shoulder holsters or equipment that isn’t permitted or isn’t worn in accordance with IDPA rule 4.2." With respect to this rule the competitor is responsible for careful placement of the holster on the belt. IDPA Rule 7.3.5 requires that "when the competitor draws the firearm from the holster, the muzzle must be directed down range over the backstop" for the duration of the presentation. Requiring the muzzle be directed downrange during presentation is now the accepted standard. This location of the muzzle, when coupled with the requirement that in all scenarios the competitor remain muzzle aware, provides the safest environment possible.
Pitfalls to Avoid When Using a Holster
Most competitors in IDPA strive to be competitive and are sincerely interested in following the rules and using a holster that meets those rules. What can get in the way of compliance are ideas about how the holster should work and be set up and false ideas about competing against other competitors. Bad ideas won’t stand in the light of day so I’ll focus on common mistakes that are easy to make:
- Reholstering – Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, says my tactical firearms trainer. And yet, some people attempt to reholster their guns as quickly as they can unholster them because they’re trying to beat time or they’ve been programmed to be fast or they think it’s just one more thing to do in the middle of a chaotic IDPA stage. What happens next is often a stop-watch war that results in the gun not being unsnapped and clear of all obstructions before reholstering. Others don’t fully depress the reholster snap because they don’t want the snap to scratch their gun. Still others don’t fully depress the thumb latch and quickly shove the gun back in the holster. It does not matter if your gun is a glass-etched, gold plated Colt Python, a Para Ordance Super Hawg, or a Glock, XC-1 or no XC-1. The IDPA rules require that you shove that gun back into its assigned holster with its thumb latch depressed and with the holster unsnapped. Failure to do so will result in a Safety Violation penalty. I do not know of any range master that would allow such reholstering to occur on the range. That sort of sloppy use of the gun is not a safety practice when involved with live fire.
- Securing the gun to the holster – Most gun owners want to put their own gun on their own level somewhere in the privacy of their own space. They think they can take the level of ownership of their gun wherever they go everywhere they go. IDPA allows you to do that, but – don’t be surprised if at some later time, a security instructor or officer tells you that is not permitted because it is a security breach. Bad things happen when you rent a car, an apartment, travel on a plane, stay in a hotel, stay folded up in a restaurant and go to a number of other spaces . Make sure before challenging the request that you understand that the request could be a legitimate request for safety and/or security reasons. If you understand that the request could be a reasonable request for safety and/or security reasons, you should comply with it. If you do not understand that the request could be a reasonable request for safety and/or security reasons, then you should ASK for clarification. Your position should not be to insist this is your shit, and you will do with your shit what you want, when you want and where you want. You may actually be prohibited from carrying your gun in a number of locations and you will be liable for any issues it causes. The last 20 years have taught us this.
- Staging a gun in a bag – While it might feel like you are setting up for a trip, your range master is going to call a Safety Violation for "Stage of gun under range rules." Here’s the deal, you can only stage a loaded gun on a table if the table also has a safe barrel. You may unload the gun and then stage it, but you will have to load it again to meet IDPA rules unless you are instructed by the range master to do something different. The only phrase you do not hear enough on the range is simply, "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"
- Defending a stage or a call – If you challenge a stage or a call made by the range master, you will have to perform an immediate rectification. This could involve re-shooting a stage or reshooting a staged day of pistol caliber carbine. Whatever it is, you will need to comply with it immediately. If there is a Safety Violation present, you will receive the full one-minute penalty for the infraction. No one likes facing penalties, especially ones that carry over and multiply. If you want IDPA to be a positive experience for you, for the range officers, for the staff and for everyone involved, then comply with the rules. If you have a question about a rule or a call a range officer has made, ask. But ask politely. You never know when you might be wrong.
IDPA Holster Rule Changes
As one of the most popular shooting sports in the country, the International Defensive Pistol Association has seen a steady increase in membership and participation in recent years. As a result, IDPA has experienced a surge in rules clarifications, changes, and updates over the last few years.
The following IDPA rule book sections are of particular note when it comes to information and updates on holster rules:
3.7 – IDPA Approved Equipment Rules 7.4 – Carry Positions 7.5 – Holsters 7.6 – Ancillary Holster Equipment 8.1 – Range Equipment (This section is only referenced in the equipment rules, but shooters should be aware of the information in this section, nonetheless.)
The 2.1 version of the rule book only features one change where the holster rule is concerned. The corresponding rule from version 1.9 provides that "Holsters must at a minimum be fitted so that no part of the handgun is capable of falling free from the holster." Version 2.1 now instructs competitors that "Holsters must at a minimum be fitted so that no part of the handgun is capable of falling free from or through the holster." This is only a minor change, and my initial reading of the rule only suggests that the handgun must be prevented from falling free if the shooter drops the gun without any further movement of the holster. In other words, if the shooter’s spare gun – with no magazine in it – falls straight out of a badly-fitted holster, then the holster is improperly fitted, barring extraordinary circumstances. However, with a properly-fitted holster, the gun is not supposed to fall out, regardless of further movement of the holster or the shooter.
In version 1.9 of the IDPA rule book, the IDPA rules change and clarify the definitions and limitations on IDPA-approved holsters. The general rule is that "Holsters may be belt, paddle, level 2, drop leg, tactical, shoulder, or any combination thereof." The rules further provide that "A level 2 holster may not be worn as a level 1 holster." Version 2.1 simply states that "A level 2 holster may not be worn as a level 1 holster." This slight change makes it clear that level 1 holsters cannot be worn as level 2 holsters, but also prevents level 1 holsters from being concealed unless permission is sought and granted. This is a change from version 1.9 which only provided that a level 1 holster could not be worn as a level 2 holster. Additional clarifications have been made to the rules limiting the use of retention holsters which could be suitably used for left-hand shooters, but only if the holster is worn on the left side of the body and the shooter indicates an intent to use the holster for left-hand use on the IDPA entry form. It is important to note, however, that IDPA shooters are not allowed to transition back and forth between a strong-side holster on their left side and a concealment holster on the right side of the body, although the rules do not limit shooters from temporarily changing a strong-side holster between two different designs, or styles of holster.
Additionally, the IDPA rules were updated in version 1.9 to provide that "Stage props that attach to the holster belt will not be scored as a procedural error if they restrict or prevent the normal draw of the firearm from the holster belt." The 2.1 version of the IDPA rules removed the caveat that Stage props that attach to the holster belt will not be scored as a procedural error if they restrict or prevent the normal draw of the firearm from the holster belt. Now, if any stage prop touches – or attaches in any way to a shooter’s holster, the standard IDPA procedural penalty will be assessed.
There are additional changes to the IDPA rule book which feature some interesting and informative tips on holster and equipment, reading the IDPA rule book is a great way to find additional information.
Final Thoughts
In an environment where split-second decisions can have significant consequences, the importance of understanding and abiding by IDPA holster rules cannot be understated. These regulations offer a structure for competition that promotes fair play and safety. Beyond the basics, these holster requirements help to define behavior that will reward participants with an advantage when the time to act arrives. Improved practice and understanding of IDPA rules can separate you from the pack. As an added benefit , this knowledge will help you become a more conscientious two-way participant and a positive ambassador for our sport. Relying on rules is OK, but practicing and applying these rules will not only give you better shooting skills and awareness, it will keep IDPA alive and well for future generations.
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