Safariland 6004 Modifications

[wake.joe]

So, I’ve been messing with my Safariland holster a lot today. First I modified the platform to sit very high, with one strap around my leg. This setup worked wonderfully. However, I still don’t like having the strap around my leg.

So, I went out to my local law enforcement store, and bought the 1.5" drop adapter. This let the gun sit at the same height as the modified platform. But, without support of the strap.

Now, you have to pull the gun just right. There is less than 1/8th of an inch “window” of pressure you can put on the gun, or it will not break free from the holster. With it on my leg, you can power through the grab. Now, the holster just lifts away from your body. I have completely removed the tension screw.

So, I tried to cut free some of the felt(?) lining from inside the holster, and can not get it off. This lining is the worst idea in a holster that I have ever seen. It holds tight, protects the gun, but makes a very inconsistent draw.

Does anyone have any tips on how to get it out? I cut a square off, and could not get it pulled from the inside of the holster.

[Shane1]

This is a standard 6004? I never had an issue when I went to the drop adapter. As for tightness, Dremel tool. I converted some 6004/6280’s this way to fit my G35 even though they were made for G22’s.

[Iraq_Ninja]

The felt seems to be glued in.

I am currently working on mounting the 6004 rotary guard on a custom made kydex holster. I want to cut some of the weight and still use the guard.

[Jay_Cunningham]

@wake.joe

So, I tried to cut free some of the felt(?) lining from inside the holster, and can not get it off. This lining is the worst idea in a holster that I have ever seen. It holds tight, protects the gun, but makes a very inconsistent draw.

Does anyone have any tips on how to get it out? I cut a square off, and could not get it pulled from the inside of the holster.

I hate that moleskin stuff and have now moved on - BladeTech is my new “go to” holster.

[wake.joe]

I got the suede out!

I let the holster sit in some laquer thinner (Didn’t care about ruining it), and it all slimmed out. GhostBuster slime.

Going to glue in a different lining. I was going to leave it bare kydex/plastic, but there’s bolt pieces and stuff all over the inside. I’m okay with gun wear, but that’s a bit excessive.

Is the blade-tech just a pinch-style retention system?

[Rickenbacker53]

@wake.joe

So, I’ve been messing with my Safariland holster a lot today. First I modified the platform to sit very high, with one strap around my leg. This setup worked wonderfully. However, I still don’t like having the strap around my leg.

So, I went out to my local law enforcement store, and bought the 1.5" drop adapter. This let the gun sit at the same height as the modified platform. But, without support of the strap.

Now, you have to pull the gun just right. There is less than 1/8th of an inch “window” of pressure you can put on the gun, or it will not break free from the holster. With it on my leg, you can power through the grab. Now, the holster just lifts away from your body. I have completely removed the tension screw.

So, I tried to cut free some of the felt(?) lining from inside the holster, and can not get it off. This lining is the worst idea in a holster that I have ever seen. It holds tight, protects the gun, but makes a very inconsistent draw.

Does anyone have any tips on how to get it out? I cut a square off, and could not get it pulled from the inside of the holster.

You must be very un coordinated or something is wrong with your holster. I have the Mid-ride UBL plus the SLS and ALS retention . I have had my holster for about a week and have practiced drawing it a dozen or so times. Never had a problem. It seems as though your attempting to re-event the wheel . Good Luck. Sorry man no offense just seems comical …Why didn’t you buy an unlined holster if you didn’t want lining. The als is second nature. I am not a professional either. I apologize for making fun. Just seems funny what you did…

[Jay_Cunningham]

@Rickenbacker53

You must be very un coordinated or something is wrong with your holster. I have the Mid-ride UBL plus the SLS and ALS retention . I have had my holster for about a week and have practiced drawing it a dozen or so times. Never had a problem. It seems as though your attempting to re-event the wheel . Good Luck. Sorry man no offense just seems comical …Why didn’t you buy an unlined holster if you didn’t want lining. The als is second nature. I am not a professional either. I apologize for making fun. Just seems funny what you did…

Have you run your pistol and holster combo through any timed drills? Any transition drills? Just wondering.

[Reddevil]

I used the same setup for 2 years on duty and never had your problem. I have switched to the ALS with 1.5" drop and like it so much better since there’s no hood to roll.

[wake.joe]

The Safariland worked fine for general purpose. But not for any sort of speed or consistency.

It wasn’t the hood that got in the way, it was the lining. I was unaware that it would make such a huge difference while I was in the store.

I don’t know what you do with yours, but I run my gear pretty hard. And while the Safariland was comfortable, durable, and kept my side arm VERY protected, the draw left a lot to be desired.

Not something I want with someone in my critical space.

[Jay_Cunningham]

@wake.joe

The Safariland worked fine for general purpose. But not for any sort of speed or consistency.

It wasn’t the hood that got in the way, it was the lining. I was unaware that it would make such a huge difference while I was in the store.

I don’t know what you do with yours, but I run my gear pretty hard. And while the Safariland was comfortable, durable, and kept my side arm VERY protected, the draw left a lot to be desired.

Not something I want with someone in my critical space.

My experience aligns with yours.

[Harv]

My experience mirrors the OP. I tried the drop down UBL and found that you have to have a pretty straight draw or it binds up… I know that I can practice and practice, but I know that under duress, that need for a perfect draw will bite me in the ass.

So I went back to my highride with 1 strap. I can draw at any angle and can get the gun out. If the strap bothers you, loosen it a bit. I don’t find that strap to be that bothersome, but that is my own experience. I have ran a rig like this for several years now and still like the 6004.

[NCPatrolAR]

@Harv

My experience mirrors the OP. I tried the drop down UBL and found that you have to have a pretty straight draw or it binds up… I know that I can practice and practice, but I know that under duress, that need for a perfect draw will bite me in the ass.

So I went back to my highride with 1 strap. I can draw at any angle and can get the gun out. If the strap bothers you, loosen it a bit. I don’t find that strap to be that bothersome, but that is my own experience. I have ran a rig like this for several years now and still like the 6004.

Pretty much the same for me ref: the 1.5" drop UBL. After trying it I found myself going back to my HSGI shroud.

[Rickenbacker53]

@The_Katar

Have you run your pistol and holster combo through any timed drills? Any transition drills? Just wondering.

No I haven’t - but why destroy a good holster. Maybe I should have been more clear. I tried the 6004 shroud and the 1 1/2 drop UBL. What I ended up with is the mid-ride UBL that comes with the 6360 holster. The balance sitting on my hip is much better than the first two. I also own the 6377 ALS with the hi-ride and find I can draw while on the run. sitting, standing, prone,on my back . The Safariland holster supports the gun better than a Bladetech( which I also have). The gun feels heavier to me with the Blade-Tech holster.

The OP never mentioned how tight he cranked the adjustment screw. Maybe that was his problem.

When I reach for the gun to depress the ALS lever isn’t even in my thought process. The holster seems to be designed for activation that occurs under a draw situation.

Like I said I apologize for poking fun at the OP- but when I read the post I couldn’t help imagining a big mess. That in my opinion just ruined the holster.

I am not knocking other holsters. The Safariland just works the best for me. Spend another $15.00 and try the mid-ride UBL before you give up on the design.

Fortunately for me. I was able to return the Shroud and the 1 1/2 drop and get a refund. Sorry if I offended anyone. I couldn’t help myself. The original post reminded me of one of the comedy sitcoms.

[wake.joe]

@Rickenbacker53

The OP never mentioned how tight he cranked the adjustment screw. Maybe that was his problem.

@wake.joe

Now, you have to pull the gun just right. There is less than 1/8th of an inch “window” of pressure you can put on the gun, or it will not break free from the holster. With it on my leg, you can power through the grab. Now, the holster just lifts away from your body. I have completely removed the tension screw.

From the original post.

You should read the whole thing before calling me “Comical” and incompetent.

[Rickenbacker53]

@wake.joe

From the original post.

Did you buy the wrong or better yet receive the wrong holster. Mine has a mile of tension adjustment.

[wake.joe]

@Rickenbacker53

Did you buy the wrong or better yet receive the wrong holster. Mine has a mile of tension adjustment.

You should leave the thread.

According to you, I either don’t know how to draw a gun, bought the wrong holster, got a defective holster, or don’t know how to set up a holster.

But maybe, just maybe, the Holster didn’t work for me. Maybe I asked a question about how to get the lining out safely, and you took the opportunity to spread some fanboyism.

But probably? You’re just not good enough with your firearm to notice a difference. It’s cool that you’ve had a whole entire week of practice, though.

I gave the holster a month without modification. An entire month. I work with it mon-thurs. I guess it’s just impossible that it didn’t work out for me.

This was my original review, right when I brought it home. 09/11/09. I gave the holster it’s fair chance, and it just didn’t perform.

@wake.joe

Well, I got my Safariland.

I went into Leed’s in Oregon City (www.leedway.com) and asked about the Safarilands.

Didn’t want to pay as much for the full drop-leg ALS holster, and he didn’t have any non ALS for my 1911 in stock. So, he got out a “used” 6004, hood-only holster. A local PD dropped them into him, because the ambi-saftey on their Kimbers didn’t fit in the holster. So used, but basically new, holster. He sold me the holster piece for 20 dollars, and opened up the package from the ALS holster, and sold me just the thigh rig, for 85 dollars.

So I ended up with a basically new 6004 holster, on a quick-release buckle leg rig, mounted and out the door for 99.99.

First thoughts; It’s very sturdy. I haven’t decided if it’s more or less comfortable than my Serpa. I definitely see the advantage of Blackhawks dual-belt-loop system. However, the Safariland is less complicated. No adjusting for different style pants (Belt loop placement), what I might be wearing under my uniform (Underarmor, regular boxers, nothing at all…), or even if I just need to shift it forward while in a vehicle.

The thigh platform itself is much lower profile. I can sit without the rig resting uncomfortably on the seat. However, the holster itself is very robust, and sits away from my leg a great distance. So far, it appears to only be from my first-person visual angle. I haven’t bumped it on any doors or anything, yet. But the single thick strap to the belt is very stiff, and made it uncomfortable to low-crawl across a field across the street. Not impossible, but I definitely had to fight the holster.

Now, onto a tossup. Inside the holster, there is a suede “lining”. I assume this is not only to protect the finish on my gun, but to hold it steadier too. It succeeds in both. But, I don’t mind about the finish on my gun (Good tools are used tools.), and I think the retention would be fine without it. However, the gun is not going ANYWHERE unless I remove it myself. I think, even if I left the hood down, the gun would not flip out of the holster.

This lining also makes for a noticeably slower draw. Trying to pull the gun straight out, it’s almost “locked in”. If I rest just my fingers on the front-strap of the gun, I can NOT pull it out. It lifts the holster on my leg. However, if I give just a slight “twist” to the grip (Pulling the muzzle of the gun away from my leg, and pushing on the backstrap of the gun with my palm), it clears fairly easily. It’s still noticeably slower, but if I were to ever not quite get the hood latched all the way, I doubt the gun would go anywhere.

So, in review; Serpa is a much faster draw. I will continue to use a Serpa on my belt. But, I do not worry about my sidearm while in the Safariland holster. I put it in, and I could literally forget about it. Sometimes with the Serpa, I would reach down “Just to check”. I would imagine, with some rounds down range, the Safariland will start to prove fast enough over time. I’ve played with it for about an hour. I’ve been using my Serpa Mon-Thurs for two years. I don’t think it will ever be as fast as a Serpa, but I bet I could get close.

I haven’t decided which is more comfortable. I’ll let you know (my personal opinion) Monday evening when I get home.

[ARJJ]

Wake Joe, my experience with the suede lining also mirrors yours. I had a 6280 (mid ride UBL, Level 2 just like the 6004) for my G22, and I found the loaded chamber indicator on the extractor hung up on the lining unless I made a perfect straight-up draw. Like you said, it was no big deal under most circumstances, but I worried (like you) what might result if it happened when it really mattered.

I gave it about six months (and hundreds of draws) on my duty belt before I gave up and bought a BH SERPA. That holster has a really slick draw. (I know there are those here and elsewhere who have sworn off SERPAs but I have several and they have never failed me. To each his own.)

Whoever suggested Dremeling the offending part off, I may try that (if I don’t sell it first). I’d just hate to have to modify the holster just to get it to work properly.

I also have used a 6365 (Level 3 with 1.5" drop UBL) and had good results regarding the lining not interfering with the draw. The thumb release for the ALS was my hangup on that holster, otherwise it was great.

And Rickenbacker, while you may have had excellent experience with YOUR particular gear, that doesn’t mean that it’s perfect or that others don’t have legitimate concerns/problems with theirs. I don’t know what your credentials are, but I like that this site doesn’t have all the personal attacks and asshattery of TOS. Please keep your disagreements respectful.

[Rickenbacker53]

@ARJJ

Wake Joe, my experience with the suede lining also mirrors yours. I had a 6280 (mid ride UBL, Level 2 just like the 6004) for my G22, and I found the loaded chamber indicator on the extractor hung up on the lining unless I made a perfect straight-up draw. Like you said, it was no big deal under most circumstances, but I worried (like you) what might result if it happened when it really mattered.

I gave it about six months (and hundreds of draws) on my duty belt before I gave up and bought a BH SERPA. That holster has a really slick draw. (I know there are those here and elsewhere who have sworn off SERPAs but I have several and they have never failed me. To each his own.)

Whoever suggested Dremeling the offending part off, I may try that (if I don’t sell it first). I’d just hate to have to modify the holster just to get it to work properly.

I also have used a 6365 (Level 3 with 1.5" drop UBL) and had good results regarding the lining not interfering with the draw. The thumb release for the ALS was my hangup on that holster, otherwise it was great.

And Rickenbacker, while you may have had excellent experience with YOUR particular gear, that doesn’t mean that it’s perfect or that others don’t have legitimate concerns/problems with theirs. I don’t know what your credentials are, but I like that this site doesn’t have all the personal attacks and asshattery of TOS. Please keep your disagreements respectful.

I already apologized. Don’t get so defensive All I said is it was funny. It is. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[Reddevil]

@wake.joe

The Safariland worked fine for general purpose. But not for any sort of speed or consistency.

It wasn’t the hood that got in the way, it was the lining. I was unaware that it would make such a huge difference while I was in the store.

I don’t know what you do with yours, but I run my gear pretty hard. And while the Safariland was comfortable, durable, and kept my side arm VERY protected, the draw left a lot to be desired.

Not something I want with someone in my critical space.

I don’t know what to tell you. Maybe it depends on the gun? My Sig P229R dropped in and out of my 6820 with ease. If the hood was down, it would fall out just by jumping up and down and with hood up and secure, I could grab the grip and rock the gun back and forth. That’s one of the reasons I went with the ALS since it locks the ejection port. I know some Safariland holsters have to have the gun drawn a specific way almost straight up in order to remove it from the holster. Mine was not like that and I wouldn’t want one like that. perhaps some models have a tighter tolerance depending on the weapon their made from? I just checked my ALS holster and see it too has the suede lining, but it can also be drawn with ease but locks tight when secured.