This could an easy query, or as complicated as someone wants to make it, but: for IDPA and / or USPSA, what are the dominant pistols? Not a bare request, because I am starting with the expectation that the 1911, SIG 22x, and Beretta 92 are already in the list (i.e., I'm looking to expand the list).

I'm not looking for mods on them, nor the most popular holster model to compare with; simply the make, model, barrel length. A ranking would be most helpful!

Would forum members be ready, willing and able to advise this long-time maker? The info sought is merely as an adjunct to my core line, not looking to build something just for these markets.

Thanks in advance :-)

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

Depending on the class, there are a number of popular makes. My advice, and to save you a ton of time and people's opinions would be to get the members magazine from both IDPA (Tactical Journal) and USPSA (Front Sight). If you get the issue after nationals, they do a gear breakdown. It shows all makes for everything. Most popular gun, holster, belt, shoes, ammo, and so forth. That should have everything you need.

Good Luck.

Thanks very much. In the meantime I'd be very pleased to hear comments such as "these are the pistols that I see when I go to matches" :-).

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

I can tell you that in IDPA SSP, *Stock Service Pistol*, Glock Model 34 9mm 5.31" barrel and Smith & Wesson M&P9 Pro Series 9mm 5" barrel are the two dominant pistols I see used in that division.

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Ad Astra Per Aspera

Red, a " long time maker " doesn't quite do you justice. John Bianchi's primary designer would add to it, prominent holstorian would flesh it out a little but we could be here all day completing the biography.
I know less than nothing about your query but I believe a number of forum members know a lot about it and I'm confident you'll get your answers. It's in their and others best interests to provide the information you seek.
After this thread gets longer I may end up knowing a little.
Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

As Scorpion says, Glock 34 and S&W Plastic M&P Pro are leaders in IDPA SSP and common in USPSA Production.

CZ75 and Tanfoglio are doing very well in USPSA Production and are very common in IPSC. Unfortunately there are a lot of sub-models that probably take their own holsters.

1911-oids are usual in IDPA CDP and ESP, also USPSA Single Stack.

You need to read the rule books. Holster design is specified for IDPA and for USPSA Production.
IDPA - Welcome!
Rules - United States Practical Shooting Association

Got to say, leather holsters are a distinct minority in the action pistol sports.

I haven't been shooting much USPSA the last few years.
But, I have been seeing more S&W M&P's , both full size & Pro, at the local matches.

According to the latest USPSA Front Sight magazine CZ & Tanfoglio are increasing in popularity in production division.

Thank you Jim :-). I did review the rules of both, before posting, and there are no surprises there.

I'm not looking for how to create a smash hit leather holster for these sports; suiting them is strictly peripheral to my work (I build for serious street gunmen, my armourer is a genuine gunfighter). And I don't build for striker pistols for safety reasons, so I suppose I simply posted my query in the wrong place! But I frequent the holster forum on this site and thought perhaps I'd get some info anyway.

So far -- no one in these sports use anything but S&W? A few Colts, no SIGs, an occasional Glock, maybe an unspecified CZ -- the world's pistol makers are completely out in the cold on this one? Not what my other resources are telling me . . ..

Thanks for the effort though; and to turnerriver for his support :-).

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

That is CERTAINLY not what I said or what I see.
There are tons of Glocks, probably a plurality; and some XDs along with the Plastic S&W and some few of the other striker fired plastic pistols.

I think you would find your best market for leather holsters among 1911 shooters who are often traditionalists in gear as well as guns. A "serious gunman" holster would fit right in as long as it were of conventional layout, no AIWB or such.

My only CZ is an elderly Czech, I am sorry I don't know which of the present crop is the most popular, but they are out there as the experience gained in IPSC spreads to USPSA and IDPA.

Sig Sauers are not very common, I know one group who is all-Legion, but that may be all one family or all one club.

Berettas are seldom seen in spite of Wilson's efforts to diversify their product lineup.

Red,
So I did a quick look at the results of Optic Nationals per my previous post. Here are the results:
Top Model of Firearm
M&P 20%
Sig P320 17%
Glock 34 15%
CZ SP01 15%

The complete chart of results is in the Jan/Feb issue pg 40-41

From Single Stack Nationals Sept/Oct Issue, pg-36-37
Springfield 29%
STI 25%
Kimber 6%
Sig 6%
Wilson Combat 6%

The issue for Iron Sight Nats, Jan 2018 would not load for me.

Over the years, shooting idpa and steel challenge, I have seen many guns but the ones I see the most are easily and in no particular order:

1. The long-slide polymer guns (various makes but you can guess)
2. 1911 (various makes)

Just my experience, and ymmv...

Many thanks, especially to Jim and to Northbay; I've added a fourth pistol family to my build list (hint, it has a hammer, but then so do the existing three).

You all have been a big help. If all are using Kydex then I'm a non-starter and don't mind; this holster meets 'the rules' but is not aimed at the market. I simply wanted to 'target' the pistols used that are also carry pistols (and two other undisclosed features).

You're the best. Special thanks to turnerriver who is moderator on the holster forum and keeps us all in line there.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

CZ hardly fits unspecified. The 75 and the SP01 are both well recognized.
How many gunfighters are left in Australia? The only ones I met in my 17 years there were Malaya and Vietnam veterans.

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Halfway and one more step

Why is there always someone on forums who brings up where I live? Not relevant to my query (so please don't feel obliged to answer my rhetorical question)(some may have to look up that big word).

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

I use Kydex for my 625 and 627 - but that was after a fairly exhaustive search for a compliant leather product which was ultimately unsuccessful. But then, I also use wheel guns, so there you go.

I did refer to your query. Note my comment on CZ.
Why do you include tales of your present domicile and association with “gunfighters”. Heavens sake, man. If you’re not fishing for attention, leave out the “street gunmen” and “real gunfighter” nonsense.
Your well respected reputation as a holster designer should be sufficient to assuage any need for added attention.

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Halfway and one more step

To repeat, there's always one. Usually with the word 'tex' in the fake name.

And I didn't mention Australia at all; which is why I wondered why you 'went there'.

I often mention my armourer because, unlike every other holster maker, my guy gives his qualified attention to my new designs and my regular production. So when he gives the thumbs up he is saying he would trust his own life to them, by having notches on his guns he gives me great confidence in them; and that should do the same for a consumer of my products. He is, by the way, an American street copper -- I think you assumed something else, and embarrassed yourself accordingly.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

No reason to be nasty, Red.

I don’t feel embarrassed at all, Red. It would take a lot more than a leatherworkers opinion to do that. (By your own words, you’re the one who assumed, didn’t you).

All the best to you, hope you live a long and happy life.

By the way, if “fake names” bother you, Red (is that your real name? or fake) that’s a shame, as it’s a common thing in forum protocol.
My real name is known by enough members here who I’ve met in person, don’t let yourself be embarrassed about the reason you show Australia as your residence, you’re not that special in having emigrated to the Antipodes.
I’ll consider the matter closed, and defer from giving you references to friends of mine who are competitive handgunners in Australian IPSC and SSAA.

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Halfway and one more step