Need advice on how to improve retention holster

[TexasSupporter]

Have a quick question that probably will be an easy answer for a number of MOC members.  I have a Beretta 92FS 9mm 15+1, and an open carry Blackhawk retention holster.  Love them both!  Problem is, when I'm moving or walking, the gun is rattling just a bit with every step.  Its a carbon fiber type retention holster, and the firearm is very secure.  But what can I do to get rid of the rattle of the gun against the side of the holster, as I'm moving about?   It doesn't seem to be the retention setting of the screw, because it doesn't affect or resolve the problem.  I'd like to OC with MOC this coming summer, so need a little help so I'm up to speed before I get there.

[gryphon]

Stupid question, but are you sure you have the exact correct holster for your pistol?  I don't carry a Beretta, but my FN fits quite tightly in my CQC.  (Not sure which model you have, but it sounds like the CQC, and I'm assuming the CQC and Sporter are exactly the same fit anyway).  It shouldn't come anywhere close to rattling!  I'm not sure I'd trust a retention holster where your pistol fits so loosely.  You might want to think about a Safariland ALS or SLS  if that's the case.

[Glock9mmOldStyle]

As Griff said it should not rattle. Now a question for you... are you sure it's the holster & not the mag rattling? If it is the holster...and you are sure it is the right model for your P92f, send it back to blackhawk for free replacement via warranty department.

Or a quick fix that may work (usually used to prevent finish ware) go to local craft store & buy a square felt that has adhesive backing and cut it to fit the holster. Make sure to avoid the internal latch area.

[TexasSupporter]

Not a stupid question at all gryphon, and I do think its the correct one for this particular firearm.  Definitely is not the mag rattling Glock9mmOldStyle, but instead its like the barrel end of the Beretta... it clicks one time for every step I take.  I like the idea of the piece of felt.  I'll also check out those Safarilands gryphon.  Very secure in its holster, but that darn rattle!

[TheQ]

Ditch the SERPA, get an ALS

[SD40VE]

Ditch the SERPA, get an ALS

and now the serpa bashing commences.

i love my serpa. more than the ALS. on the back side near the bottom it should say what firearm it is made for. make sure its for your firearm. also the felt should work if it is the right holster. mine has no issues and has a snug fit

[gryphon]

The only reason I've ever heard for guns fitting loose are in holsters that are made for a light, and the gun doesn't have the light installed.  Those can fit noticeably looser, but the 92FS doesn't have a rail, so the only thing I would do is double check your holster and make sure it is the correct one.  As SD40VE said, look on the inside bottom of the holster by the muzzle and make sure you have the correct holster.

[TheQ]

Sure it's the gun/holster? Could it be ammo in the magazine?

[sircapsalot]

I have a review of the Safariland ALS holster in the latest newsletter! check it out! (Do a Ctrl+F and search for "Safariland")

http://miopencarry.org/moc_files/publications/newsletter/MOC-Newsletter-3.pdf

[SD40VE]

my doublestacked mags rattle like a snake as i walk. i just got to the point where i dont care anymore lol. i have nothing to hide or worry about someone "hearing" my mags rattle the rounds

[Jeff]

Maybe he used freedom munitions re-manufactured ammo and has about 35 primers rattling around in the internals of the firearm.  :2guns:

[fozzy71]

Ditch the SERPA, get an ALS

this

the safariland has a tension screw you can use to get rid of the rattling if it is in fact the gun rattling in the holster

[TexasSupporter]

Cool, thanks one and all for info on the possible causes.  I didn't know anything about the SERPA issues, versus the thumb release available on the ALS.  So now I'm learning.  I did look at the inside bottom of the holster, and it says "Beretta 92/96" so it is the right one.  I'd be interested in finding out more about ALS and seeing it demoed for me when I'm at an OC event with MOC this summer.  Maybe I will change over.  For now I'll try the felt for a quick fix.  It was only $54 for the holster, but if I can get it where the 92FS is snug then I'll be ok at least for now.  No OC here in Texas yet, and I won't be up in Michigan till June. 

[gryphon]

Hmmm...your situation may be unique in that the holster fits both the 92 and 96.  Since the 96 shoots .40 S&W and the 92 is chambered for 9mm, if the 96 is slightly larger, then I could see why your 92 would rattle around in it.  Anyone know if the 92 and 96 are exactly the same size or not?

[SD40VE]

Cool, thanks one and all for info on the possible causes.  I didn't know anything about the SERPA issues, versus the thumb release available on the ALS.  So now I'm learning.  I did look at the inside bottom of the holster, and it says "Beretta 92/96" so it is the right one.  I'd be interested in finding out more about ALS and seeing it demoed for me when I'm at an OC event with MOC this summer.  Maybe I will change over.  For now I'll try the felt for a quick fix.  It was only $54 for the holster, but if I can get it where the 92FS is snug then I'll be ok at least for now.  No OC here in Texas yet, and I won't be up in Michigan till June.

dont worry phil will talk about his ALS for days. i will urge you to keep the serpa. lol i love my serpa

[xxarea83xx]

I had the same issue with my Serpa when I first got it for my Ruger SR9. There is a retention screw behind the trigger guard. I tightened mine and it sits very snug now.

[linux203]

my doublestacked mags rattle like a snake as i walk. i just got to the point where i dont care anymore lol. i have nothing to hide or worry about someone "hearing" my mags rattle the rounds

My Glock 26 mags rattle.  I remove and reinsert the top round and the rattle goes away for a few days.

[Glock9mmOldStyle]

My Glock 26 mags rattle.  I remove and reinsert the top round and the rattle goes away for a few days.

^^^This. All mine with the plus 3 extended mag plates rattle. A quick smack stops them for a day or so.

I sometimes down load them to 12 rounds and that silences them. The rattle is not a big thing, but it does get annoying after a while. YMMV.

[ken243]

Nothing beats leather. Bianchi model 7

[SD40VE]

for leather i like my galco miami classic

[Xpiatio]

just found out that my brother's friend is open carrying without any active rentention holsters.  He just slides them in.   And he can pull them outward from his body "for a quicker draw", as he puts it.  I'm trying to convince my brother to talk to him about getting some rentention holsters.

[SD40VE]

just found out that my brother's friend is open carrying without any active rentention holsters.  He just slides them in.   And he can pull them outward from his body "for a quicker draw", as he puts it.  I'm trying to convince my brother to talk to him about getting some rentention holsters.

my buddy was like that too. i also know he doesnt carry with a round in the chamber. ever. one day i asked him. is that thing loaded finally? he said nah just popped a mag in never racked it. then i grabbed it so fast and racked it he had no idea what just happened. he said wow its really that easy to have someone snatch it eh? so i said here lets try now. im going to unload mine. you try to do that to me. he couldnt for the rest of the day, he put forth 3 attempts each time my serpa held my firearm in the holster firmly. the next day he went and got a serpa.

before you call me an idiot for being "careless" and grabbing what could have been a loaded firearm. me and him go back to the sandbox pretty much. it was controlled. and i had known his firearm was not in his holster with a round chambered. this was marely to prove how easy it was to grab without retention. it was under controlled conditions. dont bash me for this. just showing the reality of why we need retention.

[TucTom]

As long as a person knows what they are doing and what is going on around them (SI) I don't have too much of a problem with a person carrying with out retention. There are many times and many places this is okay. Maybe not every time or every place though.

If someone even a friend tried to take my sidearm from my non retention holster I would beat the snot out of them!

[SD40VE]

As long as a person knows what they are doing and what is going on around them (SI) I don't have too much of a problem with a person carrying with out retention. There are many times and many places this is okay. Maybe not every time or every place though.

If someone even a friend tried to take my sidearm from my non retention holster I would beat the snot out of them!

yeah as i said we have known each other for many years (20+) i have taught him everything he knows about firearms. he felt he didnt need retention. til i showed him how easy it is to lose your firearm to an attacker without it. he now has much better situational awareness when he carries and loves his serpa as much as i love mine.

[Michigander]

  I'd be interested in finding out more about ALS and seeing it demoed for me when I'm at an OC event with MOC this summer. 

If you end up making it to an event I also go to, I'll bring along my spare 6280 and a blue gun for you to try it out. You will likely prefer the ALS for the slightly faster draw, but the rotating hoods are worth taking a look at too.

[Scott Leyder]

I am a bit torn.  I first had a crap nylon shoulder holster that after getting and carrying a couple times, knew I needed something different.  It is hard to find a good holster because there just isn't enough shops around that really carry a good stock.  I then spent a good while looking at holsters and almost bought a King Tuck, it had great review but, when you are in a GFZ it doesn't fit the bill.  So, I kept looking for an OWB that looked good.  I finally found one that I thought looked nice so, I bought a Bianchi 82 OWB retention holster and honestly, I love it.  The only thing that I have is that when I am surprised or catch myself making a quick reaction move I lift my right are across the body as if I am intending on blocking a blow so, I decided to look into another holster.  I then looked at the ALS after all the talk I have heard on the MOC fb page.  I invested in a ALS shoulder holster.  I got it and, it is tough for me because I like it but, it is much bulkier than the thin Bianchi.  The Bianchi is also usefull for more than just my Glock 23, it has a range of Glocks that it fits, but it also fits my XDs perfectly as well.  I have to say that the shoulder rig for the ALS is very cumfortable.  I have been thinking about getting another Bianch and attatching it to the shoulder harness, though I might try the one I have first it is just that it is worn into the belt position.  I definitely recomend the Bianchi.  The ALS is a close second.  Now, if I had the wasteband hook up for the ALS I might be pushing that more than the Bianchi.  Holsters are just expensive when you are still trying to find the perfect on.

[gryphon]

The Glock 23 ALS is only $46 from Optics Planet (free S&H plus they always have 10% coupons and such) and $32.60 from Cheaper Than Dirt ($6.69 S&H).  You're looking at about $40 delivered to your door either way.  I don't think that is expensive.

The SLS is about $20-$40 more from OP.

[Scott Leyder]

Right, I am thinking that if I revamp the shoulder rig I can probably figure out a way to attatch the ALS to a OWB holder.  I might even be able to run my belt through the slots for the shoulder rig.  I have to check that out. 

[CV67PAT]

As long as a person knows what they are doing and what is going on around them (SI) I don't have too much of a problem with a person carrying with out retention. There are many times and many places this is okay. Maybe not every time or every place though.

If someone even a friend tried to take my sidearm from my non retention holster I would beat the snot out of them!

Or they may get shot with my BUG.

Once you have taken my gun, I am in fear for my life... BANG!

[SD40VE]

Or they may get shot with my BUG.

Once you have taken my gun, I am in fear for my life... BANG!

this... my little .380 will do the trick should my .40 get snatched. once you have my firearm and i fear for my life. all bets are off and im shooting first, plus im a pretty damn good shot

[gryphon]

Right, I am thinking that if I revamp the shoulder rig I can probably figure out a way to attatch the ALS to a OWB holder.  I might even be able to run my belt through the slots for the shoulder rig.  I have to check that out.

I am not familiar with using the ALS in a shoulder-rig configuration, but I think it is the same base holster so you should be able to simply swap out the shoulder-rig attachment for a belt attachment or a paddle attachment.

If you live near Lansing, I have a Safariland paddle attachment that works with ALS/SLS holsters that I'm not using that you can borrow.  I can even lend you my Safariland belt attachment for a short period of time as I have a non-Safariland holster I can use while you try it out for a few weeks if you want.

[SD40VE]

I am not familiar with using the ALS in a shoulder-rig configuration, but I think it is the same base holster so you should be able to simply swap out the shoulder-rig attachment for a belt attachment or a paddle attachment.

If you live near Lansing, I have a Safariland paddle attachment that works with ALS/SLS holsters that I'm not using that you can borrow.  I can even lend you my Safariland belt attachment for a short period of time as I have a non-Safariland holster I can use while you try it out for a few weeks if you want.

awww dan that was so nice of you!

[Scott Leyder]

Oh, that is ok.  I am sure I can hook it up.  There is a plate that I can run straps through.  I can figure it out.  Thanks though. 

[Jeff]

im a pretty damn good shot

Is that why they nicknamed the metal bar that holds the targets at CQT the Bradley zone?

[SD40VE]

haha nope. because i know how to not hit it! its the bradley zone because bradley only hits the targets not the carriers