what level of retention

Who wants to know?:whacko:



I OC in several different holsters, all of which have some sort of retention, from a Serpa to a leather holster with a thumb strap. I have no idea what level each of these are and don't care. Most of the time when I OC it's like I'm carrying Claude Raines...

I dont OC but if I did i would use the same holster we used in the department because I am familiar with it and I am comfortable with it. I want to say it was a lvl III but i am not sure

I OC while waiting for my CCDW (really? This long to exercise a right?) and I use a Blackhawk Serpa Level 2 - at least that's what it said on the package. I used to use an iTac which actually fits my Glock much better (the 19 rattles around a bit in the Blackhawk), but I could yank the gun out of the holster. I use the Blackhawk Level 2 because it gives me the security of knowing that no one is going to successfully grab my sidearm and it isn't going to fall out if I need to run after my 4 year old. After some dry practice, drawing is easy and unobstructed.

I prefer some kind of retention to make sure the weapon stays put. I plan on getting a Kangaroo Air Marshal with the retention strap and some kind of tuckable IWB holster.

I have a level 2 iTac that I use when I OC.

The rare occasions that I OC (usually while hunting, hiking, etc), I use a Level 2 Safariland ALS.

An attempt at a gun-grab during these activities is beyond remote, so the main reason is simply to keep it from coming out in the event of some unexpected motion, aka falling down a hill

warpig76 said:

and why do you feel this level is appropiate?

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I like and use the iTAC roto holster.

1) The level of retention depends on what I am doing and where I am. (i.e) In a large bunched up crowd I don't OC... period. I don't care if the gun is held with epoxy glue!
I don't need that much attention.

2) Walking/hiking in the woods etc; retention is nothing more than a way to secure the weapon from falling out.

3) I have a Galco OWB NON-retention holster for many uses as well...my shirt hangs over it giving some CC attributes, but to me, a quick tuck of the shirt and I'm OC'ing.

If and when I OC the Serpa level 2 gets put on.

Heres another vote for the Blackhawk Serpa Level 2
My MP40 fits in it great! No rattling, no sliding around and no sticking points.

The trigger lock just provides that extra comfort knowing it is not going to get removed from my possession without my knowledge.

:smile:

I also use the Serpa, it's a level 2 retention.

Friction fit (like most holsters) over the trigger guard, and a release button that encourages you to naturally index the frame. I use this when I OC and when I CC OWB.

thanks for the replies.I like the serpas but they dont have one for my cw9.Does anyone else make that type of holster?

Xader said:

The rare occasions that I OC (usually while hunting, hiking, etc), I use a Level 2 Safariland ALS.

An attempt at a gun-grab during these activities is beyond remote, so the main reason is simply to keep it from coming out in the event of some unexpected motion, aka falling down a hill

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Falling down a hill is not tactically sound behavior.

maxwell97 said:

Falling down a hill is not tactically sound behavior.

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Depends on what's at the top of the hill...

I use level 2 and 3 Safariland holsters for the reasons of reliability, not obvious lock mechanisms, and no Tex Grebner style tendency towards me shooting a hole in my leg on the draw. A nice bonus of Safariland's for those who care is that they are lined with some sort of leather type material which greatly reduces holster wear.

When I open carry it is in a holster that is Level II or greater. I think the realistic possibility of a gun grab is fairly minor but, I still will not OC in less than a Level II.

I have a holster with a mouse trap epoxied to it for when I open carry. I'm not sure what retention level that is though.

mjbeam said:

I have a holster with a mouse trap epoxied to it for when I open carry. I'm not sure what retention level that is though.

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Must be hell on your drawstroke...

At a minimum, Serpa level 2. If headed into a more crowded area, a Safariland Level 3 or even 4 depending on the holster available for my gun.. I have the optional Sentry lock on mine. Don't have to use it but it's there if I choose to engage it. The Glock holsters I have have both ALS and SLS plus the Sentry.

Some level of retention seems prudent if you are carrying.

No retention, other thin a 'boned' holster for me.
It just makes for another muscle memory task, I like regular ole' holsters.