Lets talk Holsters

[MegademiC]

Im looking for a holster for non CCW (I have a RCS VG2 that's fantastic).

This will be used for range use, competitions (3gun and such), and training. I like to get rough so I was thinking a retention holster was the ticket, but I'm not sure if its necessary. I am not LEO/MIL, just want to get into competitions, and like to train hard. So, some questions:

1 - will a pancake kydex holster (rcs style) hold a gun securely during a full sprint?

2 - safariland ALS, is it quick as a non-retention holster (comp-tac), or can you set the gun in it w/o locking like an sls?

3 - safariland sls, if the hood is left down, is it still retaining the gun a little (like a kydex holster)?

Im thinking of getting an sls, hood down for comps, and up if Im running around.

or an ALS if its quick enough for competition

Or is retention not necessary, I can sprint and slide and roll around and the gun will still be there? The retention is not for people (don't see a need in my case), but to make sure it doesn't fly out when training. I am also looking at g-codes stuff so any input as far as speed and such might help.


the only OWB holster I've used was a fobus that never came loose - it was basically a level II just on tension alone.
Thanks a lot guys.

[Wake27]

I love my G-Code stuff, especially since I switch between my 1911 and Glock. So far I have an OSH for each plus their OSL for the Glock (WML version, not yet listed for sale). They can be as fast or as secure as you want with the tension screw, but all of mine have had a great balance from the factory. Tons of mounting and carry options with the RTI wheel, though it does sit a little far off the body (definitely worth it IMO). The only real con I have to their stuff is in regards to the 1911 holster and it may very well not be limited to just them. Since the 1911 is heavy, the standard belt slide mount wasn't as easy to draw from. I found myself needing a little more leverage beneath the belt (like a large paddle holster) because if I drew the gun with even a slight angle the weight of the muzzle would mess up the draw stroke and I could not draw the gun. I have since bought the large paddle holster and an RTI wheel for my battle belt, and both have worked perfect, though I haven't tried them a whole lot with it. Again, it may be that way with any holster mounted in a such a way paired with a heavy pistol, I'm not sure. But, I definitely recommend their products. If you don't need the flexibility of the RTI wheel, I'm sure the regular stuff will have a slightly slimmer profile.

[rathos]

Answers in line

1 - will a pancake kydex holster (rcs style) hold a gun securely during a full sprint?

Yes, they hold the gun very well

2 - safariland ALS, is it quick as a non-retention holster (comp-tac), or can you set the gun in it w/o locking like an sls?

It always locks as you sit the gun down but the ALS is very fast. It is almost like there is no retention device

3 - safariland sls, if the hood is left down, is it still retaining the gun a little (like a kydex holster)?

If set correctly it does hold the gun without the hood. You should be able to tip the holster upside down and the gun would not fall out with the friction set correctly and the hood down. You can still jostle the gun from the holster if moving enough. The SLS is slower (at least for me on the clock) then an ALS

[theblackknight]

I vote ALS or thumb drive type. You don't want to shoot 3 gun seriously with a raven style holster.

sent from mah gun,using my sights

[TCB]

A kydex holster is fine for range and competition use, and I would say is prefered. The ALS is an exelent holster more geared towards duty use but is very fast and the release is intuitive and happens on your normal draw stroke. I run a SLS/ALS at work and it is the best duty holster out there for LEO's.
If you want to be competitive get kydex from a good maker, you will have no worries of losing your sidearm under most activity that wouldn't leave you injured, they will also be much lower profile than a Safariland and ride closer/higher. If you plan on getting all geared up they may ride a bit too close for use with armor, in that case the Safariland will be ideal.
I usually end up with a Safariland and a kydex holster for most of my pistol platforms and also have dedicated competition holsters as well. Don't forget about holsters for carry....most people who shoot alot will end up with a large "holster box"....

[vaglocker]

Just got one of the (relatively) new Safariland 7ts ALS holsters for my Glock 17. Haven't had a a chance to play with it that much yet but so far I really like it. For me the ALS release is very intuative and the draw is really fast even with the little practice i've had. I suspect it would be a good candidate for your needs.

[MegademiC]

I vote ALS or thumb drive type. You don't want to shoot 3 gun seriously with a raven style holster.

sent from mah gun,using my sights

Okay, even over an sls, not using the hood for comps?

I'm hesitant about the internal lock of the als, can it jam up like a serpa or is it a non issue?

Thanks for the input, people.

[glocktogo]

The way the ALS locks up is much less likely to get jammed. I wouldn't use the SLS because it's slower than the ALS (if only fractionally) and you need to treat it like the hood is alwasy secured. If you get in the habit of dropping the hood wth the intent of drawing more quickly at a delayed time, you may find the hood reengaged. I've seen more than one officer during quals nearly yank the holster off the belt trying to draw with the hood in the locked position.

[jck397]

Just got one of the (relatively) new Safariland 7ts ALS holsters for my Glock 17. Haven't had a a chance to play with it that much yet but so far I really like it. For me the ALS release is very intuative and the draw is really fast even with the little practice i've had. I suspect it would be a good candidate for your needs.

+1 on this. I am running one of these as a duty holster. Very fast (I find it faster than my Raven because of the offset), but secure for running, etc. I also like the lack of felt lining, which retains moisture in wet environments, or dust here in AZ, making it gritty very quickly.

The SLS stand alone is almost as fast, but I've had mine pop open from my seatbelt, and see a lot of officers walking around unknowingly with an open hood. The gun also rattles around more in the SLS. The ALS/SLS is like solving a Rubik's Cube for anyone not familiar with it, but still fast. That might be more retention than you need, but if I were in a bar brawl that's what I'd want my gun in.

[Cmm46]

Stick with a good kydex or the ALS and you'll be fine. I work in a plain clothes assignment and I use a comp-tac holster. It's kept the gun holstered while sprinting, climbing objects and tackling/wrestling with people. I also have 2 ALS holsters that I swap out on my molle belt. These holsters offer some retention and the draw is very smooth and fast.