Blackhawk Serpa holster...I'm not liking it

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I tried out my newly purchased Blackhawk Serpa paddle holster today during an "off-duty" match.

I had to draw my Dan Wesson CBob from my hip while moving my coat out of the way.

I found that if the gun was put in the holster (it makes the click sound) and pushed down hard, drawing it was not a problem (pushing the lever/button retaining device).

However, when for some reason, the gun was pulled up slightly and tension was put on the retaining device, the gun would not release!

Yikes! I was pushing the lever/button but I could not get the gun out of the holster.

Has anyone else had this happen? I wasn't able to get a few rounds off so I lost some points during the match...but...that's nothing compared to drawing and not getting the gun out of the holster in a life threatening situation.

I think this holster is going up for sale soon....
 
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I tried out my newly purchased Blackhawk Serpa paddle holster today during an "off-duty" match.

I had to draw my Dan Wesson CBob from my hip while moving my coat out of the way.

I found that if the gun was put in the holster (it makes the click sound) and pushed down hard, drawing it was not a problem (pushing the lever/button retaining device).

However, when for some reason, the gun was pulled up slightly and tension was put on the retaining device, the gun would not release!

Yikes! I was pushing the lever/button but I could not get the gun out of the holster.

Has anyone else had this happen? I wasn't able to get a few rounds off so I lost some points during the match...but...that's nothing compared to drawing and not getting the gun out of the holster in a life threatening situation.

I think this holster is going up for sale soon....
 
I have the BlackHawk CQC SERPA (m/n 410525BK-R ) for my M&P40 (though it also holsters my M&P40c and M&P357c) and I really like it. I've not had any problems drawing from it though, just now trying, I can see that it is difficult to depress the release while the internal latching mechanism is under tension (from trying to draw without a simultaneous release effort). Personally, I think this a good thing. Maybe, because yours is "newly purchased", it's simply a matter of a little practice. I find I don't really even think about depressing the release as I draw; it just naturally happens for me. Having said that, however, I will admit that there are a couple of guys whith whom I shoot who, like you, simply don't like the holster. I'd give it a little more time.
 
I have two for my MP 9/40 and 45 acp

never a problem. Check the inside of the

holster. I bought one used and someone

took it apart and had to put it back together

the right way. Fine now good luck
 
My son purchased one for use in Iraq. The holster fell apart. I'll be sending it back to Blackhawk for him.
 
I've found that the most reliable draw for me is to press down on the backstrap as my first contact with the gun. My index finger hits the release as my middle ring and pinkie are wrapping around the grip. I then make sure the index fnger stays depressed as I draw and it wipes upward as the gun is withdrawn. Like any retention holster, there is a learning curve. I would submit the curve on this one is much shorter than some of the other "trick" retention designs. It is also a fairly instinctive design unlike many others.
 
I carry my duty gun in one! (Para 7.45 LDA) Works fine. I got the "duty" model, but it rode too low, and made my hip hurt when I sat in the car. So, since I prefer a high-ride holster anyway, I took one of my "off-duty" models, with the belt loop back, and it fits fine on my nylon duty belt (with the tensioners removed from the belt slots). We are required to have a Level II holster. My Chief asked at one point if my holster really held the gun in securely. I told him it was Level II, and showed him the SERPA lock, and haven't heard a thing since then. But, number one rule- use only a holster that YOU are completely comfortable with!!!
 
I've never heard anything good about their "off duty" or concealment holsters. Several people I know tried them, found them to be too much work to get the gun out, uncomfortable and just not quite right.

But, never tried one myself.

Bob
 
From what I understand, Safariland is the gold standard when it comes to Level II and Level III holsters.

Why settle for anything less?
 
We were taught that the retention is supposed to tighten up when the gun is pulled unless you push the button. It is a safety feature. I can now get my gun out of my serpa level 3 blackhawk easier and faster than anything I have used. Its like nothing is holding it in.
 
I have one for M&P 40 & J frame, I had them for couple of years. I like them however not everything works for everyone. But with practice you can draw fast. My nephew and I compete on the draw all the time with a shot timer. My best with the M&P for five shots out of the holster was 1.96 seconds. I'm not braging just an example of how quick you can draw with the Blackhawk serpa lock if you practice. (a lot!) But for comfort I prefer a quality leather rig, without a doubt. I will say though in regards to the trainers statement in the thread, I don't see it as anymore prone to accident than any quality holster. If the holster covers the trigger during the draw, that leaves the shooter at fault for ADs. Just because a person does not like a product does not make it a bad product....This is my opinion doesn't make me always right....like I said best to use what you are comfortable and confident with, bottem line....
 
Originally posted by magnum12pm:
I will say though in regards to the trainers statement in the thread, I don't see it as anymore prone to accident than any quality holster. If the holster covers the trigger during the draw, that leaves the shooter at fault for ADs.
Click to expand...
The SERPA forces you to push in with your trigger finger in a place where, if you are not particularly careful, you can keep pushing after the gun is out and have an ND.

Is it the shooter's fault? Yes. Is the holster lacking complicity in this? NO. It is a contributing factor.

Like I said before, Safariland is THE gold standard in retention holsters. I see no reason to compromise on this if I wanted or needed a retention holster.
 
I will not buy a holster that has a unique retention device...I have a level 3 Safariland and I train with it for my duty gun....all the rest are plain open tops...don't need another thing to have to think about.
 
I have a couple, one for a Glock and one for J-Frames. Because I'm pretty active, I like the light retention of this holster. The pancake option isn't as comfortable as some others I have tried, but I like the belt attachment pretty well.

As far as "problems" with AD's, I will not presume to have the experience Mr. Suarez and others have, but I see it as more a training issue than a holster issue. Most every holster I own places your trigger finger near the trigger as the gun is removed. Years of drawing practice and trigger control keep me from putting the finger down as the gun clears the holster. No different than any other holster I use.

However, I can also see the point that the SERPA requires you to be pushing inward at the time the gun clears, and depending on placement of the holster on your hip, cant angle you choose, length and diameter of your fingers, etc., you can have the finger in the right place at the wrong time.

I submit this is true with most if not all holster designs though.

Perhaps Mr. Suarez liability insurance has as much to do with his disallowing this particular holster. I'm willing to bet he doesn't stop his LEO and military students required to use retention holsters from bringing their duty rigs. But since I believe he has experienced an AD with this holster, they possibly have stepped in with their "advice" on what should be used or not.
 
Gun games are show time when the buzzer sounds. The gun must come out of the holster (Serpa in the case) smooth and fast. Nonetheless, you have to agree, he is one excellent shooter to watch.
 
Todd is amazing. Great link.

I'd also like to point out that the "buzzer" might be that alarm in your head, or the real one in your home.

Also, like I mentioned earlier, I'm fairly active during the day. Laying on the floor, rolling around working on things, even outside cutting wood and hiking. The security of a level 1 retention device is worthwhile to me.
 
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