Post by Mark Lathem on Apr 12, 2024 12:55:38 GMT -5
I am reluctant to post this; in fact, I’ve avoided doing so for several months. Nevertheless, in the interest of the welfare of the club—and in an effort to avoid conflict and potential liability—I feel compelled to do so.
2-3 years ago I was asked to draft a proposed set of guidelines for appendix carry at KPDL matches. I did so, and these rules were reviewed by the Board and voted-in by the membership. I’ve included these rules at the bottom of this message.
I have noticed in recent months that the requirement to “watch the gun into the holster” as well as the restrictions placed on striker-fired pistols (specifically, if the shooter does not have a means to block the striker the holster must be removed from the belt before a loaded gun is placed it it) are not being universally enforced.
For the record, I have no authority—nor do I want the authority—to tell anyone else what to do. I am not now, nor have I ever been, an officer or a board member, and I never asked to be the “appendix guy.” If the Board chooses to remove some or all of the appendix carry restrictions I am completely and absolutely OK with that.
Nevertheless, I do think that rules that are not enforced are worse than useless in that they cause confusion and can lead to conflict. To be clear, I am not advocating for keeping the present rules nor ditching them. I’m merely (and humbly) suggesting that we decide.
If you’ve bothered to read this far, thanks for your time.
—
Mark
INTRODUCTION
In recent years the KPDL leadership has received numerous requests from members that appendix carry be permitted at KPDL matches.
While appendix carry conveys several advantages in terms of speed and ease of access to a firearm, it poses addition risks while re-holstering due to the proximity of the muzzle to vital organs and major blood vessels. While *carrying* in the appendix position is no more dangerous than any method, the fact that a shooter will re-holster a loaded weapon multiple times during the course of a match merits mitigating measures be emplaced in the interest of safety. Furthermore, the excitement or stress of a match situation may increase the likelihood of shooters—regardless of their skill or experience level—making mistakes, enhancing the need for risk mitigation measures. Finally, it must be recognized that any adverse incidents resulting from failures to enforce reasonable safety guidelines could impact the future of KPDL.
This document is intended to permit KPDL members who ordinarily carry their firearms in the appendix position to practice with the gear they normally carry while protecting other members from potential liability, litigation, or closure of the club.
TERMINOLOGY
For the purpose of this document, “appendix carry” refers to a holster carried forward of the lateral midline of the thigh (i.e. forward of the outside seam of the trousers).
RANGE OFFICERS
If a range officer is not familiar with appendix carry requirements they may request that any shooters carrying appendix be moved to another squad. If at any time an RO questions the ability of a shooter to conduct themselves in a safe manner while carrying appendix they may require the shooter to move their holster to another position. The shooter may appeal an RO’s decision to the match director (the senior club officer present); if the match director finds in favor of the shooter, the shooter will be permitted to move to another squad, if desired.
SHOOTER QUALIFICATIONS
Only KPDL members in good standing may carry in the appendix position at KPDL matches. If at any time a shooter commits an unsafe act while carrying appendix they may—at the discretion of the KPDL board—be barred from doing so at future matches.
HOLSTERS
No “soft” (e.g. nylon or leather) holsters will be used in the appendix position. Holsters must be made of Kydex, thermoplastic, or a similar hard material that holds the firearm securely during movement and retains its shape when the firearm is drawn.
Holsters must completely cover both sides of the trigger guard.
The opening of the holster must extend above the upper edge of the belt.
The body of the holster must wrap completely around the slide or barrel. “Minimalist” holsters—such as the Raven Concealment Vanguard and similar designs—that cover only the trigger guard and a portion of the frame are not permitted. As a general guideline, if the design of a holster is such that it wouldn’t be permitted to be worn outside the waistband at a match, it cannot be used in the appendix position.
FIREARMS
The following firearms are permitted to be carried in the appendix position:
* Revolvers
* Pistols with an external thumb or grip safety
* Pistols with an exposed hammer
* Striker-fired pistols with a Striker Control Device (SCD). A SCD is a replacement backplate that, when pressed with the thumb, restricts trigger movement to the rear (e.g. Tau Development Group’s “The Gadget”).
Striker-fired pistols without external safeties (e.g. Glocks and similar designs) may be carried in the appendix position, with restrictions. See the “STRIKER-FIRED PISTOLS” paragraph at the end of this document.
MATCH PROCEDURES
Before the match begins—and while their firearm is completely unloaded—the shooter will inform the RO of their intention to shoot the match from the appendix position. Before the shooter loads at their first stage the RO will confirm that any safeties are operational by asking the shooter to point the unloaded gun down range, rack the slide or cock the hammer, engage the safety (or remove the hand from the grip safety), and attempt to pull the trigger. The RO will then instruct the shooter to draw and re-holster the firearm to confirm the shooter can perform these actions competently and safely.
At no time during the match will the shooter holster their weapon without explicit instructions to do so by the RO. The shooter *and* the RO will observe the holstering process, keeping their eyes focused on the firearm until it is completely seated in the holster. The holstering process must completed slowly and methodically.
After completing a stage and upon being told to holster by the RO, shooters with firearms equipped with thumb safeties will show the RO—who will visually confirm—that the safety is engaged prior to holstering. For guns with grip safeties the RO will confirm the shooter’s hand does not touch the grip safety during the holstering process.
For guns with external hammers or Striker Control Devices the shooter will place his or her thumb over the hammer or SCD prior to holstering and will keep the thumb in place until the firearm is completely seated in the holster. If at any time during this action the shooter senses any movement of the hammer or SCD they will immediately stop, lift the gun clear of the holster, and inspect the holster for obstructions.
STRIKER-FIRED PISTOLS
Striker-fired pistols without external safeties or SCDs may be carried appendix at KPDL matches with the following restriction:
The loaded firearm may not be placed into the holster while the holster is mounted on the shooter’s belt. When the shooter is finished with a stage, the RO will instruct the shooter that they have the option to re-load the gun with a fresh magazine. The RO will then direct the shooter to place their pistol on a flat surface (e.g. the top of a barrel) with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. The shooter may then remove their holster from their belt, insert the firearm into the holster (taking care to not “muzzle” any part of their body), and replace the holster containing the firearm on their belt. The RO will observe this process to ensure it is conducted safely.
2-3 years ago I was asked to draft a proposed set of guidelines for appendix carry at KPDL matches. I did so, and these rules were reviewed by the Board and voted-in by the membership. I’ve included these rules at the bottom of this message.
I have noticed in recent months that the requirement to “watch the gun into the holster” as well as the restrictions placed on striker-fired pistols (specifically, if the shooter does not have a means to block the striker the holster must be removed from the belt before a loaded gun is placed it it) are not being universally enforced.
For the record, I have no authority—nor do I want the authority—to tell anyone else what to do. I am not now, nor have I ever been, an officer or a board member, and I never asked to be the “appendix guy.” If the Board chooses to remove some or all of the appendix carry restrictions I am completely and absolutely OK with that.
Nevertheless, I do think that rules that are not enforced are worse than useless in that they cause confusion and can lead to conflict. To be clear, I am not advocating for keeping the present rules nor ditching them. I’m merely (and humbly) suggesting that we decide.
If you’ve bothered to read this far, thanks for your time.
—
Mark
INTRODUCTION
In recent years the KPDL leadership has received numerous requests from members that appendix carry be permitted at KPDL matches.
While appendix carry conveys several advantages in terms of speed and ease of access to a firearm, it poses addition risks while re-holstering due to the proximity of the muzzle to vital organs and major blood vessels. While *carrying* in the appendix position is no more dangerous than any method, the fact that a shooter will re-holster a loaded weapon multiple times during the course of a match merits mitigating measures be emplaced in the interest of safety. Furthermore, the excitement or stress of a match situation may increase the likelihood of shooters—regardless of their skill or experience level—making mistakes, enhancing the need for risk mitigation measures. Finally, it must be recognized that any adverse incidents resulting from failures to enforce reasonable safety guidelines could impact the future of KPDL.
This document is intended to permit KPDL members who ordinarily carry their firearms in the appendix position to practice with the gear they normally carry while protecting other members from potential liability, litigation, or closure of the club.
TERMINOLOGY
For the purpose of this document, “appendix carry” refers to a holster carried forward of the lateral midline of the thigh (i.e. forward of the outside seam of the trousers).
RANGE OFFICERS
If a range officer is not familiar with appendix carry requirements they may request that any shooters carrying appendix be moved to another squad. If at any time an RO questions the ability of a shooter to conduct themselves in a safe manner while carrying appendix they may require the shooter to move their holster to another position. The shooter may appeal an RO’s decision to the match director (the senior club officer present); if the match director finds in favor of the shooter, the shooter will be permitted to move to another squad, if desired.
SHOOTER QUALIFICATIONS
Only KPDL members in good standing may carry in the appendix position at KPDL matches. If at any time a shooter commits an unsafe act while carrying appendix they may—at the discretion of the KPDL board—be barred from doing so at future matches.
HOLSTERS
No “soft” (e.g. nylon or leather) holsters will be used in the appendix position. Holsters must be made of Kydex, thermoplastic, or a similar hard material that holds the firearm securely during movement and retains its shape when the firearm is drawn.
Holsters must completely cover both sides of the trigger guard.
The opening of the holster must extend above the upper edge of the belt.
The body of the holster must wrap completely around the slide or barrel. “Minimalist” holsters—such as the Raven Concealment Vanguard and similar designs—that cover only the trigger guard and a portion of the frame are not permitted. As a general guideline, if the design of a holster is such that it wouldn’t be permitted to be worn outside the waistband at a match, it cannot be used in the appendix position.
FIREARMS
The following firearms are permitted to be carried in the appendix position:
* Revolvers
* Pistols with an external thumb or grip safety
* Pistols with an exposed hammer
* Striker-fired pistols with a Striker Control Device (SCD). A SCD is a replacement backplate that, when pressed with the thumb, restricts trigger movement to the rear (e.g. Tau Development Group’s “The Gadget”).
Striker-fired pistols without external safeties (e.g. Glocks and similar designs) may be carried in the appendix position, with restrictions. See the “STRIKER-FIRED PISTOLS” paragraph at the end of this document.
MATCH PROCEDURES
Before the match begins—and while their firearm is completely unloaded—the shooter will inform the RO of their intention to shoot the match from the appendix position. Before the shooter loads at their first stage the RO will confirm that any safeties are operational by asking the shooter to point the unloaded gun down range, rack the slide or cock the hammer, engage the safety (or remove the hand from the grip safety), and attempt to pull the trigger. The RO will then instruct the shooter to draw and re-holster the firearm to confirm the shooter can perform these actions competently and safely.
At no time during the match will the shooter holster their weapon without explicit instructions to do so by the RO. The shooter *and* the RO will observe the holstering process, keeping their eyes focused on the firearm until it is completely seated in the holster. The holstering process must completed slowly and methodically.
After completing a stage and upon being told to holster by the RO, shooters with firearms equipped with thumb safeties will show the RO—who will visually confirm—that the safety is engaged prior to holstering. For guns with grip safeties the RO will confirm the shooter’s hand does not touch the grip safety during the holstering process.
For guns with external hammers or Striker Control Devices the shooter will place his or her thumb over the hammer or SCD prior to holstering and will keep the thumb in place until the firearm is completely seated in the holster. If at any time during this action the shooter senses any movement of the hammer or SCD they will immediately stop, lift the gun clear of the holster, and inspect the holster for obstructions.
STRIKER-FIRED PISTOLS
Striker-fired pistols without external safeties or SCDs may be carried appendix at KPDL matches with the following restriction:
The loaded firearm may not be placed into the holster while the holster is mounted on the shooter’s belt. When the shooter is finished with a stage, the RO will instruct the shooter that they have the option to re-load the gun with a fresh magazine. The RO will then direct the shooter to place their pistol on a flat surface (e.g. the top of a barrel) with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. The shooter may then remove their holster from their belt, insert the firearm into the holster (taking care to not “muzzle” any part of their body), and replace the holster containing the firearm on their belt. The RO will observe this process to ensure it is conducted safely.
