Holster Choices

[tobin]

IMHO Fobus = crap. My Fobus for a S&W L frame fits my K frame quite tightly, would never be able to get a L frame in there.

Stick to Blade Tech or Comp Tac for Kydex, have no experience with Raven.

The only leather holster I have seen lately that I liked was the Don Hume JIT which is a belt slide and worked really well for me. There are lots of good leather holsters but the good ones are usually quite expensive and they require more care than kydex.

 

[cbabes]

IMHO Fobus = crap. My Fobus for a S&W L frame fits my K frame quite tightly, would never be able to get a L frame in there.

Stick to Blade Tech or Comp Tac for Kydex, have no experience with Raven.

The only leather holster I have seen lately that I liked was the Don Hume JIT which is a belt slide and worked really well for me. There are lots of good leather holsters but the good ones are usually quite expensive and they require more care than kydex.

I agree but instead of spending 60 or more dollars for a new holster I spent 3 dollars on parts and my Fobus fits my G21 just as good as my Side Armor fits my G17.

 

[mlehtovaara]

I bought a bladetech/5.11 from daves surplus. I really like that I can just throw the paddle on for practice and switch to the belt loop when I get all geared up for competition. It has adjustable retention and can't. I love it. The other one I really like was the comp tac but its double the price and not so versatile.

 

[Ganderite]

I have a number of Fobus and they work well, except the one for the S&W4006. That one needed either a wedge between the panels or the rivet replaced by a bolt with a waher in it to open a bit.

Just bought a Uncle Mike's Kydex. it seems very good. Adjustable for cant, too.

 

[drvrage]

Blackhawk Serpa CQC. Fast easy natural draw for you. Damn hard for anyone else including Mother Nature (Gravity) or Murphy ('s Law).

I want for nothing with this holster.

 

[Squirrley11]

Fobus is crap. I have one for my m&p and I dont use it. The Serpa is pretty good I run that most of the time and it is cost effective. If money is not an issue I would go with the Safariland ALS the level 2 concealment holster withour the hood its a very very fast draw and a secure retention sutible for carrying as well.

 

[TDC]

Both Serpa and Fobus are crap. The Serpa has been recalled and there are several schools which prohibit their use due to ND's. I'm not saying that can't be used safely and effectively, but there are far better holsters available. My other concern is the perceived need for a level two or three retention holster? If you don't carry it publicly/professionally there is no need for such retention.

The benefit of interchangeable mounting methods is ill conceived. Again, unless you carry publicly/professionally there is no need for such attributes. Even for those who do the need to change mounting methods is slim. Training with a setup you won't compete with is counter productive.

There are as many holsters as there are opinions and users. Kydex is excellent for nearly all uses. Some are cheaper quality than others, some are bulky. Leather is comfortable and conforming not to mention quiet. The hybrid holsters combine kydex and leather for the best of both worlds. A comfortable holster with positive retention and easy reholster. The old addage of "you get what you pay for" rings true for holsters as well.

I run both Raven and Crossbreed and can't complain with either. I have run Uncle Mike's, Glock factory, Galco, Eagle industries, and Bladetech. Some were better suited for roles than others. The Uncle Mike's and Glock factory are no frills holsters and suitable as loaners or starter holsters. Galco makes great leather holsters. Both Eagle and Bladetech produce very rugged holsters and are of top quality.

TDC

 

[drvrage]

There is no reason to pick on the serpa holsters. Just because some numbnutz or nonutz transitioned under stress with his/her finger on the trigger doesn't make the holster a problem. Saying that it must be true because the training schools banned them is about as true saying that manufacturers are correct in instituting a 10 lbs trigger pull for fear of ND by parents who point loaded guns at their children.

 

[ricradster]

M&P Holster

I use a Blade Tech kydex holster matched with mag pouches and find it works well in both IPSC and PPC. Once you get the tension set up on the holster the pistol is very secure but still easy to draw. No marks on the finish and stands up well to being thrown in the rang bag at the end of the day and ignored until next time.

 

[TDC]

There is no reason to pick on the serpa holsters. Just because some numbnutz or nonutz transitioned under stress with his/her finger on the trigger doesn't make the holster a problem. Saying that it must be true because the training schools banned them is about as true saying that manufacturers are correct in instituting a 10 lbs trigger pull for fear of ND by parents who point loaded guns at their children.

Dumba$$ people aside there are other issues with the holster. As mentioned, there is no need for the competitor/target shooter to run a level two/three holster. Both are counter productive to speed based shooting. The Serpa series has been credited with disabling several holsters with trapped debris under the push button. In atleast one case it required the holster to be cut from the pistol.

On a personal note, Serpa holsters and most of the Blackhawk gear and 5.11 gear lines are made in asia and their quality is sh*t. I refuse to purchase off shore products whenever possible.

TDC

 

[mlehtovaara]

More useless and negative input from TDC. Surprised? I think not.

 

[drvrage]

Dumba$$ people aside there are other issues with the holster. As mentioned, there is no need for the competitor/target shooter to run a level two/three holster. Both are counter productive to speed based shooting.

The OP said nothing about speed based shooting. If your definition of competitive shooting includes people standing still in a range stall, then your comment is valid, but one could argue that you don't need a holster at all. However there are lots of more, dare I say tactical shooting events, let alone training and actual combat that do benefit from serpa retention. I will also say that with very little effort, the serpa releases. I can draw as fast with my Serpa CQC as I can with my Uncle mikes.

The Serpa series has been credited with disabling several holsters with trapped debris under the push button. In at least one case it required the holster to be cut from the pistol.

As for debris locking the serpa systems, sure. But debris in a regular holster like a twig standing up could depress the trigger and cause an ND. Playing what is is not appropriate unless you play it both ways.

On a personal note, Serpa holsters and most of the Blackhawk gear and 5.11 gear lines are made in asia and their quality is sh*t. I refuse to purchase off shore products whenever possible.

Whatever floats your boat, but as I've said there are no quality concerns with my Serpa CQC.

 

[TDC]

The OP said nothing about speed based shooting. If your definition of competitive shooting includes people standing still in a range stall, then your comment is valid, but one could argue that you don't need a holster at all. However there are lots of more, dare I say tactical shooting events, let alone training and actual combat that do benefit from serpa retention. I will also say that with very little effort, the serpa releases. I can draw as fast with my Serpa CQC as I can with my Uncle mikes.



As for debris locking the serpa systems, sure. But debris in a regular holster like a twig standing up could depress the trigger and cause an ND. Playing what is is not appropriate unless you play it both ways.



Whatever floats your boat, but as I've said there are no quality concerns with my Serpa CQC.

Training and gaming are different animals. Speed is the name of the game for both. Increased retention comes at a cost, usually price, size, and complexity. For nearly all competitions available, a level one or simple level two holster with a thumb break are more than adequate. The draw from increased retention holsters can be as you say as fast as simple level one counterparts. I have to ask, why would someone introduce another element of the learning curve with regards to shooting when it isn't necessary? Compound movements required to draw your pistol only increase the training time required to become proficient.

Debris in a quality holster will not access the trigger. Quality holsters surround the trigger guard entirely and prevent unwanted access. More to the point, a quality holster is for fitted which does not allow anything entering from the muzzle to reach the pocket where the trigger guard rests. As for object entering from the rear, its irrelevant.

Kydex holsters present other issues. Being a hard shell holster they don't conform to the body nor do they offer a lot of "give" when you land on them. Kydex like many materials becomes brittle in colder temps. The standoff from the body is another issue. All of these issues are present regardless of make or quality of holster.

TDC

 

[drvrage]

I have to ask, why would someone introduce another element of the learning curve with regards to shooting when it isn't necessary? Compound movements required to draw your pistol only increase the training time required to become proficient.

That is why I like the serpa CQC. When you draw, your finger should be out of the trigger guard and lying acroos the frame. Go figure that is exactly where the release on a serpa holster is! There is virtually no learning curve. Secure retention with ease of release.