Great summary!
Maybe I can ask some questions and the OP can modify the original or someone else can chime in?
1. Can someone speak to "concealment"? Required for IDPA, but what about USPSA? What does everyone use? (I don't own a fishing vest) What do people use when it is cold?
USPSA and IPSC do not require concealment and it's actually unusual to see it at a USPSA match (in some states it would be illegal!). When you do see someone shooting from concealment, they usually have objectives that do not necessarily coincide with winning the pistol match. BarryIN is someone you will see do it, and he actually does well in the results anyway. I do it sometimes too.
For IDPA, the best bet is to conceal the way you normally do, appropriate for the weather. If you really wear a fishing vest, wear it. If you wear a jacket, wear it. If you wear an untucked shirt, wear that. For most people, the fishing vest serves the purpose of being a "uniform" for IDPA. For some, it's a competition tool to allow them to draw more quickly and consistently because vests can be arranged to be swept clear of the gun very easily. Yeah, some people really do wear them, but I only know one person who really does all the time.
2. Magazine holders in USPSA? Unlimited?
Depends on the division. The rule book has a set of appendices at the end with equipment rules for all divisions. The most restrictive rules are for production and single stack divisions, but it's more about where you can put them on your belt than the type of mag carrier.
And I have all sorts of questions about when can you change a magazine in both, but I figure I'll figure that out when they penalize me...
In USPSA, you can change magazines whenever you choose, although some standards/classifiers may require magazine changes at certain times. In IDPA, most mag changes must occur behind cover if it exists, except for standard exercises.
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