Yet another SERPA discussion...

[gryphon]

I think I read the other day that the military of India just put in a huge Blackhawk holster order.  Lots of PDs use them, too.  Of course, PDs are notoriously cheap.

And who's this wearing a Serpa?

[SD40VE]

I think I read the other day that the military of India just put in a huge Blackhawk holster order.  Lots of PDs use them, too.  Of course, PDs are notoriously cheap.

And who's this wearing a Serpa?

that even looks like my EDC minus the hogue. same way i carry too. serpa with belt, not paddle. i took the paddle off shortly after the pic i snapped and dont use it anymore

[SD40VE]

seems like alot of fans of the blackhawk serpa holsters i love mine. despite the bad wrap they get and alot of bashing and AD when drawing.

[gryphon]

And who's this wearing a Serpa?

If any don't know, that's Rick Ector in those pics.

[TheQ]

If any don't know, that's Rick Ector in those pics.

Nobody's perfect, well...except me

[32_d3gr33s]

Im confused ....  All these people carrying in Serpa Holsters, and nobody has shot themselves? We must be doing it wrong...   

[Jeff]

Make sure you don't use that rear end piece of that AR pistol as a butt stock, or else the law will get you!


I don't worry about serpa holsters, I shoot myself all the time but it's only 9mm.  Only .45's can cause any harm

I guess I should be like the cool kids and take some pictures.

[Super Trucker]

Im confused :-....  All these people carrying in Serpa Holsters, and nobody has shot themselves? We must be doing it wrong...   

The scary part is the better quality  training facilities do not allow serpa holsters so we now see who is spending time leaning.

[gryphon]

Actually I believe some of the big dollar schools that once prohibited Serpas are now allowing them again.

[Pond Scum]

Actually I believe some of the big dollar schools that once prohibited Serpas are now allowing them again.

When I was at Front Site a couple of years ago they wouldn't allow Serpa's but they did allow Glocks …. I can understand that putting a Glock in a Serpa and practicing drawing "fast as you can" for 4 days multiplied times hundreds of students per week, some students with little to no experience = accident waiting to happen.    One instructor mentioned that Front Site had 8 accidental shootings over the years, all of them leg shots.  I didn't research his statement … could be true.   Front Site also was relentless in having us practice ultra slow motion re-holstering…… a good habit to have.  It is too easy to catch the trigger on your shirt tail.

I used the CQC version of the Serpa without the retention system. ….. same as I use for IDPA and occasionally for concealed carry.  I like my Serpa and I feel that with practice and my 1911 it is a safe combination for me.  I bought a Safariland for my 1911 and I didn't like it …. I still have it in the package …. only used it to test and now it sits on a shelf in the office.  Sigh.

[gryphon]

When I was at Front Site a couple of years ago they wouldn't allow Serpa's but they did allow Glocks

Did they allow Sig Sauer holsters?

[Pond Scum]

Did they allow Sig Sauer holsters?

I don't recall a discussion on Sigs.  When I said they allow Glocks I meant the gun .... Not the Glock holster.  I don't recall the conversation on holsters other than Serpas.

[fozzy71]

At least the Sig holsters make your finger index along the frame/slide instead of the trigger guard like the Serpa's do.  I used to carry my FNP9 in a modified Serpa but once I tried a quality holster by SafariLand I could see why the Serpa was not the best choice.  The Safariland retention system is not as easy to discern for the casual observer or would be gun-grabber and using the thumb to release the retention reduces the chances of a ND IMO.

[gryphon]

At least the Sig holsters make your finger index along the frame/slide instead of the trigger guard like the Serpa's do.

The Serpa's finger position is the same as the Sig, along the frame above the trigger guard.  It is not in line with the trigger guard.

Some interesting Serpa stories here.

http://www.warriortalk.com/showthread.php?99676-SERPA-Issue-Compilation

[Jeff]

I guess the world is safer then if I just use a passive retention holster so that I don't blow my knee caps off and since everyone knows how to manipulate the Serpa anyways it isn't stopping anyone from grabbing it.  RIGHT?!??? 

[Glock9mmOldStyle]

While not a fan of the serpa, it with practice is a OK holster IMHO. Some pistols have very limited holster selection on the market (Sig pro 2022 etc...) so if it comes down to no retention or a Serpa, the Serpa is a better choice for a OC pistol in "close quaters" OC carry situations where retention is key. This said, the best retention in the world is a SA OCer who knows how to guard their pistol using forearm placement. There are many "poser / internet warriors" out there... I say use what works well for you & SCREW what anyone else says, as we are all different & what works for one may not for others. . Just remember: practice, practice, practice - as a gunfight is the last place you want to be working on your draw technique.

[gryphon]

The Safariland ALS is not without its problems, too.

+++++

Possible Malfunction issues with Safariland ALS Holsters

While at briefing today an Administrative Message was posted regarding the Safariland ALS Holsters from the Texas DPS Austin Headquarters. I typed the message as it was posted verbatim.

"This is a notice to all Law Enforcement Agencies using the Safariland ALS Holsters.

Provo Police Department, in Provo, Utah has experienced malfunctions with Safariland ALS Holsters. Officers experience failures when shooting prone and gravel was introduced into the body of the holster. Gravel became trapped behind the ALS mechanism causing a re-holstered pistol to lock inside the holster. When this happened the pistol could not be removed from the holster without specialized tools. This failure occurred with 58% of the ALS equipped holsters while training officers in specific gun fighting drills on the ground.

Provo Police Department has made Safariland aware of this issue."

[Super Trucker]

Anybody shooting themselves with the safariland?

[FASBOLD]

Anybody shooting themselves with the safariland?

Safariland makes pistols too? What calibers.

[Glock9mmOldStyle]

Anybody shooting themselves with the safariland?

I have used both the Serpa & the Safariland holsters. To date I have not shot myself, I guess I'm in need of some DEA "special agent" training, as I am clearly doing something wrong...
ETA - Note that after the agent shoots himself with an "unloaded" Glock S&W 40 he attempts to get his helper to hand him a M4 carbine..that he also swears is unloaded! Note the childrens reactions and the non action of school officials on hand.