What should I do with my Serpa?

[FireBirdDS]

After reading and hearing opionated reviews, and running the holster through some extended dry practice and bluegun drills, I've concluded on my own (to the shock of many reading this) that the risk of an ND is too great to even continue practicing with this holster as is (or any active-retention rig). Upon step 2 of the [four step] draw stroke, the index finger MUST ride alongside the slide in a relaxed state. The Serpa not only puts the index almost over the trigger, but by the time the trigger guard has cleared, the remaining indexing finger tension applied to press the button could also have sufficient momentum to curl inside and be "applied" to the trigger.

That being said I have 3 options:

1. Sell the holster used (in spite my personal judgement of it being inherently unsafe)
2. Pitch the holster out of conscience, be sorry I spent the money, lesson learned (and leg saved)
3. Keep the holster, but remove the retention button

Option 3 would be the preferable one, but is the holster really all that usable once that is done?

The only reason I got the Serpa was that it was relatively inexpensive, obviously had good retention, was belt wearable and most importantly had user-end adjustable cant.

(If you have a 4th option, comment below)

 

[T4rdV4rk]

Get a new holster and throw the serpa in your closet. May have a use for it someday.

 

[iamaclone45]

The Serpa I own has a nice spot at the bottom of a plastic tote in my gun closet.

 

[FireBirdDS]

May have a use for it someday.

There's only one logical use for it, and if I pitch it, it is because I've deemed it unsafe for that particular use (even as a back-up). What other "uses" would there be for it?

 

[iChokePeople]

Does your mother in law shoot?

 

[cosermann]

I've concluded on my own ... that the risk of an ND is too great . . .

To say nothing of the risk of getting it jammed in there when you really need it.

I'd use it for target practice.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Sell it. Its not like its a rare and exotic item. If someone wants one, they'll get one regardless of if they get it from you or not.

 

[VERT]

I would trade it off. Or you might be able to use it on the outside of a pack or something. Maybe take off the paddle and use it to cover the gun in a range bag

 

[iChokePeople]

A trap for gun-thieving five year old girls.

 

[rockhopper46038]

People buy them and use them. Someone would perceive benefit from obtaining yours at a less than new price. I'd give them the opportunity to make their own judgement.

 

[8th SPS USAF]

I like /use them for range. I removed the lock ,on one and it works fine. Saved me the cost of a new holster. Like was stated -what is it for? Might find a buyer here?

 

[9mmfan]

I'd keep in and use it, but that's just me. I have one for my Beretta 92 and Glock 19. Although in the past couple years I've gravitated back to using leather holsters.

 

[MCgrease08]

File down the retention button and mount it in your car. Do you have a center console? You could mount it on the passenger side if it's right handed.

 

[Hammer]

Option 4, learn how to properly draw from it and use it. I do not know what is hard about using the pad of your extended finger instead of the tip of your finger.

 

[Jackson]

After reading and hearing opionated reviews, and running the holster through some extended dry practice and bluegun drills, I've concluded on my own (to the shock of many reading this) that the risk of an ND is too great to even continue practicing with this holster as is (or any active-retention rig).

There are retention systems on the market which do not present this risk. See Safariland for some good examples.

 

[ModernGunner]

Have several Serpas, used them extensively for years, never had a single issue with any of them under any scenario or set of circumstances.

Sorry, can't blame the holster for 'User error' any more than I could blame the handgun.

Pretty simple: gotta be smarter than the holster!

JMO - YMMV.

 

[Faine]

Option 4, learn how to properly draw from it and use it. I do not know what is hard about using the pad of your extended finger instead of the tip of your finger.

Have several Serpas, used them extensively for years, never had a single issue with any of them under any scenario or set of circumstances.

Sorry, can't blame the holster for 'User error' any more than I could blame the handgun.

Pretty simple: gotta be smarter than the holster!

JMO - YMMV.

I agree completely, have used my SERPA regularly without any risk of an ND or small child disarming me. BUT to each their own and it's probably best if you're uncomfortable with it to not use it. There are stories of people's firearms getting locked in, having ND's, etc... with them but there are those same stories with other holsters with retention and even long-guns are involved in ND's so to blame the holster seems a little audacious given all the push to blame the driver not the car (ie blame the shooter not the gun). I don't think you should hesitate to sell the holster, just because it's not safe for you to use doesn't mean it's not safe for someone else. Just do your due diligence and make sure they get all the packaging with usage instructions or if not that you tell them to research it's proper use prior to using it so they don't do something silly, use it wrong and make it to the front page.

 

[Thegeek]

I read all these "holster of death" posts and how training groups have banned the serpa from their schools. If you're using it right, a straight finger pressing the release is still a straight finger once the weapon is drawn. Not a real hard concept of physical action to perform. The design of the serpa is so that when your finger is in the safe position along the frame of the weapon, it just happens to lay on the release too.

If you don't like it, sell it. Or, retrain yourself how to draw from it properly. On a passive retention holster, where does your finger go?

 

[cedartop]

I picked option 2. Not nearly so much about the risk of ND, yes it is enhanced with this holster, but as with many things, (like appendix carry) the risk can be mitigated with proper training and reps.(which of course most won't do, hence the problem) My big fault with this holster is its known problem with locking the gun in and not giving it up. No thank you.

 

[Giddaltti]

I have used mine for the past three years without fail. I would hesitate a little if I used a pistol if it had an extremely light trigger pull. Beyound that as with most skills its a matter of training. The option to use it in the car as a vehicle holster is a good choice.