Retention holster for 1911 Compact 3.5"... SERPA?

**rxer311** · July 6th, 2012, 10:25 AM

I am looking for an inexpensive retention holster for my Citadel 1911 Compact with 3.5" barrel.

Will this shorter barrel pistol work in a Serpa holster? I was looking on their website and they only have a product listed for a 1911 gov. I don't want a thumb break holster but would like some decent retention for any time I might decide to OC.

Point me in the right direction!

**DClan** · July 6th, 2012, 10:45 AM

Retention holsters are a good idea and I like them better than thumb break holsters. Since most retention holsters capture at the trigger guard, barrel length isn't really a factor. I've carried officer and commander length 1911's in 2 different retention holsters and I liked them both. I've used both the Blackhawk Serpa II and the Fobus Roto360. I would combine their designs if I could. I like the finger release of the Serpa better than the Fobus, but I like the higher grade of adjustability the Roto360 has. I like to use the easy on/off a paddle holster offers, but since I prefer to carry cross draw, I can get a greater angle of tilt out of the Fobus. Again, the shorter barrel really doesn't matter with the design of these holsters unless you think they're to long. There were times I had thought about trimming the bottom off since they are constructed of polymer and the end could be filed and rounded easily, but I haven't done it yet.

**Chazman321** · July 6th, 2012, 11:38 AM

^What he said...

-Chaz

**OperatorX** · July 6th, 2012, 12:09 PM

Hi have a Springfield Micro Compact that I carry in a SERPA exclusively. I bought a full size holster and simply cut it down to size. I have been using SERPAs for years and have been very happy.

**Nigil75** · July 8th, 2012, 05:39 PM

For retention I have a galco fx but I don't know if they make them for an officers size 1911. I carry a gov't size in a milt sparks summer special II all day every day, but it has no retention.

**CCF** · July 8th, 2012, 06:46 PM

As long as you leave the thumb safety on until you actually clear your body the serpa is fine.

http://youtu.be/zYvAxLX6OzE

I have seen 3 live and in person NDs with folks using the serpa. They were not 1911's though and were of the plastic bunch. I don't like the idea of pushing a button toward the trigger. Every time the NDs that I saw happened was because they were trying to draw fast to engage a target and their trigger finger went into the trigger and bang. FWIW

**rmagill** · July 8th, 2012, 07:29 PM

As others have stated, you should be ok with a SERPA designed for a longer 1911. I have carried SERPAs privately and professionally for 7 years now have haven't had a single problem with them.

Every time the NDs that I saw happened was because they were trying to draw fast to engage a target and their trigger finger went into the trigger and bang.

Sounds like operator error to me...