G17 OWB Non-Serpa Holster Recomendations

[ccasanova]

I just purchased my first Glock (not first pistol) a G17 LAV. I plan to take one of LAVs classes next year, since it's being held 30 mins away. He mentions on his site that he (and others) no longer allow serpa style holsters at their classes. What would you recommend for OWB carry; non-serpa? I'm willing to spend $100+ if needed. For what it's worth, I borrowed a Blackhawk serpa holster for my first class last weekend and had no issues 300+ rounds. Thanks for your help, I've been researching the web for weeks.

[BoringGuy45]

Safariland 6378. Thumb break ALS retention, locking device retains on the ejection port instead of the trigger guard, much smoother than the SERPA. Only runs about $40 to $50 usually.

[patrolman]

I agree with BoringGuy45. Hard to beat a 6378 for a general OWB holster.

[titsonritz]

I'm not into retention holsters for concealed carry, my preferred OWB is Raven Phantom. If you want/require a retention holster definitely some form of Safariland ALS, I'd lean to the 6377.

[DirectTo]

Another vote for the Safariland in either the ALS (automatic locking system) or GLS (grip lock system) variants. Well built holsters, good paddle design, great price. You'll forget the Serpa quickly!

I've got a 6378 for the G19 with thousands of draws and it's still as smooth as new.

[Surf]

Safariland ALS.

Larry does not like the Serpa. I have seen him make exceptions if you disable the locking mechanism. I do not like Serpa holsters either and it has nothing to do with Larry or anyone else in the business. I found this out on my own, long before it was more popular to dislike them. I got them locked up, or found myself with a hard press. While I did not have an unintended discharge, I did have a few eye opening moments with the Serpa and what I describe that follows is what I found to be true for myself and seen in many others as their skills / speeds increased.

From what I have seen and experienced it seems to be those who are actually faster / better than the Serpa are those who end up with troubles. When you get fast and figure out that "snatching" a pistol from the holster is faster, this is where I see guys getting "iffy" with the Serpa. Hard press of the release while quickly "snatching" leads to trigger finger problems. The Serpa can be more sensitive to a more deliberate draw, meaning that any upward pull without a good trigger finger press will not allow the holster to release the pistol. Now I can get some extremely fast draws from the Serpa, but consistency was not good compared to how many "lock ups" I had. Snatching and the trigger finger press was not friends, at least for me and quite a few others I noted, especially as their draw speed got better and got quicker. This led to higher failures of release and harder finger press often by curling the trigger finger, which is what leads to bad things.

Now many many people have no issues, but you will not see many top shooters, even those paid by the company, who still use a Serpa on their own. It is a learning progression that some may learn on their own. Some never get to that point and good for them. Hopefully people don't learn the hard way. IMO there are far too many good options out there for holsters to discount the information being relayed by many people industry wide who have common opinions about a certain product. It isn't a conspiracy against the product.

Watch how much heat this may draw.

[Up1911fan]

I don't see you mention needing retention anywhere, if you did, ALS. For a general OWB I really like the Dale Ficke Gideon Elite and X-Concealment C Series.

[El Cid]

I just purchased my first Glock (not first pistol) a G17 LAV. I plan to take one of LAVs classes next year, since it's being held 30 mins away. He mentions on his site that he (and others) no longer allow serpa style holsters at their classes. What would you recommend for OWB carry; non-serpa? I'm willing to spend $100+ if needed. For what it's worth, I borrowed a Blackhawk serpa holster for my first class last weekend and had no issues 300+ rounds. Thanks for your help, I've been researching the web for weeks.

Any of these are good to go in my experience:

Safariland ALS (7377 is a good version for belt wear)
Raven Concealment
JM Custom Kydex
Zorn Kydex
Bravo Concealment
Blade-Tech
Off The Grid
Fury Holsters
Stealth Gear

[ST911]

There is no shortage of folks making holsters out there, and an awful lot of good ones are available (inc site sponsors). I like the ALS system but it's models are a little bulkier than I like for a CCW holster. I'm currently using and liking http://www.egacustom.com/. Veteran owned, reasonably priced, superb customer service.

http://www.egacustom.com/index.php/holsters/sword-holster.html
http://www.egacustom.com/index.php/pouches/single-pouch.html

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/g34YMZ/IMG_0915.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j18/Skintop911/g34YMZ/IMG_0916.jpg

[MegademiC]

I USE Als For Range AND competition.
If you want to conceal owb, I'd look at a kydex of the raven style as they are thinner and keep the gun tight against your body.

[Talon167]

Raven Phantom.

[brickboy240]

I too second the excellent Raven Concealment's Phantom holster.

I have them for my 1911 and G19 and love them!

For kydex...it just does not get any better, really.

[Psalms144.1]

For STRICTLY range use, the Safariland ALS holsters work great - and they're a steal. Shop around on Optics Planet and you'll have one for about $50, delivered to your door.

The downside to the ALS rigs is they don't conceal worth a crap - too bulky. If you foresee concealed carry in your future with this pistol, I'd STRONGLY recommend the X-Concealment model "C" I carry my G19 in it every day concealed, and it's PLENTY fast for range work. It conceals noticeably better for me behind the point of the hip than my Raven Phantom or any of the clones of the Phantom that I've tried. The Phantom is slightly "faster" because it doesn't tuck the pistol as tight to your body as the Model C...

And, +10,000 to all the "don't use a Serpa" comments. There are SO MANY better options, some of them even more affordable than the Serpa, there's just no reason to use a system that has the potential issues the Serpa does.

[jmoore]

Another vote for the Safariland in either the ALS (automatic locking system) or GLS (grip lock system) variants. Well built holsters, good paddle design, great price. You'll forget the Serpa quickly!

I've got a 6378 for the G19 with thousands of draws and it's still as smooth as new.

Though I really liked the ALS sytem, I decided to try the GLS for my g26. After a year or so of daily carry, I would have to say I prefer the GLS to the ALS.
Initially I worried that it might activate while sitting in an "armed" office chair. No problem.
Then I discovered that it is FAR easier to cross-draw with my non-dominant hand using the GLS as compared to the ALS. That is what cinched it for me. Now - I only use my Serpa to show my students what to stay away from. YMMV.

john

[jck397]

For a non-CCW holster, I'm also a big fan of the ALS holsters. I prefer the ALS ejection port lock-only version for range/classes, and I think the one with the SLS hood and ALS ejection port lock is the best duty holster ever made. However, I strongly suggest going with the 7-series (the 7TS models) verses the 6-series. The lining inside the 6-series holsters collects grit that can accelerate wear, and if you get it wet it holds the moisture against the weapon.

[ccasanova]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm researching each one further.

I will be cc soon. Would it be best to get a single holster for cc and range/classes for consistency of training? (Raven Phantom/X-concealment type)

[DirectTo]

I will be cc soon. Would it be best to get a single holster for cc and range/classes for consistency of training? (Raven Phantom/X-concealment type)
Stick with consistency.

The Safariland ALS or GLS aren't bad because their retention release methods are very natural, so they won't interfere with your draw in another holster.

If your range and classes will permit a concealed draw, absolutely use your carry holster as much as possible.

[Ironbutt]

If you want Level 2 retention, you can't go wrong with the Safariland 6378. They're practically bombproof, the paddle makes it much more stable than the Serpa paddle & they just plain work.

If you intend to conceal carry often, the Raven Concealment Phantom might be a better choice. It rides tighter to your body & retention is as good as it gets without resorting to a thumb break or mechanical retention system.

Either will give you years of dependable service. The choice depends on what you're going to use it for the most.

Edit: Wow! I just checked the RC site & the prices have gone up a bit. The ones that I have for my Glocks, HK & 1911 were $65 or 69 when I bought them. That's been a while though.:)

[krm375]

http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/holster/11.htm

I have this one for a dual use iwb/owb I would get it with the hybrid option which is a kydex inside and leather outside. The kydex keeps it secure and keeps the leather open for re-holstering and the leather outer keeps it quiet when you rub up against something. Its been my go to holster for going on 10 years. now.

[titsonritz]

Though I really liked the ALS sytem, I decided to try the GLS for my g26. After a year or so of daily carry, I would have to say I prefer the GLS to the ALS.
Initially I worried that it might activate while sitting in an "armed" office chair. No problem.
Then I discovered that it is FAR easier to cross-draw with my non-dominant hand using the GLS as compared to the ALS. That is what cinched it for me. Now - I only use my Serpa to show my students what to stay away from. YMMV.

john

A quick comparison of the two.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBjSo3c_iXY

[titsonritz]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm researching each one further.

I will be cc soon. Would it be best to get a single holster for cc and range/classes for consistency of training? (Raven Phantom/X-concealment type)

Definitely stick with consistency. Train with what you will carry. I'll again recommend Raven. Since you are talking about a Glock you will be able to take advantage of their Quick Ship option (http://www.rcsquickship.com/). I'd suggest that you also order a set of IWB soft loops so you can check out both options.

[ccasanova]

Very close to pulling the trigger on the Raven Phantom Light, since I do have an Inforce APL attached. I ran across the Sawyer s-con which is very similar and will accommodate the APL as well. Does anyone have experience with them? Leaning hard on the phantom, but wanted to check before placing an order with RC.

[K1tt3n5]

Griffon Industries
http://www.griffonindustries.com/product_p/giglock-08.htm

or carbon
http://www.griffonindustries.com/product_p/gi-carbon-01.htm

I just ordered the light bearing version of this to try out. Made by black point.
http://www.refactortactical.com/leather-wing-holster/

[ritepath]

http://www.zlogonje.com/blog1.php

http://miholsterco.com/

Two companies that I've delt with lately...both highly recommended.

[kremtok]

I'm a huge fan of the Raven Concealment holster that I got for my G19 a while back. Not much chance to carry here, but from the time I have spent wearing it I've been very happy with it. But as others have said, you will pay a bit for it.