Thanks guys. Good points in both posts. Mine will cost about $45, but I think I'll give it a shot. I have a cheap "one size fits most" belt loop or metal belt clip that I just don;t trust.....
Use caution with the Serpa system. If the spring is damage or fails, the pistol is stuck in the holster. If the Serpa fails you will have to cut the pistol out of the holster. The Serpa lever can also become stuck in the locked positions by something as thin as a business card. The holsters are known to lock up when sand, small rocks and other debris enters the gap between holster and lever.
Blackhawk will not stand behind the holster if it fails.
Serpas have also been attributed to negligent discharges. Due to the position of the lock, the trigger finger will sometimes ride the holster and enter the trigger guard under stressful situations.
having mine lock the gun in place in a DT class while I was slammed to the ground and the gun became locked in place.
What about the Fobus holsters that are similar but do not have the serpa lock?
Will these provide more retention than a standard without the risk of the serpa lock-up?
I have been considering picking up a similar holster from iTac Defense.
Practice makes perfect, try it, practice it, if you don't like it, sell it.
The Fobus holsters themselves are also pretty flimsy; I've seen more than one get destroyed in retention and counter-retention training. Typically, the holster body will separate at the rivets, or the holster will detach from the paddle. Either way, the BG comes away with your gun.
Whoa there friend. Just my opinion, but let this thread run for a day or so before you jump.
There are those that will say they want nothing to with using your trigger finger for anything but trigger work. Some even say that this type of holster is dangerous.
What I can say for certain is that this safety is like any other safety. It's a mechanical device that can fail.
Back on-topic... the obstruction/lock-up issue with the SERPA holsters is well documented (just because it didn't happen to you or your guys in the sandbox, doesn't mean it didn't happen to anyone, or even several "anyones"), as are the ND issues.
OK.
More things to consider here then.
What about the Fobus holsters that are similar but do not have the serpa lock?
The gun kind of clicks into the frame and will stay in if you shake it upsidedown.
Will these provide more retention than a standard without the risk of the serpa lock-up?