Level 2 holsters

[Blacked_Out]

So I have been thinking about getting a level 2 retention holster for training on my war belt rig. I know there are some out there but I feel like I am looking for something that doesn't exist. I want a kydex thumb break (not spring loaded hoods) for a glock 19 with x300u and rmr. With all my struggles in finding one I pose the question, is a level 2 holster necessary? I have not had a gun fall out of my open top holster but it's always on my mind which is not good. Valid concern? Do I need to relax on this? Have any of you all lost a pistol in training? Opinions please. Got any good custom options?

[Defaultmp3]

RCS does have that option in their custom line,:
http://i.imgbox.com/Z5FP1gGk.jpg (http://imgbox.com/Z5FP1gGk)
http://i.imgbox.com/JNNzEEmu.jpg (http://imgbox.com/JNNzEEmu)
Another option is to use a lanyard. I use a retractable one from GearKeeper one to minimize snagging.

[Blacked_Out]

Pardon my ignorance but I can't fine the custom line on their website. Where is it burried on the website? I already have a phantom so this would be ideal.

[Defaultmp3]

http://raven-concealment-systems.mybigcommerce.com/custom-phantom-light-compatible-holster-for-glock-pistols/

[jpmuscle]

Safariland is a no go for you? The hood has to be rotated. It's not spring loaded.

[Nightstalker865]

Your setup would be just fine in a standard RCS holster. That pull the dot strap looks like a terrible idea to me. Those things can be finicky if the little ring inside gets spun around enough to change the tension on the snap.

[Blacked_Out]

Thanks for the link defaultmp3. Not really keen on the rotational hoods either. The dot buttons are the farthest I want to go with mechanics. I hear you nightstalker about the buttons. I have had some old buttons on old kevlars be a real bitch. But they were real old. I assume the life of the button must be pretty long. Plus I don't need to strap it down unless I see the need. Still not 100% sold on my thought process though. Appreciate all the input guys.

[Defaultmp3]

I will say this: for overt retention, if ALS is an option, ALS should be the answer. And the best part is, the Glock 17 with an X300U is one of the very few models that Safariland makes an optic compatible ALS holster, the 6354DO. It is very intuitive, and adds basically zero time to one's draw. Depending on how your RMR is mounted, you might have to do some sanding of the ALS mechanism, but it's almost a trivial mod. It's definitely the path I'd take if I were looking for retention for your Glock.

[20ozjolt]

I run black hawk and Safariland lvl 2 and threes.

I second the als system its glass smooth and reliable.

If I may ask what is your apprehension to mechanical retention?

Black hawks are also very fast and smooth but not as as nice on the weapon, limited light options unless you go with the new lvl three epoch

[Blacked_Out]

I have concerns of debris getting into the mechanism preventing the operation of it. For example bush whacking thru the woods and vines or the like getting in there. Or alternatively gravel/mud getting in. The likelihood is a bit of a stretch I know but there is the possibility.

Edit: I did some research on the ALS system. It looks like its just a single short bar that grabs onto a section of the pistol. Not bad as that it minimal mechanics as well. I will jump on their we sight and see if they have all the options I need available.

[HardToHandle]

Edit: I did some research on the ALS system. It looks like its just a single short bar that grabs onto a section of the pistol. Not bad as that it minimal mechanics as well. I will jump on their we sight and see if they have all the options I need available.

Good decision to give ALS a try. As stated, ALS is minimalist in execution, the mechanism iswell protected by the holster body and I've experienced none of the concerns you identified for field use. ALS is also so intuitive, the muscle memory is minor to master. I'm personally moving from SLS hoods to ALS.

[20ozjolt]

I can say that o have tried to jam it up on both the black hawk and the safariland lvl 2 and three
The only one I was able to jam was the hood on a Safriland lvl three, and that took me placing small gravel and sand into the mechanism just taking handfuls and dumping it over it did not work.

So unless you plan to mount it to your chest and belly crawl though the sand dunes I don't see it being an issue... :-D

I love trying to break my gear if I do then I don't buy the same gear again lol

[Chameleox]

Depends on what you plan to do with the holster.

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?26561-Possible-Malf-issues-with-Safariland-ALS-Holsters

Caveat, the ALS mechanism can potentially fail if gravel or other debris is stuck behind the internal ALS tab. The gun is holstered, but then locks in. Apparently it takes some work to get it un-stuck. I tried to mock this up and couldn't. Not sure if later versions of the holster rectified this. Something to be aware of; not sure if their environment matches yours.

[Norinco]

I am currently using a Safariland ALS 7390 with a 6008 hood guard for work and it's by far my favorite setup from Safariland. I highly recommend it, especially for the price. Ignore the unfinished stippling.
http://imageshack.com/a/img540/5569/PmE3hj.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/9674/ZY6IRu.jpg

http://www.safariland.com/retention/model-7390-7ts-als-mid-ride-duty-holster-34843.html
http://www.safariland.com/hardware-and-accessories/model-6008-hood-guard-and-als-guard-34495.html

[jpmuscle]

Norinco,

How do you like 6006 ALS guard on that rig? I personally like second layer of activation and am considering ordering it for a few of my older ALS holsters that don't have the SLS loop.

[Norinco]

I love it man...silky smooth draw. It's worth the $12.

[jpmuscle]

I love it man...silky smooth draw. It's worth the $12.
Good to know. I ordered one of the lvl 1 7tSs for my vp9 and ALS guard along with it to play with.

[treecop]

I have concerns of debris getting into the mechanism preventing the operation of it. For example bush whacking thru the woods and vines or the like getting in there. Or alternatively gravel/mud getting in. The likelihood is a bit of a stretch I know but there is the possibility.

I'm in the business of bus whacking through the woods and carry safariland retention holders exclusively. G23 in either an als or als/sls(6330). Never had an issue with debris jams. Buy confidently.

[MegademiC]

Another recommendation for als. Fast, secure, reliable. To jam it, I think you would need something perfect size to get into the holster, then fall "up". I'll look at the innerds when I get home.

Edit, there is a plate in front of the lever, so anything going that direction is very unlikely. Stuff COULD fall into the small space up top, but that side of the lever opens so I don't see how it could jam. I'm not saying it can't happen, but it looks like a solid design. I never worried, now after looking at it, I'll worry less.

The holster is quite intuitive. Once you get some practice it, the pistol feels like it shoots into your hand just by getting a grip on it. I train pretty rough sometimes and dumped a steel pistol out of a comptac, so I went with retention for my current pistol.

[Blacked_Out]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I ended up going with the 6354DO, I am hopeful it can hold the 19 and 34. Should be in next week so I can start messing with it and hit the range a few times before I comment on it.

[Blacked_Out]

Quick update with first impressions.
The holster did not work out of the box. To fit the G19 with RMR milled in front of the rear sight I had to make some modifications. I needed to remove material from the locking retention mechanism to clear the RMR. I then needed to heat up the holster just under the hood to clear the RMR too. I put the holster back together and the 19 fit perfect. I do love the draw with this holster. Very intuitive and fast with great retention. I wanted to see if I could make the G34 fit in this holster too. I had to remove the plug in the bottom which was fine since the 19 didn't reach it anyway and I don't run a 17. I also had to heat up the bottom of the holster and open it up a little since there was a taper for a 17. I didn't take this very far thou as to not mess with the integrity of the holster. Needless to say with my slight adjustments I will be able to run both pistols. I hope to get to the range sometime in the next two weeks.

[20ozjolt]

Thanks for the update I love it when I see people modifying their gear to make it work exactly how they want it to..

Some of my coworkers think I'm nuts for cutting up and modifying gear..

Can't wait to hear your range impressions

[Defaultmp3]

Quick update with first impressions.
The holster did not work out of the box. To fit the G19 with RMR milled in front of the rear sight I had to make some modifications. I needed to remove material from the locking retention mechanism to clear the RMR. I then needed to heat up the holster just under the hood to clear the RMR too. I put the holster back together and the 19 fit perfect. I do love the draw with this holster. Very intuitive and fast with great retention. I wanted to see if I could make the G34 fit in this holster too. I had to remove the plug in the bottom which was fine since the 19 didn't reach it anyway and I don't run a 17. I also had to heat up the bottom of the holster and open it up a little since there was a taper for a 17. I didn't take this very far thou as to not mess with the integrity of the holster. Needless to say with my slight adjustments I will be able to run both pistols. I hope to get to the range sometime in the next two weeks.

Yeah, the 6354DO was originally made for Glocks with a Docter Optic (hence the DO designation). I will note that there should be a variant out there that fits the Glock 34 with an X300U (SKU: 1155652, PART: 6354DO-6832-701 for the version wrapped in Multicam); it is my understanding that this particular holster model has been used by one of the SMUs, as it also fits the so-called Roland Special:
http://i.imgbox.com/qOiNdgyq.jpg (http://imgbox.com/qOiNdgyq)
The idea being that the compensated Glock 19 would have the same OAL as a Glock 34 and thus be able to use the same holsters, but sight radius no longer matters since there is a red dot, yet the compensator offers the Glock 19 superior shooting characteristics compared to a standard Glock 34, especially since a flatter shooting gun (courtesy of the compensator) makes the red dot easier to track during recoil. It's also more reliable than a Glock 17C or 19C, apparently, as the C models blow carbon and gas all over the inside of the gun/slide, cause lube to be ejected, and grit to form far more quickly, while a comp blows the debris outside of the gun.

Anyway, if you're willing to pony up for a second holster (and the slight modifications needed to fit the RMR), you can certainly find a holster that'll work with the 19, the 17, and the 34, with RMR and X300U.

[Blacked_Out]

Yes default that's what I was saying. I took the existing holster meant for the 17 with a doctor and made it work for the 19 and 34 easy least.

[n4p226r]

Sorry to bump an older thread but do you know the part number for the g17 holster with the x300u? I only see the part number for the x300

[Blacked_Out]

The package on the one I got for the 19 said only X300 but my X300U worked easy peasy you will be fine with the one for X300