Recommended Equipment
Having the proper training equipment for taking any firearms course is important for being ready, safe and comfortable and is an investment that will pay you back with better learning and development experiences. We strive to have our students train with the actual equipment and method they carry on their person everyday.
Here is a list of the minimally required and recommended equipment that has been found to be successfully used throughout the defensive firearms training industry as well as the prohibited items for successfully taking our courses.
Holsters
The method of carry you choose will help to determine the type of holsters you will want to research and purchase for your everyday carry and training. There are three common practiced methods of carry that are successfully used by everyday civilians: OWB (Outside the Waistband), IWB (inside the Waistband) and AIWB (Appendix Inside the Waistband). OWB and IWB are typically worn on a belt between the front of the person's hips to slightly behind the hip but never in the small of the back! AIWB is also worn secured with a belt with the holster worn in the appendix area, forward of the hips.
Holsters recommended for use during our courses and everyday concealed carry are made of kydex or leather (cowhide/horsehide) with either an open top or thumb-break (usually found on leather holsters).
A good concealment holster must be:
- Comfortable: to wear all day without constant adjustments or discomfort
- Concealable: keeps the handgun hidden out of sight from the public eye
- Secure: holds the handgun firmly in place while being worn in concealment
- Fast: allows the handgun to be accessed and presented without delay
Holsters recommended for use during our courses and everyday concealed carry are made of kydex or leather (cowhide/horsehide) with either an open top or thumb-break (usually found on leather holsters).
A good concealment holster must be:
- Comfortable: to wear all day without constant adjustments or discomfort
- Concealable: keeps the handgun hidden out of sight from the public eye
- Secure: holds the handgun firmly in place while being worn in concealment
- Fast: allows the handgun to be accessed and presented without delay
Belts
We recommend a good sturdy belt for everyday concealed carry. Since most of our training involves the three methods of OWB, IWB and AIWB we suggest investing a in high quality belt that is rigid and capable of holding the weight of the holstered handgun and other EDC (Everyday Carry) items in place.
A good sturdy belt will be one made of high quality top grain leather; cow, bull, horse hide or synthetic material such as those made from SCUBA webbing and at least 1.5" in width. The belt should not bend in the middle when the edges are pressed towards one another and hold it's shape very well.
A good sturdy belt will be one made of high quality top grain leather; cow, bull, horse hide or synthetic material such as those made from SCUBA webbing and at least 1.5" in width. The belt should not bend in the middle when the edges are pressed towards one another and hold it's shape very well.
Spare Ammo Management
You should carry at least one reload for you chosen carry handgun. Carrying two or more is preferred though understandably not always the most optimal. For training courses we recommend carry at least two spare 15+ round magazines or three to four single stack (6+ round) magazines (or speedloaders / speedstrips for revolvers).
For however many magazines / speedloaders you choose to carry the method you carry your spare ammo will be very important too. Pocket carry on the non-dominant side of the body (left side for right handed shooters) is a common method. However, magazine pouches worn on the waist and located on the non-dominant side of the shooters body, inside or outside the waistband is much more optimal for fast and easier reload access.
Just like holsters magazines should be made of kydex or higher quality leather. Nylon pouches are acceptable but can present some challenges to the shooter as far as how they function; flap closures can slow reload time. So open top designs are preferrred.
During a training course we find having five to seven fully loaded magazines can make a more efficient and better learning experience in the classroom.
For however many magazines / speedloaders you choose to carry the method you carry your spare ammo will be very important too. Pocket carry on the non-dominant side of the body (left side for right handed shooters) is a common method. However, magazine pouches worn on the waist and located on the non-dominant side of the shooters body, inside or outside the waistband is much more optimal for fast and easier reload access.
Just like holsters magazines should be made of kydex or higher quality leather. Nylon pouches are acceptable but can present some challenges to the shooter as far as how they function; flap closures can slow reload time. So open top designs are preferrred.
During a training course we find having five to seven fully loaded magazines can make a more efficient and better learning experience in the classroom.
Prohibited Items
We do not recommend you use or bring the following items to a handgun course.
SERPA-type holsters. These type of holsters are a use a built-in retention device that is deactivated with the index finger of the hand used to draw and fire the pistol. The problem with this method that the index finger is also the trigger finger which is placed directly over and sometimes onto the trigger upon drawing.
Bag or off-body carry methods are not recommended and prohibited in class as well. Acceptions may be made for some who use a purse that is specifically designed for carrying and drawing from concealment. These will be reviewed by the instructors to ensure that there is a dedicated compartment used ONLY for the handgun, allows access and presentation that keeps the muzzle pointed downward while in concealment and downrange upon presentation from concealment.
Shoulder holsters and cross-draw carry method. While these have their uses, such as for those who are carrying for longer durations while seated; driving, sitting at a desk, they can be dangerous to other students on the shooting line when a shooter draws and presents from this method. In everyday practice these two methods can be a detriment to the shooter as both require reaching across the body to access and present the handgun, a method that is slower, increases the risk of muzzling others in the area and can be easily fouled in close quarter situations.
SERPA-type holsters. These type of holsters are a use a built-in retention device that is deactivated with the index finger of the hand used to draw and fire the pistol. The problem with this method that the index finger is also the trigger finger which is placed directly over and sometimes onto the trigger upon drawing.
Bag or off-body carry methods are not recommended and prohibited in class as well. Acceptions may be made for some who use a purse that is specifically designed for carrying and drawing from concealment. These will be reviewed by the instructors to ensure that there is a dedicated compartment used ONLY for the handgun, allows access and presentation that keeps the muzzle pointed downward while in concealment and downrange upon presentation from concealment.
Shoulder holsters and cross-draw carry method. While these have their uses, such as for those who are carrying for longer durations while seated; driving, sitting at a desk, they can be dangerous to other students on the shooting line when a shooter draws and presents from this method. In everyday practice these two methods can be a detriment to the shooter as both require reaching across the body to access and present the handgun, a method that is slower, increases the risk of muzzling others in the area and can be easily fouled in close quarter situations.