Another agency bans the SERPA

**orionz06** · July 12th, 2012, 10:27 AM

Look here... More problems with a holster that has known problems. Allow me a moment to take a picture of my shocked face.

http://pistol-training.com/archives/6921

Yet More SERPA Ban
12-Jul-12 – 10:23 by ToddG
Last week, the National Park Service banned the use of SERPA-style holsters by any of its more than 2,000 law enforcement personnel. It will come as no surprise to pistol-training.com readers that among the reasons listed was the propensity for accidental discharges, citing multiple instances at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center where such accidents led to property damage and/or injury.

Another issue listed in the NPS memo was the danger of debris getting into the holster mechanism thereby making it impossible to draw the gun. Especially given the incredibly wide range of environmental conditions under which NPS Park Rangers must operate across the country it is easy to understand this very real concern. (for a demonstration of this problem in a realistic training environment, see this video featuring Craig “SouthNarc” Douglas and the late Paul Gomez… note the language of the video may be NSFW)

Historically, these announcements are met by hardcore SERPA fans with cries that “I’ve been using a SERPA for six years and never shot myself once!” Perhaps it would be worth the time and effort to consider that a large federal law enforcement agency, between its own experience and the accumulated experience of the nation’s largest law enforcement academy, might have just a tiny bit more real world data to call upon for drawing conclusions.

In other news: SERPA-style holsters are still banned from all open enrollment pistol-training.com classes.

Train hard & stay safe! ToddG

**Noah_Zark** · July 12th, 2012, 11:55 AM

Nuru Wang Sherpa is sad.

Oh, you said SERPA . . . NEVER MIND!

Noah

**DennisH82** · July 12th, 2012, 12:10 PM

Lets see, Negligent discharges would be more appropriate and keeping ones booger hook off the bang switch works well. I guess all those quick draw drills in the mirror led to this

I have had a SERPA for ten years haven't shot myself yet I guess I am not trying hard enough.

**Pkspawn** · July 12th, 2012, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by DennisH82

I have had a SERPA for ten years haven't shot myself yet I guess I am not trying hard enough.

From the article linked to:

these announcements are met by hardcore SERPA fans with cries that “I’ve been using a SERPA for six years and never shot myself once!” Perhaps it would be worth the time and effort to consider that a large federal law enforcement agency, between its own experience and the accumulated experience of the nation’s largest law enforcement academy, might have just a tiny bit more real world data to call upon for drawing conclusions.

Just found your post funny since I saw it after reading the article.

**DennisH82** · July 12th, 2012, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by Pkspawn

From the article linked to:

Just found your post funny since I saw it after reading the article.

I am not a SERPA booster, I just have two of them and no issues "Knock on wood"

**orionz06** · July 12th, 2012, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by DennisH82

I guess all those quick draw drills in the mirror led to this

What is a "quick draw"?

Are you suggesting slower is better when one needs a pistol? Enlighten me with your gunfighting experience for I have none. All I have surmised is that if by chance I need to use a pistol in self defense I will need it sooner than later.

**DennisH82** · July 12th, 2012, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by orionz06

What is a "quick draw"?

Are you suggesting slower is better when one needs a pistol? Enlighten me with your gunfighting experience for I have none. All I have surmised is that if by chance I need to use a pistol in self defense I will need it sooner than later.

What I am suggesting is that one, not shoot oneself in the leg and blame the holster. As for Gun fighting I think that went out in the old wild west. Training is great but situational awareness is key. But what the heck I don't practice quick draw drills in the mirror for that one and a million gunfight at the new OK Corral.

I am guessing that Yogi and BooBoo are challenging those darn park rangers and they need to be faster on the draw. Any comment on the NEGLIGENT Discharges?

**orionz06** · July 12th, 2012, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by DennisH82

What I am suggesting is that one, not shoot oneself in the leg and blame the holster. As for Gun fighting I thing that went out in the old wild west. Training is great but situational awareness is key. But what the heck I don't practice quick draw drills in the mirror for that one and a million gunfight at the new OK Corral.

But the holster is to blame. The sole method to operate it *may* place the finger near the trigger. The act of depressing the lever *may* encourage sympathetic motion, combined with gripping the gun, and cause a curl. Said curl *may* contact the trigger. Said trigger contact *may* fire the gun prematurely.

How many times do you want *may* to be mentioned when talking about getting shot?

The SERPA is the *only* holster with this track record. Coincidence?

The only thing it has going for it is cost. It is dirt cheap for dirt quality.

Originally Posted by DennisH82

I am guessing that Yogi and BooBoo are challenging those darn park rangers and they need to be faster on the draw. Any comment on the NEGLIGENT Discharges?

Are you suggesting they have no need to rapidly draw a weapon? If so why not just keep them in the truck? It will be easier than carrying a heavy gun around all day, right?