Blackhawk Serpa CQC holster

[C4IGrant]

[Rant]Folks, please stop buying this holster! I see this holster constantly in basic pistol classes and it is really a bad idea.

So what's the problem with them you ask? There are two main ones.

First, the retention system in this holster CAN create bad muscle memory in the shooter and get you shot! When you attempt to disengage the retention system, your trigger finger should be straight along the tab (that releases the gun). When the gun fails to come out of the holster, the shooter becomes more aggressive and uses the tip of the trigger finger and presses in on the release tab. The finger then stays in this position and ends up in the trigger guard as the gun comes out of the holster. This will eventually cause an ND.

Second, the retention system has large openings around it. This can be filled with debris (rocks, dirt, etc) and lock the gun into the holster. This is of course a bad thing when you are wanting/needing to shoot someone.


When owners of the Serpa CQC are confronted with the above two issues (especially number one), the common answer is; "My finger is always straight when I operate the tab." BULL CHIT. While it MAY be that way on the square range when the sun is shining and you are not under the slightest amount of stress it all changes when you are in a hurry and the gun is NOT coming out of the holster.

True story. An LE firearms instructor here in Ohio recently shot himself in the leg with a Serpa holster. This guy was very squared away and a good shooter. He was doing some speed drills and was attempting to draw quickly. When the gun failed to come out, he pushed down harder with his trigger finger. This same finger then ended up in the trigger guard and the gun went bang.[/Rant]

Just Say NO!





C4

[lethal dose]

Don't use a serp unless you have the herp! There. Now nobody will use them, grant!

[C4IGrant]

Don't use a serp unless you have the herp! There. Now nobody will use them, grant!

LOL, nice.

I understand why people buy these things (they are available and are cheap).

McDonalds is everywhere and cheap, that doesn't mean that it is a good place to eat.




C4

[ra2bach]

McDonalds is everywhere and cheap, that doesn't mean that it is a good place to eat.

C4

ohhhhh, now you've done it!

[ST911]

And I guess I just assumed that my agency wouldn't allow it to be a standard issued holster if it had these issues...I never did any research on the matter myself. .

Most agencies base their purchasing decisions on combinations of

• price
• marketing
• how many samples they are given prior to a purchase
• what their "gun guy" recommends, regardless of his credibility
• what a neighbor/partner agency is using, regardless of the basis of their decision
• what can be invoiced/shipped within a specified time

Don't believe otherwise. There are exceptions, but the above in various combinations is the norm. It is not always the fault of the agency, as realities of budget, time, and civilian oversight are significant. Many will often find themselves in a position of "mediocre, or nothing".

This is why consumers should not read too much into a certain piece of gear being used by LE or the military. Both buy crap by the pallet load.

[Dave L.]

This holster is made to be appealing to the same idiots who buy a Springfield XD for its "extra safety features".

In all honesty, I stay away from everything BlackHawk! makes because it's shit gear mostly made in Viet-F$cking-Nam...

[Gargoyle]

I, along with many others I worked with used SERPA holsters...nary a problem. Gave me 3 years service in Iraq with no NDs. Thinking operator error over design.

[C4IGrant]

I, along with many others I worked with used SERPA holsters...nary a problem. Gave me 3 years service in Iraq with no NDs. Thinking operator error over design.

As a secondary weapon mounted on a plate carrier, I can actually understand using it (as there are not a lot of options).

The operator is at fault for releasing the tab with the tip of their finger and then riding it into the trigger guard. The design lends itself to this though and makes it MUCH easier for shooters to have an ND (as the example I showed did).



C4

[Dave L.]

I see dudes who are the "real deal" using them overseas all the time. 99% of the time it's because it was issued (via COTS purchase).

Shit, our box of "issue gear" is full of Uncle Mikes holsters and mag pouches mixed in with Blade Tech gear; some dudes don't know the difference.

There is always a supply guy somewhere reading a gun rag who gets the idea that this would be a great thing to buy a case of...

No matter who uses a SERPA... it's still a complete piece of shit, and there are dozens of better choices out there.

[supersix4]

I believe most guys grind off the inside tab to prevent the almost certain ND.