Question on Blackhawk! CQC holster

Years ago (when SERPA holsters were still fawned over) one made for a Beretta M9/92 could fit slide and barrel of the shorter 92. Centurion I think they called it. The contact points a holster (especially a retention holster like SERPA) between a full size and compact model are usually the same, depending on firearm and holster maker. You will have some overhang like the tactical model will come out farther than what the holster is made for.

Smaug said:

To anyone that has one for the service size pistol, would it also work for the Tactical model? (same frame, but longer slide & barrel)

They don't say whether it would fit the Tactical model, but I think it will. The main thing is whether the slide/barrel will poke through the bottom of it or not.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2238148529?pid=739865#questions

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The "Tactical" model of what?

Side note: The SERPA is probably useful as field holster, for riding an ATV or while hiking or fishing, but it isn't a very good concealment holster or range/training/competition holster.

Smaug said:

They don't say whether it would fit the Tactical model, but I think it will. The main thing is whether the slide/barrel will poke through the bottom of it or not.

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I don't know if it will, but Black Hawk sells different models for the different varieties of XD. Unless you already have the holster and are wondering if a new gun would fit, I'd just buy the holster that is listed for my gun. They show the Tactical model on their page.

https://www.blackhawk.com

I suppose it also makes a difference whether it is a 9/40 or .45 as the guns have different dimensions.

JTQ said:

The "Tactical" model of what?

Side note: The SERPA is probably useful as field holster, for riding an ATV or while hiking or fishing, but it isn't a very good concealment holster or range/training/competition holster.

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A lot of ranges and training centers have banned Serpa holsters.

EMC45 said:

A lot of ranges and training centers have banned Serpa holsters.

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This is true, and it's not a holster I typically recommend to folks for anything other than as a field holster, and even then, if they are available, a Safariland product is probably a better choice.

EMC45 said:

A lot of ranges and training centers have banned Serpa holsters

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I have heard this, because of a lack of confidence in users to not have an accident I'm told. I myself used the Serpa when I was deployed on active duty as a holster for my pistol for "on base protection", as well as when I was a contractor working in afg as a daily carry/duty holster. I also used one when I competed in 3 gun and outlaw IPSC, and I use one now to carry my sidearm in the woods. Of course, all of these applications are open carry, which is where the Serpa is at its best, IMO. I have never had an accident or witnessed someone else having one with the Serpa holster, and my times in matches were consistently better than par and competitive with other shooters.

FL-NC said:

I have heard this, because of a lack of confidence in users to not have an accident I'm told. I myself used the Serpa when I was deployed on active duty as a holster for my pistol for "on base protection", as well as when I was a contractor working in afg as a daily carry/duty holster. I also used one when I competed in 3 gun and outlaw IPSC, and I use one now to carry my sidearm in the woods. Of course, all of these applications are open carry, which is where the Serpa is at its best, IMO. I have never had an accident or witnessed someone else having one with the Serpa holster, and my times in matches were consistently better than par and competitive with other shooters.

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I too carried one on base. Beretta M9. I laced the Serpa onto an old web belt and used it daily for the M9. Worked fine and never shot my leg. CATM had a policy that if you wanted to carry the M9 in a particular holster, you had to qualify at least once with it. I qualified and could manipulate the gun/holster pretty well.

FL-NC said:

I have heard this, because of a lack of confidence in users to not have an accident I'm told. I myself used the Serpa when I was deployed on active duty as a holster for my pistol for "on base protection", as well as when I was a contractor working in afg as a daily carry/duty holster.

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Carried mine in a SERPA holster as well overseas. I did not like the Safarialand drop leg holsters we were issued and bought the SERPA out of pocket. Along with a quick disconnect kit and a plate to go on my body armor. The holster and weapon could go from my belt to carrier for a patrol in about 5 seconds. This was well before it was fashionable to bash the holster. I never had a functional issue with the holster, but I also will not use it with a striker fired gun like a Glock as a just in case. At some point I would like to buy a Beretta M92 for the nostalgia.

herrwalther said:

Carried mine in a SERPA holster as well overseas. I did not like the Safarialand drop leg holsters we were issued and bought the SERPA out of pocket. Along with a quick disconnect kit and a plate to go on my body armor. The holster and weapon could go from my belt to carrier for a patrol in about 5 seconds. This was well before it was fashionable to bash the holster. I never had a functional issue with the holster, but I also will not use it with a striker fired gun like a Glock as a just in case. At some point I would like to buy a Beretta M92 for the nostalgia.

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That was the issue with the holster. The design has the shooter press into the trigger guard area to release the retention device, which led a lot of untrained/undertrained folks to keep their press on the trigger when drawing. Striker guns (Glock, Xd, M&P, etc.) were almost always involved in unintended or early firing incidents.

The SO range that handles our force/firearms quals has at least 3 to 4 thousand sworn personnel go through range training every four months, not counting the academy classes. Years back, several near misses by shooters blasting inadvertently caused any holster with a trigger-area retention release to be nixed for on or off duty use and outside agencies that did allow them were strongly advised to not bring them to their facilities.

They are effective, but they do require enough familiarity and training to reduce the chance of a stress-related ooops.

Stay safe.