Jul/Aug - uspsa

BY SCOTT CARTER, FY-9448
"The Most Versatile and Unique
Holster Ever Made" — that statement is
boldly imprinted on the Hogue Power-
Speed Holster's package. What makes
the PowerSpeed so versatile and
unique? First, this holster uses ex -
tremely strong magnets to secure the
pistol. Second, it has a locking mechanism
that will not allow the pistol to
fall out or even be drawn unless the
lock is released. Third, it will fit just
about any full-size semi-automatic pistol
you can name; and, finally, it is infinitely
adjustable.
Magnets, you say? The magnets are
the PowerSpeed's most recognizable
feature. In fact, a warning on the package
urges the shooter not to place the
holster near magnetic media because of
the strong magnets. The Hogue POM -
erS pe e d does not retain the pistol by
the trigger guard as in most competition
holsters. Instead, the PowerSpeed
uses two extremely strong NeFb magnets
to "grip" one side of the slide. The
magnets never actually touch the pistol
so the finish won't be scratched or
damaged. This holster is extremely fast
because there are no straps, clamps,
catches, etc. to slow the draw. The holster
has the front fully cut away so that
you do not even have to pull up and
out. You just grasp the pistol and draw
straight out to your front toward the
target. The shooter only provides the
force required to shear the magnets'
grasp. So, the PowerSpeed fills the holster
requirement of "Speed."
A key feature of the PowerSpeed is
the locking mechanism. How many
Hogue PowerSpeed Holster
Photos by Scott Carte
The Hogue PowerSpeed with an Open Division Caspian race gun.
times have you walked around an1PSC
club with a hand on your pistol to
make sure it did not fall out? Do you
use a "walk-through" strap, cover, etc.
or do you bag your pistol after every
stage? If so, this new locking feature
alone may sell you on the PowerSpeed.
The lock consists of a locking bolt, bolt
actuator, and bolt spring. When actuated,
the bolt extends through the trigger
guard and locks the pistol into the
PowerSpeed. The bolt has three positions
— Fully Locked, Semi-Race, and
Full Race. The lock is simple and instinctive.
The shooter holsters the pistol
naturally by sliding it in place as the
magnets grip the slide, this position is
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Full Race. While still holding the pistol
in a normal grasp, the shooter uses two
fingers to raise the bolt actuator (a "T"-
shaped bar) up. Raising it to one detent
is Semi-Race and two detents is Fully
Locked. Most shooters will use the
Fully Locked mode all the time except
when actually prepared to draw.
For example, after stepping into the
"box," the shooter will grasp the pistol,
use his shooting hand thumb to push
down and release the lock, then draw
the pistol through the grasp of the
magnets to "Load and Make Ready."
The pistol will then be re-holstered in
Full Race (no lock — magnets only)
mode. At the buzzer, the pistol will be
drawn by shearing the grasp of the
magnets. Upon completing the stage
and "Showing Clear," the shooter will
holster a cold pistol, apply the Fully
Locked mode, and then pick up brass,
etc. with full confidence that the pistol
will not fall out. So, the PowerSpeed
meets the holster requirement of "Security."
Why is it important to have a holster
to fit a variety of pistols? Let's face
it, all IPSC shooters shoot 1911s,
right? A few Glocks have broken into
the club, but that is about all! Well,
34 FRONT SIGHT • July/August 2000