petrophase
Campaign Veteran
My significant other and I have been working on refining our retention skills. I usually carry my p229 in a Galco Fletch (leather OWB with a retention strap), though in warm weather I often carry a Serpa CQC.
We decided to test how well each holster aided retention under a variety of standing situations, i.e. a variety of approach angles and simulated levels of SA. Furthermore, we also simulated a grab by a person unfamiliar with the operation of the CQC and by a person familiar with the holster.
We found that with high SA, regardless of the holster or the approach angle, we were well able to retain the pistol (duh).
With moderate to low SA, the leather holster was more effective, especially when the grabber "knew" to go right for the release button on the CQC. Our normal response, to clamp down on the gun and the grabbers hand and to turn sharply away, seemed to actually help the gun slide right out of the CQC, while the leather-metal friction of the Fletch aided greatly in retaining the pistol during this maneuver.
I don't know if it's possible for a couple of amateurs to perform a more qualitative assessment, so YMMV
At any rate, my rock-solid confidence in the CQC has been greatly reduced. Regardless of the holster-pistol combination, it is extremely important to practice retention and learn the system's strengths and weaknesses.
We decided to test how well each holster aided retention under a variety of standing situations, i.e. a variety of approach angles and simulated levels of SA. Furthermore, we also simulated a grab by a person unfamiliar with the operation of the CQC and by a person familiar with the holster.
We found that with high SA, regardless of the holster or the approach angle, we were well able to retain the pistol (duh).
With moderate to low SA, the leather holster was more effective, especially when the grabber "knew" to go right for the release button on the CQC. Our normal response, to clamp down on the gun and the grabbers hand and to turn sharply away, seemed to actually help the gun slide right out of the CQC, while the leather-metal friction of the Fletch aided greatly in retaining the pistol during this maneuver.
I don't know if it's possible for a couple of amateurs to perform a more qualitative assessment, so YMMV
At any rate, my rock-solid confidence in the CQC has been greatly reduced. Regardless of the holster-pistol combination, it is extremely important to practice retention and learn the system's strengths and weaknesses.