It has become popular of late to bash Blackhawk’s SERPA holster as unsafe and while I understand the concern expressed, it simply is not true. The mishaps that have occurred with the SERPA are shooter error not a poor holster design. There…
Can I understand why some instructors are banning the SERPA? Sure, if improperly used the SERPA can create an unsafe condition in their class and they really don’t want to test their liability insurance. I just believe an instructor does not only impart knowledge and build skills; he/she should also offer solutions for real world problems.
As I’m not a fan of the Serpa myself, but think about how many Blackhawk has sold over the years, think about how many are in use in Iraq/A-stan and then think how many AD’s there have been. I would guess it is a low percentage based on how many are out in use.
Some of us have to use what is issued to us so we better be trained on how to operate it safely.
safety is not the only reason instructors bring up - getting debris caught between the holster and release button can lock it up, preventing you from drawing the pistol. i’ve actually had this happen to me, but it was a small twig from a bush on the ground i was lying on, not a rock.
i notice he didn’t address that commonly brought up issue in the article.
Why someone would carry a Blackhawk Serpa over a Safariland ALS is beyond me. The only job for your booger hook should be to press the bang switch at the right time.
And I know someone will bring this up too. The M1 Garand and M14 have their safety inside the trigger guard. It works fine since to take it off safe you press it toward the muzzle, but I’m not a fan of that either.
The flaws of the Serpa design only really come out when the operator is pushed for speed and stress. There are a number of ADs and holes in legs due to the trigger finger having the double duty of releasing the pistol from the holster and discharging the pistol.
Could not agree more. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat there in disbelief listening to people go on and on about how great their Serpa Holster is and I just don’t get it, especially when it is a law enforcement officer doing the talking.
Why in the hell would you place a retention device through the trigger guard? Yea, I know…the locking piece should never contact the trigger, but why do it?
Minimal dirt or debris will lock up the retention device.
Under stress (like I don’t know somebody shooting at you) it is easy to insert the finger into the trigger guard on the draw. Yes, this is to a large extent a training issue, but as previously mentioned it’s a design flaw that creates a foreseeable event.
The attachment method for the holster to the belt attachment is exceptionally weak.
Given the negative attributes of the Serpa I can’t see why anyone who has a choice would carry one.
“You fail to address the issue of debris locking the holster up. You also fail to address the inability of the mounting platform to survive a vigorous take away attempt. If it was safe, nobody would be banning them from their ranges. I defy you to name an top instructor/range that bans the Safariland ALS system.”
Their response…“Your comment is awaiting moderation.”
I’ve never been a fan of the SERPA. We use Safarilands for duty & I have Safariland ALS or SLS holsters for all my handguns.
I’ve heard before of debris in the locking mechanism locking up SERPA holsters. We crawl around in grass & dirt regularly with our drop leg Safariland rigs & I’ve never personally seen one of them lock up, even though the Safariland retention system is more complicated & has more moving parts.
