Favorite Level II or III duty holsters?

[Chaplain Scott]

OK, I am starting my search for duty gear.

For starters, I haven't decided on traditional Leather or Nylon. Since I will be Reserve, this will not be full time, but I do anticipate trying to do Patrol fairly often. Our county is 1,800+ sq miles, with only a couple of Deputies on duty at any one time. I plan on buying my own IIIA vest and a seperate plate carrier with (probably) Ceramic plates. We can carry our own Patrol Rifle as long as we qualify with it.

Back to the original question--I will be carrying one of my 1911 Kimbers w/ CT Laser Grips (Commander sized) as duty weapon w/ 3 additional mags. I want a secure holster, but I also want a draw that is as natural as possible. I've thought about the Blackhawk Serpa--but not sure about the use of the trigger finger "release", as I'm concerned about under stress keeping the trigger finger pressed down and unconsciously transitioning into finger on the trigger as drawing--a recipe for disaster.

Thoughts????

Thanks!!!!!

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Crestwood1001]

The serpa is easy to train with, to activate the button your finger is indexed outside of the trigger guard, if you know what I mean? As long as you hold your finger where you naturally would to draw the weapon then your fine. Quite a few of the Troopers I work with carry serpa holsters


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[Xader]

I'm a big fan of Safariland with ALS. Instead of using your trigger finger to release, it has a thumb release. This is especially useful for guns with a thumb safety. After releasing, your thumb is positioned correctly to disengage the safety.

I use the 6378. It comes with either paddle or belt slide attachments.



The 6378 is a concealment model and is only level I retention. Your department may require a higher level of retention, in which case, something like the Model 6365 (level III, upgradeable to IV) might be a better option.

Safariland holsters are also available in a few colors and patterns, including basket-weave to match traditional duty belt gear.

[Secret Spuk]

If I were you I'd check into what the departments issues, or recomends for a service holster, and related equipment.

[Chaplain Scott]

Our Department does not issue anything but one uniform and the badge. Everything else is on us--oh yeah, they have some donated vests.

There does not seem to be a significant consensus in the department regarding what folks use. Folks in Montana are a pretty independant lot

[mcp1810]

I like the Safariland 070 series. I have three of them. One of the finishes they offer is a nylon look. List on them is about $160 but you can find them on e-bay both new and used for a lot less.

[JMB]

Safariland...take your pick.

[Secret Spuk]

So the department dont have standards or recomandations for it's full time officers? You'd probably be better off having this discussion with the full timed uniformed officers.

[FlaRon]

Safariland SS-III is what I carried for the last 20 some odd years of my career.

Starting with a S&W Model 66 and finishing with the rig below for a Glock-21 SF.

P02140500.jpg
click image to enlarge....

http://www.copsplus.com/prodnum1072.php

Train with it and learn it properly.

No one has come up with a better Level III holster in MHO.

Regards,

FlaRon

[64zebra]

I first had the Level IV Safariland Raptor
(press down, rotate hood, depress button on back of holster with middle finger, rock back, draw) It was good, but then I needed a new one for use with weapon mounted light
I got the Safariland 6360 ALS Level III (press down, rotate hood, thumb presses ALS, draw). This is a very fast, secure holster. I've got the open top ALS for my off-duty carry so I use the same motion and muscle memory with the ALS.
I took the Sentry hood/shroud off (Level IV with it) so I only have the rotating hood and ALS (Level III)

[DocT65]

Blackhawk Serpa is what I carry and the one my department recommends. I've had no issues with it at all.

[Steve261]

Safariland Raptor Level 3. I'd stay away from Serpa holsters, too many issues with trigger fingers ending up on the trigger due to the poor design/location of the release.

[64zebra]

............I'd stay away from Serpa holsters, too many issues with trigger fingers ending up on the trigger due to the poor design/location of the release.

I understand (and have read about) the "issues" with the Serpa. Some ranges ban them. This is based on the finger getting on the trigger.

Trigger fingers ending up on the trigger is due to improper or inadequate training.

The location of the release is in line with the frame/slide area where a finger should be indexed during the draw anyway. This is the same location I place my index finger on the Safariland holsters I use and I don't get my finger on the trigger.
Personally I don't like them, but that's personal taste, not because I think they are dangerous.

If an officer has been using certain types of holsters for some length of time, and been through thousands and thousands of draws, then they go to a Serpa holster, they will most likely have issues unless they re-train themselves for the equipment.
There are plenty of officers out there with not issues that started on a Serpa, or have used one exclusively since switching to it, and have practiced a LOT of draws.

I had to do a similar amount of re-training when I went from the Level IV Raptor to the Level III ALS.