August 10, 2023

Inside the Mind of a Competitive Shooter - How Holsters Impact Performance

Some holsters click or "clicky." They're made with interference into the trigger guard, which makes a distinct and resounding clicking sound.

Retention
A holster is supposed to retain a gun in it securely – period. Whether it clicks or not is window dressing – the holster should hold the weapon through various everyday and extreme movements.

Competitive shooters want their firearms to be readily accessible when they are needed. They don't want to have to cant their holsters or engage in other cumbersome and time-consuming methods of drawing a weapon (such as thumb brakes, friction grips, cranking, etc).

As such, many of them carry their sidearm on the strong side and use a cross-draw holster to make it easier to access their firearm when needed. This carry style frees up the pockets on the dominant side for more everyday uses and can allow for a better fit in a wide range of holsters designed today. The result is a balanced blend of accessibility, retention, and security.

Speed
Competition shooters want their guns to be easily accessible. They want to save time fumbling with snaps, thumb brakes, hoods, or friction grips to get the gun out of a holster. Having to do these extra tasks makes it harder to respond quickly to an adversary or to take a shot when the opportunity presents itself.

A good holster will not allow the weapon to fall out of it. The "shake test" is often overstated, but a holster should provide some resistance to the gun when shaken. However, the amount of resistance will vary based on the weight of the firearm.

Interference fit is the best way to achieve a secure hold without adding additional retention devices to a holster. This is done by molding the kydex around a depression or void on the gun (usually the trigger guard). This creates a "clicky" effect when the gun is inserted into the holster. It is impossible with every light, as many are only molded for a friction fit.

Convenience
The holsters competitive shooters use have to be highly accessible to get the gun into action quickly. Competition holsters are typically outside the waistband, have minimal retention, and cover only the trigger guard. This is because they are meant to be thrown onto a shooter's back and quickly drawn in the event of a struggle for the weapon.

The type of holster will depend on what kind of carrying you prefer. For example, a tactical vest with a holster allows you to carry other essential tools, like a flashlight, pepper spray, knife, handcuffs, and keys. These rigs can also be very comfortable since they redistribute the weight of your firearm over a larger surface area.

Likewise, ankle holsters allow you to carry your firearm inside your non-dominant leg for extreme concealability. You can even hook holsters onto your belt or backpack for more convenient carrying.

Accuracy
It's more than just right-handed shooters who benefit from having the correct gear. Many left-eye dominant shooters will experience several issues when using standard holsters designed for right-handed users. In a life-endangering situation, reaching across your body or aiming with your non-dominant hand can significantly compromise accuracy.

Having the right equipment can help improve balance and coordination, which leads to improved aiming. A correctly fitted holster to your firearm can also increase the visible daylight, making it easier to align your target with the sights.

Competition shooting is an excellent way to hone your skills, make new friends, and build self-confidence. People often avoid participating in competitive events because they fear their skills being publicly measured against others. Still, these individuals need to take advantage of an opportunity to learn from those who excel and develop their skill level through identifiable matrices. For those who participate, choosing a kydex holster that is safe and comfortable should be a priority.

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