An honest SERPA review

[Shawn.L]

some background first.
I have used a SERPA holster for both CC and OC for the past year 2 years. I have used it to carry a XD-9 earliest on, and various 1911 models in the last year and a half that I have been carrying a 1911.

I have taken several training courses using it from Various trainers.

I have used it to do more than one retention and disarms session, and with informal FOF.

My honest assesment of the system is that while it provides a small amount of retention the downsides outweigh its benefits.

Let me quantify "small amount of retention".
There are two types of dangers to being disarmed. The first is a "gun grab". A gun grab can best be explained as a rough attempt to take your gun by someone with neither knowledge or skill, or who is perhaps too inebriated to be either.
The second type is a real disarm. This would be attempt to remove your gun by someone who knows what they are doing (at least to some degree) and is able to physically employ a method to do so.

I have seen SERPA holster bodys ripped right off the frame, (using belt loop attachment) the screws that hold it in place pop through the plastic using medium strength in class. Against a gun grab, the holster body is not strong enough to withstand a good pull and rip from a normal sized man. When using the paddle the holster will move around the belt, bunch up clothes and make contolling its position difficult.

I have also seen training guns (same dimensions as the real thing but solid hard plastic) pulled right up out of the holster. With a good pull from a normal sized man the tab that holds the gun in on the trigger guard will bend and give way. In one class I had the gun ripped right from me (while I was resisting) and the role play BG commented "wait, isnt that a Serpa holster????" with confusion.

Against a real disarm the button is easy to identify and push. The draw on the SERPA is easy, this is the downside to that.

I have yet to see someone have the fabled ND by having the button pushing finger enter the trigger guard. My fingers are long enough that even if I try my finger hits the front of the guard, I would need to bend it to get it in there. Nonetheless one trainer told me he saw it happen once. I have only heard of it happen with GLOCK or other guns without a manual safety.

As I said I have used this holster in numerous classes, and done countless presentations from it. All without fail. I trained well to use it. During one class the instructor commented that by the end of class I would toss it out, he had seen it complicate a draw so often he was certain.

This class involved drawing after being pushed to the ground, while wrestling, and from other disadvantageous positions. I had no issues, although another classmate popped the button off his half way through as he kept fouling the draw, and I would disarm him every chance I got.

Recently I have experianced a few times where my cover garment wrapped around the holster and it caused me to have to double tug on the pistol, as it complicated my draw. This may not be a concern for anyone who OC's only (ever wear a jacket or coat when its chilly????) but I have seen draws need more than one tug from experianced shooters if they get flustered or put into FOF.

My real concern and reason for this write up is the number of people I see open carry with this style of holster thinking they have "retention", and taking a false sense of security from that. At most, without the holster physically failing, it will give you a precoius half second to imploy some sort of defense.

If you are not trained, and have not practiced, what to do.... well then, you wont do anything.

[Steve_NEPhila]

Good critical review. You raised valid issues that indeed can be debated.

Rep sent for critical thinking.

[GuyMontag]

Excellent review. As an owner of two Serpa holsters, I find myself hard pressed to be able to constructively refute any of your claims. They're dead on and can only second your conclusions. I find myself now using my Serpa only for IPSC and especially after practicing my draw the other night, speculate me retiring the holster completely.

I have leather for each of my carry guns and every time I see your name or a post from you I realize that I should take a retention class.

I will add that I get a giggle every time I see Serpa holsters advertised as Level II retention. Yeah, not so much. I even know that much...

[cigarmanpa]

as always aa great post from shawn full of things for all of us to think about

[ReconLdr]

Good review. I may have to reconsider my holster options. Personally I like the serpa and have become very comfortable with them. I practice drawing often.

I have tried a few other holsters but haven't found one that I like more.

[Shawn.L]

I am glad to see people are reading this with an open mind and considering the advantages and disadvantages of the stystem. It is refreshing to say the least.

Good review. I may have to reconsider my holster options. Personally I like the serpa and have become very comfortable with them. I practice drawing often.

I have tried a few other holsters but haven't found one that I like more.

the issue isnt so much finding another holster. The issue is that people continually try to fix a software problem with hardware. Maybe its just human nature, that being a tool user we see a problem and look for the right tool. The marketing of self defense items is geared toward these impulses. There is more than a few products out there that are intentionally billed and sold as being able to improve your ____fill in the blank_______ without you having to DO anything......... but spend money.

you cant buy competence

[t1m0thy]

I think you raise some very valid points that I considered myself before buying two of these holsters; one for my XD and the other for my Glock 21. Personally, I like the advantage of the faster draw time. I didn't like the feel of the belt loop so I use the paddle which is very comfortable and sturdy. I also adjusted the tilt forward to reduce the ease of someone reaching from behind and disarming me.

[Shawn.L]

I think you raise some very valid points that I considered myself before buying two of these holsters; one for my XD and the other for my Glock 21. Personally, I like the advantage of the faster draw time. I didn't like the feel of the belt loop so I use the paddle which is very comfortable and sturdy. I also adjusted the tilt forward to reduce the ease of someone reaching from behind and disarming me.

1. The paddle may "feel" sturdy, but it is not. Get a training gun and have someone try to take it from you, you will quickly find that holster circling your body with the paddle bent and coming up from your pants as well.

2. Some forward cant may be doable, but you will find you need to lean forward in order to draw. Again, can bad in a fight and hard if your getting hit in the face or anything coming at your face.

3. Forward cant will only help someone grabbing from the front, your not really gaining anything here.

4. I have heard from one instructor that you want to get your gun from muzzle down to level as fast as possible, so why would you point the muzzle back? IDK about that, seems that would be another debate.

[autotech6506]

I had a serpa and sold it a while back. It didn't conceal my 1911 well at all and you had to get your draw just right or you wouldn't be able to get the gun out. if you didn't distinctly push the button THEN pull the gun would get stuck everytime. it a high stress situation i would have been screwed. I'm sure if I had practiced for many many hours this wouldn't be as much of an issue, but I don't think you would ever totally eliminate it.

[d90king]

Good write up Shawn, its nice to see someone that is not star struck with the popularity of a product...