Serpa for Shield:$30 OWB Concealment

[Scorpion520AZ]

I've been experimenting lately using the Serpa "CQC" concealment holster to carry my PC Shield 9mm on a steel core belt from BullHide. I've had a great deal of professional training using Serpa Duty Holsters with full-size duty pistols, and I like the Serpa a lot. This Serpa "CQC" holster is my first experience using the Serpa in a CCW role.

I also never, ever put my finger on the trigger until my sights are on target and I'm ready to fire, better known as "Rule #3". My point here is the Serpa is not recommended for those who are not willing to train in it's proper use. See Rule #3.*

I bought this holster on Amazon for $30.00. So right off the bat it's economical. Second, it's amazingly versatile. The SCH can be adjusted to fit a variety of belt width sizes. It's also fully adjustable from straight drop to just about any carry angle you desire. For CCW I prefer a slight forward cant.

The SCH is ultra light to the point where the "feel" of the holster disappears as you wear it. I carry it strong side, 3:00-3:30. There's an adjustable retention screw so the user can adjust the retention setting to personal preference.

With dry fire practice at home, the Serpa System draw is incredibly fast. Using the Serpa I regularly beat the draw of guys using open top holsters. Draw speed is all about technique, avoiding wasted motion, and constant practice. If someone tells you the Serpa is a "slow" holster, they're wrong. Reholstering is easy and secure as the pistol locks back into the holster.

I've used the Serpa in all types of abusive environments and I've found it to be rugged and reliable. I've never experienced a holster failure of any type. The Serpa profile is thin, minimal, but very strong.

If you hate Serpa, hate kydex, hate active retention, hate BlackHawk, etc., I get it, I hear you. It's not for everyone. On the other hand, if the Serpa interests you, it's an excellent, versatile holster that provides a lot of bang-for-the-buck.
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Gun Belts – bullhidebelts

Home - BLACKHAWK!

Universal Firearms Safety Rules

Rule #1 All guns are always loaded.
There are no exceptions. If someone hands you a firearm, no matter what you were told, the gun should always be treated as if it were loaded.

Rule #2 NEVER let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. This applies to everyone and everything. Make certain no matter what you are doing that your muzzle is always pointed in a safe direction. In the event of a negligent discharge this rule ensures that no harm will occur to any person, property, or yourself.

*RULE #3 Keep your finger off the trigger until the sights are on target and you are ready to fire. This is the most important rule and often the most violated.

Rule #4 Be sure of your target. Know what it is, what's in line with it, and what's beyond it. If you're not 100% certain that your bullet will be stopped safely, don't shoot.

 

[Watchdog]

Before I got a .45 Shield, my regular carry pistol was a Glock 30S in a Blackhawk Serpa holster.

I liked it for winter time concealed carry under winter coats and jackets, but it didn't work all that well concealed under a t-shirt in warm weather.

For whatever it's worth, I agree with most of what you say about the Serpa, and $30 is a great price for one. I did particularly like the secure click of the lockup when reholstering. But I didn't find the holster to have that thin of a profile, and for me it definitely was not a "minimal" holster. Too many bumps and ridges...does not have a flat/smooth outer surface. And with the curve of the back plate, it sticks out a bit too far for my tastes...doesn't carry the pistol as flat to the body as I prefer.

I still have the holster, by the way, and being somewhat dissatisfied with the .45 Shield now, may switch back to carrying the 30S in the Serpa as the weather turns cooler and colder. If I decide to abandon the Shield, I'd probably warm weather carry the Glock in a really minimalist plain Jane type holster like a DeSantis mini-scabbard. Or even a Yaqui slide.

 

[bigwheelzip]

It's well made and I like the retain functionality. I bought it to CC the 9mm Shield but couldn't conceal it without a jacket or vest, which don't get worn often in South Carolina.
Still have it in my Box-O-Holsters.

 

[Scorpion520AZ]

Before I got a .45 Shield, my regular carry pistol was a Glock 30S in a Blackhawk Serpa holster.

I liked it for winter time concealed carry under winter coats and jackets, but it didn't work all that well concealed under a t-shirt in warm weather.

For whatever it's worth, I agree with most of what you say about the Serpa, and $30 is a great price for one. I did particularly like the secure click of the lockup when reholstering. But I didn't find the holster to have that thin of a profile, and for me it definitely was not a "minimal" holster. Too many bumps and ridges...does not have a flat/smooth outer surface. And with the curve of the back plate, it sticks out a bit too far for my tastes...doesn't carry the pistol as flat to the body as I prefer.

I still have the holster, by the way, and being somewhat dissatisfied with the .45 Shield now, may switch back to carrying the 30S in the Serpa as the weather turns cooler and colder. If I decide to abandon the Shield, I'd probably warm weather carry the Glock in a really minimalist plain Jane type holster like a DeSantis mini-scabbard. Or even a Yaqui slide.

Thanks for your detailed, constructive reply, great photo too. I hear you. Keep in mind I was referring to how well the Shield 9mm carries in a Serpa for CCW. The Shield 9mm is a much thinner profile than a Glock 30S, so I've no doubt the G30s doesn't ride as closely to the body.

Take a look at the below photo. The belt attachment curves tightly around my hip at 3:00. The holster profile is so thin the only real width from my body is the width of the Shield itself. You can just barely see the outside of the holster. Today I'm wearing it under a baggy, dark blue t-shirt.

And yes, I like the Serpa "click" when reholstering too.

I got this one off Amazon.

 

[Scorpion520AZ]

It's well made and I like the retain functionality. I bought it to CC the 9mm Shield but couldn't conceal it without a jacket or vest, which don't get worn often in South Carolina.
Still have it in my Box-O-Holsters.

LOL, I hear you. I have a few holster "bins" myself.
Obviously I wear it with shirts untucked. My tshirt size is Large but for CCW I wear XL. I also prefer very dark colored shirts for CCW. With button down, dark color, short sleeved shirts I've found it conceals even easier.

 

[Watchdog]

Keep in mind I was referring to how well the Shield 9mm carries in a Serpa for CCW. The Shield 9mm is a much thinner profile than a Glock 30S, so I've no doubt the G30s doesn't ride as closely to the body.

Of course you're right about the thin profile of the Shield versus the Glock. The 30S is a fat little pistol. Well, maybe not fat, but still...it's chunky. It is, after all, a double-stack .45acp. I'd seriously been considering the Glock 36, but bought the Shield instead...before the rebate thing came along. It was still almost half the price of the G36, though...but now I wish I'd gone with the Glock.

 

[Scorpion520AZ]

Of course you're right about the thin profile of the Shield versus the Glock. The 30S is a fat little pistol. Well, maybe not fat, but still...it's chunky. It is, after all, a double-stack .45acp. I'd seriously been considering the Glock 36, but bought the Shield instead...before the rebate thing came along. It was still almost half the price of the G36, though...but now I wish I'd gone with the Glock.

I like all three pistols, the G30S, G36, and Shield 45. I especially like that G36 though. It's a pint-sized black mamba for sure.

 

[Old cop]

I have a Serpa for my Gen 3 Glock 17 but only use it for annual LEOSA qualification and like it. It was the only holster available for a leftie at my LGS (I was in a hurry). Knowing the downside of this design I practiced my draw @ home, dry fire, until the motion became second nature (muscle memory).

 

[Protected One]

I use a Blackhawk Serpa Holster when I carry my Gen 4 Glock 23 in the cooler months. It requires a more "stout" cover garment due to the thickness of the gun and the fact that it stands off from the body more than my Shield 9. Good retention, and I too like that "click" when re-holstering.

 

[Ranger17]

OK, apologies if this is a dumb question but here it goes lol. And note i do not yet carry so any holster research i do is still in the infant stage.

I've been looking at this holster style as an owb option; I like the retention it has and if I pursue a non-leather holster this has been high on my list. I understand one would train to the point that its release is just part of any motion. But what does one do when they switch to iwb, or perhaps try a different holster design. Do you find that by not using the Serpa for awhile, it takes a little time to "remember" it's release feature is needed?

Probably overthinking it all, just was curious.

thx!

 

[Watchdog]

OK, apologies if this is a dumb question but here it goes lol. And note i do not yet carry so any holster research i do is still in the infant stage.

I've been looking at this holster style as an owb option; I like the retention it has and if I pursue a non-leather holster this has been high on my list. I understand one would train to the point that its release is just part of any motion. But what does one do when they switch to iwb, or perhaps try a different holster design. Do you find that by not using the Serpa for awhile, it takes a little time to "remember" it's release feature is needed?

Probably overthinking it all, just was curious.

thx!

You might be overthinking it, but it's still a legitimate question, not a dumb one.

First, I'll say that I don't carry IWB. Never have. Probably never will.

But...I do OWB carry with different styles of holster. I don't think you'll need to "remember" how to draw from the Serpa after using another holster. Or vice versa.

As you make the draw (this is speaking for myself, okay?) with your trigger finger extended, the finger falls naturally on the Serpa's release button (or tab, or whatever you want to call it). And as your hand moves upward grasping the pistol, the trigger finger simply slides and releases the pistol. It takes very little pressure.

Now, you might have to retrain a bit if you've never used the Serpa, but once the motion is "learned", you won't forget how to do it.

 

[Scorpion520AZ]

Actually, that's a good, honest question. The proper combat draw was developed long before the Serpa was invented. The Serpa was invented to work with a proper combat grip and draw. That is, index finger *straight* along the outside of the holster so that drawing the pistol places the index finger in it's proper place, "straight" against the frame of the pistol.

The Serpa doesn't require a "special" grip of any kind to draw the pistol, and contrary to popular belief, the Serpa doesn't require the "pushing of a button". The biggest mistake you see is people "pushing" the release with the pad or tip of the index finger. The release is activated by the index finger when doing a proper combat grip and draw.

A proper combat grip and draw should be consistent no matter what the holster material is or where the holster is carried. Train to develop a proper combat grip and draw and holster use will fall into place.

When changing holsters or holster location, it's a good idea to dry-fire practice the draw at home to develop or renew muscle memory. I recommend 10 Sets of 10. Ten, slow, smooth presentations, take a break, then 10 more until you've done 100. I usually do it during commercials when watching TV. I also do ten, slow, smooth dry-fire draws every single day right before I leave my house.

Don't worry about draw speed. Remember, slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Good Luck.



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