Cometition holster questions

[S&W1006]

I shoot in several different competitions. I have really been enjoying shooting my revolvers in some of the matches. I shoot my 617 6 inch in the rimfire challenge and I want to add a red dot to speed up my times. I also shoot it as a second gun in a plate mattch. I need a holster that will work with the optic. I have looked online at the Safariland 002 holster but I am unclear if I have to buy their belt for it to work. If I do that puts the cost up there. I don't mind spending some money but I can't spend 100's on equipment besides it's a hobby. Does anybody know of some reasonable holsters that will work? Revolver holsters with optics seem to be hard to find. Some of the holsters I have seen are 150-200 and I can't justify that kind of money. Has anybody tried the Safariland 002? Do you have to buy their belt? Are there any other options out there that won't break the bank? I ran into this problem with mu Ruger Mark III when I added a red dot but Black Max made a decent holster for 30 and I love it. I wish I could find something along those lines.

 

[bgrafsr]

You will be better off asking this in the Smith & Wesson Competition Section.

 

[686_was_my_first]

I use the 002 for USPSA.

The holster can accommodate a belt up to 1 1/2 wide. The holster has velcro (hook and loop) at the tabs to hold it in place.

I did purchase the holster, the underbelt and the outer belt from Safariland about 3 years ago. Think the total price was $160.

Hope this helps,
glen

 

[wantmoresmiths]

If you plan on using tube stye red dot you could buy a Blade-Tech or Comp-Tac Kydex holster, for about $60. You can use an exacto knife or dremmel tool to cut a channel to allow the base for your red dot to fit down into the holster. A better option would be to use one of the small reflex red dots such as the Burris FastFire III. Or the J Point. Which appears to easily fit into a standard holster
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...48024-holsters-red-dot-equipped-handguns.html

 

[m657]

re: " Are there any other options out there that won't break the bank?"

for this very question, I decided to stay with open sights, but upgraded to the FiberOptic LPA version. That way I stay in the limited class, as the red dot isn't going to make me much faster in the local matches, as the really Really REALLY fast guys are there.

I didn't like the cost of the options for red dot + comp holster.
I enjoy continuing to buff up my limited speed, and enjoy the increase in my ability to cover the string without.

In 22 revolver, we can start at low-port already out of holster anyway, which all the fast 22 open class autos are doing.

I can use my old leather holster, still good after all these years, and my LGA sights were under $100. Plus they please me for being relatively 'low tech' in an era increasingly more driven to more stuff.

I shoot ICORE and Steel Challenge with fiber optics and use the same holster but different revolvers.

Yes, the red dot does make a little faster stage time for me on autos, but even then I just can't stand the real competition skeletonized race holsters.

 

[Macinaw]

I shoot Steel Challenge in OSR category. You get what you pay for. I started with a Ghost holster. It worked well for about a year, until I had a problem re-holstering my M&P 327. It didn't lock in securely. On the ground it went. MDQ I have just purchased a CR speed holster that securely holds the revolver from the muzzle. I feel much more confident now.

I shoot with a guy that has the Safari 02 that has a problem getting the revolver out of the holster. It isn't as fast as a Ghost or CR.

Ghost $140 plus $50 for comp. belt

CR speed $175 (worth the money)

 

[kmca1]

I have the additional "problem" with being left handed. I use a Ghost for USPSA and like it. I'm not too fond of the Safariland 002 for ICORE. I called Blade-Tech last week and the customer service lady told me that they were about to put a 6inch K frame holster into production in 6 or 7 weeks. Both left and right hand versions, and of course, any belt attachment you want. I'm not sure if it will accomodate an optic, but it wouldn't hurt to call.