[ArtFWTx]

Now that you guys have me reading Gabe Suarez materials, I was reading on warriortalk.com that Suarez doesn't allow Blackhawk Serpa holsters due to risk of accidental discharge with trigger finger after pushing button on holster. I do not own one but they do seem to be popular.

What are the better Kydex or composite belt or thigh holsters out there right now for a duty sized handgun, say a Sig or 1911?

 

[owenslee]

I read his forum and his comments...and was surprised.

I use a Serpa for both a Glock 17 and Glock 21. I think they are extremely safe as long as the trigger finger is extended along the side of the holster when releasing.

I recently read the reports of accidental discharges at Front Site since they began training at their facility. As I recall there were approximately seven incidents. All were with 1911 clones carried cocked and locked. All were using "conventional" holsters carried on the strong side. None were Glocks and none were Serpas although that style of holster has only been out I believe about two years.

I feel very safe using one...with a Glock. However it would be an interesting search for "Serpa" and "unintentional discharge" and see what comes up.

I respect Gabe's opinion greatly...but have yet to hear of an incident caused by a Serpa.

There is also a Serpa Clone made in Israel that I saw at the SHOT show. Apparently there are some who consider the design it to be a safe holster. Gabe simply is not among that number.

Kerry

 

[constructor]

I use a Serpa too

 

[paulosantos]

When we switched over to the M&P's, we also switched to the Safariland triple. Retention holsters and we like them a lot. For officer safety they are great and still pretty fast with practice.

 

[BillBond]

I use a Serpa too

+1

They seen safe to me, but I do not carry a gun for a living.

8)

 

[joequick]

I use a kydex for concealed carry. No complaints. I like it better than I ever thought possible. It's lightweight and secures the weapon.

If you are carrying in the open, maybe a retention device makes sense. My duty holster has a thumb-break and lends itself to high-stress engagements. I've seen cops carrying the forefinger-device holsters. I wonder how these folks hold up during stress fire or shoot-don't-shoot drills.

I love 1911s and single-shot revolvers----but I would never carry either one.

 

[Pinto]

There are lots of marines and other army over here using Serpas both on and OFF the FOB (so don't even start that "FOBit" conversation w/me). I tested Safariland 6005, Specter, Serpa and ended up carrying in a Serpa. No issues, have only drawn it once when something weird was going on. The pistol came out without thinking about it and I never felt like I might shoot myself, regardless of action type. If I ever get off my ass and do it I'll write a full review but it boils down to:

Pros: durable, good retention, good fit, well made, safe, can be reholstered ON THE MOVE in any position, excellent suspension system.
Cons: I DO consider the index finger release to be "fine muscle control" and it must be trained to. The mechanism is just that, a mechanism, so it must be maintained. That said, even in sand storm conditions I've never had trouble drawing, which I've tried several times out of curiosity.

Gotta get back to work!!

 

[ron169]

I rarely carry my Glock while off duty, but when I do, I use the Blackhawk Serpa Holster (Carbon Fiber!) The majority of the time I use it is when Im at the range or doing tactical training. I have advised civilians against getting it because of the indext finger button, but when I draw, My index finger naturally goes straight to the frame above the trigger. Now for duty carry we carry Safariland Level 3, I really dont want to be another cop killed by his own gun!

I used to own a Fobus with a thumb snap, but gave that to my brother, I hated that thumb break

 

[rmcdermid]

I used the MTAC for concealed carry. It is a hybrid leather/kydex, but I LOVE it.

 

[marinesg1012]

I personally dont use the SERPA's but a lot of guys I know use them and like them. I use the single retention kydex at work and at home with no issues. I have used the safariland drop holsters before and liked them, I have used some triple retention ones and am not a huge fan but they have thier uses I guess.

 

[joshuades]

I wasn't too crazy about the Serpa holsters. The button and my finger didn't line up quite right (one of the police supply stores here let me try my pistols in different holsters, never owned one of the Serpas). Never felt like I might shoot myself getting the pistol out, but nobody was shooting at me either. I have an Uncle Mikes pro3 holster from when I had to do security. It is bulky but I had to work in crowds and it felt like a better specemin of holster for that line of work. For concealed, I use a Blade Tech IWB. It works like other kydex holsters by pinching the trigger guard, and I don't get my shirt tangled up in it. So far it suits my needs well.

 

[BLACK LION]

I call bs...

Ill bet my life and those around me on the serpa retention holster... and would recommend it to anyone...
this is clearly stemming from operator error incidences becuase the holster naturally indexes the finger along the frame and slide during the full draw stroke... the act of applying pressure to the locking mechanism will not discharge the firearm and actually allows the user to activate and keep a straight trigger finger...
its inherent design ergonomically places the trigger finger outside the trigger guard during the entire motion of drawing and presenting from the holster...


they arent following sop... and may have had to much caffeine... even with a 1911 there is no excuse for accidental discharge becuase of the retention mechanism on that holster.... people should train and become intimate with thier gear before going commando with it....

 

[BLACK LION]

sorry guys... this isnt my first Serpa conversation...

there are people out there on other martial talk forums that dont believe these holsters assist in "retention" either.....

however...

I am not reffering to clones of the serpas or companies that use a similar concept... I am reffering only to the blackhawk serpa level 1-3 retention holsters... these are the only ones I trust...

 

[marinesg1012]

There is so much kit out there now adays that you really have to find and use what works for you.... and then get training in what you selected.. most people, select stuff becuase whoever uses or doesnt use it and never tries it out and then once they find somethign they like never trains with it....I and I am sure im not alone have boxes of gear I bought didnt like and threw into a gorrila box....

 

[BLACK LION]

Very true... I bought an 18" annihilator bar from home depot the other day and once I got home I asked myself wtf are you gonna do with this... I may never find a use for that thisng.... good deal though at 29.00 :wink:


I dont think the people knocking them are actually using them religiously and training with them often, becuase if that was the case they would know that the holster naturally and ergonomically indexes your finger along the fram/slide of the pistol when depressing the release mechanizm and presenting the pistol....
nice run on sentence huh
:mrgreen:

 

[Raph]

I have a Blackhawk Serpa for my Kimber and love it. Wish they made it for the CZ P-01! Never had an issue, or felt that it was unsafe, but I don't carry it everyday either (I'm not LE or military).

 

[rpwhite3]

I used the MTAC for concealed carry. It is a hybrid leather/kydex, but I LOVE it.

I have looked at these, being a 'larger' d00d, will it still be comfortable for us guys that carry extra with us?

Honestly that is my challenge, when trying to find a comfortable IWB holster. If your a bit over weight, they just aren't very comfortable, maybe there isn't one that will work? Who knows...

Mostly carry now with Galco OWB holster for my Springfield Micro...Just make sure to wear a long shirt over. With summer comming quickly in Texas this won't be realistic going forward...

Sorry for the ramble...

 

[rmcdermid]

I used to carry a bianchi IWB and it was alright, but clearly not made for any particular gun. The MTAC has been fantastic. It took a couple days to find the right spot to carry it which for me was on the back side of the hip. not so much that you would sit on it, but it certainly sits on the back side. I am not skinny by any means, but it is far and away more comfortable than the bianchi. I wear it all day at my desk and then go out and do whatever and it stays in place and isnt too much of a bother as long as I have an undershirt on. This holster also seems a lot more concealable than the Bianchi. I wore it into my main office recently and people were walking up to me and giving me hugs etc and had no idea.

FYI the only reason I have to wear an undershirt is because the backstrap on a USP is very abrasive.

 

[ArtFWTx]

I looked at the Serpa up close, and I could see an ADC with a cocked and locked 1911 as more likely than a ADC with a longer trigger stroke like a Sig Sauer. You'd still be thumbing the 1911 safety off too early in the draw stroke for the ADC to occur, but that's the most likely scenario I can see by looking at the holster. It's still operator error more than the design of the holster in my opinion.

The only holster I have that has caused problems is a Yacqui belt slide that would snag the front sight on my 1911 during the draw every now and then to the point I didn't trust it.

I was looking at a Serpa or one of the Fobus models, but you guys brought up other brands that I've overlooked.

**Edited to add: "American Rifleman" current issue states the Virginia Beach Police Department has selected SERPAs as their official duty and concealment holsters.**

 

[joshuades]

I used the MTAC for concealed carry. It is a hybrid leather/kydex, but I LOVE it.

I have looked at these, being a 'larger' d00d, will it still be comfortable for us guys that carry extra with us?

Honestly that is my challenge, when trying to find a comfortable IWB holster. If your a bit over weight, they just aren't very comfortable, maybe there isn't one that will work? Who knows...

Mostly carry now with Galco OWB holster for my Springfield Micro...Just make sure to wear a long shirt over. With summer comming quickly in Texas this won't be realistic going forward...

Sorry for the ramble...

There's a bit more of me to love than there ought to be, too. I find it less of a problem for comfort and more of a problem keeping my lovehandles from making my pistol print more than it should. I find the OWB holsters print on me badly and the IWB holsters, once I find a suitable place to put them, holds the pistol closer to my body and doesn't print as much if at all.