Pat Cannon wrote:ahrens wrote:Also double-check USPSA rules as to using an IWB. ... and even then, I'd recommend against it. ... most folks seem to tend to cover theyselves reholstering. ... and that's a DQ.
Don't know about USPSA rules, but I see no reason to avoid an IWB holster for IDPA. It's true people need to learn how to reholster safely but it's not hard, and we both know plenty of guys with OWB holsters still manage to threaten their kidneys while they feel around with the muzzle. And especially if you carry IWB, you should learn how to do it right, right?
Sort of.
I'm not saying that, should someone (
in need of "training") attending a USPSA/IDPA match shouldn't, or won't, get some "
training". In fact, I do the orientation at Oakdale on Thursday nites, as well as RO quite a few shooters ... and as I do both, I do a fair amount of "
coaching". This is not new. This is how it was, when I showed up for my first match. That's the atmosphere, at these matches.
That said, these are, first and foremost USPSA matches. You don't wanna get DQ'd? ... ya better read the rulebook ... listen intently to the orientation ... and the RO.
I don't wanna scare folks off ... but DQ'ing is NOT fun ... it's not 'sposed to be ... that's the point ... that's what makes us safe.
Folks need to show up to their first few (
every, actually) matches with absolutely nothing else on their mind, but
NOT DQing.
One way to get DQ'd, is to point your pistol at your other hand. I've seen guys do this, attempting to reholster, with two hands.
We had a guy use an IWB jest this summer. I never told him he couldn't use it. I don't believe anyone else told him he couldn't use it. Unlike some folks, I don't go runnin' fer the rulebook, everytime somethin' raises an eyebrow. Ya wanna know fer sure? ... read the rulebook. Otherwise, I saw no reason to disallow it. IWB is a common method of carry. It's legal in MN. In my opinion, if a guy can't compete in USPSA/IDPA with an IWB, those associations have dropped the ball. And it wouldn't be the first time. If IWB gave the shooter a competitive advantage, or the shooter was otherwise in contention for a National's slot or any other kind of award, and someone made a stink about it, and if the rulebook said "
no IWB", I reckon we'd hafta change his score to zero. Even then, I'd let him shoot.
All that said, while I didn't personally see it, IIRC, the guy with the IWB got DQ'd his first nite. IIRC, he got DQ'd again, on another nite. IIRC, both DQ's were for covering his weak-hand. (
by USPSA/IPSC rule, SO LONG AS YOUR FINGER IS OUTSIDE THE TRIGGER-GUARD, while drawing/reholstering, should your muzzle cover any portion of your body BELOW YOUR WAIST, this is NOT a DQ ... that MIGHT seem unsafe to some folks ... if ya wanna discuss it further, I suggest ya start a new thread ... it'll be a long one).
PERSONALLY, it's my preference to have new folks NOT DQ for their first few matches (
and then some). Most such folks don't come back. I don't miss them. But then I've wasted my time, on them. Also, some very fine folks went outta their way to help make sure, when I started, I didn't DQ ... and I didn't (
for a few years ... eventually, everyone does). Over the years, I've accepted a certain level of personal responsibility to carry on that "
tradition". There's other folks who've done likewise.
If someone's interested in shooting USPSA/IDPA, it's my PERSONAL recommendation, that they do NOT use an IWB. They already have a lotta work cut out fer theyselves, to NOT DQ. Using an IWB, for those first few matches, is a good way to increase your odds of DQ'ing ... IMHO. That said, as far as I'm concerned, if ya wanna us IWB at Oakdale on Thursday nites, go for it! ... maybe check the rulebook on it, too?
If ya otherwise want a 99% guarantee that ya'll learn how to draw/reholster an IWB, without covering yerself, I'd suggest ya find a reputable instructor. While it IS possible, ya'd otherwise git that kinda "
training" on a Thursday nite at Oakdale, I'd say yer odds of DQ are MUCH higher, than yer odds of learning how NOT to. Point of fact, I RO'd this new guy with the IWB this summer, on one stage. 'Fore I started him, I saw he was usin' IWB, and I went WAY outta my way, to point out to him, how most folks with an IWB tend to cover theyselves drawing/reholstering. I don't believe I DQ'd him. But, IIRC, he got DQ'd that nite by someone else ... for that very thing. Moreover, if ya wanna work on drawing/reholstering an IWB w/o gettin' DQ'd, yer much better off practicing it at home, with an empty gun, than for the the first time, AT A MATCH.
On ANOTHER note, if ya EVER see anyone threatening theirs, or anyone else's kidneys with a loaded (
even unloaded) gun, I strongly suggest ya take it up with 'em, immediately. There's absolutely no reason anyone should have their pistol angled in such a manner. And in fact, in all the years I've RO'd new shooters, I've NEVER seen anyone do any such thing.
Sorry fer the drawn out response ... I seem to be steppin' in it with otherwise short answers.
