I have worn paddle holsters for years in various configurations of Kydex and leather. Most of the time it was one of the inexpensive versions from Uncle Mike’s for IDPA. They are great for the person who lives in civilian life where there are places that the firearm is not allowed. Need to go to the post office? Take of the holster and leave it in the car. They are very easy to get on and off once you get the hang of it.
The thing I noticed the other day was how uncomfortable they are. I was driving around enjoying Christmas lights with the family and my Sig 229 was riding in a Safariland paddle holster. The Sig wasn’t the problem, but the plastic paddle was wearing out my hip. It just reminded me how much more comfortable leather is in that respect. No problems with the back of the holster making you tender.
I also was reminded how simple it is to conceal with a belt holster whether IWB or standard. The paddles offset the holster away from the torso making me feel like I am wearing a brick under my coat. With a belt holster the butt of the gun is pulled in to the torso making a more concealable option.
Paddles are fine, but leather is going to be my choice.
Many of you are familiar with IDPA, but for those of you who are not it is the International Defensive Pistol Association. Shooters must shoot basically factory guns that can only be modified lightly. Magazines are loaded to 10 rounds maximum and you shoot with a concealment garment. In short, it is about as fun as gets. Being in Nashville, we have the luxury of shooting IDPA almost every week at a different match. If you are looking for a Nashville match, check out the Music City Tactical Shooters. These are great guys who run solid matches.
One of the great questions that exists is whether or not IDPA is simply a game or whether is actually good for training. I think the answer is actually YES!
IDPA is a game. There are rules, points, and timers. You are shooting made up courses of fire that may or may not ever happen. You are competing against a clock and your fellow competitors. If you don’t think so go watch the bantering that takes place between friends at these matches.
No doubt some of the rules are argued about in the “tactical” community. A word about such community is in order. Just because you read it in an internet forum doesn’t make it true or tactical. There are plenty of places to get tactical advice, but keyboard commandos are not who you want to listen to. Get some training. But I digress.
The rules can be argued about, but they work for the game, while being generally sound practice for your private world. Remember that at the end of the day you are participating in a competition.
However, IDPA does give you some training. It teaches you to shoot faster and more accurately. You must remember stage protocol, reloading your firearm different ways, shooting from cover, and it gives you a little pressure. Nothing like having 40 of your new best friends watching you flub a stage.
I encourage all you to check out some form of competition in the next few months. You will discover quickly that it will be a wonderful learning experience. Check the rigs people are using. Check out their shooting styles and learn as much as possible. Above all, have a great time enjoying your sport while getting better.
This year has been a wonderful year for so many reasons. We have seen more and more of you come to the website and participate with us. The blog has been growing steadily which has provided much satisfaction. Many of you are now first time gun owners as of last November. All in all a good year.
As I look back on 2009, I am pleased that we have introduced a few new things to you this year like the Ruger SP101 conversion. We are sometimes asked to do things just like this that have become so popular they just stay with us.
We have also tried hard to keep you in the loop with good information on a variety of topics that included many different product reviews. I have been most interested to see all of your interest in the Taurus Judge. Does this mean more and more of you are buying shotgun pistols, or are you just casually interested?
Well, here are some things to watch out for in the coming weeks and months as we get ready for 2010:
AR-15- there are some big things happening here with the AR-15 platform. Things are falling into place after a 5 month process. We love the platform, and think you will love what we will be offering.
More product reviews. Woolrich has been so good to us this year. They have consistently responded with product for us every single time we have asked for it. Right now we have requested products from Blackhawk, 5.11, and Eotac for a tactical polo round up. Hopefully we will have something for you soon.
New variations of the SM-1 package. If you have an M-3 light, we have something cool for you.
More information on competitive shooting sports.
Finally, we are trying to work out the beginnings of Mossy Creek Training Academy, to begin offering the CCW permit for the State of TN.
Here is what we need from you: ideas, products to review and of course interesting projects. The ideas can be about anything gun related. The products to be reviewed can be sent to us anytime your company would like. The interesting projects are always welcome.
I want to show a video of Rick Simes, from the Tactical Shooting Academy, shooting targets at different distances to show you should engage your competition targets. One of things we all struggle with is trying to be faster. Rick does a good job of taking the time on the longer shots, and moving quickly through his closer shots. When you have distance, take the time to get a good sight picture, and trigger pull to break the shot.
Massad Ayoob is considered to be one of the leading trainers in the world. He trains law enforcement and civilians, but what makes him different is that he can actually back up everything he says with his shooting. In fact, he holds the master ranking in all 5 IDPA classes. Since we have been getting so many revolver questions lately, we thought it might be helpful to see go over the best reloading techniques out there. Hope this helps.
I just got an email from a friend who is new to shooting handguns. He had asked my advice for his first purchase, and I of course told him to get a Glock. Only problem is I forgot he is left-handed. He looked it over at the store, but ultimately decided on the Smith and Wesson M&P because of the ambidextrous controls.
He has been very satisfied with the pistol so far because it fits him which brings us to a great point. Don’t conform yourself to any particular gun. The gun needs fit you. If you are buying from Smith, Glock or Springfield, you have nothing to worry about. The quality is great, and the guns will simply run. Don’t get caught up in the brand name. We all have reasons why we like a particular gun, and at the end of the day that gives us confidence in our system. Be confident in yours.
By the way, he is doing this right. He has taken a CCW course and is getting some training. I recommended that he shoot IDPA once in a while to gain the skills necessary to carry CCW. Don’t just buy a gun and think you’ve got it all figured out. Become proficient with it.
No doubt you are familiar with our affection for the Glock pistol by now. If you have any questions you need to know that we think they are great. In the midst of their greatness, there is one issue that has been problematic for some shooters; namely that the large caliber (45ACP and 10mm) Glocks didn’t fit smaller hands.
That has now been remedied with the SF line of Glocks. The new Glock 30 SF may be one of the best new additions to the Glock line in history. It holds 10 rounds, is very concealable and manages the 45′s recoil very well.
In a recent range test, we found the 30 SF to be one of the few new guns out on the market that really got us excited. It was easy to shoot quickly and accurately. Running through some IDPA drills, the gun performed great.
The most surprising thing was recoil. You would think the lighter frame would make recoil an issue, but it was not any more noticeable than a full size 1911. There are many thoughts on why this phenomenon exists including the idea that the polymer frame flexes in your hand to lessen the blow. I am no scientist, but I can tell you it was pleasant.
About 3 months ago we did a custom job on a 30 SF in which we did our carry trigger job and added XS 24/7 sights. As you know, these sights are hot right now. People just can’t get enough. Our customer reported loving the combo of the Glock 30 SF paired with the XS sights.
If you are looking for a new defensive handgun and have been put off by the original 30′s size, we highly encourage you to check out the 30 SF. We think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Last weekend we went to the Music City Tactical Shooters match near Dickson, TN. It has been a while since I have had the opportunity to shoot an IDPA match, so I wanted to see if the sport still had an allure for me as a shooter. The resounding answer is yes. I actually took a customer with me to shoot in his first IDPA match, and he is hooked as well.
The Music City boys have a great place to shoot, and they are a fun bunch to hang out with. The stages were well designed, and everyone was having a good time. In fact, every other match they have a side match for rifle or shotgun.
If you have never competed in IDPA, you really need to give it a shot. The match fees are normally about $20. You are finished by lunch time. It gives you a measuring stick to see how your shooting is progressing. Find a local club and have some fun. You won’t regret the experience.
Every four years in America a phenomenal thing takes place designed by our founding fathers to make sure our country has every opportunity to reflect the will of the people. You guessed it; a presidential election. KEEP READING (Sorry for yelling, but this won’t be what you think). The transfer of power takes place without coup, military action, blood in the streets etc. We are truly blessed to be a part of such a wise heritage of leadership that created a form of government that still works today. The only thing about that change of power is that it always follows a change of agenda. Obviously you should support candidates that reflect your values and interests, but there are several other things you can do to ensure your interests are protected and none of them involve rallies, marches or campaign signs. You don’t even have to be a Democrat or Republican. All you have to be is who you already are.
Take someone shooting. I was reminded of this last night as several friends and I were talking. I have been delinquent by not taking some of my own family members to the range. Since I entered the business I have taken countless friends and family out for their first time on the range. I think you will be surprised at their reaction. In all my years of shooting only one person has ever declined this invitation, and he happened to believe that guns should be banned. He chose not to go on moral grounds, and I respect that. However, I have had many people who thought guns were inherently dangerous change their minds after a day at the range.
What generally happens is that people’s fears are relieved when they see that shooting is not about being militant. They learn that guns don’t go off by themselves. They learn that it is a great family atmosphere in many ways like other sports they have participated in through the years. What generally happens is that they come away with a whole new appreciation for your passion.
By taking your friends shooting, they can see all of the great things about your sport. Same thing with hunting, reloading, or the shooting sports. Most people would love to participate if they were invited by someone that could show them the ropes. Just remember that you will be the most important impression they have on the shooting sports so make it a good one by teaching them firearm safety. One final thought on this; make sure you start them off with a 22lr. No Dirty Harry stuff. We want them to come back!
There is one other way you can make a difference. Join the NRA. We are NRA members through and through. I have a Life Membership, and MCC is also a member. They are great proponents of your freedom, and they offer some of the most affordable training available to you. When you join you will receive gun insurance, a magazine and great discounts on other services.
Total cost to all of these radical ways to make sure you continue to enjoy the shooting sports: less than $50 ($35 for the NRA and $15 for ammo and targets).
If you carry regularly for your job or as a licensed citizen there are several things to consider when you practice at the range. It is far too easy to get caught up in the trap of just blazing away. When you go to the range think about shooting that makes sense. You need to practice with purpose. Just hosing rounds down range won’t make you better. You need perfect practice.
Practice with the rig you will wear. A level 3 holster demands much more than your off duty holster. Your concealment garment should be worn to familiarize the draw stroke.
Practice reloads. Load a mag with one or two rounds shoot then reload.
Practice drawing and shooting. Start with a full mag. Draw and shoot one round. Reholster. Continue this for a full mag. Then draw and shoot twice. Spend time where it counts.
If you are crazy enough or unfortuante enough to have gun with a decocker, practice the above mentioned drill decocking each time.
Slow down more than you think is necessary and make sure your form is good.
You don’t have to practice by shooting thousands of rounds. You have to practice in a way that makes sense. If you want to get really crazy, take a class or shoot IDPA.
By the way, if you are an L/E you owe it to yourself to get out and shoot. Please don’t let yourself say things like, “I have a badge. I’m an expert.” Or worse, “I qaulified in the 90′s. I don’t need to shoot again for another 6 months.” Go to and IDPA match and see where most of the cops place. It isn’t at the top. You owe it to yourself and your family to get out to the range this week.
