what duty holster?

[Axis II]

for the LEO/S/O/Etc on here what duty holsters are you guys using? I used to work metro housing authority and protective services security gigs and thinking about getting back into it for extra money. I currently run a Blackhawk level 3 holster but today on the range requalifying the whistle went off and I attempted to draw and didn't get the side button in enough and the gun wouldn't come out. mind you I haven't messed with this holster in about a year as I don't do that type of work anymore but still recertify every year incase I need the extra money and want to go back into it.

I'm currently looking at safariland duty holsters but their level 3 holster looks like a giant PITA to deal with but the lever 2 doesn't seem very safe with just the hood and screw.

 

[JTQ]

I'm not LE, but I'm pretty sure nearly all of them use something from Safariland

http://www.safariland.com/products/holsters-and-gear/holster-systems/

I'm currently looking at safariland duty holsters but their level 3 holster looks like a giant PITA to deal with but the lever 2 doesn't seem very safe with just the hood and screw.

Did you watch the video's?

http://www.safariland.com/products/...r-23319.html#sm.00ckamti1bhtf4z11kd2ebf071y4v

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I'm not an LEO either but all the LEOS I work with use level 2 or 3 Safarilands.

I was interested as they look like real quality, and after owning 2 of them, I can affirm that they are. I get the low ride versions and use them to hike so they are out of the way of my pack. The level 2 just has the spring loaded thumb release. They work great and are adjustable for tension.

If you're getting in and out of a vehicle go for the high ride.

 

[Creaky_Old_Cop]

Safariland SSIII. Period.

I used the SSIII with a revolver, a Glock 17/22, and a USP40 (different specific holsters obviously).

I had a 400lb drunk Native American who was stronger than a V8 actually lift me off the ground, repeatedly (and slam me back into it) by the grip frame of my USP and it never dislodged from the holster.

Thank God I could access my backup.

Still....the SSIII is the high water mark in super secure, super fast Level 3 holsters.

 

[Axis II]

View attachment 760477
Safariland SSIII. Period.

I used the SSIII with a revolver, a Glock 17/22, and a USP40 (different specific holsters obviously).

I had a 400lb drunk Native American who was stronger than a V8 actually lift me off the ground, repeatedly (and slam me back into it) by the grip frame of my USP and it never dislodged from the holster.

Thank God I could access my backup.

Still....the SSIII is the high water mark in super secure, super fast Level 3 holsters.

a lot of the guys I used to work with used that same holster but they all seemed to upgrade to the ones with the hoods.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Right now I am using the Safariland 6360-83 level III. I still have a level 4.

 

[Axis II]

I'm not an LEO either but all the LEOS I work with use level 2 or 3 Safarilands.

I was interested as they look like real quality, and after owning 2 of them, I can affirm that they are. I get the low ride versions and use them to hike so they are out of the way of my pack. The level 2 just has the spring loaded thumb release. They work great and are adjustable for tension.

If you're getting in and out on f a vehicle go for the high ride.

nope just either walking around an apt complex or standing by the customer service counter at a store. I used to do mobile patrol/alarm response on the weekends for extra cash and just wear a cqc holster for that but if I'm around people I want security.

which level 3 did you own? I'm more a level 3 fan as most the time its me wondering around an apt complex alone. I tried breaking up a fight between females one night and the one girl was about 6ft 200lbs and co cocked me and the fight was on. sure glad I had my level 3 on that night cause 2 guys tried to intervene.

 

[Axis II]

Right now I am using the Safariland 6360-83 level III. I still have a level 4.
View attachment 760486

that's sort of what I'm looking at. is it a pita to draw with pushing the hood forward and then the other release under the hood or is it just the hood, screw and the shield for the hood?

 

[GunnyUSMC]

It's pretty easy. You push the hood down and forward. When the hood moves forward your thumb will land on the release button. Thumb pressure down and back will allow you to draw the gun.

 

[Creaky_Old_Cop]

a lot of the guys I used to work with used that same holster but they all seemed to upgrade to the ones with the hoods.

Tried a hooded model...went back to the SSIII. It was faster and more secure. I trusted it like I trused my Glock. It never let me down. I am not saying other models aren't good...but for me...nothing will ever be as good as the SSIII.

 

[herrwalther]

The Sheriff office I work for covers area for several smaller municipalities. I see all sorts of different duty firearms and personal preference weapons. Some of the older officers carry their firearms in Blackhawk Serpas. Weapon of choice is usually something DA/SA like a Beretta 92FS. Vast majority of officers across departments use some flavor of Safariland for whatever their duty firearm is, and most carry some form of Streamlight or Surefire weapon light. IT was a large and pleasant surprise to me when I saw an officer with a 5.11 Thumbdrive holster. But that was like spotting Bigfoot in the wild.

 

[FL-NC]

Not LE, but former SOF and contractor. I either used a SERPA or a safariland SLS with the standard belt hanger.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The Blackhawk Serpa Holster is one of the best options available today. Is it possible you might need to train a bit more with the Hollister you already have? Did it malfunction or was it operator error?

The Blackhawk Epoch duty holster is also an excellent choice. It's strong and will last a long time. This one might be more to your liking.
http://blackhawk.com/products/holst...ring/epoch-level-3-light-bearing-duty-holster

 

[cadet3]

I would run either a Safariland 6360 or the new 7TS holsters. Both can accommodate WML's. I really woudn't look beyond these two if I had to purchase a holster today.

 

[Axis II]

The Blackhawk Serpa Holster is one of the best options available today. Is it possible you might need to train a bit more with the Hollister you already have? Did it malfunction or was it operator error?

The Blackhawk Epoch duty holster is also an excellent choice. It's strong and will last a long time. This one might be more to your liking.
http://blackhawk.com/products/holst...ring/epoch-level-3-light-bearing-duty-holster

Its was a little operator error and its caused from me not using it for a year. When i did carry it daily i would shoot monthly with the holster on and my muscle memory was very good but in an oh crap situation i don't want it to grab like it did for requal Saturday. the side button wasn't depressed all the way and a little fearful that having to press the button in a fast motion would put my finger right inline with the trigger when it comes out. Ive only had one oh crap situation when a pit bull charged me and working armored car someone came walking up to me while i was unloading the truck in an aggressive matter but its always in my mind i might send one down my leg in a bad situation.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hey, I totally agree with you, if you don't have complete confidence in the equipment don't use it... The other holster I linked to might be to your liking. I hope you find what you need.

 

[Rexster]

I am mandated to use either a Safariland 6360 or 070. The 070 was mandated for many years, after we got away from the old-school flap (!) holsters in the late Eighties. The 6360 became standard later. I always disliked the 070, as attaining a proper firing grip at the outset of the draw was compromised, and chicken-winging my hand, to begin the draw, is not ony tactically ill-advised, but had become uncomfortably painful with age.

As for the rotating hood, itself, I am not really a fan. It may have been a decent idea, at the time, but, alone, is not very secure, in my opinion, as one needs a moment to lock it into place. As a supplement, it is OK.

 

[Axis II]

I am mandated to use either a Safariland 6360 or 070. The 070 was mandated for many years, after we got away from the old-school flap (!) holsters in the late Eighties. The 6360 became standard later. I always disliked the 070, as attaining a proper firing grip at the outset of the draw was compromised, and chicken-winging my hand, to begin the draw, is not ony tactically ill-advised, but had become uncomfortably painful with age.

As for the rotating hood, itself, I am not really a fan. It may have been a decent idea, at the time, but, alone, is not very secure, in my opinion, as one needs a moment to lock it into place. As a supplement, it is OK.

from the videos i watched doesn't the 6360 lock the gun once its holstered even if the hood is forward? this might just be the level 3?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

from the videos i watched doesn't the 6360 lock the gun once its holstered even if the hood is forward? this might just be the level 3?

Yes, it has the automatic locking system. I don't care for it as it looks unnecessarily complicated. However, like I said I'm not an LEO, and I do not get into hand to hand struggles with individuals. So you may need that kind of retention.

which level 3 did you own? I'm more a level 3 fan as most the time its me wondering around an apt complex alone. I tried breaking up a fight between females one night and the one girl was about 6ft 200lbs and co cocked me and the fight was on. sure glad I had my level 3 on that night cause 2 guys tried to intervene.

I haven't owned a Level III as it isn't needed at all for my purposes. I buy the 6285 as it is all the retention I need, it is fast on the draw, and works very well for me. But, as I said above, it may not be adequate for your purposes.

 

[Rexster]

from the videos i watched doesn't the 6360 lock the gun once its holstered even if the hood is forward? this might just be the level 3?

Yes, the holster locks upon full insertion of the weapon, with one retention device, and then I can rotate the hood for another level of retention. In my opinion, the one that engages when the pistols reaches full insertion is THE retention device in the Safariland holster line-up, and is why I forgive Bill Rogers for designing the horrible SSIII/070.* The 070 put too much emphasis on retention, and not enough on accessibility, at least with the 1911. Yet, the 070, for some pistols, does not retain well enough, barely keeping the pistol in place until the snaps are fastened.

The curved shield, that tends to deflect an opponent from easily reaching the important bits, is probably counted as a Level. I am no authority on which is the third "Level." I think the holster body, itself, is one level, and each retention device is another level, so a 6360 can be configured up to Level IV. For a field holster, I like my 6354DO, for a G19, which has no rotating hood, just the device that engages upon holstering, and which I can disengage with what is, to me, an intiutive movement. (The "DO" refers to Docter Optic; after retirement, I will no longer be prohibited from using an optic on my duty and personal carry pistols, so have started buying holsters able to accommodate optics.)

*The 070, which was mandated at the time, is why I stopped carrying 1911 pistols while on duty, in 2002. The carry angle, and multiple snap-secured retention devices, made proper contact with the grip safety, by my skinny hand, problematic. I switched to Glock, then the SIG P229R DAK, which were more forgiving of an improper initial grip.

 

[Axis II]

Yes, it has the automatic locking system. I don't care for it as it looks unnecessarily complicated. However, like I said I'm not an LEO, and I do not get into hand to hand struggles with individuals. So you may need that kind of retention.


I haven't owned a Level III as it isn't needed at all for my purposes. I buy the 6285 as it is all the retention I need, it is fast on the draw, and works very well for me. But, as I said above, it may not be adequate for your purposes.

just my advice if your working any type of security job that is armed you should have at minimum a level 2 and maybe even a 3. I'm not an LEO either but when it was 2 of us wondering around a 12 building, 3 floor apartment complex with not so nice people I wanted the level 3 cause I didn't want someone running up to me and disarming me or when we would walk them to the main gate for trespassing or causing issues I wanted all the help I could get.

I worked armored care for 6yrs and carried a level 3 cause I was constantly around people. the new part time gig would be a grocery store which is surrounded by the projects and we are just there for deterent, shoplifters and possibly robberies and employee safety at the end of the night. yeah I'm sitting on a stool by the registers but you never know whos around you so I go level 3. not really hands on with people other than pulling them apart from fighting or when they decide to attack me. even S/O need to watch their 6.

 

[Jesse H]

The Blackhawk Serpa Holster is one of the best options available today. Is it possible you might need to train a bit more with the Hollister you already have? Did it malfunction or was it operator error?

I'm amazed folks are still using these things. They're cheap and they hold a gun, but with Safariland and other options I'm not sure why folks still use Serpas.

Even if it weren't for the retention system, the holster material itself is inferior. There's a reason why many classes don't allow Serpas.

I use Safariland on my patrol and SWAT rig.