SERPA HOLSTER QUESTION

[orionz06]

It looks like the competition, Safariland ALS and 5.11 ThumbDrive, hold the gun farther away from the body to make room for the thumb actuator, so they won't conceal as well.

Why are we buying duty holsters for concealment?

[JonEMTP]

It's clear to me the holster *can* be used safely.

OTOH, the text and videos in this thread show what can happen under stress when the gun is pulled before being released, etc, and that (to me) is an increase in risk.

So maybe someone can explain: What is the benefit - advertised, perceived, or real - of using this holster is vs other retention types?

IMHO: None. Retention wise, it can work as fast and retain as well as anything else out there (and I feel there are better options) - You have to practice. It seems the root of the issue is the transition from fine to gross motor skills, and under pressure, the trigger finger doesn't stay on the frame, and instead ends up in the triggerguard. Other high-quality holster makers don't use the index finger for retention.

It looks like the competition, Safariland ALS and 5.11 ThumbDrive, hold the gun farther away from the body to make room for the thumb actuator, so they won't conceal as well.

I find the SERPA sticks out quite a bit from the body, compared with other holsters with retention. I haven't tried the ThumbDrive, but I don't personally feel that an ALS holster is any different in size from a SERPA if it's on the right bracket.

Why are we buying duty holsters for concealment?

Not everything is about concealment. Open carry, for example?
Further, some folks prefer to carry some or all the time with retention.

[orionz06]

Not everything is about concealment. Open carry, for example?
Further, some folks prefer to carry some or all the time with retention.

Retention is not a hardware solution... If you think the SERPA is what keeps the gun out of the hands of BG's you are sorely mistaken.

[Lycanthrope]

Retention is not a hardware solution... If you think the SERPA is what keeps the gun out of the hands of BG's you are sorely mistaken.

I didn't get that from his post.

I took it that some people prefer some form of mechanical retention in the holster.....not that they rely on that for retention.

Lycaneveryonelovestheassumptionthrope

[orionz06]

I didn't get that from his post.

I took it that some people prefer some form of mechanical retention in the holster.....not that they rely on that for retention.

Lycaneveryonelovestheassumptionthrope

Good catch, I did make an assumption that could be incorrect.


That is also not to say that I disagree with a retention device for some circumstances either, we have a lot of reasons to consider it in our area at times.

[jshwak]

Good catch, I did make an assumption that could be incorrect.


That is also not to say that I disagree with a retention device for some circumstances either, we have a lot of reasons to consider it in our area at times.

I like to use my Serpa when I go berry picking.. having a mechanical "retention" is nice just because of all the tiny branches etc.. its just reassuring that it wouldn't get pulled out of the holster.

[scruff]

Why are we buying duty holsters for concealment?

Who said anything about duty holsters? The ALS comes in different versions, including duty and concealment models, and the ThumbDrive has a separate drop and offset kit for duty wear.

[Duece McCracken]

I own a few holsters, I train with them, and learn their pros and cons with my shooting and draw techniques.

I OC either of my fullsize 2x4 Glocks. My G20, or my G21. I use a SERPA. My finger has never "slipped" into the trigger as a result of the release mechanism on the SERPA. In fact it stays right on the frame where it should be, every time.
The SERPA is a bit away from the body, but I hardly notice it because im a large person. It works great for me, and I have never felt unsafe with it.

Its not for everyone, but i work great with a Glock+Serpa combo, which quite a few people might find scary. People are ridiculous.