Why is a high ride height faster?
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Because keeping the drop leg (holster) higher decreases inertia (rotational inertia) which takes less effort to move your leg.
A holster being further away (lower) from a pivot (your hip joint) actually makes your leg swing slower.
This concept can be broken down into these two key points:
1. Mass Distribution: The moment of inertia is calculated by multiplying the mass of the leg by the square of the distance from the pivot point (I = mr²). Because the distance (r) is squared, shifting mass further away from your hip (the pivot) drastically increases the effort needed to swing it. A drop leg (holster) positioned lower on your leg will feel a lot heavier.
2. Conservation of Angular Momentum: To start moving the leg, your muscles must generate enough force to overcome this inertia. A higher moment of inertia means a slower acceleration for the same amount of muscular force. A drop leg (holster) positioned higher on your leg will feel a lot lighter, which allows faster acceleration of your leg.
How Leverage Works:
In physics, this rotational force is called torque.
For example, if you apply a 2lb force at different distances, the torque changes as follows:
- At 2 inches from your hip to your handgun: 2 lbs x 2 inches = 4 inch-pounds of rotational force.
- At 6 inches from your hip to your handguns: 2 lbs x 6 inches = 12 inch-pounds of rotational force.
What this Means for You:
- At 6 inches, a 2 lb weight will feel 3 times heavier and will be 3 times harder to lift, hold, or rotate compared to placing it at 2 inches.
- Keeping your holster and handgun higher will allow you to move faster because it takes less effort. |
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