The Open Carry Argument

[CPT Nervous]

I definitely need to get a retention holster.

I haven't been open carrying much recently, but every so often I get the itch. Currently I have a Raven Concealment Systems owb holster for my G19, but there's no retention at all.

I've been looking at both the Safariland ALS and the Blackhawk Serpa but haven't landed on one over the other.

Blackhawk =


ALS all the way.

 

[MCgrease08]

Blackhawk =


ALS all the way.

That's kind of how I was leaning. My hesitation about getting one was finding the time to train with it. Guess I need to stop being lazy.

 

[CPT Nervous]

That's kind of how I was leaning. My hesitation about getting one was finding the time to train with it. Guess I need to stop being lazy.

I really like the ALS. It's a more reliable holster, and very easy and natural to use.

 

[MCgrease08]

I think I'm gonna order one of these in the near future.

Safariland® Model 7378 7TS? ALS® Holster

 

[CPT Nervous]

I think I'm gonna order one of these in the near future.

Safariland® Model 7378 7TS? ALS® Holster

I carry this one:

Safariland® Model 6378 ALS® Paddle Holster

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

I carry this one:

Safariland® Model 6378 ALS® Paddle Holster

Me too.

 

[cbhausen]

I had the 7378 when I carried a Glock 19, had to downgrade to the 6378 for my Sig P320. Truly superior holsters.

 

[protias]

Here's a good article from The Truth About Guns.


Guns for Beginners: Three Ways to Make Open Carry Safer

By Robert Farago on November 19, 2015


"In the latest edition of Guns magazine, Massad Ayoob offer some cautionary tales of open carry gone wrong. They’re not very many and they’re not very convincing. The gun guru only provides one clear example of a gun snatch from an average open carrier. The bad guy shot and killed him with his own gun."

When was the OCer shot with his own gun? I don't remember that happening.

 

[CPT Nervous]

Me too.

I had the 7378 when I carried a Glock 19, had to downgrade to the 6378 for my Sig P320. Truly superior holsters.

I got mine for around $30. I cannot understand why people still carry Blackhawks.

 

[Dead Duck]

I got mine for around $30. I cannot understand why people still carry Blackhawks.

I still do.
I've carried and trained with Blackhawks for so long I've been hesitant on changing. I've heard all the neg. Isn't it mostly shooting your leg while holstering. I don't plan on quick "Holstering" my gun anytime soon.
Are the ALSs really that much better? I've never held one in person to compare.

 

[CPT Nervous]

I still do.
I've carried and trained with Blackhawks for so long I've been hesitant on changing. I've heard all the neg. Isn't it mostly shooting your leg while holstering. I don't plan on quick "Holstering" my gun anytime soon.
Are the ALSs really that much better? I've never held one in person to compare.

That's not my issue with it. It has been proven that debris can become lodged behind the release button on a SERPA, and put it out of commission. Not likely, but it is a potential issue. I do not want a holster that has any potential to not release my gun.

If you're fighting on the ground with someone, dirt, mud, rocks, even snow, can lock up your holster. The Safariland does not have that problem.


Aside from that, I just like it better.

 

[rhino]

I still do.
I've carried and trained with Blackhawks for so long I've been hesitant on changing. I've heard all the neg. Isn't it mostly shooting your leg while holstering. I don't plan on quick "Holstering" my gun anytime soon.
Are the ALSs really that much better? I've never held one in person to compare.

Yes, the ALS is that much better.

1. The ALS mechanism is more robust and less likely to fail due to debris being caught in it.
2. The switch for the ALS is essentially hidden and difficult to access by another person due to its location.
3. The location of the ALS lever is right where your thumb hits anyway. Very little "retraining" is needed to learn how to use it. For some people, the SERPA button is not in the same spot where their trigger finger rests when they get a firing grip.
4. The belt attachments are sturdier for the Safariland. I don't know of anyone who has broken the Safariland. I have a buddy who was a contractor in Iraq who was issued a SERPA. He caught it on the frame of a vehicle when exiting and only retained his pistol because of the tether he had attached.

 

[CPT Nervous]

Yes, the ALS is that much better.

1. The ALS mechanism is more robust and less likely to fail due to debris being caught in it.
2. The switch for the ALS is essentially hidden and difficult to access by another person due to its location.
3. The location of the ALS lever is right where your thumb hits anyway. Very little "retraining" is needed to learn how to use it. For some people, the SERPA button is not in the same spot where their trigger finger rests when they get a firing grip.
4. The belt attachments are sturdier for the Safariland. I don't know of anyone who has broken the Safariland. I have a buddy who was a contractor in Iraq who was issued a SERPA. He caught it on the frame of a vehicle when exiting and only retained his pistol because of the tether he had attached.

I was going to add something about robustness. I have seen a couple SERPAs break off of the platform. The Safariland is much more sturdy.

 

[MCgrease08]

I think I'm gonna order one of these in the near future.

Safariland® Model 7378 7TS? ALS® Holster

I pulled the trigger yesterday. My new holster should be here by the end of the month.

 

[actaeon277]

Maybe you guys should start a holster thread?

 

[lonehoosier]

If anyone is left handed looking at the ALS I have this https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...eft-hand-glock-19-23-safariland-holsters.html $30 free shipping for the two.

 

[MCgrease08]

Maybe you guys should start a holster thread?

Hush you.

Open carry is dumb.

Ok. Are we back on track?

 

[KLB]

Hush you.

Open carry is dumb.

Ok. Are we back on track?

Much better

 

[2A_Tom]

OC is difficult for me until spring.

 

[CPT Nervous]

OC is difficult for me until spring.

I wear a fleece coat, and keep my pistol exposed.

Another option is to get a fancy police coat, with the side zippers that you can open, thus exposing your piece.

Once it gets colder, and I go to a heavier jacket, I usually end up concealing, like you, out of necessity.