Hello all,
First off, I am new to the forum but am excited to converse with other M&P fans and gun enthusiasts.
I picked up another M&P yesterday in search for an entry level competition weapon. I carry an M&P PRO 4.25" on duty and thought that something along the same lines would work well for entry level competition. I picked up an M&P9 PRO Series CORE 5". After purchasing it I began looking for a holster to compensate it. I have looked at Blade Tech, Comp Tac and 5.11. 5.11 said their thumb drive holster wont fit it, Comp Tac said their "International" model should fit it and I'm waiting to hear back from Blade Tech still. The issue at hand is the CORE has the taller sight posts to allow co-witness with optics.
Is anyone running the M&P PRO CORE 5" with a specific holster set up? Any input on holster options would be great. Thanks in advance and Stay Safe!

You could always try Safariland.com and see what they say. They have competition holsters.

Yes, I have checked out Safariland. I use quite a few of their holsters currently and like them quite a bit. I did not find that they are producing any that will fit the CORE model. I went ahead and ordered one from Comp-Tac; I guess we will see in a week or two if it works! I will let everyone know. Thanks

I have my M&P40L 5" CORE in a BlackHawk leather hip holster that is open on the bottom so it works good for both my FS 40, and my CORE. The second is my BlackHawk Serpa on my hip or the Serpa I have on my Shoulder rig, no problems with the front sight catching.

Thank you for the input. I will look into the Blackhawk series. I have used their SERPA's before and have had good luck with them.

I ordered a Comp-Tac International model holster for my M&P 5" CORE. Just in case others out there are wondering about holster fit for the CORE, the Comp-Tac International model fits perfectly. The top of the holster has a tall front sight groove that allows the taller front sight post to fit in with ease and room to spare. I have yet to get the holster on the range but so far I am pleased.
Blade Tech called me back after I had already purchased the Comp-Tac and said that their OWB holster will fit the CORE and that they would be posting that on their website.
Lastly, the 5" M&P CORE 9mm is a sweet shooter! I was consistently stacking rounds and 10 yards free hand. Now I just have to snag an optic to place on top...
Stay Safe!

Just got a 9L CORE, and went holster shopping. Other than the Black Hawk, the other holsters mentioned above are not found locally.

I discovered that there are two Blackhawks made for the M&P, which "look" similar in the packaging, but one will NOT work.

The one I got has 513R as the last part of the model #, and cross fits a set of Glocks, starting with a model 20. As you can see, the tall sight is inside the holster. The other model allows the sight to extend beyond the holster, and snags on the way out.

I just picked one up from Foxxholster.com He's local in Michigan, puts them together by hand and had it finished along with one for another gun in 3 days. Nice Kydex work. I just got his full size M&P.40 holster so the barrel sticks out a bit (mines the 5") but didn't want to wait for him to customize it to fix, which I'm sure he would do. Take a look, good guy, has a professional shop and does a nice job.

I have a Blade Tech (Blade Tech Holsters - Blade Tech holsters, knives and tactical gear for military, law enforcement, shooting competition and hunting) OWB. I carry a 9c every day and my holster is made for that one but I also use it in competition with my 5" CORE. You can see by the pics I've attached that I don't have any sight clearance problems and I haven't snagged the front sight on a draw (yet, if I do then I'll get a longer Blade Tech). Makes it kind of handy to carry my compact to the range and then swap the CORE into the same holster for practice or a match. The second picture shows the pistol partially drawn to show the sight clearance.

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Minimize the variables

Picture, I hope!

I tried the BladeTech Eclipse OWB yesterday, and it fits the CORE perfectly. Also, White Dog Holsters will make you a custom kydex to fit. I ordered mine on Friday and they're shipping tomorrow! That's amazing!

If you go to the Blade-Tech website and look at the "Revolution", it has the S&W, M&P stampings - it is the holster provided by S&W in their carry kits. It also happens to be $29.99, half the price of their OWB, Black Ice, etc. I borrowed one from the range officer at a recent concealed carry match to try my new 9L CORE, and it worked perfectly.

BTW, I almost ordered a Blackhawk SERPA based on this post. The RO said they will only allow the Blackhawk SERPA to be used at the range if the finger lock is disabled. Evidently there have been accidents from people unlocking the holster with their trigger finger, then maintaining pressure until the trigger clears the holster. This seems unlikely, but under match pressure I guess it is possible.

Its a funny thing about the Serpa. If you do hold your finger down on the release, and then slide the weapon out, the finger ends up on the slide area. Not sure how someone actually hits the trigger without moving their finger down along the trigger guard.

The portion of the mechanism which releases the gun is right over the trigger guard, so there is no way to release the weapon if your finger is putting pressure there.

I guess the issue of actually needing finger pressure is the risk.

Go figure.

My club has had two neglect discharges, one with injuries, when the shooter drew the pistol from the Serpa holster. One pistol was a glock, the other an xdm. Both were experienced shooters. The common factor was the Serpa, so we don't allow them to be used on the range. I have Serpa's and have drawn from them hundreds of times without issue. The second ND scared me and I don't use them in competion only for CC

You will find that a number of shooting schools and ranges do not permit the use of the Blackhawk Serpa holsters. I have witnessed an ND with this holster. It is, in combination with certain thumb safety guns such as the 1911, a really dangerous holster. There is no substitute to the various Safariland holsters IMHO, as the index finger should be used for nothing but pulling the trigger and the level 1, 2 and 3 holsters guarantee just that. I am sure there are other companies that provide similar performance holsters (5.11 thumb drive comes to mind). It would appear that Safariland have now developed a holster for the M&P PRO series, though it is not clear if it is sight compatible: Home Page

Any feedback welcome.

I have recently switched from the Serpa to the Safariland holster. My primary use is for gaming. USPSA/IPSC/Steel.

This one from Safariland is based on the "women's" version, but was modified by me to be USPSA legal. The last pic shows a spacer that pushes the grip away from the body.

Competition Holster System :: HOLSTERS.com

With a hair drier, I brought the outer tilt in to the legal 2" standard.

This makes the draw very fast, as I can get a full grip without fighting my love handles.

Been thinking about the merits of getting a core and I did a measured comparison of guns and holsters with my M&P Pro 9 and my Bladetech holster (one that comes in IDPA comp pack for Pro). I don't see any reason the Core 9 5" won't fit my existing holster even with optics mounted. First and foremost there is plenty of clearance for the taller sights. It also looks like there is plenty of clearance for optics.

A word of warning about buying a serpa holster. Personally I don't like them and consider them unsafe but there are those that will argue either side. Face to face never met anyone, including cops, that care for them. I will add to that seeing first hand a 45 in leg courtesy of a serpa holster. Here again others will argue "training" is required.

Regardless of what anyone thinks here is what is starting to transpire... I shot an IDPA match a couple weeks ago and the range has now formally banned serpa holsters (along with non-rigid IWB holsters). Serpa holsters can be used only if the retention mechanism is fully disabled. Based on what I have seen at various ranges I would bet serpa is well on its way to being banned at ranges and competitions for being unsafe. I have mixed feelings about ranges/clubs making their own rules contrary to published discipline rules but it is what it is.

P.S. I also have the S&W stamped Bladetech that comes in the range kits for fullsize. The M&P Pro does NOT fit it. Surprised someone said a 9L does.

Do you have a link to this holster? I have been looking for a leather holster that will fit my core.

I guess you haven't seen the video where "Tex" Grebner(who actually lives in Metamora, IL) blasts a channel down his leg yet, eh?
Original Upload, I Just Shot Myself! - YouTube



I go to a lot of Tac schools and all have banned the Serpa

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Bud
Lots of S&Ws

I made this rig

Check ebay. I got one that fit my new C.O.R.E. 40 perfectly. It's a Blackhawk Serpa for M&P but it's the Sigma model. Very important for accommodating that tall site. Here's a link to a very affordable seller:
http://*******/18wBA4f

If you buy shorter Dawson sights the ALS safariland 6395 will work. I also got a Blackhawk serpa for the glock 21...fits great, and a 5.11 thumb drive... I like and am used to some type of manipulation on my holsters other than friction fit. Just my .02

This may be a stupid question, but is the CORE model the same as the m&p 9 Pro 5"?

I'm looking for a holster that will be good for USPSA/IDPA/3 gun matches.

No, the sights are taller, which may be an issue with the holster. I use a Blade Tech and have no problems with the CORE.

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Minimize the variables

As already stated, the sights are taller on the core. C.O.R.E. stands for Competition Optic Ready Equipment.

I can highly recommend the Blade Tech Pro Series Competition Speed Rig holster. I recently shot 3.67 from the holster on a 5-plate shoot where the plates were staggered like the "5" pattern on a playing card. I don't shoot plates, so this was a surprise.
During the winter, I shoot indoor PPC. This last 6-week series, I used an M&P CORE with a Leupold Delta Point optic. This pistol featured amazing trigger work by Apex Tactical, with the pull near 2-1/2 pounds. There is no doubt that a light trigger pull is your first key to accuracy.
I have my carry 4.25 CORE adorned with a Trijicon RM-01, as the battery life is rated at 4 years. That would mean that I would change the battery every January 1st. I say "carry" loosely, as my carry option holsters are not so good.
I am smallish, and the Blade Tech Elipse disappears on me with a standard M&P full size gun. I am looking for a like holster for the CORE, one that hides well.

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I just got a Bianchi Venom for my CORE 5" 9mm. A slight bit of work with a very sharp pen knife blade. Higher sights require a small notch inside the top front of the holsterto get the sight started. I did this during initial break-in, and with minimal work got the smooth draw I demanded. Also trimmed 3/16" or so on the top rear of the holster,(all that was required) for my jpoint. Broke it in in two days and have nothing but praise for the fit of the Venom behind my R hip. Conceals with a loose t-shirt on my 145# frame. Ha ha. I forget I am even wearing it, even driving is comfortable. Just Sayin... None of my "leather work" is even detectable. Worked awesome for me.

What did you purchase from Comp-Tac

Hi, I am new here as well. I make my own holsters for my 5 inch pro series CORE. I carry it with a Leupold Reflex and have OWB, CrossBreed SuperTuck replica, and JJ Racazza five.o replica. I love them all. Be happy to help anyone if interested in making one. I am 5'8" and 165 lbs. Carry it with shorts, slacks, firehose Duluth pants, suites, scrubs, etc. Conceals well.

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I'm in LE and use a Pro 9mm with Trijicon HD sights as my duty gun. My duty holster is a Safariland level 3 made for the Pro 9. It has the SLS hood and ALS thumb release. It fits the gun like a glove and snap crisply in/out with ease.

When I am not in uniform, I got the 5.11 (made by blade tech ) thumb drive holster. It fits like glove as well and while not pulling back with the thumb like the ALS, my thumb indexes the thumb drive button and a straight push down and the gun releases very similar to the Safariland. I would highly recommend the 5.11 over the Serpa.

The Safariland 5197 Mid Ride Belt Loop Holster with Detent works fine for me and the price is right..........$21.99
Safariland 5197 Mid Ride Belt Loop Holster Detent Smith Wesson M&P Pro

Blackhawk has sold over 4 million Serpa holsters, making it the most popular retention holster ever made by a huge margin.

This guy engaged the trigger before he rotated the gun. In my book that's operator error, plain and simple.

/c

There will always be people who say that more training is needed or that it was user error when we talk about the Serpa holsters and NDs. The pure fact is that the design does lead to NDs even if they can be avoided with enough training. There are other holsters that perform the role just as well without that extra danger. When I first started shooting Steel Challenge matches not too long ago, I didn't have a good holster to draw from and borrowed a Serpa holster from a friend who had upgraded to a different one. I can totally understand how the design can lead to NDs. I chose to just shoot the match from low ready and not get officially scored than to continue with the Serpa.

There is a reason that many ranges and clubs have banned the Serpa unless the retension mechanism is completely disabled. I can think of at least one that banned them completely just because users who had used them for a while still tried to operate the release even when it was disabled.

As for the original question, I am currently using the Revolution holster with my M&P Pro 5" with the Williams adjustable Fire Sights that are very tall. I had three holsters (I think Safariland and higher end Bladetech) and like the Revolution best. It does stick out very slightly beyond the bottom of the holster but not nearly enough for the front sight to be all the way out and have a chance of getting caught during a draw.

Blade Tech Eclipse & Competition OWB holsters are only available for right handed, there is no left handed holsters in this design. I called Blade Tech to verify. That is a shame as I am left handed.

I used a Blade Tech competition holster for a while (4 months or so). What I noticed was that it was getting progressively looser. I figured this was because of the unsupported open front. I didn't want it falling out into the dirt when I was at a match so I went to a Safariland 014 holster. Much more secure (and faster too). They do make a left hand version of this.

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Minimize the variables

I have the m&p 40 performance center 4.25" & just ordered a bladetech pro speed rig .....they are 3-5 weeks out on production though

Just came in....Going to try it out tomm after my prone match

I had no idea what a pain it would be trying to get local assistance to find a holster for my M&P CORE. Also S&W customer service was virtually useless, I am sad and so sorry to say with the help of securing an appropriate holster for IDPA/USPSA.
This forum was super helpful than you all for your input.

BTW: To my great surprise, I discovered accidentally that my XDm 9mm gear works perfectly with the M&P CORE. Buy the holster and double mag holder from Springfield Armory and you are good to go!

One would think S&W might have someone on their staff monitor this forum and the M-P forum to help out or keep them on top of their customer base. No?

I got the Safariland 6378-383-411 and after heating it up a bit and putting a few sheets of paper under the trigger guard I was getting a smooth draw. One other thing was to remove the leather from just the top where the front sight caught a little when the glue from the leather gave a little. I like the style of the holster and well worth a little extra fitting to have a holster. I don't have my RMR sigh yet so I haven't cut into the holster yet but I think a dremel and a cut blade will do fine to make room and do away with the locking mechanism.

I use a blade tech and a safariland set up but I would like a duty holster with a level 2 or level 3 retention system that still accommodates my reflex sight. Right now my only thoughts are modifying a holster by cutting out a section of the slide area to make room for the reflex sight. Any other ideas?

Safariland 578 Pro (Pro Long for 5") Comes with paddle and belt loop attachments.
Has plenty of clearance for high (CORE) sights.

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Check out Crossbreeds site. Was checking there today and they have 3 or 4 different holsters that will fit, both IWB and OTB. They will have a drop down box that you check if you have a red dot mounted and if the iron sights are high for co-witness.

If you grant quality real gun leather talk to Rob Leahy at Simply Rugged, he will set you up.

I don't much care for Kydex, it picks up grit and scratches guns.

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Even older, even crankier....

My 5" Pro CORE with JPoint fits perfectly in the 5.11 Thumb Drive holster.