Blackhawk Serpa Holsters - Opinions
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REAPER4206969
Member
I have one for the 1911 and it is certainly not a concealment holster. What pistol are you using?
It's for a Glock 26. I actually picked one up today and found that it isn't very easy to conceal. I thought maybe I was doing something wrong. I think it will work with a winter jacket and maybe a loose vest. I do like the easy of holstering and drawing the gun.
I agree, this is an excellent bare bones holster which is light and functional. I used one for years when I was a poor student...before buying another holster.
I use the CQC Serpa as a teaching holster and have been known to just throw a denim workshirt over it when going to dinner afterwards. It conceals, but it wouldn't be my first choice...not very discreet. The CQC Serpa is very secure and yet fast to draw from...but then I'm not rolling in sand/dirt...I might even use it in IDPA.
I don't recommend the combination of the Glock and Serpa, unless you have good trigger finger discipline
I use Serpa holsters for Sig 226 and Beretta 92F and Blade-Tech for Glock and 1911 field use holsters.
Both are fine choices for this application.
Blackhawk redesigned the trigger finger release catch on the Glock model holster so there are no issues in that area any longer and their standard holster certainly isn't any less safe with a Glock than a Blade-Tech is.
The Milt Sparks Summer Special IWB leather holster is still best in show for true CCW in my opinion.
I used a couple of these when packing a gun was a simple misdemeanor here.
Now it is a felony so I don't do CCW in public and normally open carry on my own property.
Kydex holsters rub to the point of abrasion when used as inside the waistband holsters and you have to buy pants one or two inches larger in the waist than you normally wear but on the upside, since Kydex holsters don't collapse as many leather holsters will, your pants won't loosen when you have to draw your weapon.
I tried one of these working in a gunshop where CCW is legal and quickly went back to a Summer Special for my Glock 26.
Many newer IWB holster desugns use a steel band to hold the top of the holster open which keeps your pants tight and allow fast one handed reholstering of the weapon.
Since CCW is still illegal here in public and the gun shop owner retired and closed shop, I haven't had a reason to purchase and test one of the newer designs to see how well they really work.
Both are fine choices for this application.
Blackhawk redesigned the trigger finger release catch on the Glock model holster so there are no issues in that area any longer and their standard holster certainly isn't any less safe with a Glock than a Blade-Tech is.
The Milt Sparks Summer Special IWB leather holster is still best in show for true CCW in my opinion.
I used a couple of these when packing a gun was a simple misdemeanor here.
Now it is a felony so I don't do CCW in public and normally open carry on my own property.
Kydex holsters rub to the point of abrasion when used as inside the waistband holsters and you have to buy pants one or two inches larger in the waist than you normally wear but on the upside, since Kydex holsters don't collapse as many leather holsters will, your pants won't loosen when you have to draw your weapon.
I tried one of these working in a gunshop where CCW is legal and quickly went back to a Summer Special for my Glock 26.
Many newer IWB holster desugns use a steel band to hold the top of the holster open which keeps your pants tight and allow fast one handed reholstering of the weapon.
Since CCW is still illegal here in public and the gun shop owner retired and closed shop, I haven't had a reason to purchase and test one of the newer designs to see how well they really work.
REAPER4206969
Member
Normally it does.
OOPS...thanks for the catch
Maybe I should read the packaging before commenting, but I've had it so long I can't find it
Roughneck08
Member
I do own a serpa for my G17 and it does conceal under a large jacket and it comfortable when it is canted all the way forward. There are much better choices for concealed carry, but for range shooting and walk through a field I love my serpa.
swinokur
Member
where oh where are "The Serpa is dangerous cuz Ray Suarez said so" folks?
I've got 3 of them. Best? probably not. Affordable good value and do they work?
Absolutely
My .02 which due to inflation is now actually worh nothing.
I've got 3 of them. Best? probably not. Affordable good value and do they work?
Absolutely
My .02 which due to inflation is now actually worh nothing.
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Hey, I stayed away from Serpa holsters for a Looong time because of all the negative hype.
Finally broke down and bought a couple.
They really are decent, reasonably priced field use holsters.
Very good.
I can see why the military issues them now.
Finally broke down and bought a couple.
They really are decent, reasonably priced field use holsters.
Very good.
I can see why the military issues them now.
possum
Member
several training companies do not allow them in thier courses. one in particular is one that i have attended myself. I had one and never had an issue how ever i listen when people in the industry talk. however the school that i stated is currently re evaluating thier stance on the serpa holster.
there were a few incidents where students had nd'd and shot them selves during training using the serpa (not at the school i described above but others, and instructors talk and share info). also there have been some issues of the guns not being able to be drawn from the holster when the gun had mud, and or dirt behind the button.
one of the biggest pushers of the anti serpa holster was Paul Gomez, he now works for teh school i described above, and he along with the CEO and staff are re looking the issues with the serpa.
to me it is all a matter of context, most people that have serpa's will never be in a sittuation that causes them to get so much dirt and or mud in thier holster that it will not come out. so if that applies to you then maybe you should look at something else.
there were a few incidents where students had nd'd and shot them selves during training using the serpa (not at the school i described above but others, and instructors talk and share info). also there have been some issues of the guns not being able to be drawn from the holster when the gun had mud, and or dirt behind the button.
one of the biggest pushers of the anti serpa holster was Paul Gomez, he now works for teh school i described above, and he along with the CEO and staff are re looking the issues with the serpa.
to me it is all a matter of context, most people that have serpa's will never be in a sittuation that causes them to get so much dirt and or mud in thier holster that it will not come out. so if that applies to you then maybe you should look at something else.
swinokur
Member
I believe these are training issues. How many times have we all been told to keep our finger off the trigger until ready to shoot?
Apparently some folks aren't listening.
SOCOM has approved these for use. Think they want soldiers shooting themselves?
We need to stop blaming the gear. The holster does not make anyone put their finger on the trigger. I'm beginning to doubt the competence of instructors who blame equipment instead of students. I don't care how much experience they have.
As always YMMV
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JTQ
Member
My .02 for what it is worth.
I'll assume the Serpa CQC is perfectly safe.
There are certainly better concealment holsters on the market.
Why would you need/want an active retention device on a range holster?
I believe you would be much happier with a kydex range holster from Comp-tac, Blade-tech, Raven Concealment, or Garrett Industries. Additionally, all would most likely conceal better than a Serpa.
I'll assume the Serpa CQC is perfectly safe.
There are certainly better concealment holsters on the market.
Why would you need/want an active retention device on a range holster?
I believe you would be much happier with a kydex range holster from Comp-tac, Blade-tech, Raven Concealment, or Garrett Industries. Additionally, all would most likely conceal better than a Serpa.
swinokur
Member
I live 1 mile from the MD-VA border. VA is an OC state. I OC frequently in VA. My Serpa gets used for a lot more than just the range. I would not OC without at a minimum a Level II holster for my own safety while OC'ing
Again, my .02
Again, my .02
possum
Member
i don't disagree with you i am simply stating what i have seen and know from members of the training industry.
possum
Member
for info on this subject go to www.tacticalresponse.com then to FAQ's at the bottom of the page is thier thoughts and experiences with the Serpa holster.
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JTQ
Member
Those are excellent points and a good reason to use a Serpa.
Of course the question was...
Aside from those concerns, the primary reason I don't use what I find to be a very handy design is that it's not a good concealment holster. It's too bulky, too thick, and rides too far out from the body.
I've discussed that with Blackhawk & the guy I spoke to there agreed.
As far as using it for a range or other open carry function goes, the release process is so totally different from the normal thumbbreak holster I carry every day that under stress I'd not be able to get the pistol out in a hurry.
Running back & forth between too such distinctly different release types would almost certainly be fatal for me.
I have too many years in my muscle memory with thumbbreaks. In a hurry, I'd automatically revert to "thumbing" the release, not "fingering" it.
I stick with one system that works best for me. Like pistols themselves, I don't switch holster types around to match either my mood or the urge to go with something different this week.
Concealed around town or open carry in the wilds, all use a thumbbreak if they have any type of retention device at all beyond just a tight fit, because that type of release is so automatic for me.
Years ago I was testing a Smith & Wesson in a breakfront holster. I was timing myself out of the leather & on target.
I told my hand to remember "push forward, don't pull up" several times, closed my eyes & chanted it, visualized myself doing it.
When my buddy hit the timer button my hand instantly forgot everything I'd just told it & pulled up. Obviously, I had to do a couple retakes. And that was only under the extremely mild "stress" of the timer.
I do like the release on the Serpa (it's actually one of the only plastic holsters I'd even consider using), and if they can ever produce one that's much thinner I'd give it a good whirl for concealed use.
In the meantime- no. Too bulky for daily wear & too risky for occasional wear.
If you're in a position to use nothing but the Serpa, that'd be a different matter.
Denis
I've discussed that with Blackhawk & the guy I spoke to there agreed.
As far as using it for a range or other open carry function goes, the release process is so totally different from the normal thumbbreak holster I carry every day that under stress I'd not be able to get the pistol out in a hurry.
Running back & forth between too such distinctly different release types would almost certainly be fatal for me.
I have too many years in my muscle memory with thumbbreaks. In a hurry, I'd automatically revert to "thumbing" the release, not "fingering" it.
I stick with one system that works best for me. Like pistols themselves, I don't switch holster types around to match either my mood or the urge to go with something different this week.
Concealed around town or open carry in the wilds, all use a thumbbreak if they have any type of retention device at all beyond just a tight fit, because that type of release is so automatic for me.
Years ago I was testing a Smith & Wesson in a breakfront holster. I was timing myself out of the leather & on target.
I told my hand to remember "push forward, don't pull up" several times, closed my eyes & chanted it, visualized myself doing it.
When my buddy hit the timer button my hand instantly forgot everything I'd just told it & pulled up. Obviously, I had to do a couple retakes. And that was only under the extremely mild "stress" of the timer.
I do like the release on the Serpa (it's actually one of the only plastic holsters I'd even consider using), and if they can ever produce one that's much thinner I'd give it a good whirl for concealed use.
In the meantime- no. Too bulky for daily wear & too risky for occasional wear.
If you're in a position to use nothing but the Serpa, that'd be a different matter.
Denis
possum
Member
another reason that i stoped carrying the serpa was because it is the only holster that i had that had a retention device/ button/ hood etc. and it was inconsistant with all the other holsters that i was using and still use now.
possum
Member
i agree, and another reason why i do not care for manual safeties on handguns.
I own two Serpas, rarely use one, and never use the other because the 5904/5906 (that the package says it is supposedly made for) rattles around inside it no matter how much you tighten the "Passive Retention" part of it. I currently use a Crossbreed Supertuck for CC of anything bigger than a pocket gun.
Les
Les
That is a good reason as "simple is usually better".
I haven't personally found it to be an extra step as that is where my finger is during my normal draw stroke anyway and I don't push in on the lever, because I don't do that during my normal draw either. The only time I've encountered a stall with the release is when I've overthought it and made an effort to push in on the release...and that issue was releasing the the lever before the gun cleared the lock.
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