Blackhawk Serpa CQC ??????

[Adawg38]

I got a Sig P250 9mm Compact and I am looking for a good concealment holster. I just wanted to get everyone's 2 cents on Blackhawks Serpa CQC Holster. Any info is much appreciated.

[hurley842002]

I have one for my Glock 19 and it's an awesome holster for open carry or duty carry. It sticks out a bit far for trying to conceal in my opinion. I'm also not a fan of retention holsters for Concealed carry, I think retention is best suited for situations where your weapon is constantly exposed, and there is a greater chance for someone trying to disarm you. You really have to train a lot with the serpa, as pushing the "release button" and drawing your weapon in one fluid motion, takes some practice. It could work for you, but that is my take on the holster for CCW purposes. If your looking for a good OWB holster, I would highly recommend the Denstrat holsters from badshot, in comparing the Serpa to the slim holster they make, the slim holds my G19 much closer to my person, and is quite comfortable.

[The Rat]

I would not trust my life to any of Blackhawk's Serpa line, especially for concealed carry purposes.

The retention mechanism is such that a few people have ended up ND'ing into their own legs. It can also get gummed up by dirt and debris and make the gun locked in the holster.

For concealed carry, you can always get a tension-adjustable kydex holster or a good leather holster that will do the job quite well. Why add in the factor of having to hit a button with your trigger finger when there's no need?

[The Rat]

Here are some suggestions so that I'm not just hating on the Serpa.

For open carry/duty purposes: G-code Holsters, specifically with the duty belt slide attachment. This drops the holster down to about pocket level, low enough that it makes the draw a bit more natural and clears any body armor (if applicable.) http://www.tacticalholsters.com/index.html

For concealed carry:
This guy makes great leather holsters that I came back to after experimenting with a Comp-Tac MTAC: http://www.ubgholsters.com/
(I tried to like the MTAC but it didn't work well with my body type.)

[Adawg38]

I checked out those holsters on comp-tac.com and they look pretty sweet. I noticed they have a open slide option for glock but not the P250. Mine has the threaded barrel and I was looking to get a standard but don't want to buy 1 just yet. If they make an open slide version for mine I am sold. I wanted the Blackhawk IWB but they don't offer it and the lady recc the Serpa so I thought I'd get opinions first.

[kwando]

Comptac is having a blackfriday sale 20% off. Use code BLACK-1110

I love my mtac and use it daily.

Also have a serpa CQC but it's not a concealment holster by any means

[hurley842002]

When I carry IWB, my Mtac comes along, so definitely another +1 for them, excellent holsters.

[d_striker]

I would not trust my life to any of Blackhawk's Serpa line, especially for concealed carry purposes.

The retention mechanism is such that a few people have ended up ND'ing into their own legs. It can also get gummed up by dirt and debris and make the gun locked in the holster.

The retention device doesn't touch the trigger or come anywhere near touching it at any point. The retention device contacts the inside of the front portion of the trigger guard which is at least an inch away from the trigger on most pistols. I'm calling bs on this. Please post a link.

I've owned two sepa holsters and have not had any issues with them locking up but I'm not rolling around on the ground or anything. I'm genuinely interested in hearing about people that have actually had this problem. Please post a link.

With that being said, I don't think it's a good option for cc as it would be a little bulky. If your wearing a cover garment during the winter you might be fine. IMO it's a better holster for the range or duty use than cc.

[The Rat]

I don't have any links or firsthand experience with the ND issue. However, I took a Tigerswan 5-day pistol/carbine class last summer, and the instructor cited having seen it twice. Given his experience, (http://www.kyledefoor.com/) (5 years as BW's lead instructor, a year with TS, and his prior mil time) I believe him.

Regarding the mechanism jamming up, here is a user on another forum who has firsthand experience with it on multiple occasions in competitions. (http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3362056&pagenumber=2#post384028282)

I'm not trying to make a personal attack on anyone here, it's just a crappy holster. Never met any serious tactical trainer that recommends them. (I believe Kyle Defoor's words were "Serpas will fuck you.") Unfortunately for the rest of us, they also happen to be the best-marketed and most prevalent holsters on the market right now.

At the end of the day, what you carry your pistol in is your choice. However, from my perspective, there are better holsters out there for the same role as the Serpa, but with less problems and potential issues.

I think that situational awareness is a way bigger concern than holster retention. If you put yourself in a position where someone is making a grab for your pistol, concealed carry or not, something is seriously wrong.

Edit: Another long thread about Serpas: http://lightfighter.net/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3556008371/m/66810137?r=56510237#56510237
Yes, they require you to register to view. It's worth it. I've learned more from that forum than anywhere else on the net.

[Wulf202]

I would not trust my life to any of Blackhawk's Serpa line, especially for concealed carry purposes.

The retention mechanism is such that a few people have ended up ND'ing into their own legs. It can also get gummed up by dirt and debris and make the gun locked in the holster.

For concealed carry, you can always get a tension-adjustable kydex holster or a good leather holster that will do the job quite well. Why add in the factor of having to hit a button with your trigger finger when there's no need?


+1

[Bailey Guns]

The retention device doesn't touch the trigger or come anywhere near touching it at any point. The retention device contacts the inside of the front portion of the trigger guard which is at least an inch away from the trigger on most pistols. I'm calling bs on this. Please post a link.


Blackhawk recalled a couple of their Serpa holsters of the "high wall" style in late 2007 (It may have been a safety recall notice on 12-05-2007). Only models affected IIRC were for G20, G21 and M&P45 pistols. The high portion of the holster wall was engaging the trigger causing the discharge upon reholstering.

Some people have reported problems with the locking mechanism...I don't know how widespread the issue is or under what circumstances the malfunctions occurred.

So...it's not really BS. But the issue is rather dated and doesn't apply to the OP's particular gun and the recall wasn't related to the locking mechanism contacting the trigger.

I've owned a couple that get pretty hard use in training classes. Any issues with them in our classes have always been operator error. Our's have held up well going on a couple of years now.

[d_striker]

I'm still not buying the locking device causing the nd. That guy may have seen 2 nd's but I'm betting it was still the person's finger that caused the nd.

[The Rat]

Haha, yeah, I guess I didn't explain it well enough.

The way it was explained to me, the shooters were doing timed drills, pushed the release button with their index finger, and then just kept pushing with their index finger as the pistol cleared the holster and right onto the trigger.

It's a training issue, sure, but one I'd rather not have.

[StagLefty]

The Lightfighter post seemed to be more along the lines of the paddle breaking off than any other issue. I've had one for a few years now and have no issues at all. Of course I'm not carrying all the time or is my carry work related so my needs are are not subject to hard wear. JMHO [Beer]

[275RLTW]

I have worn Sepas for several years for work, training, concealed carry, and competition. I have had no issues with the retention nor with a possible ND. I do remove the unnecessary tension clip in all of mine though, not sure if that is the component causing the ND's. I don't recomment the paddle version, or any paddle for that matter, belt designs are much more secure. The Serpas are not the best holster out there for CC only, but the best design for the money. If you don't want to spend on more expensive holsters the the Serpa is just fine.

[d_striker]

Blackhawk recalled a couple of their Serpa holsters of the "high wall" style in late 2007 (It may have been a safety recall notice on 12-05-2007). Only models affected IIRC were for G20, G21 and M&P45 pistols. The high portion of the holster wall was engaging the trigger causing the discharge upon reholstering.

Some people have reported problems with the locking mechanism...I don't know how widespread the issue is or under what circumstances the malfunctions occurred.

So...it's not really BS. But the issue is rather dated and doesn't apply to the OP's particular gun and the recall wasn't related to the locking mechanism contacting the trigger.

I've owned a couple that get pretty hard use in training classes. Any issues with them in our classes have always been operator error. Our's have held up well going on a couple of years now.

Thanks for elaborating. Great info.

[banks74]

I took a class a while back, and the instructor was a many year veteran LE and prior Mil. He said they have had a few issues with officers getting in fights with perps and ending up on the ground. He said it would jam the button on occasion and the holsters basically had to be broken off of the handgun to get them into action.

I don't remember the specific model, but he said there dept. switched to the Safariland retention holsers.

[jscwerve]

Crossbreed super tuck.


Nuff said

[jmg8550]

Michael Kole concealment holsters. I had him build one for my 1911 Operator and concealing a full size 1911 is not very hard and is very comfortable. His prices are close to Galco and he guarantees them to fit and function properly. The best money spent for a custom holster.

http://www.michaelkole.com/index.php?cPath=7

or 1-970-819-4465

And I also use the serpa holster for the same pistol and really like it. The release button is located so that when you pull the pistol your finger rests on the slide. Very well constructed and designed.

[275RLTW]

Michael Kole concealment holsters.

I would avoid him. His holsters may be good, but him shooting himself in the leg at a gunshow say tons about his views about safety. As I was dressing his leg all he could say is "I want the bullet!" no concern if he injured anyone else....

rant over, back to original topic.....

[jmg8550]

The pistol he shot himself with was defective and wasn't his. He was handed a loaded pistol and when he checked to see if it was empty, he slipped and the gun fired. Could have happened to anyone.

[275RLTW]

He either cut or allowed someone to cut the zip tie placed on it by security to render it inoperable and it fired when he tried to fit it in a holster with his finger on the trigger. Not a firearm defect, operator neglegence.

[jmg8550]

And security allowed a firearm, having a loaded magazine into the gun show assuming that a zip tie would make it safe. I say it is security's fault for being that careless. Also, with his holsters, how is it possible to get the pistol even close to being holstered while a finger is on the trigger. I have personally heard his account and the account of others about what happened. And they all were the same. I am done arguing as it will get nowhere. If you want a good custom holster at a very reasonable price, call Michael Kole.

[OgenRwot]

Disregard all the nay sayers. Serpas cause NDs just as much as Glocks blow up. It happens once or twice and then everybody says that they have a friend with a friend that shot themselves in the foot using a Serpa and an exploding Glock at the same time. If you're finger is on the trigger with any holster it's going to fire.

I've been using one for a long time. Never had one issue. I've rolled around in the dirt in competitions and it never jams. I've also never shot myself in the leg or the foot or had any ND because of the Serpa for that matter.

Would I use it for concealed carry. No way, because it can be a paddle or belt mounted holster it sticks out about 1/4 - 1/2 inch further than a typical OWB holster. Go with a leather OWB or any IWB if you're looking for a good conceal holster.

[OgenRwot]

And security allowed a firearm, having a loaded magazine into the gun show assuming that a zip tie would make it safe. I say it is security's fault for being that careless.

I hope you're joking. The only person to blame for shooting their own leg is the person with their hands on the gun. Blaming a third party is ridiculous. Personal responsibility is king.

[vectorsc]

We trained with the serpa for a month or two before discarding it.

During speed drills we found it was impossible to get a totally consistent release once you made it to full speed. Everything else aside, our instructors do this every day and full speed is competition fast so take the issue we had with them with a grain of salt.

Weak hand/wounded drills were almost impossible with this system as well.

[O2HeN2]

Even though it's a necropost, probably the best place to post this.

Slow motion, what's wrong with the Serpa holster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ2Qg4xwHgg&feature=youtu.be&t=2m23s

And before the Serpa apologists come piling on: Yhea, maybe you can overcome a bad design with practice. Maybe not.

If I'm wrong, no problem. If you're wrong, BIG problem. That reasoning is similar to "Pascal's Wager".

O2