Blackhawk Serpa Holsters- Possible ND?

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Artilery92

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Hello everyone,

I'm searching around the market for a holster with some form of "locking" mechanism that prevents the handgun from falling out of the holster. My reason for wanting a locking holster is because I plan to start attending service rifle events soon and if they are anything like normal military range days, I will be changing positions quite rapidly. The last thing I want is to attempt to transition to my handgun only to figure out it fell out somewhere.

Now, I've been looking at the Blackhawk Serpa holsters but the location of the disengage button kind of bothers me. It's right in line with the trigger. Does anybody have any experience with this holster? I can see the possibility of pressing the disengage while drawing the handgun only to have the pressure from my finger on the button allowing my finger to slide in to the trigger frame under stress, and possibly causing an ND. Has anybody heard any stories about this happening?

Thanks in advance!
 
I own one of these for my Sig P226, and my finger falls on the side of the frame between the trigger and the slide when i draw the gun.

My main issue with this holster is that it holds the gun a bit too close to the body, so it's hard to fit my thumb in between to get a good grip.
 
I saw this as well from people on the internet , and i read something stating that the older serpa holsters could possibly cause a ND due to the locking mechanism tightening itself .

From what i understand the newer models have had this issue taken care of . I imagine if you need reassurance you can check with blackhawk personally , ive dealt with them before and their customer service is beyond reproach .
 
I saw this video from the people at Blackhawk (here's the link, click "video" on arrival) which shows that the SERPA holster is designed specifically to end up with the extended trigger finger falling in line with the side of the frame naturally.

If things got hot and heavy and you ended up pulling the trigger, it would probably have happened with or without a SERPA holster in all likelihood.
 
Artilery92 said:
Hello everyone,

I'm searching around the market for a holster with some form of "locking" mechanism that prevents the handgun from falling out of the holster. My reason for wanting a locking holster is because I plan to start attending service rifle events soon and if they are anything like normal military range days, I will be changing positions quite rapidly. The last thing I want is to attempt to transition to my handgun only to figure out it fell out somewhere.


Now, I've been looking at the Blackhawk Serpa holsters but the location of the disengage button kind of bothers me. It's right in line with the trigger. Does anybody have any experience with this holster? I can see the possibility of pressing the disengage while drawing the handgun only to have the pressure from my finger on the button allowing my finger to slide in to the trigger frame under stress, and possibly causing an ND. Has anybody heard any stories about this happening?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Did yours come with a spacer and longer bolts? Its a quick fix to get a little more space for your thumb.
 
Cantstoptherock said:
Did yours come with a spacer and longer bolts? Its a quick fix to get a little more space for your thumb.
Click to expand...

+1 spacers are available...

Or a quick visit to Home Depot for some washers and 8x32 or 10x32 screws depending on the model.

On the original subject of possible NDs: It's pretty much a dead issue of no legitimate cases observed.
 
Can you make something from Hockey helmet straps and the buttons they come with? They can come undone in a milisecond and hold super tight when you need them too. Two rivets is all you would need, riveting the strap and a snap in the places where you need them.
 
Artilery92 said:
Hello everyone,

I'm searching around the market for a holster with some form of "locking" mechanism that prevents the handgun from falling out of the holster. My reason for wanting a locking holster is because I plan to start attending service rifle events soon and if they are anything like normal military range days, I will be changing positions quite rapidly. The last thing I want is to attempt to transition to my handgun only to figure out it fell out somewhere.

Now, I've been looking at the Blackhawk Serpa holsters but the location of the disengage button kind of bothers me. It's right in line with the trigger. Does anybody have any experience with this holster? I can see the possibility of pressing the disengage while drawing the handgun only to have the pressure from my finger on the button allowing my finger to slide in to the trigger frame under stress, and possibly causing an ND. Has anybody heard any stories about this happening?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

IF you use the tip of your finger to poke the button, the finger will be pretty close to the trigger when you draw. However if you use the holster properly and use the length of your finger to press the button, your finger will end up alongside the frame of the pistol.

Simply put, it's not idiot proof but it's decent. As long as you practise properly and develop good muscle memory, you won't have an issue with disengaging the button.
 
I've used a Serpa since March - both practice and competition. I haven't noticed my finger going anywhere but along the frame and slide.

Of course, practice makes perfect right?
 
Cantstoptherock said:
IF you use the tip of your finger to poke the button, the finger will be pretty close to the trigger when you draw. However if you use the holster properly and use the length of your finger to press the button, your finger will end up alongside the frame of the pistol.

Simply put, it's not idiot proof but it's decent. As long as you practise properly and develop good muscle memory, you won't have an issue with disengaging the button.
Click to expand...

That kind of logic is almost like saying that there is a huge issue with safety of AR systems. Conducting an unload may cause finger slip into the trigger guard in lieu of the mag release....
 
I have one for my 1911 -and hate it, in your position I'd look at almost anything else. For what they charge for that holster, you can get a real one. If you buy a holster that's properly designed, the gun stays put without a retainer and releases without a secret handshake (I learned this after buying a Blackhawk). Note that some (many) US schools won't allow a Serpa on their courses.
 
I had one for my USP and 1911 - good holster! Nice retention.

Then I bought a Raven Concealment for my HK45... there is NO comparison. The RCS system is much better and doesn't snag on stuff like the Serpa. No button needed, and the holster is molded to the gun PRECISELY. No slop or any unnecessary gaps.

Either way, the Serpa is a good budget option for sure.
 
I ran one for about a year. It generally worked okay although I did blow a few draws with it.

They are banned from a lot of courses though. Unless you have a specific need for retention I wouldn't bother with one. I got mine super cheap which was the only reason I had it in the first place.

Complaints I have heard:

unintentional discharge (I think this claim is somewhat overstated)
Failure to release - this has never happened to me but I do know about three people who have personally experienced the serpa jamming up on them when it got some debris in it.

If you need a retention holster I would look instead at the Safariland ALS system.
 
Utter BS, the Serpa locks onto the front of the triggerguard. Each Serpa holster is slightly different due to the design of the gun. The M&P holsters is absolutely perfect to align the finger with the frame, the 229 holster has a flare for the grips that can cause peoples fingers to wander if they have never practiced with that holster.

As for the ND, that was with the Highwalls and Glocks. Those holsters were re-called I have purposely tried to catch the trigger of my UNLOADED Sigs, Glock, M&P and 1911 on the edge of the standard low wall holster. The Glock and M&P will catch if you slide the triggergroup across the edge at greater than a 45 degree angle, which is pretty much impossible if it is on your hip.

The Serpa will jam with debris if you are rolling around on the ground like a pig enjoying the mud, but likely will any positive locking mech. I find the “hate” for the Serpa to be a bit odd.

If a gun has a ND will being holstered into a holster designed for it, either some piece of clothing has caught the trigger or the person’s finger is still on the trigger.
 
What do you mean they DONT make the DropLeg Serpa Holsters.

430500%20Serpa%20TAC%20holster.jpg


Just get the thigh rig, then the holster just bolts on.

I own a SERPA for both my USP.45 and a 92 Inox. Both work great. I've had dust and small debri in my holster before and I never had a failure to un-holster.

It's a fun holster if you practice a bit with it, and I've never had my finger go on trigger without deliberate action. Everytime it goes along the slide (as was designed to do)

I recommend it and Im going on year 3 (or 4?) of using it now for both comp and fun.

Luke
 
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