Thoughts on Blackhawk Serpa holster? mail in rebate available
- Thread starter k_h
- Start date
Because they are cheap and people dont want to pay the extra $10 for a good holster
Shawn
- Location
- Medicine Hat
I just got one this week to use with my 1911. First trip to the range went well. It is a nice fit on the pistol and allows for smooth access. Dont have anything to compair it to but so far i am happy with it.
This was at an American range custer at their conceal carry match last weekend.
Still alive
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rainy mosquito infested part of BC
If you are going to use one, remember two things.
1. Don't roll around gravel or sand with it on.
2. When your trigger finger depresses the release and the gun is drawn, make darn sure your finger does not enter the trigger guard until the gun is on target. When I used to use the Serpa, once I release the lock, I automatically angle my trigger finger up and outwards so there is no chance of a ND. That kind of draw induces a training scar which I did not like, so I gave up on the Serpa.
- Location
- Medicine Hat
Thanks for the advice. Definitely won't be rolling around or anything but will definitely be very mindful on the draw. I will be out tomorrow shooting. going to play close attention to where my finger ends up naturally.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Trigger finger discipline and don't rush the draw or reholster, I've used a serpa for my m&p for a year or two with no issues. I switched to a bladetech earlier this year as I didn't see the need for the extra level of retention as I only use it at the range and the bladetech I picked up is better made overall. I wouldn't hesitate to use it though, like I said don't rush the draw or reholster and really be mindful of where your trigger finger is when you draw.
I like mine for my 1911. Yes I do get the draw backs tho (no pun intended) but I like the retention As well as the finger placement when extracted. I use it only for my single action handguns. (1911's) and it's just casually at the range. So even if my finger pulls the trigger (which it never has)its single action and could never fire the gun. I do agree tho if you are a mall ninja rolling around in the dirt or use it for active duty then there are alternatives but it suits me just fine as a target shooter who doesn't do IPSc so all those 3. Reasons stated by the one gentleman are true but I don't roll in the dirt and I won't have a discharge because of it being single action pistols and duribility matches price point.
My 2 cents to this age old discussion
My 2 cents to this age old discussion
saltednutz
Regular
- Location
- God's Country ᐋᕘᑕ
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saltednutz
Regular
- Location
- God's Country ᐋᕘᑕ
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Last edited:
If you depress the lever with your finger fully extended, you shouldn't have any issues. I think it's when people press on it like they're pushing a button, with a hooked finger, that things start to go bad. They're less forgiving to poor familiarity to than other designs, and, like others said, they can jam up if debris gets under the lever, so it's understandable why larger organizations, who have to train to the lowest common denominator and/or adverse conditions, would eschew them. I don't particularly care for them, either, because Safariland is superior for holsters requiring extra retention.
vanderkalin
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Kimberley BC
What?!?!? Stop immediately! That's double unsafe!
I'll pretty much reiterate what everyone else has said.
I have had the pleasure of viewing many short videos via social media of "amateur gun fighters" who are drawing from a Serpa and noted one very common and one potentially deadly one at that.
For all intents and purposes serpas are fine holsters that do their job, until you do anything above stationary shooting. I have noted almost every time someone who has not trained EXTENSIVELY with it has made the same mistake Tex did when he shot himself, poor manipulation of the lock leads the "yanking" on the firearm, and the stress of a timer or need to get the gun up causes poor weapons handling.
Further more, these things are horridly unreliable the second you introduce dust or debris into the holster.
If you're standing around, shooting stationary while your buddy and girlfriend makes a video of you, yeah you might be alright with a Serpa, but if you ever plan to use your kit buy something else. Talk to Tim at SolCan, he'll build you a phenomenal kydex holster that works every time.
I guess in closing, the Serpa is a pile of sh!t. For the nay sayers, this is all coming from first hand experience. I used to use nothing but serpas, and so did friends of mine and all noted the same conclusions, poor design that resulted in a questionable record of liability. I've since scrapped and garbaged all my serpas.
I have had the pleasure of viewing many short videos via social media of "amateur gun fighters" who are drawing from a Serpa and noted one very common and one potentially deadly one at that.
For all intents and purposes serpas are fine holsters that do their job, until you do anything above stationary shooting. I have noted almost every time someone who has not trained EXTENSIVELY with it has made the same mistake Tex did when he shot himself, poor manipulation of the lock leads the "yanking" on the firearm, and the stress of a timer or need to get the gun up causes poor weapons handling.
Further more, these things are horridly unreliable the second you introduce dust or debris into the holster.
If you're standing around, shooting stationary while your buddy and girlfriend makes a video of you, yeah you might be alright with a Serpa, but if you ever plan to use your kit buy something else. Talk to Tim at SolCan, he'll build you a phenomenal kydex holster that works every time.
I guess in closing, the Serpa is a pile of sh!t. For the nay sayers, this is all coming from first hand experience. I used to use nothing but serpas, and so did friends of mine and all noted the same conclusions, poor design that resulted in a questionable record of liability. I've since scrapped and garbaged all my serpas.
Partially correct, but partially incorrect. I don't know if you've ever witnessed someone training who attempts to draw their pistol and ends up with it still locked in the holster. Your body alarm system panics and your motor skills begin to fade, many wil say your hand turns into a flipper of sorts and you end up like Tex. Was the Serpa the direct cause of the ND? No. Did it aid in the ND? Absolutely.
Unfortunately we live in a world where everyone wants to be an "operator" but doesn't want to earn that title through extensive training and practice.
All of this x2. If you have one enjoy. If you have no holster and this then is likely your first holster than ask yourself why do I need a Serpa vs so many others without the negative reputation. If you are going to use it for a range holster or for playing the major handgun games than there are way better options.
Saying don't put your finger in the trigger area unless you are going to shoot is a nice comment but ignores the fact the Serpa places you in a position to fail and as lots of folks have found out that failure is possible. The orgs listed above are reputable groups who banned the holster for good reasons. Walking with a permanent limp is not tacticool. Your money, your leg, your decision. I don't have to piss on an electric fence to figure out the result, neither should you.
Take care
Bob
If you watch the video, "Tex" seems not to have the safety applied on his gun. Once he cleared the holster, his trigger finger was poised to fire the gun. It was a compilation of errors and poor procedure that could have had the same outcome with ANY holster.
People shoot themselves all the time with all kind of holsters not just serpa. Its liberal way of thinking when people say they should ban serpa ( same as all guns are scary). Train and be proficient with it and you are fine.
I have been using serpa for years and years until recently, when i start caring about the finish on some of my more expensive handguns. I went with safariland only for the fact that it has suede lining.
I have been using serpa for years and years until recently, when i start caring about the finish on some of my more expensive handguns. I went with safariland only for the fact that it has suede lining.
