Nimitz Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 I'm getting ready to start entering some pistol competitions and was reading on a website about recommended basic equipment when you are just starting out. For IDPA they recommended the following holster: Blade-Tech sting ray (belt loop) holster; but for USPSA they recommended: Blade-Tech dropped and offset (DOH) for production Limited, L10. Since I will have the opportunity to shoot in both I was hoping I could you the same holster ... Is either of these legal for the other & if so then why the different recommendations? Thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diehli Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 The SR holster is legal for both. (Don't forget you'll need a cover garment for IDPA and can't use a dual belt system, like you can in USPSA). The DOH belt loop can be purchased separately (or, alternatively, you can get the DOH holster and remove the DOH extension and you'd have a SR holster). Ensure you get a stiff enough belt. Ultimately, you might want a dual belt system for USPSA as it's a set-it-and-forget-it setup. AFA the reason for the different recommendations, it primarily has to do with the perceived benefit of the DOH (lower, further from body, therefore a faster draw) and it's illegality in IDPA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupie Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 I used a SR holster in both, you have the advantage of getting used to the same draw that out weighs any DOH perceived advantage, The equipment is a small part of beginner shooting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimitz Posted July 26, 2011 Author Share Posted July 26, 2011 ok, so after reading the IDPA rulebook I understand why I can't use the offset DOH holster. So I guess the next question is if I only have a IDPA legal hoster to compete in USPSA or IPSC matches am I going to be a some competitive equipment disadvantage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbbean Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 ok, so after reading the IDPA rulebook I understand why I can't use the offset DOH holster. So I guess the next question is if I only have a IDPA legal hoster to compete in USPSA or IPSC matches am I going to be a some competitive equipment disadvantage? Not enough to worry about. Using the same holster and gun in both will give you a more consistent technique that should far outweigh whatever small advantage you might get from the DOH. Note that many limited shooters who also shoot prod or SS will keep their mag pouches and holster behind the hipbone and use prod/ss style holsters in order to keep their draw and reload consistent. BB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Vigilante Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 (edited) The equipment disadvantage would be a very minor one IMO. You can buy the DOH Offset piece separately ($10) BTW and enjoy the best of both worlds. Edited July 26, 2011 by The_Vigilante Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom D. Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 Short answer is NO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.roberts Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 I used a DOH for USPSA. Note the past-tense. Now I just use the Stingray. Feels more solid on the belt whereas the DOH had some outward/inward flex on the hanger. I haven't given up anything on draw speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirveyr Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 When it comes to equipment, a small "perceived competitive advantage" will drive shooters to use certain pieces of equipment just as much as it drives the rulebook to disallow the same piece of equipment. You will be at no disadvantage using a Bladetech w/o the DOH, or any quality kydex holster for that matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UW Mitch Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 I shoot a multithousand dollar gun in Limited and get beat by folks with relatively stock guns. It's not the equipment but the guy behind the trigger. If you're shooting both, with a single gun, I'd keep the set-up consistent between the two. You're going to be faster that way than having two different draws with the same gun. Just don't forget when you're shooting IDPA that you can't press the mag release until you're behind cover (this was always my problem after I started in USPSA). ~Mitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prreed10 Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 I've drawn from a Blade Tech stingray holster so many times, drawing from the DOH feels weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Thomas Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 I don't personally care for the Sting Ray belt attachment. It allows the holster to move back and forth on the belt. I would go for something like the Comp-Tac where you can straddle a pants belt loop with two closely spaced holster loops, one right on each side of the pants belt loop, so the holster can't move around, versus the Blade-Tech Sting Ray with two very widely spaced belt loops that don't allow that. Also the area between the two side loops on the Sting Ray is flat. Unfortunately that means the portion of the holster that's against the body is flat at a point where your body is round, so in addition to not staying where I leave it I find the String Ray uncomfortable, as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimitz Posted July 28, 2011 Author Share Posted July 28, 2011 thanks all, I was assuming that it would be better to use the same equipment as much as possible so you didn't have to learn to do things differently depending of what competition your were in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1911 Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 (edited) ok, so after reading the IDPA rulebook I understand why I can't use the offset DOH holster. So I guess the next question is if I only have a IDPA legal hoster to compete in USPSA or IPSC matches am I going to be a some competitive equipment disadvantage? When you are just starting out, you are so far behind the curve that any minor differences due to equipment are lost in the wash. It will be quite a while before a decent IDPA holster is holding you back significantly in USPSA. As Mitch said, the most important thing to do is to tighten the nut behind the trigger; everything else is secondary. Just get IDPA legal equipment and go shooting. Edited July 28, 2011 by M1911 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimitz Posted July 28, 2011 Author Share Posted July 28, 2011 great, that's what I needed to know since I'm not sure yet whether I'll be shooting mostly IDPA, USPSA or both ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RePete Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 You can get the DOH and remove the drop extension, then install the belt attachment to the holster. I use the Blackhawk CQC (not Serpa) for IDPA and USPSA Production. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duane Thomas Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 Edited topic title to make is specific. Just FYI, gang, topic titles like "Is this really necessary," "Dumb question", etc. aren't going to help people in the future who might want to find a particular thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonovanM Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 (edited) Until there comes a time when all of the top 5 finishers at Production Nationals are all running a DOH, then maybe it will be deemed "necessary". In the meantime, no way Jose. I can draw plenty fast out of my run of the mill Comp-Tac. Edited July 30, 2011 by DonovanM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 I think it makes no sense at all to just buy the Stingray. With the DOH bracket included they cost about the same. You might want to see for yourself someday if you like the DOH better. You won't have to buy one and pay more shipping, etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimitz Posted July 31, 2011 Author Share Posted July 31, 2011 it wasn't obvious from the website, so are you saying the DOH is basically the same as the Sting Ray once you remove the DOH? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbbean Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 it wasn't obvious from the website, so are you saying the DOH is basically the same as the Sting Ray once you remove the DOH? Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 it wasn't obvious from the website, so are you saying the DOH is basically the same as the Sting Ray once you remove the DOH? Absolutely the same holster. Three screws attach the DOH bracket to the stingray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny1gun Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 (edited) I try keeping everything the same for both sports.Its better for consistancy.The only difference being the mag pouces.I did not like the DOH.When I would draw my thumb would hit it,and did not allow me to get a high grip on the gun. Edited August 1, 2011 by johnny1gun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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