Open Carry Holster

[papabear]

I need education on retention holsters.
Is kydex holster that clicks & holds gun in considered category 1.???
Law Enforcement what do yall carry at category 2.\

Safariland 6367 I have seen pictures but don't like the big thumb lever. What else do you suggest. Pictures would be nice. I am not to good on computer so have not found much.

I live in the real country & wont be OC in BigCity, Texas. Have no use for Greshem, or OCTC.

Thank you for help

[TexasGal]

Papabear , I'm not in law enforcement but I will see if I can help answer some of your questions. Safariland invented the "levels" descriptions used so often today to describe retention security It can get confusing.
An article you may find helpful discussing retention holsters is at this link in Police Magazine: http://www.policemag.com/channel/weapon ... lster.aspx
and another one here: http://www.itstactical.com/intellicom/m ... retention/

Some kydex holsters that makes a click sound are still just holding the gun by friction. You don't have to accomplish any action before you can draw the gun out of the holster. To me this is a level one because it is just friction past the "click" point that is holding the gun in the holster. Some holsters that make the click sound actually use a locking mechanism and there is a lever that you must depress in order to draw the gun. I think of these as level 2 holsters because it is more than just friction holding it in place.

The description for the Safariland 6367 mentions two retention systems added to the basic friction. That seems like at least a level 3 to me. Here is the link to Safariland's comments on retention; http://www.safariland.com/holsters-and- ... evels.html

There are lots of holster threads here on the forum too. Have you looked through the discussions in the holster section? http://texaschlforum.com/viewforum.php?f=13

Hope some of this helps. Maybe someone else will chime in here and give you some specific holsters to check out.

[A-R]

Texasgal is right on with the basics.

SLS is the large two-step thumb-activated strap
ALS is a smaller thumb lever that you push down and back with thumb in a relatively natural motion with moral draw stroke
Combine the two above = Level III

In use, the Safariland SLS & ALS retention mechanisms require deliberate action that must be trained and practiced to develop draw proficiency. Once proficient, draw-n-fire speeds under 1 second are very doable (but takes practice).

I've used the new GLS retention once at a store in a demo model and it is very intuitive (side of middle finger presses button and deactivates retention in a natural way with good weapon grip as you begin draw stroke - no special forethought/muscle memory/independent action required), but still difficult to activate from an angle if an attacker.

Not available for many gun models yet, but I'm seriously considering this holster model if OC passes ...

http://www.safariland.com/belt-slide/mo ... ml#start=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good high-ride, pancake design can still be concealed with jacket, vest, or large shirt if necessary.

[RetNavy]

I've used the new GLS retention once at a store in a demo model and it is very intuitive (side of middle finger presses button and deactivates retention in a natural way with good weapon grip as you begin draw stroke - no special forethought/muscle memory/independent action required),

Good high-ride, pancake design can still be concealed with jacket, vest, or large shirt if necessary.

similar to to the Serpa CQC level II holster, you have a lever that when you grip your pistol, the finger naturally presses the release lever and when you draw, the finger slides to the receiver without a problem. Comes with either a pancake or belt setup... holster is interchangeable between the two and have an adjsutable cant so it can be adjusted for left or right hand or cross draw. I like it and if i use it for OC, will probably use the pancake because for me the belt one sticks the gun out to far, doesn't hold it in close.

[C-dub]

I've used the new GLS retention once at a store in a demo model and it is very intuitive (side of middle finger presses button and deactivates retention in a natural way with good weapon grip as you begin draw stroke - no special forethought/muscle memory/independent action required),

Good high-ride, pancake design can still be concealed with jacket, vest, or large shirt if necessary.

similar to to the Serpa CQC level II holster, you have a lever that when you grip your pistol, the finger naturally presses the release lever and when you draw, the finger slides to the receiver without a problem. Comes with either a pancake or belt setup... holster is interchangeable between the two and have an adjsutable cant so it can be adjusted for left or right hand or cross draw. I like it and if i use it for OC, will probably use the pancake because for me the belt one sticks the gun out to far, doesn't hold it in close.

I use this same holster and have for several years. I'm confused by your use of pancake and belt terms. For pancake, do you mean paddle? I use the paddle type for ease of removal if I need to disarm without unholstering the gun. And also for the easy repositioning compared to having it attached to the belt.

[A-R]

Issues or potential issues with Serpa index finger deactivation design are well-documented elsewhere, and I've no interest in debating them. Just a caution to OP to do your research on Serpa design and form your own opinion to guide your choice.

https://www.fletc.gov/sites/default/fil ... rStudy.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[A-R]

I've used the new GLS retention once at a store in a demo model and it is very intuitive (side of middle finger presses button and deactivates retention in a natural way with good weapon grip as you begin draw stroke - no special forethought/muscle memory/independent action required),

Good high-ride, pancake design can still be concealed with jacket, vest, or large shirt if necessary.

similar to to the Serpa CQC level II holster, you have a lever that when you grip your pistol, the finger naturally presses the release lever and when you draw, the finger slides to the receiver without a problem. Comes with either a pancake or belt setup... holster is interchangeable between the two and have an adjsutable cant so it can be adjusted for left or right hand or cross draw. I like it and if i use it for OC, will probably use the pancake because for me the belt one sticks the gun out to far, doesn't hold it in close.

Not sure if we're on same page. The Safariland GLS is deactivated by the middle finger naturally striking a button behind and below the area of holster covering trigger guard (facing rearward). My understanding, unless you're speaking of a different Serpa, is Serpa requires trigger finger to deactivate button on side face of holster.

In addition to issues I posted about above, someone with knowledge of Serpa design can quickly and easily disengage and the retention mechanism and pull gun from holster from a rear surprise attack position.

[RetNavy]

I'm confused by your use of pancake and belt terms. For pancake, do you mean paddle? I use the paddle type for ease of removal if I need to disarm without unholstering the gun. And also for the easy repositioning compared to having it attached to the belt.

thanks for the correction..... guess i shouldn't think about blueberry pancakes when typing...

yes its paddle... also i realized afterwards that i said it was basically ambidextrous, which is incorrect.... its either left or right handed, but can be configured for a cross draw by adjusting the cant...

[C-dub]

I'm confused by your use of pancake and belt terms. For pancake, do you mean paddle? I use the paddle type for ease of removal if I need to disarm without unholstering the gun. And also for the easy repositioning compared to having it attached to the belt.

thanks for the correction..... guess i shouldn't think about blueberry pancakes when typing...

yes its paddle... also i realized afterwards that i said it was basically ambidextrous, which is incorrect.... its either left or right handed, but can be configured for a cross draw by adjusting the cant...

I figured that's what you meant. Thanks for the clarification.


Mmmmmm, blueberry pancakes!

[nightmare69]

My duty holster is a Safariland level III, my holster for training is a level II I bought at Academy.