Wednesday, May 16, 2007

180 Rule Question

A little Galco 'Holster Pr0n'

I've always wondered a bit about the 180 degree rule and holsters, particularly regarding when drawing from the holster. I've always understood the rule to apply both horizontally and vertically, as if there was an invisible wall or plane, and anytime the muzzle broke that plane you had violated the rule. The exception being when the gun is holstered or cased.

When the shooter draws from a holster such as the one above, as the muzzle comes out of the holster it is usually pointed around 20 degrees to the rear. Isn't that breaking the 180 degree rule?

To me, the situation pictured above looks kinda dangerous, as it's obviously cocked, but the thumb safety can't be seen to determine its position. The grip safety looks functional, but not all semi-autos have grip safeties, and in some cases shooters choose to pin them and rely on the thumb safety only.

I suspect different shooting organisations have somewhat different rules, but is there any standardized interpretation of the rule? I'm sure some of you out there have a much better understanding of this than I do, so that's why I'm throwing the question out for your input!

5 Comments:

At Wednesday, May 16, 2007 7:03:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

the other issue is that this guy has like a 28 inch waist, which was about thirty years ago for me. what carry position is best and porno for a guy with a little "extra"?
mark

 
At Wednesday, May 16, 2007 9:12:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

SASS (Single Action Shooting Society) is very tough on the 180 rule. About the only time it really comes into play is with those who use cross-draw. The rule has been that as long as the gun is in the holster it is OK to be pointed behind the firing line but as soon as the hand touches the gun you must obey the 180 rule. In SASS they have what is called, the cross-draw dance. To draw cross, you have to twist your body sideways to the firing line so that the gun is pointed down range. You then draw the gun and twist back while keeping the barrel within the 180 down range and bring it up to the target about the same time your body gets square to the line. The same thing in reverse when you re-holster the gun. Take your hand off and you can turn back.

It makes for some pretty funny hopping around in some of the faster stages where you draw and fire the strong side re-holster and then move to a different position and draw the cross side.

Damiphino

 
At Saturday, May 19, 2007 10:32:00 AM, Blogger Hobie said...

The safety never wiped to the off position in my Galco IWB holster but improper use of the snap on my Bianchi 7L can push the safety to the off position.

I don't give a hoot for 180 degree this or that. I don't point it at things I don't intend to shoot and when I do point it at something I intend for it to be hurt. Drawing the gun is a necessary part of pointing the gun at something for a serious purpose.

I guess you can tell I don't participate in shooting "games".

 
At Tuesday, May 22, 2007 8:33:00 PM, Blogger Jerry The Geek said...

I DO participate in shooting "games".

In IPSC, the applicable rules are:

5.2.7 - A competitor must not be permitted to commence a course of fire wearing:
...
5.2.7.3 - A holster with the muzzle of the handgun pointing further than one meter (3.28 feet) from the competitor's feet while standing relaxed.

This rule is obviously dependent upon the height of the competitor. A holster which is perfectly legal (and 'safe') on a 4' tall ten-year-old may be illegal (and 'unsafe') on a 6'4" 20-year-old.

 
At Sunday, December 08, 2013 6:59:00 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

That holster does not appear to be a gamer type.
In the real world the best holster is the one that allows you to draw and shoot before being killed.
In the controlled environment of the gamer world the 'experts' tell you which holster to use.
That is the difference. Use the holster and methods that keep you alive unless you are in pretend land.

 

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