Author Topic: Holster and Belt Selection  (Read 31984 times)

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Offline KelticKowboy

  • Posts: 36
Holster and Belt Selection
« on: April 18, 2010, 07:51:26 PM »
Hi all...

I am in need of an OC holster for my Glock 19 and a sturdy belt.  I have been leaning towards a Blackhawk.  Any suggestion out there? 
KK

Offline SpringerXDacp

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Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2010, 06:56:43 AM »
Hi all...

I am in need of an OC holster for my Glock 19 and a sturdy belt.  I have been leaning towards a Blackhawk.  Any suggestion out there? 

Holsters with good to excellent retention for OC are the Blackhawk SERPA's, Safariland and Blade-Tech.  I have a Blade-Tech for my Glock 21SF and I'm fairly happy with it.  I would rather have a SERPA or Safariland I think.

http://www.safariland.com/       

http://www.blade-tech.com/

stainless1911

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Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2010, 10:36:46 AM »
After carrying with the Blackhawk, I dont really want anything else.

BTW, I have an XD. XD is better than glock. Sell the glock, and buy an XD. ;D tee hee hee hee


Offline Savage.Detroit

  • Posts: 39
Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2010, 10:48:43 AM »
I like the wilderness instructor belt.
http://store.thewilderness.com/index.php?cPath=43
Adapted from Hillary: I am sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and you disagree with this administration somehow you're in a hate group or a domestic terrorist. We should stand up and say we are Americans and we have a right to debate and disagree with any administration."

Offline FatboyCykes

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Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2010, 03:40:36 PM »
While I personally use a Serpa for my XD, I'm having trouble recommending it after watching several Serpa failure videos.  I'm not sure I quite understand how their failing, but it happens from time to time.  I love mine and have had no issues with it however, I'm not sure I feel comfortable recommending it w/o that disclosure.  How terrible would it be to have a gun for self defense and have it fail on you when you needed it the most.


Offline KelticKowboy

  • Posts: 36
Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2010, 06:39:37 PM »
After carrying with the Blackhawk, I dont really want anything else.

BTW, I have an XD. XD is better than glock. Sell the glock, and buy an XD. ;D tee hee hee hee



Funny!
KK

Offline jeffsayers

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Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2010, 09:04:02 PM »
Many opinions to be had on this one. However, I would venture to say that because I have personally chosen the Blackhawk Serpa riding on my 1-1/2 inch wide horse/bullhide belt from Jim Spiedel, The Belt Man, there are simply no better alternatives. And if your looking for some ocean front property, then we need to talk, I have a nice parcell in Arizona.

Seriously though, The Belt Man rocks.
www.thebeltman.net
Tell him you were referred from Michigan Open Carry, I'm trying to earn his advertising. (And maybe a free elephant hide belt!)
United we STAND!
I open carry for the same reason God gave poisonous animals bright colors.

Offline CoonDog

  • Posts: 28
Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2010, 11:39:19 PM »
I use the 1.5 inch (1.375 measured) Safariland Plainclothes Belt.  It's stiff.


That's what she said.

http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/product.aspx?pid=L830
The OC movement helps gain acceptance for all forms of carry.

Offline Bronson

  • Posts: 554
Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2010, 04:04:56 AM »
Hi all...

I am in need of an OC holster for my Glock 19 and a sturdy belt.  I have been leaning towards a Blackhawk.  Any suggestion out there?  

What's your budget?  Do you want leather or plastic or don't you care?  Do you know what features are a must have and what you can live without?  What's more important to you: price, quality, or features?

There are a lot of variables in holster and belt selection and I'd need to know more of what you want/need in each before I could make any real recommendations.

Bronson
« Last Edit: April 20, 2010, 04:09:26 AM by Bronson »
Those who expect to reap the benefits of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. – Thomas Paine

Offline FatboyCykes

  • Posts: 242
Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2010, 05:55:39 AM »
Hi all...

I am in need of an OC holster for my Glock 19 and a sturdy belt.  I have been leaning towards a Blackhawk.  Any suggestion out there?  

What's your budget?  Do you want leather or plastic or don't you care?  Do you know what features are a must have and what you can live without?  What's more important to you: price, quality, or features?

There are a lot of variables in holster and belt selection and I'd need to know more of what you want/need in each before I could make any real recommendations.

Bronson

If only you had a blank for an XD9 Bronson, I'd like to have one of those fine holsters you keep making.

Offline EM87

  • Posts: 78
Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2010, 11:14:22 AM »
I OC with a Serpa.  It's a quality holster and has good active retention.
"You'll be walking along.. OC.. and you'll feel GREAT. You'll feel FREEEEE like 1776 kind of Free." -cscitney87 (from opencarry.org)

Offline KelticKowboy

  • Posts: 36
Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #11 on: April 20, 2010, 05:40:41 PM »
As for budget I would like to spend no more than $100 for a both the holster and belt combined.  I don't have a strong preference over plastic or leather although I have heard that plastic doesn't create as much holster wear on the pistol.  I did once have a Sig 229 which I carried concealed in the winter with a Fobus and I was fairly happy with it and it was cheap.  I am looking for a holster that does have good retention features since it will be out in the open.  I have yet to look at many holster other than the Blackhawk Serpa.  One features that is drawing me to the Serpa it that it can be either stapped to a belt or used as a paddle holster.
KK

Offline KelticKowboy

  • Posts: 36
Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #12 on: April 20, 2010, 05:52:46 PM »
Also...although not required it would be nice if holster could double for CC as well as OC.
KK

anetsprungen

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Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #13 on: April 20, 2010, 07:08:07 PM »
While I personally use a Serpa for my XD, I'm having trouble recommending it after watching several Serpa failure videos.  I'm not sure I quite understand how their failing, but it happens from time to time.  I love mine and have had no issues with it however, I'm not sure I feel comfortable recommending it w/o that disclosure.  How terrible would it be to have a gun for self defense and have it fail on you when you needed it the most.


I watched the video and experienced the same thing; initially.  Mind, the gun was fully unloaded.  Having never seen this kind of holster before, I was very suspicious about how well it would work.

First, I couldn't get the pistol to seat correctly.  I had to apply a lot of force.  Then, when I did, I couldn't get it out again.  I tried the adjustment screw, but it made no difference.  The retention device just would not release.  I was unable to depress the button enough to disengage it.

After a few cuss words and thoughts about writing a nastygram, I considered that it may be just that there was very little tolerance.  However, I had read a review on Amazon.com that had forewarned me this might happen.

I have a ParaOrdnance P14-45 and it may just be a snug fit.  I tried pushing the gun against a back stop to see if I could release the pressure on the spring and allow the release to disengage.  Eventually, it worked.  But I had to keep doing that about a dozen times, to loosen the mechanism enough so that it would engage/disengage the retention locking mechanism normally.  Now, it works fine.

Surprisingly, there was nothing in the literature that came with the holster to suggest there might be a problem; nor, what to do if the pistol became stuck.  But now that I know, I would definitely recommend it.


Roy
 8)

Offline KelticKowboy

  • Posts: 36
Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #14 on: April 20, 2010, 07:13:54 PM »
While I personally use a Serpa for my XD, I'm having trouble recommending it after watching several Serpa failure videos.  I'm not sure I quite understand how their failing, but it happens from time to time.  I love mine and have had no issues with it however, I'm not sure I feel comfortable recommending it w/o that disclosure.  How terrible would it be to have a gun for self defense and have it fail on you when you needed it the most.


I watched the video and experienced the same thing; initially.  Mind, the gun was fully unloaded.  Having never seen this kind of holster before, I was very suspicious about how well it would work.

First, I couldn't get the pistol to seat correctly.  I had to apply a lot of force.  Then, when I did, I couldn't get it out again.  I tried the adjustment screw, but it made no difference.  The retention device just would not release.  I was unable to depress the button enough to disengage it.

After a few cuss words and thoughts about writing a nastygram, I considered that it may be just that there was very little tolerance.  However, I had read a review on Amazon.com that had forewarned me this might happen.

I have a ParaOrdnance P14-45 and it may just be a snug fit.  I tried pushing the gun against a back stop to see if I could release the pressure on the spring and allow the release to disengage.  Eventually, it worked.  But I had to keep doing that about a dozen times, to loosen the mechanism enough so that it would engage/disengage the retention locking mechanism normally.  Now, it works fine.

Surprisingly, there was nothing in the literature that came with the holster to suggest there might be a problem; nor, what to do if the pistol became stuck.  But now that I know, I would definitely recommend it.


Roy
 8)

A friend of mine had a similar experience with a Para.  He had to file out some material around the trigger guard.  He hasn't had a problem since.
KK

Offline FatboyCykes

  • Posts: 242
Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #15 on: April 20, 2010, 07:15:11 PM »
Dumb question Roy, but are you positive that  you had the correct holster for the pistol you were using?

anetsprungen

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Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #16 on: April 20, 2010, 08:02:02 PM »
Funny you should ask.  'Cause I searched and I searched, across the web and across Blackhawk's website, but I could not find anything that specifically mentioned the ParaOrdnance model.  So, I went with the only option available, Colt 1911 Clone.  I understand there are some small differences in the magazine well to accommodate the high capacity magazine, but I believe the external dimensions are virtually the same.

Fortunately, as I said, after working the pistol in and out, in and out about a dozen times, the SERPA would engage/disengage reliably.

C'est la vie.  It works fine now.


Roy
 8)

Offline Bronson

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Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #17 on: April 21, 2010, 12:17:38 PM »
As for budget I would like to spend no more than $100 for a both the holster and belt combined. 

If I take that as the primary driving factor of your decision I would recommend a Blackhawk Serpa or one of the many fine Safariland holsters that are available like the 6280 or the 6285 (shop around online for the best prices) and the Wilderness Tactical Products original instructors belt with either the 5 lines of stitching or the plastic reinforcement.  Full disclosure----I have never used a belt like the one posted above but they receive very good reviews from people who have used them and it will probably be my next gun belt purchase.

In another post you said it would be nice if the holster could also double as a CC rig.....what exactly do you mean by that?  Do you want it to function as both an IWB and OWB holster?  Or would a dedicated OWB rig that rode close to your body be what you were looking for?

Bronson
Those who expect to reap the benefits of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. – Thomas Paine

Offline KelticKowboy

  • Posts: 36
Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #18 on: April 21, 2010, 12:28:51 PM »
As for budget I would like to spend no more than $100 for a both the holster and belt combined. 

If I take that as the primary driving factor of your decision I would recommend a Blackhawk Serpa or one of the many fine Safariland holsters that are available like the 6280 or the 6285 (shop around online for the best prices) and the Wilderness Tactical Products original instructors belt with either the 5 lines of stitching or the plastic reinforcement.  Full disclosure----I have never used a belt like the one posted above but they receive very good reviews from people who have used them and it will probably be my next gun belt purchase.

In another post you said it would be nice if the holster could also double as a CC rig.....what exactly do you mean by that?  Do you want it to function as both an IWB and OWB holster?  Or would a dedicated OWB rig that rode close to your body be what you were looking for?

Bronson

When I say I would like it to double as a CC holster my thinking is that I would like something that rides close to the body.
KK

Offline CoonDog

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Re: Holster and Belt Selection
« Reply #19 on: April 21, 2010, 03:20:06 PM »
I own both Safariland's 6287 and 6280, and just bought a Serpa for my Walther P99.  The Serpa is the most comfortable AND rides the closest to my body AND is the easiest to conceal.  It sits  so close there is very little room to tuck my shirt behind it unless I tuck my shirt in.  On the 6287, I have the optional Sentry attachment and have to say that, at least at the moment, I trust the thumb loop + Sentry more than I trust the Serpa.  Not that the gun would fall out of the Serpa, but that it's so easy to pull out quickly that it might not be as secure in a tussle/LEO pull situation.  This fear may be unfounded and may subside as I wear it more, but that's my initial impression.  The Serpa will definitely be my primary concealment holster, even more than my Don Hume IWB.  I haven't yet decided if the Serpa will become my primary OC holster.  I'll have to wear it to the Westland OC picnic and see how comfortable I am with it.

The 6280 sits away from the body and is a huge lump under my shirt.  Being that the 6285 has a similar belt loop, I imagine it would sit the same way.
The OC movement helps gain acceptance for all forms of carry.