Duty Holster?

[huntswithweim]

The Dept. I work in has decided to replace our duty belts. Going from the nylon to a smooth leather type with a plain finish. We get to pick the holster you want to use as long as the finish is close. There is no requirement of retention level. The problem is I am currently using a Bianchi 7930; it has the thumb break snap and a thumb lever. I love this holster, but is has been discontinued. The Chief likes the Blackhawk Serpa level 2, but I am not crazy about having the retention lever on the open side of the holster. I am looking at Safariland 6360 (which is a level 3) or the 6390 (they call it level 1) I think most would consider it a level 2. Both Safariland models have the ALS system which holds the gun in by the ejection port. I am just not crazy about the Safariland top strap is why I am considering the 6390. Just want some opinions on the Serpa or the Safariland models if you guys have any. My price limit is 130.00 so that doesn’t help either. I am not a member of the LEO forum so I apologize if this posted in the wrong spot. Thanks in advance.


http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/p....aspx?pid=6390

http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/p....aspx?pid=6360

[ZoomByU]

We are issued the 6360 and I liked it. I have a TLR-1 on my weapon now so I use the light compatible 6360, not sure if it's still called the 6360.

[huntswithweim]

Is the transition from pushing the top strap down and forward to the thumb release fairly smooth. It just seems like it is fairly cluttered.

I think most of it Is in my head. I don’t want to have to switch holsters.

[SGB]

Serpa's suck IMO. The 6360 is the holster to go to hands down.

[rathos]

My department issues serpa level 2 holsters, which I quickly replaced with a level 3. They are pretty decent holsters, but I have used the ALS holsters in the past, the 6390 was the one I had with a light attached. It was a very fast holster, but during retention practice with folks that know how to disarm the holster they had issues getting my pistol out which was comforting. The 6360 also adds the SLS to it, which I am not a fan of.

I would not hesitate to carry a 6390 again, but if I was going to carry a blackhawk I would use nothing less then their level 3.

[Hizzie]

I used the 6280 for several years and loved the rotating hood. Fast, simple and easy to reholster.

[DocGKR]

Serpa's are substandard in every way and are a disaster waiting to happen. The release button is poorly positioned, the mechanism can jam up with debris locking the pistol in the holster, the holster can separate from the belt when stress is applied to it (eg. during DT training). Many trainers have banned them from their classes due to these defects.

The Safariland ALS and SLS are superior in every way.

[PD Sgt.]

Is the transition from pushing the top strap down and forward to the thumb release fairly smooth. It just seems like it is fairly cluttered.

I think most of it Is in my head. I don’t want to have to switch holsters.

I sympathize, we went from the Safariland 070 Level III holsters (which I still think are the best retention holsters ever) to the 6360 a few years ago. If I could, I would still use the 070 (I don't think they are light compatible).

The transition was remarkably easy to the rotating top strap, I was surprised. Like any new holster, it takes a lot of practice off duty to make it mindless. My personal bias against the holster is my belief that a holster should be as free of mechanical devices as possible. Levers, pivots, and springs just add to the chance that something can break or go wrong, denying access to the weapon. I realize snaps fail too, but usually you can access the pistol if they do. I know of one officer who had a 6360 holster break at the strap in such a manner he was unable to draw the weapon.

I will say that I would still take the 6360 over the Serpa for the reasons mentioned above. While I use a Serpa for my Taser, I would not use one for a pistol.

Also, I would recommend leaving the hood/shield of the 6360 on the holster. I thought it was a bit goofy looking, but during retention scenarios we found it significantly easier to take the pistol away with the hood removed. almost every officer that had opted to remove them put them back on.

[Nephrology]

as I am not LEO I have not much to add except that you should absolutely not get the SERPA, I have personally seen one lock up (and I am NOT a high speed type individual, so for it to have a problem given my limited experience means there is something wrong with them and it is not just statistical misfortune) and the only person I know who recommends them I only barely trust with a firearm.

[huntswithweim]

Thanks for the heads up about the Serpa. I think I am gong with the 6390, thanks for the replys