Holsters and Gear Recommendations
Competition Pistol Holster: USPSA and IDPA Holster Rules
Quick answer: A competition pistol holster has to pass the rules of the match you shoot. In USPSA, every division bans shoulder holsters and requires the trigger covered and the grip above the belt; Production and Carry Optics add holster limits. IDPA requires a concealable strong-side holster on a belt no wider than 1-3/4 inches. Check the current rulebook for your division.
Rules Both Sports Share
- The trigger is covered. USPSA bans “A holster which does not completely prevent access to, or activation of, the trigger while holstered.” IDPA: a holster “Must completely cover the trigger guard and prevent activation of the trigger while holstered.”
- The grip sits above the belt. USPSA: “the heel of the butt of the handgun must not be below the top of the belt.” IDPA: “All IDPA legal holsters must hold the butt of the firearm clearly above the top of the belt.”
- No shoulder holsters. USPSA bans “A shoulder holster (visible or otherwise),” and IDPA lists shoulder holsters as non-permitted.
USPSA Holster Rules
From the USPSA rulebook (2026-09 edition at rules.uspsa.org):
- No required brand: “USPSA Competition matches will not require the use of a particular type or brand of holster.”
- IWB is allowed unless the division says otherwise: “Providing the Division does not restrict the type or physical location of the holster, IWB or concealment holsters are legal, as long as the firearms can safely be drawn and replaced, and so doing does not break any safety rules.” For the NROI’s guidance on safeties when holstering, see our holstering guide.
- Muzzle angle: also banned is “A holster with the muzzle of the handgun pointing farther than 3 feet from the competitor’s feet while standing relaxed.”
- The belt: it “must be worn at the waist level,” and “The belt or the inner belt or both must be either securely fixed at the waist or secured with a minimum of three belt loops.”
- No moving gear mid-match: “the position of holsters and allied equipment on the belt must not be moved or changed by a competitor during a match.”
How USPSA Divisions Differ
| Division | Max distance of gun and mags from the belt | Holster restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Open, Limited | 3 3/8″ (length of an overlay) | None beyond the general rules |
| Production, Carry Optics | 2 1/8″ (width of an overlay) | Must be suitable for everyday use; race-gun holsters prohibited; must cover the slide to 1/2″ below the ejection port |
Source: USPSA appendices D1, D2, D4 and D7. The Production appendix reads: “Suitable for everyday use. Race Gun type holsters prohibited.” Other divisions have their own appendix; check yours.
IDPA Holster Rules
IDPA is built around concealed carry gear. Its rulebook (2026.2) says equipment must not be “visible while wearing a concealment garment,” and a holster:
- “Must be suitable for all day concealed carry or duty style holsters and worn on each stage regardless of the start position.”
- “Must be a strong side hip holster worn inside the waistband (IWB) between 12 and 4 for right-handed shooters, or outside the waist band between 2 and 4 for right-handed shooters.”
- If worn outside the waistband, must “carry the firearm in a neutral (vertical) or muzzle rear cant,” and “The rear or vertical cant angle can be no more than 15 degrees.”
IDPA’s non-permitted list includes cross-draw carry, shoulder holsters, small of the back carry and pocket carry.
The Belt Under a Competition Rig
The two sports treat belts differently. IDPA: “Belts may be no wider than 1-3/4 inches or thicker than 5/16 inches and must pass through a minimum of all but two of the pant loops.” USPSA allows a belt that is “securely fixed at the waist” as an alternative to three belt loops.
The Kore C1 Competition Belt we carry is a two-part belt: the kit includes the “C1 Buckle & Black Competition Belt (1.5″), Inner Velcro Liner Belt (1.5″).” Kore lists it at “1.5” / 6mm,” with a load rating of “15+ lbs. / Competition Use,” and a track with “20+ sizing points to adjust in small ¼” increments.” Kore says the belts are made for “USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) and IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) events.”
For IDPA, Kore adds a note: “Kore competition belts (outer belt & inner belt) are not permissible for IDPA matches.” Its suggestion is “using just the stiff 1.5″ outer belt, which can feed thru 2 or more belt loops, OR any of our 1.5″ CCW style belts.” Check the belt you choose against IDPA’s width, thickness and belt-loop rules above.
See all our competition belts. For what makes a holster fast on the draw, see our quick draw holster guide.
Competition Pistol Holster: Questions People Ask
Can I use an IWB or appendix holster in USPSA?
USPSA says IWB and concealment holsters are legal where the division doesn’t restrict the type or location of the holster. Check your division’s appendix.
Is cross draw allowed?
Not in IDPA, which lists cross-draw carry as non-permitted. In USPSA, check the muzzle-angle and safety rules for your division.
Can I use a race holster in Production?
No. USPSA’s Production appendix says “Race Gun type holsters prohibited.”
Is a Kore C1 legal for IDPA?
Kore says its competition belts (outer and inner) are not permissible for IDPA matches.
Written by the Cloudster Pillow team. We make the Cloudster Pillow and the Cloudster magnetic mag carriers, and carry Kore belts. We don’t sell holsters or firearms. Rules quoted are from the USPSA rulebook (2026-09) and the IDPA rulebook (2026.2) as published on November 2, 2026; rules change, so check the current rulebook and your match director before you compete.
