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Holster reviews

Flash Gordon

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2010
Messages
40
Location
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
I'm curious to hear what others use and give my two cents on what I use.

For OC I use a few different Blackhawk Serpa holsters. I have two belt mounts with a female quick disconnect and go back and forth between a Glock 27 and a Glock 22 Serpa holster with the male quick disconnect. it does add about a half inch between the holster and my side so the weight of the gun has a bit more movement. but on a plus side if you like wearing a shirt un-tucked it is a little easier to OC with the added space.

So what do you use?
 

Mugenlude

Campaign Veteran
Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
367
Location
Racine, WI
My OC rig is a G19 in a Blackhawk Spera as well. I have some holster wear on my re-finished slide near the end of the barrel. I'm not sure if that is because of the holster, or if my re-finish is just crappy.
 

Shotgun

Wisconsin Carry, Inc.
Joined
Aug 23, 2006
Messages
2,668
Location
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
I use a Blackhawk Serpa for my Glock 20, because I have nothing else that fits-- except for a shoulder holster which I use for long drives through CC states-- but I don't OC the G20 very often.

Normally I OC with a Glock 23 or 35 and for each of those I have a Safariland 6320 ALS duty holster. Pros: stronger than the Serpa and the retention button much less obvious, Cons: bulkier and more expensive, and I had to get two of them for the Glocks because of the difference in barrel length, whereas with the Serpa Glock length does not matter (although width does for the G20.)

Around the home and neighborhood I am more than likely to have a Ruger SP101 in a Bianchi 105 Minimalist.

Other than for the Glock 20, I use the Serpas for CC only. I also carry the G23 in a Milt Sparks Summer Special IWB holster for CC, as it was intended.
 

Optimus Prime

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2009
Messages
79
Location
Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA
Here's an extended chunk of my thoughts on the handful of plasticy holsters I've used: http://gunscoffee.blogspot.com/2010/05/kydex-comparisons-and-reviews.html

I have OCed in all three, I generally prefer the Serpas for the retention, however I have a strong appreciation for a white light on my gun, so I've been rocking the Raven Concealment holster more as of late.
I dealt with winter simply by wearing a shorter waist length softshell. The weather has zero effect on the Serpa's, they're actually carbon fiber, not plastic. I haven't used the Raven holster in winter yet, but Kydex tends to be pretty tough, so I don't see a problem there.
 

Gordo

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2009
Messages
77
Location
Holmen, Wisconsin, USA
I am a big fan of safariland. I opted for one over a serpa with my M-9 when I was in the military. Problem with both of them is they cost a bit.
 

Flash Gordon

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2010
Messages
40
Location
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
Here's an extended chunk of my thoughts on the handful of plasticy holsters I've used: http://gunscoffee.blogspot.com/2010/05/kydex-comparisons-and-reviews.html

I have OCed in all three, I generally prefer the Serpas for the retention, however I have a strong appreciation for a white light on my gun, so I've been rocking the Raven Concealment holster more as of late.
I dealt with winter simply by wearing a shorter waist length softshell. The weather has zero effect on the Serpa's, they're actually carbon fiber, not plastic. I haven't used the Raven holster in winter yet, but Kydex tends to be pretty tough, so I don't see a problem there.

I've been looking at the raven concealment holsters since seeing them in art of the dynamic handgun. great review. I'm still debating between them and the crossbreed for CC use.
 

The Don

Guest
Joined
May 28, 2010
Messages
397
Location
in your pants
holster/holster rig question

I have an HK USP .45 Tactical, which would probably be the pistol I would open carry when I start. That or my FN Five-seveN. I have two questions.

1. Regardless of which one I ultimately decide to carry, I'm a bigger guy and the few times I've worn a hip/belt holster in the past while target shooting I haven't enjoyed the way it felt. Has anyone on here (who would care to share) had much experience with drop holsters or any kind of rig setup they'd recommend? I don't really want to go with a tactical thigh holster for various reasons. Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations?

2. I will probably carry the HK for a variety of reasons, especially for the reduced risk of over-penetration (and all that increased liability (or whatever the right term is)) as compared to the 5.7...should anything ever happen where I'd need to use it. Anyone have an holster recommendations or experience for an HK USP .45 Tactical?

Thanks for any feedback or recommendations, I really appreciate it.
 

__

Banned
Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Messages
94
Location
, ,
Welcome to Wisconsin Don.

It's amazing how many Dons are popping up.
 

hardballer

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
925
Location
West Coast of Wisconsin
I use this for open carry


and this for concealed carry.


I make all my own holsters.

I like the Serpa too. I just was never able to find a holster that fit my "plus" sized body comfortably, tucked the gun in nice and snug and allowed easy draw with low drama with excellent concealment when needed.

Works for me.
 

Flash Gordon

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2010
Messages
40
Location
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
I have an HK USP .45 Tactical, which would probably be the pistol I would open carry when I start. That or my FN Five-seveN. I have two questions.

1. Regardless of which one I ultimately decide to carry, I'm a bigger guy and the few times I've worn a hip/belt holster in the past while target shooting I haven't enjoyed the way it felt. Has anyone on here (who would care to share) had much experience with drop holsters or any kind of rig setup they'd recommend? I don't really want to go with a tactical thigh holster for various reasons. Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations?

being a big guy myself I can say adding the quick disconnect to my Serpa made a huge difference in my comfort level. it's only about a half inch but that extra space makes a big difference. it does come at a bit of a price, the weight of the gun and it's movement when you walk is amplified. using a paddle mount instead of the belt mount helps that a lot.

for my Glock 20 I use a Serpa concealment holster adapted to the Serpa duty mount which drops the holster about 3 inches lower and out about a half inch. it's very comfortable for as heavy as it is but you need a good belt to hold it in place. I know there are a few guys who use the Serpa level 2 duty holsters on here, it's a little pricey but it's a very nice set up. most duty style holsters will drop the mount a couple of inches.
 

smithman

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2007
Messages
718
Location
Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA
My OC rig is a wheelgun, to not waste ammo chambering/unchambering rounds with a semi. I just don't feel comfortable with a two hand self defense with racking the slide required. And I don't want to throw away my money on ammo that is never shot since I don't reload.

I feel very comfortable with my Bianchi black leather holster with thumb break. It hugs to the body and is very easy to extract with my thumb in the correct spot. It has a third cut for crossdraw setup. I have used the crossdraw in my car when travelling through states that allow car carry.
 

comp45acp

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2006
Messages
383
Location
Watertown, WI, ,
After collecting many holsters over the years for both competition and street carry I have a large "holster box" to show for my education. Over the past several years I have settled on holsters from Milt Sparks. I use the NLG for open carry and the VM-2 for concealed. They are a bit pricey and there is always a 6 month wait to get one but I have found them to be very comfortable, they hold the gun tight to the body and they last. For me, they are the best choice.
 

paul@paul-fisher.com

Regular Member
Joined
May 24, 2009
Messages
4,049
Location
Chandler, AZ
My OC rig is a wheelgun, to not waste ammo chambering/unchambering rounds with a semi. I just don't feel comfortable with a two hand self defense with racking the slide required. And I don't want to throw away my money on ammo that is never shot since I don't reload.

Do you not have to unload to put into your car? Isn't a revolver more difficult for that?

Also, why would it waste money? When I unchamber the round, I just put it back in the magazine.
 
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