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Before I began learning the art of shooting, I never realized how much I would enjoy it. The one lesson I picked up on pretty quickly is that you can use shooting at the range as a networking tool while having fun. Reality kicks in when you realize that you will need different accessories for your weapon of choice. When purchasing my Smith and Wesson M&P 40 the thought had not crossed my mind to get into competition shooting. My sole reason for purchasing this well crafted handgun was to fill the void of not having a weapon within reach after coming home on mid-tour leave from Afghanistan. Some of you might find this ridiculous, but there were times my sleep was disturbed after not feeling my assigned M4 in the bunk with me. After a few seconds reality slowed down and it became clear to me that I was within the comforts of the United States, in my own bed. One day at work, my supervisor asked if it would be of any interest to me to attend a shooting class that was being offered on post. He had me sold when he said handguns would be the primary lesson for the class. So off I went to the Homeland Security range on post where the class was to take place. Two weeks later the decision to get into competition shooting was made. This platform started off to be nothing more than an adventure to hone in my shooting skills to pass down to the Soliders within the ranks who are assigned to me. With me thinking outside the box the decision was to participate to keep my skills up to par, but then again competition is the best way to keep your skills honed in.
Since purchasing my handgun there were other classes that were frequented like the Carry Concealed Weapon class that was required in South Carolina and the Homeland Security Firearms Instructor Course. One topic that both courses covered were ammo and the right holster. Having the right holster is very important aspect even if you are just going to conceal carry or participate in competition shooting. My shooting gear is the same as my conceal gear. Before you laugh, hear my thought process. If we are to train and its simulated to get the repetition down so good that you don't have to think about it under stress, then my concept is to train as I would fight. Unlike those who go out and purchase the latest and greatest gear (Gear-do's as we call them in the Infantry) on the market to look cool versus the common sense factor of what works. I own three holsters of different styles. I put each and every one through a test and grade it on its own merits. The first holster is a IWB (Inside the Waist Band) from Smith and Wesson. This is nothing more than a suede leather holster with a plastic clip that goes around your belt to secure the holster with the weapon in it. It is superb for concealment but like everything in life, it has its pros and cons. One of the pros with this holster is the simplicity of hiding the weapon on your person. The cons to this holster are that it would dig into my hip no matter of the placement, it hinders my movement if bending over and alters my decline to sitting in a chair or drivers seat in a vehicle. My second holster is a Safariland ALS (Automatic Locking System) made of Kydex. This purchase gives you an option out the box to have the holster ready to mount on your belt with the loops on the holster or the pancake paddle that you can put on and take off without undressing in the presence of others. Another plus with this holster is that it passed the common sense factor to me. Since being an Infantry Soldier and U.S. Army Combatives Instructor my testing process was as follows; someone attempting to take the weapon out the holster without me resisting, someone attempting to take the weapon with me resisting, someone and myself engaging in a two minute duel without either party attempting to retrieve the weapon from the holster, and the same drill with someone attempting to retrieve the holster. In each scenario the holster remained enclosed and even when the weapon was pulled out of the holster, positive control was still maintained by myself. One con on this holster is that it blocks entry into my front pant pocket. The third holster purchased was a Bravo Concealment RTT (Range Time Tactical) made of Kydex. Like the Safariland, this holster is easy on the body and conceals the weapon very well. Its high riding posture on the belt allows entry into the front pant pocket with ease. The two cons I have with this holster is one that it took two months for this holster to be delivered from the company to my front door and two it does not lock the weapon securely in the event an attack or some form of rolling were to take place.
Overall the decision is yours, but doing some research before the purchase of an item could save you some cash. Do not be afraid to ask someone who is more experienced in the field what they think about a certain product. The worst that they can do is laugh at you. Although that would be highly unlikely considering they were all beginners at one time. I base my decision of the three holsters I own on comfort and a bit of style although I only utilize two of them. My attire will be the deciding factor of which holster to carry. A three piece suit will be honored with the style and comfort of the Bravo Concealment, but the Safariland ALS will be graced to be with my everyday attire and Army Combat Uniform since most of my training is conducted on my lunch break.
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