SERPA v. ALS

[Rockhunter 1620]

Open carried at Ganger Mountain last night with the hopes that I might be able to replace my current "Uncle Mike's" , cheap, nylon, $20. piece of cr*p. Was hoping to get a "Black hawk" serpa, but they didn't have in stock the model that fits my Ruger SR-40 let alone a left handed one, (plenty of uncle mike's though). Probably gonna have to order one on-line from somewhere else. Ended up buyin a 50 rnd. box of Federal/american eagle, 165 gr. fmj, target ammo just to keep my trip from bein a total waste of time. But there was no issues.

[TucTom]

That should say "Correct handed" Opticsplanet.com has always had great selections for those of us in our right minds. And fast too being we are in Michigan. Just replaced a holster my Ex "forgot where it is/was" last week.

[gryphon]

Yes, I've purchased Safariland and Blackhawk holsters from OpticsPlanet and CheaperThanDirt.  OP has free shipping. 

[METL]

Please consider a Safariland ALS holster for your pistol.  Serpa's while not the black cloud of death that some suggest, are rather crappy compared to the safariland.  You will like it better anyway.  Optics planet is the place.  If you are in the lansing area, there is a place that has a lot of safarilands but I'm not sure if they would stock one for a ruger...

[Super Trucker]

Open carried at Ganger Mountain last night with the hopes that I might be able to replace my current "Uncle Mike's" , cheap, nylon, $20. piece of cr*p. Was hoping to get a "Black hawk" serpa, but they didn't have in stock the model that fits my Ruger SR-40 let alone a left handed one, (plenty of uncle mike's though). Probably gonna have to order one on-line from somewhere else. Ended up buyin a 50 rnd. box of Federal/american eagle, 165 gr. fmj, target ammo just to keep my trip from bein a total waste of time. But there was no issues.

FYI getting rid of a "$20.00 piece of crap" and buying a $40.00 piece of crap isn't the best idea I have read about recently.

I have yet to speak with anybody (whose pride doesn't get in the way) that after replacing a serpa with an ALS Safariland said they regretted it.

Save the money and buy the Safariland the first time and with the $40.00 you saved from not wasting it on the serpa, buy a few boxes of ammo and take a kid to the range one day.

[CV67PAT]

FYI getting rid of a "$20.00 piece of crap" and buying a $40.00 piece of crap isn't the best idea I have read about recently.

I have yet to speak with anybody (whose pride doesn't get in the way) that after replacing a serpa with an ALS Safariland said they regretted it.

Save the money and buy the Safariland the first time and with the $40.00 you saved from not wasting it on the serpa, buy a few boxes of ammo and take a kid to the range one day.

I bought a Serpa. After I saw what plastic holsters do to even the hardiest of finishes, Mine now rests in a box with the other worthless crap i wish I hadn't bought. And after seeing how easily they get jammed, I don't know that I'll ever use it.

In fact, I'd give it away to the right person. But unfortunately it's for a HK USP and not a stainless1911. 

[gryphon]

I bought a Serpa. After I saw what plastic holsters do to even the hardiest of finishes, Mine now rests in a box with the other worthless crap i wish I hadn't bought. And after seeing how easily they get jammed, I don't know that I'll ever use it.

Please, Pat, stop giving bad advice to people here.  There is little wrong with the Serpa.  Is it perfect?  No.  But I can post photos of you wearing a yaqui-style holster.  Which is more reckless?

You are worried about the finish on your carry piece?    Are you a paper tiger?

I currently have an order in to OpticsPlanet for a Safariland SLS holster.  I have had it in a while.  They have accepted the order but have absolutely no idea when they will be able to get it to me.  Could be months, could be years.  In the mean time I will continue to wear my CQC.

Pat.  Paper tiger.  I like it.

[venator]

In the Lansing area Michigan Police Equipment Supply carries some safariland holsters.  If not they can order it.  I love mine for my M&P 9mm.  It has a suede lining to help protect your guns finish, but a little holster wear isn't necessarily a bad thing.

http://lansing.citysearch.com/profile/5340813/charlotte_mi/michigan_police_equipment_co.html

[TheQ]

Regarding the SERPA, when I had one, I lined the inside with two strips of felt to protect the finish.  The Safariland ALS has a full inner lining of suede (stock).

I did buy the Safariland ALS after I had my SERPA for a while.

Regarding the two, I'd recommend someone buy the ALS over the SERPA.  The draw is just as natural and fast (more so, if you ask me).  You can add an additional "level" of retention to the holster by adding on the "ALS Guard".  The ALS holster is more "stable" (less jiggling of the gun in the holster) that the SERPA (My gun is a Springfield XDm 9, YMMV)

The only thing I don't like about the ALS is the holster itself is bigger (more mass) and this has some drawbacks for my situation (like the bottom of the holster can dig into the rise of my bucket leather sports car seats if I am not careful).  However, I think this increased mass helps provide my stability.

Again, YMMV.  I don't care if you like the SERPA better, I don't.  These opinions are my own.  You're entitled to yours.

[TheQ]

In the Lansing area Michigan Police Equipment Supply carries some safariland holsters.  If not they can order it.  I love mine for my M&P 9mm.  It has a suede lining to help protect your guns finish, but a little holster wear isn't necessarily a bad thing.

http://lansing.citysearch.com/profile/5340813/charlotte_mi/michigan_police_equipment_co.html

I bought mine there as well (I think I referred Venator to the store).  I have bought at least one gun there as well as several supplies/paraphernalia.  I have found their prices to be more than reasonable and their staff to be mostly friendly.  Bill, the owner, has no issues with persons openly carying in his store. (even if some of his staff don't think OC is a good idea -- even though they mostly do it there themselves.)

[CV67PAT]

Please, Pat, stop giving bad advice to people here.  There is little wrong with the Serpa.  Is it perfect?  No.  But I can post photos of you wearing a yaqui-style holster.  Which is more reckless?

You are worried about the finish on your carry piece?    Are you a paper tiger?

I currently have an order in to OpticsPlanet for a Safariland SLS holster.  I have had it in a while.  They have accepted the order but have absolutely no idea when they will be able to get it to me.  Could be months, could be years.  In the mean time I will continue to wear my CQC.

Pat.  Paper tiger.  I like it.

At least I know that AI will always be able to draw from my Yaqui. Can't say that about a Serpa with a little snow in it. Or a small pebble. And what is so "reckless" about a Yaqui slide? I haven't had a single issue with it in the 2 and a half months that I have been carrying a gun.

Furthermore, the finish on a firearm is there to protect the weapon. Premature degradation of the finish leads to degradation of the metal itself.

[CV67PAT]

Please, Pat, stop giving bad advice to people here.  There is little wrong with the Serpa.  Is it perfect?  No.  But I can post photos of you wearing a yaqui-style holster.  Which is more reckless?

You are worried about the finish on your carry piece?    Are you a paper tiger?

I currently have an order in to OpticsPlanet for a Safariland SLS holster.  I have had it in a while.  They have accepted the order but have absolutely no idea when they will be able to get it to me.  Could be months, could be years.  In the mean time I will continue to wear my CQC.

Pat.  Paper tiger.  I like it.

This is how easy a Serpa can disarm you...

[CV67PAT]

Here is why Serpa holsters are BANNED from use at reputable training courses.

[TheQ]

This is how easy a Serpa can disarm you...

FWIW, the ALS can have the same locking problem (I've heard)...but it's more difficult to have the problem happen.

Some people say the holster design encourages AD.  I call bullshit on that.  Proper and constantly repeating training (as with any holster) resolves that.

[gryphon]

what is so "reckless" about a Yaqui slide?

Who said your Yaqui slide was reckless? 

[TucTom]

Please, Pat, stop giving bad advice to people here.  There is little wrong with the Serpa.  Is it perfect?  No.  But I can post photos of you wearing a yaqui-style holster.  Which is more reckless?

Sorry, I thought that was bad wording too.
Which is more reckless, than what? What was the point of that sentence?

I chose not to say anything because of this being in the experiences (and realize my post earlier was not relevant) thread. But now, I do think that was just bad wording/ saying on your part Gryphon. If I could have cheered you I would have done so in various threads. BTW this would have been the comment that would have been the first "jeer" from me.

[gryphon]

In the Lansing area Michigan Police Equipment Supply carries some safariland holsters.  If not they can order it.

They can order it like I can, and did. I am very familiar with MPES. 

[gryphon]

I thought that was bad wording too.

Not bad wording, intentional wording.

Apparently some of you think I don't know how to use the English language.

[TucTom]

Okay, so you say a yaqui-style holster is more reckless than a Serpa. Why is this your belief? As long a a person carrying a sidearm is aware of their surroundings and situations they are in, I see no difference. It's holstered and safe.
I am not here for an argument. just wondering why you believe that.
Thanks, Tom

[CV67PAT]

Who said your Yaqui slide was reckless? 

In order to compare the recklessness of two situations, they must both be reckless. Thus you say my use of a Yaqui is reckless.
State your case, wordsmith. And try doing it without a thesaurus in one hand and the dictionary in the other. Some of us don't posses the reading comprehension skills you demonstrate. Irregardless!!!