Glock 19 Renention Holster recommendations

**ByblosHex** · July 10th, 2010, 03:31 PM

I am the proud owner of a Glock 19 9mm w/ nightsights. That being said, I am also a habitual OC'er when CC is not convenient. You guys seem to have a lot of experience with holsters, so I want to know, What do you recommend as an OC retention holster for this partiular firearm?

**IronButt** · July 11th, 2010, 01:01 AM

Well, the Blackhawk Serpa has a very large following. They're easy to use, adjustable for cant, come with belt & paddle attachments & at about $30 (Give or take a few), the price can't be beat.

Personally, I prefer the Safariland ALS for my G23 & both of my Sigs. IRRC I paid around $45 for each of mine & they came with both the belt & paddle attachments.

JMO, but I feel the Safariland is a better holster than the Blackhawk.
http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/c...t/holster.aspx

**renegadephoenix** · July 11th, 2010, 07:35 AM

You might want to contact ShawnL or Joe Smith on the forum via PM. they have taken the OC/CC Retention and Disarms classes and have put most major holster manufacturers through their paces, i know the Serpa didn't fair to well along with Fobus and a hand full of others.

Training is the Key to retaining your firearm in a confrontation.

**bripro** · July 11th, 2010, 09:23 AM

Although I have one the unlock button on the Serpa screams "push me" and is clearly visible to everyone. I like the hidden lever of the Safariland ALS much better. If I was in the market myself, I would check out that Safariland for sure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1m1N...eature=related

**MischaBurns** · July 11th, 2010, 09:36 AM

I would recommend either a Galco or, if you prefer a slightly more affordable holster, DeSantis, leather holster. They look nice, feel nice, and hold on to your gun pretty well. I personally prefer the thumb-break models for max retention (you honestly get used to it pretty fast, it really does not slow me down), but the open-top variants also retain admirably. My only warning is that, being leather, they do have a break-in period.

**GuyMontag** · July 11th, 2010, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by renegadephoenix

You might want to contact ShawnL or Joe Smith on the forum via PM. they have taken the OC/CC Retention and Disarms classes and have put most major holster manufacturers through their paces, i know the Serpa didn't fair to well along with Fobus and a hand full of others.

Training is the Key to retaining your firearm in a confrontation.

I just took this class and have to say that RP is dead on especially the last sentence. Well said.

**reverserboy** · July 11th, 2010, 10:17 AM

I would say go with the Safariland ALS. I like the Galco 3 Slot or FLETCH.
I'm not a fan of the Serpa.

Get & use a good belt. It will make a big difference.

And.....yes get some retention training.

And yes PAFOA is a good place to get holster advice.

**Brudog** · July 11th, 2010, 01:27 PM

I frequently hear about retention training but never see it offered anywhere except Pittsburgh.

Any training going on in NEPA?

**Shawn.L** · July 11th, 2010, 03:50 PM

A few people have made the trip out and found it well worth their time.

If I can get 8 people together at $100 a piece (its a steal if you ask me) I can organize another one.

as to the holster...... well, the bottom line is that you cant fix a software problem with hardware and taking someones gun is extremely easy with very little in the way of training.

I am not a fan of the Serpa. And lets be clear, the "level II" Serpa that has become part of the OC wardrobe may look neat, market nice, and be easy to use but it is neither incrediably sturdy in constuction, or useful by design. THAT GIANT BUTTON aint foolin nobody.

Read more here:
http://www.firearmstrainingandtactic...t-SERPA-review

I cant tell you what to buy, and every pice of gear will have some form of compromise. There are some great well built and designed retention holsters that will require you to spend tons of time and energy learning how to get out of them QUICK and that are huge. Thats a compromise. Then there are some that are easy to use and fast but not very useful. The bottom line though is that if you want to retain your gun in a fight no piece of gear will solve that problem. Either way you should honestly asses and test your equipment.

The time to figure this stuff out isnt in the dark and rain with some deranged criminal trying to tear your throat out with a rusty blade.