Blackhawk Serpa

jabo2818 · October 21st, 2007, 09:58 PM

Anybody have any experience with these? Kicking around the idea of getting one to use through the winter months since I can conceal it easier.

QKShooter · October 21st, 2007, 10:04 PM

Good Quality. They do not pull the pistol but in quite as close as high quality leather but, closer than Fobus.
Yep, you could use it for concealment in winter or under a sportcoat or light jacket.

Also...almost under an oversize T-Shirt but a full size pistol butt will print a bit.

You can also get them in Non~Serpa and those are quite inexpensive.

jabo2818 · October 21st, 2007, 10:15 PM

what about retention vs. non-retention holsters? any opinions about which would be better for average joe?

rocky · October 21st, 2007, 10:54 PM

I like the Serpa w/ retention lock. It is easy to push and natural during the draw. It just takes a little practice to get it down and be able to draw quickly. If you push down firmly as you press the switch it works really good.
I find the paddle works best, pulls the gun tighter , spreads the gun weight out more on your hip.
The lock is really tough , we actually pulled a 180 lb. Guy off his feet w/o breaking the holster / switch.

DOGOFWAR01 · October 21st, 2007, 11:27 PM

I did not recommend the Blackhawk SERPA for Personal Protection / CCW use.

I do recommend the Blackhawk "without" the SERPA.

Side note: For those who recommended the Blackhawk SERPA for Personal Protection.

Blackhawk SERPA recommendation, try this for those who recommended the SERPA. Only use your opposite - arm/hand and remove the handgun from the holster. Could you do it ? If you did how long did it take you ?

Personal Protection Handgun and magazines / speed loaders (same applies to knives and flashlights) should be reachable and removable with either hand. Think about the "why".

The holster recommended is the Blackhawk CQC "without" the SERPA retention is good to go for Personal Protection. As are the Blackhawk magazine "single" pouches.

SERPA works for body armor vest mount, when you have others with you with firearms and you are carrying a rifle / shotgun as your primary.

The "why" because you may not have use of your primary arm / hand for many reasons and what if for 1/4 second you miss the SERPA button, you draw slower, which might make the difference if you survive or not.

For retention, you have your clothing covering the holster and the handgun and can use your forearm if need be. If you maintain your awareness level where it should be then retention nearly becomes a mute point.

Echo_Four · October 22nd, 2007, 01:17 AM

Drawing from the SERPA requires a convulsion of the trigger finger. Never a good idea in my opinion. You want the trigger finger straight until the decision to fire has been made- and that cannot be done with this system.

rocky · October 22nd, 2007, 01:21 AM

I have practiced drawing with my Serpa alot. I find my finger naturally is along the slide stop as I draw after pressing the release. It may vary where your finger rests. those who do not like the serpa w/ release, how many have tried it, or just formed an opinion from 2nd hand observation/opinion?

srfl · October 22nd, 2007, 01:24 AM

I haven't had a problem with my trigger finger "falling" inside of the trigger guard during a draw with my Glock 20 and Serpa holster.

DOGOFWAR01 · October 22nd, 2007, 01:51 AM

I have both and have used both of the Blackhawk CQC with and without the SERPA for as long or as many years as this holsters have been made, thousands of draws.

If on my hip and without a rifle / carbine then NO SERPA with open carry or concealed carry.

If on my chest attached to body armor or thigh rig with a rifle / carbine and in the company of others with rifles / carbines then YES SERPA.

+++++++++++++
Rocky and SRFL - below is from my other post above, I just suggest asking yourselves the questions below and see what your answers are, not trying to start a posting contest:

Blackhawk SERPA recommendation, try this for those who recommended the SERPA. Only use your opposite - arm/hand and remove the handgun from the holster. Could you do it ? If you did how long did it take you ?

Personal Protection Handgun and magazines / speed loaders (same applies to knives and flashlights) should be reachable and removable with either hand. Think about the "why".

srfl · October 22nd, 2007, 02:17 AM

To answer your question....yes, I can remove my G20 from its holster using my weak hand-only (thanks for being limber) as long as I perform the draw from the front of my body...fairly quickly as well and probably as quickly if I had to release my SIGARMS P229 from a thumbbreak holster; exactly how quickly I cannot say since I do not have a timer.

October 21st, 2007, 09:58 PM	#1
jabo2818 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 92	Blackhawk Serpa Anybody have any experience with these? Kicking around the idea of getting one to use through the winter months since I can conceal it easier.

October 21st, 2007, 10:04 PM	#2
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,502	Good Quality. They do not pull the pistol but in quite as close as high quality leather but, closer than Fobus. Yep, you could use it for concealment in winter or under a sportcoat or light jacket. Also...almost under an oversize T-Shirt but a full size pistol butt will print a bit. You can also get them in Non~Serpa and those are quite inexpensive. __________________ Liberty/Tyranny ___________________________ Ain't That A Shame! Be Happy! *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OG3u...1&feature=fvwp*

October 21st, 2007, 10:54 PM	#4
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 13,085	I like the Serpa w/ retention lock. It is easy to push and natural during the draw. It just takes a little practice to get it down and be able to draw quickly. If you push down firmly as you press the switch it works really good. I find the paddle works best, pulls the gun tighter , spreads the gun weight out more on your hip. The lock is really tough , we actually pulled a 180 lb. Guy off his feet w/o breaking the holster / switch. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

October 22nd, 2007, 01:17 AM	#6
Echo_Four Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,029	Drawing from the SERPA requires a convulsion of the trigger finger. Never a good idea in my opinion. You want the trigger finger straight until the decision to fire has been made- and that cannot be done with this system. __________________ "The only people I like besides my wife and children are Marines." - Lt. Col. Oliver North Firearm Facts Christian Warrior Ministries

October 22nd, 2007, 01:21 AM	#7
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 13,085	I have practiced drawing with my Serpa alot. I find my finger naturally is along the slide stop as I draw after pressing the release. It may vary where your finger rests. those who do not like the serpa w/ release, how many have tried it, or just formed an opinion from 2nd hand observation/opinion? __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

October 21st, 2007, 10:15 PM	#3
jabo2818 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 92	what about retention vs. non-retention holsters? any opinions about which would be better for average joe?

October 21st, 2007, 11:27 PM	#5
DOGOFWAR01 Ex Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: WYOMING Posts: 562	I did not recommend the Blackhawk SERPA for Personal Protection / CCW use. I do recommend the Blackhawk "without" the SERPA. Side note: For those who recommended the Blackhawk SERPA for Personal Protection. Blackhawk SERPA recommendation, try this for those who recommended the SERPA. Only use your opposite - arm/hand and remove the handgun from the holster. Could you do it ? If you did how long did it take you ? Personal Protection Handgun and magazines / speed loaders (same applies to knives and flashlights) should be reachable and removable with either hand. Think about the "why". The holster recommended is the Blackhawk CQC "without" the SERPA retention is good to go for Personal Protection. As are the Blackhawk magazine "single" pouches. SERPA works for body armor vest mount, when you have others with you with firearms and you are carrying a rifle / shotgun as your primary. The "why" because you may not have use of your primary arm / hand for many reasons and what if for 1/4 second you miss the SERPA button, you draw slower, which might make the difference if you survive or not. For retention, you have your clothing covering the holster and the handgun and can use your forearm if need be. If you maintain your awareness level where it should be then retention nearly becomes a mute point.

October 22nd, 2007, 01:24 AM	#8
srfl Senior Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: FL Posts: 6,873	I haven't had a problem with my trigger finger "falling" inside of the trigger guard during a draw with my Glock 20 and Serpa holster. __________________ USAF: Loving Our Obscene Amenities Since 1947

October 22nd, 2007, 01:51 AM	#9
DOGOFWAR01 Ex Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: WYOMING Posts: 562	I have both and have used both of the Blackhawk CQC with and without the SERPA for as long or as many years as this holsters have been made, thousands of draws. If on my hip and without a rifle / carbine then NO SERPA with open carry or concealed carry. If on my chest attached to body armor or thigh rig with a rifle / carbine and in the company of others with rifles / carbines then YES SERPA. +++++++++++++ Rocky and SRFL - below is from my other post above, I just suggest asking yourselves the questions below and see what your answers are, not trying to start a posting contest: Blackhawk SERPA recommendation, try this for those who recommended the SERPA. Only use your opposite - arm/hand and remove the handgun from the holster. Could you do it ? If you did how long did it take you ? Personal Protection Handgun and magazines / speed loaders (same applies to knives and flashlights) should be reachable and removable with either hand. Think about the "why".

October 22nd, 2007, 02:17 AM	#10
srfl Senior Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: FL Posts: 6,873	To answer your question....yes, I can remove my G20 from its holster using my weak hand-only (thanks for being limber) as long as I perform the draw from the front of my body...fairly quickly as well and probably as quickly if I had to release my SIGARMS P229 from a thumbbreak holster; exactly how quickly I cannot say since I do not have a timer. __________________ USAF: Loving Our Obscene Amenities Since 1947

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