All posts tagged IDPA Legal Gear

Favorite guns for IDPA

I’ve been fortunate enough to attend some of the IDPA National competitions in recent years and it has still amazed me that the 1911 is the number one firearm that is being  used.    I’ve spent enough time on the range to know that the 45acp is more consistent in knocking down targets and makes bigger holes.   The triggers on the 1911 design can be sweetened and even though there are some draw backs to the 1911 design, for competition, there aren’t any.   Glocks have a good showing because they have a consistent trigger design like the 1911, but they are very different to shoot.

I understand that many shooters will probable shoot a 9mm more proficiently over a 45acp and I have done personal evaluations of novice shooters and done comparisons.   The 9mm is easier to shoot and will most likely get you a higher hit percentage. For more advanced shooters, they won’t have problems with the 45acp.  Wilson Combat magazines are still the number one 1911 gun magazine that I see at these events followed by Chip McCormick.   Every 1911 design can be tweaked and modified just like a pile of Legos.

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Concealment vests from an LEO perspective

I think the ultimate concealed carry vest that doesn’t make you look like you are carrying a firearm is more likely going to be something like a cloaking device seen in Star Trek.   Some of the conversations I’ve heard at conventions, gun shows and on the phone with people are somewhat comical.   I’ve seen under agents show up drug busts that I could spot ahead of time, just because they had nice cars and tinted windows.   The funny thing is the idiot drug dealers didn’t even see it coming. I think the proper mindset is don’t volunteer information, pay attention to your surroundings and be sneaky.

There are many levels of vests for the gun owner, some are going to be snapped on, locked down, and pulled tight.   Others go over your arms and just hang there.  The Eotac Styles 102 and Style 103 vests are go for street work because they don’t stand out as much like an assault vest, but they still have a lot of practical applications.   Both vests will hang below the belt line and will give you full coverage for carrying a paddle holster or OWB holster.  We still get more than a few phone calls every year asking if we have jackets or concealed carry vests for retaining firearms like a 1911.   While I strongly disagree with carrying primary firearms inside jackets and vests, it’s a personal choice and if it works for you then it’s good for your applications.

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Weapon mounted flashlights

I’ve sat in on several IDPA events with flashlight stages and watched people drop their flashlights left and right, while trying to engage targets.   There are better ways to retain a firearm in your hand without having to mount it to your gun.   The Section 8 Tactical device called the URD, Ultimate Retention Device is IDPA legal and a good option for those that still do not like having to mount a flashlight on a handgun.   I realize that putting a flashlight on your defensive pistol will most likely mean having to get a bigger and bulkier holster if you are carrying it, but for a gun safe gun, especially something that is being  used in your home, train to use a flashlight in whichever way you feel most comfortable.

I’m not a big fan of pressure switches being used on flashlights because I’ve seen them become another accessory that will snag on something or fail on  you.   Flashlights can have batteries fail and the bulbs can burn out, and having to worry about another connection isn’t my cup of tea.   Streamlight flashlights have a very popular handgun option called the TLR-1 and TLR-2.   One has a flashlight and the other has the light and a laser mounted in it.   Each has their place in defensive applications, but anytime you add an accessory to a firearm, it’s another thing that can fail on you.

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Practicing drawing from cover

CCW VestThere are multiple ways of carrying a firearm concealed.   Each of them may be good for a certain environment, but one way may not work for all situations.   Sometimes people get too caught up in one manor of concealment and the reality is that we should probable consider atleast 2 or 3 ways of concealing the same firearm.   When I was at a Defensive Pistol course a few years ago, we were asked to bring a concealment garment to practice drawing our firearm.    The majority of us didn’t show up with pocket pistols for the Class and having something that would work for a full size auto was difficult.

Some jackets will work fine for winter work, but summer concealed carry is a different animal.  Wearing a vest in the summer can make  you stand out, but it can also help you fit in depending on the enviroment.   Just like the debates about which gun is better a Glock or a 1911, you have to be smart about what your carrying and understand how it functions and if it works for you.   A CCW vest like the Elite Operator Tactical Style 102 vest has a generous cut and will hang well over your belt line to conceal a full size auto like a Glock 17, Beretta 92FS or Sig 226.   A lot of the students that took the class with me all used these and they worked well.

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Flashlight Retention

Ultimate Retention Device

The SECTION8tactical Ultimate Retention Device is designed to be used for flashlight retention during tactical transitions. FOR THE COMPETITIVE SHOOTER THAT HAS TO INCORPORATE A MAGAZINE CHANGE, THIS MEANS NOT HAVING TO SET YOUR LIGHT DOWN AND STILL BEING ABLE TO GRAB AND INSERT A NEW MAGAZINE. THIS TRANSLATES INTO SPEED.

The SECTION8tactical Ultimate Retention Device body is an injection-molded rubber offering the right amount of flexibility to aid in comfort and just the right amount of stiffness to keep the flashlight in position for QUICK access. This is what we call predictable flexibility. The light is free to move, but only in a certain predictable and supported pattern.

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IDPA Shooting Skills

IDPA Shooting SkillsThe SECTION8tactical Ultimate Retention Device is designed to be used for flashlight retention during tactical transitions.  The Section8 Tactical URD is IDPA.  FOR THE COMPETITIVE SHOOTER THAT HAS TO INCORPORATE A MAGAZINE CHANGE, THIS MEANS NOT HAVING TO SET YOUR LIGHT DOWN AND STILL BEING ABLE TO GRAB AND INSERT A NEW MAGAZINE. THIS TRANSLATES INTO SPEED. Increase your  IDPA shooting skills with the Ultimate Retention Device.

The SECTION8tactical Ultimate Retention Device body is an injection-molded rubber offering the right amount of flexibility to aid in comfort and just the right amount of stiffness to keep the flashlight in position for QUICK access. This is what we call predictable flexibility. The light is free to move, but only in a certain predictable and supported pattern.

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IDPA Legal

IDPAThe International Defensive Pistol Association IDPA is the governing body of a shooting sport that simulates self-defense scenarios and real life encounters. It was founded in 1996 as a response to the desires of shooters worldwide. The organization now boasts membership of more than 13,500, including members in 36 foreign countries.
One of the unique facets of this sport is that it is geared toward the new or average shooter, yet is fun, challenging and rewarding for the experienced shooter. The founders developed the sport so that practical gear and practical guns may be used competitively. An interested person can spend a minimal amount on equipment and still be competitive.

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IDPA Legal

IDPA LegalThe SECTION8tactical Ultimate Retention Device is designed to be used for flashlight retention during tactical transitions. FOR THE COMPETITIVE SHOOTER THAT HAS TO INCORPORATE A MAGAZINE CHANGE, THIS MEANS NOT HAVING TO SET YOUR LIGHT DOWN AND STILL BEING ABLE TO GRAB AND INSERT A NEW MAGAZINE. THIS TRANSLATES INTO SPEED.

The SECTION8tactical Ultimate Retention Device body is an injection-molded rubber offering the right amount of flexibility to aid in comfort and just the right amount of stiffness to keep the flashlight in position for QUICK access.  The Ultimate Retention Device is IDPA Legal. This is what we call predictable flexibility. The light is free to move, but only in a certain predictable and supported pattern.

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