Need holster advice

There is a reason that they have been banned from various ranges and instructors. But I will give you another tidbit. Basically, if even a little grain of sain or debris or lint gets into the mechanism, it can keep it from being depressed and you be able to unholster your firearm without disassembly: http://www.warriortalk.com/showthread.php?99676-SERPA-Issue-Compilation

I looked at Blackhawk!'s website, and it looks to me like every model of SERPA holster has the trigger finger release mechanism. I think that mechanism is what qualifies it as a SERPA holster.

My point is this, why worry about something that has the possibility of failure or accidental discharge? Blackhawk! isn't the first placeI would go if I needed something, you may recall what happened when they bought MOD.
 
razorsdescent said:
My point is this, why worry about something that has the possibility of failure or accidental discharge? Blackhawk! isn't the first placeI would go if I needed something, you may recall what happened when they bought MOD.
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Actually I don't. Most of my focus regarding firearms has been in rifles and shotguns, rather than what would be seeing the inside of a hip holster.
 
Well, a while back there was a company called Masters of Defense. They made some really nice "tactical knives." They got bought by Blackhawk! and everything promptly turned crappy. Blackhawk! is a really mediocre gear manufacturer. They have some nice stuff, don't get me wrong, but it is few and far between.

If you just want a regular holster why not go for a company like Blade-tech? They have a good rep for injection molded things, and would share a lot of similarities with the SERPA.

You might also look into Crossbreed holsters, I see a lot of them on EDC sites.
 
razorsdescent said:
Well, a while back there was a company called Masters of Defense. They made some really nice "tactical knives." They got bought by Blackhawk! and everything promptly turned crappy. Blackhawk! is a really mediocre gear manufacturer. They have some nice stuff, don't get me wrong, but it is few and far between.

If you just want a regular holster why not go for a company like Blade-tech? They have a good rep for injection molded things, and would share a lot of similarities with the SERPA.

You might also look into Crossbreed holsters, I see a lot of them on EDC sites.
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Good to know.

What about the Glock brand holsters themselves? Is there any experience with them for open carry?
 
The standard glock brand holsters are very basic. Nothing high squality. Just polymer/plastic basic set up.
 
What about a Bianchi brand holster like the 56 serpent? Are they good for open carry? And does the forward canting of the pistol work well for such purposes rather than a straight up and down draw?

If not the Bianchi, what about the Safariland 7378 holster? Some reviews I've read have claimed they tear up the polymer factory sights, and new front and rear sights cost a couple hundred bucks. And if that's the case then I should probably avoid it.
 
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As previously mentioned, I don't see the point of a laser on a handgun unless you buy in to the "intimidation factor" thingy. As a former law enforcement officer, I prefer a useful flashlight mounted below my bore or simply nothing at all. I'm not a fan of IWB carry either. Appendix carry or cross draw works best for me. If you are put off by the retention method of the SERPA, I would suggest a FOBUS holster. I personally use a Kramer Horsehide rig with a slight muzzle forward cant that can be used in either appendix carry or cross draw. Cross draw is hard to beat when driving or if you're seated a lot. Appendix carry with muzzle forward allows a quick draw and I can retain my weapon, if necessary, by clamping it in place with my forearm. I keep a blade accessible to my weak hand in this scenario.
 
Daddyo16 said:
I just got one of these for my Gen 4 Glock 19:

http://www.blackdogconcealment.com/products/owb-holsters/

Holster, double mag carrier, and pancake converters for both - $105. I already had the same set up for my M&P9c and found it very comfortable and secure. I realize that not all rigs work for everyone, but this one works for me.
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Would I need to switch from plastic to metal sights to use that like I was the Safariland holsters?
 
Daddyo16 said:
That I do not know. You would need to ask the holster maker. Mine just had the factory sights.
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The only reason I ask is because I read reviews from Safariland owners and users on a certain river site, they talked about the holsters chewing up and tearing off their factory polymer sights, and a Safariland representative enthusiastically blaming it on poor reholstering technique rather than their product having some design defect.
 
For Christmas I got a couple of AlienGear holsters and I have really been enjoying both. I got their gen3 iwb holster mainly for my XDs and I got a owb for a SIG 229. The cool thing about them is I can interchange the shells and carry either firearm either way. The owb holster rides fairly close to the body and with the cooler weather I have been carrying the XDs in it with no real printing. The SIG carries pretty well owb in it with some printing but for open carry it works really well. If you dont mind open carrying closer to the body I would recommend them, plus they offer discounts when you buy multiple holsters.

I have a serpa that I carried the SIG in prior to the AlienGear and I never had any of the drawing issues with it and finding my hand inside the trigger guard. Not saying it couldnt happen in a tense situation but I attempted to "force" my finger inside the trigger guard on draw and I am not sure if it was just subconscious or muscle memory but even then it was difficult for me to do. Not saying it cant be done and I would definitely practice using the holster.

The one downside to the AlienGear that I have found is while both are extremely light and comfortable sometimes on the owb holster the leather backing can get in the way when trying to reholster.

Another brand to check out is Comp-Tac. I have never owned one but I have seen them and if I were wanting to get another full Kydex option I would try one of theirs. They offer paddle options with retention adjustments for quite a few pistols.
 
In my search for a holster for my Glock I came across the Fobus standard paddle holster. Bad idea there. While it rides alright, there's no way of actually getting the gun out of it once it snaps in place. It has an adjustable tension screw, but even when it's loosened to the point of almost falling out, it still holds on for dear life and won't let go. No matter how hard or how fast you try and draw it, it's not coming out except maybe once in a while if you're lucky.
 
I carry a full size 1911 in a Galco King Tuk IWB concealed. I used a Sticky for my SR40C for concealed and for my 1911 when I open carry I use a SERPA. I'd recommend any of those holsters any day.
 
Cypress said:
If I am open carrying my G19, I use a Serpa holster with the paddle attached (comes with the unit). You will need to practice drawing without having your finger end up in the trigger guard.[/

An excellent choice. This was my duty holster. A big plus if someone tries to grab your weapon!
For your LCP this holster from El Paso Saddlery is hard to beat.
[URL=http://s1201.photobucket.com/user/blackhorse71/media/831E7DB3-B71D-47D6-82DE-B6EB9D0EDF26_zpsaee2w4ai.jpg.html][/URL]
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I'd second the Alien gear holsters for iwb they are very well made and if you change guns just trade the shell. For a paddle holster I've got several made by IMI similar to the Serpa with a heavier body and the release is a bit higher up on the slide. Your finger tends to land right on the frame on drawing. Look for Roto holster by IMI, reasonable price and easy to change out the attachment on the back from paddle, to belt, to drop leg, molle. Well you get the pic its really versatile.
 
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