Saul Kirsch is the General Manager of Double-Alpha Academy, based in The Netherlands.

During the first week of October his company participated in the European Handgun Championships (IPSC) in Hungary, where they also released their new holster: Alpha-X.

I had the opportunity to get a personal demonstration and also see his own holster (and Open gun) in action.

Below you can see him busy selling and configuring a holster for a client.

For those who don’t know him, Saul Kirsh is a pretty good IPSC shooter too, and has written several books on the subject.

This time he finished 8:th with 90,99% in the open division at the European Handgun Championships, so there’s probably a few things he knows better than most.

Below: All of the current colors available. (gold & bronze to the left)

Since the release, I’ve been using the DAA Race Master Holsters and belts for all my competitions and guns. They do a pretty good job, but I find a few things irritating and there’s been room for improvement. Some things have been fixed with upgrades during time, some not. Things that unscrew themselves, come loose, don’t lock where I want it etc. is always a source of distraction.

There more I can focus on the competitions itself, and my walk-through and shooting the better.

I have bought an Alpha-X, but haven’t started using it yet. However, all of the previous drawbacks now seem fixed. The main issue, in my opinion, has been the tightening of the ball joints, which now has a completely new function. I can take my existing DAA insert blocks (unique to each pistol) and use them in the new holster, which is a great benefit.

Another advantage is the ability to chose colors. The benefit for dealers is they need only to stock the stickers, and

So if anyone asks “Do you have Blue“, the dealer can answer yes if there is a sticker and a holster in stock.

Personally, I went for Bronze as it had like a 3D effect in it.

 

Here is Saul just before entering a stage. The holster is very discrete, you don’t really think about it.

I think Saul had a problem with the extractor and changed to his back-up gun instead. Hence the somewhat traditional Aimpoint, which still seemed to do the job perfectly. Note the magnet for a magazine on the belt.

 

A video from EHC2016, which explains many features much better than words would.

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From DAA’s homepage:

New Ball Joint and Lock-Up Mechanism

The ball joint of the Alpha-X offers a wide range of motion, allowing you to position your holster at just the right angle. This holster uses a much larger ball joint and a pressure lug lock-up, which locks the ball firmly without marking or damaging it. With this system even the smallest adjustments are always possible.

The ball joint is now located higher up, closer to the center of the holster. This reduces the torque and forces applied, contributing to the solid rigid feel of the holster.

A large easy-to-reach one-screw locking system allows you to adjust the holster position even when wearing it.

Body Rail Height Adjustment

The Alpha-X achieves its height adjustment by means of a rail built directly into the side of the holster body itself. This offers an extended range of adjustment and again reduces torque and forces applied. Here too the lock up is achieved by an expanding dovetail mechanism that does not gouge or damage the rail.

Detachable Belt Hanger

The Alpha-X has a two-piece belt hanger which can be dismantled by opening a single screw, allowing all position settings to be maintained while removing the holster body from the belt for easier space-saving transport.

Interchangeable Color Logo Inserts

The Alpha-X is available in black anodize only, with an assortment of optional color inserts for the hanger and body logos. You can change these laser-cut plastic inserts whenever you choose.

The Same Race Master Insert Blocks

The Alpha-X utilizes the same successful magnetic insert blocks used by the latest generation Race Master Holster. An Alpha-X Holster can be purchased with or without an insert block, making the upgrade easier and more affordable for shooters already using our Race Master Holsters.

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Saul doing stage 6 at EHC2016.

Link to DAA’s shop: Alpha-X holster

I don’t know if you can purchase directly if you’re in the USA, or if it is easier via Competitive Edge Dynamics as they work together.

As I mentioned I have bought the new Alpha-X and I hope to be able to review it at a later stage.