Safariland 5378 - finally, a concealable retention holster

[HeavyDuty Ken]

I prefer retention holsters for carry much of the time. My retention holster of choice has been the Safariland 6378 ALS paddle model, but it's not the most concealable rig in the world due to the thickness required between holster and belt for the retention device and release.

Safariland recently released a new design of retention rig that is optimized for concealed carry. It rides much closer to the body and is as concealable as most other OWB holsters. It's called the "GLS" series.

They aren't available for many guns yet, but they can be had for the M&P FS, M&P compact and the Shield. It comes in three varieties - the 5377 with a belt loop plate, the 5378 with both belt loop plate and paddle and the 5379 with a hinged clip. I've tried all three methods, and prefer the paddle over the belt loop plate, and the clip on a distant third place.

It's an economical holster, too - mine was about $35 from an on line dealer. I'm very impressed with it so far.

If you're like me and like retention, this holster may be worth a look!

Model 5378 GLS? Concealment Paddle and Belt Slide Holster | Safariland?

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

Oops, forgot the pic!

 

[TAMARISK]

I prefer retention holsters for carry much of the time. My retention holster of choice has been the Safariland 6378 ALS paddle model, but it's not the most concealable rig in the world due to the thickness required between holster and belt for the retention device and release.

Safariland recently released a new design of retention rig that is optimized for concealed carry. It rides much closer to the body and is as concealable as most other OWB holsters. It's called the "GLS" series.

They aren't available for many guns yet, but they can be had for the M&P FS, M&P compact and the Shield. It comes in three varieties - the 5377 with a belt loop plate, the 5378 with both belt loop plate and paddle and the 5379 with a hinged clip. I've tried all three methods, and prefer the paddle over the belt loop plate, and the clip on a distant third place.

It's an economical holster, too - mine was about $35 from an on line dealer. I'm very impressed with it so far.

If you're like me and like retention, this holster may be worth a look!

Model 5378 GLS? Concealment Paddle and Belt Slide Holster | Safariland?

+1 on the Safariland, have one for my 9FS, and it's become the only OWB holster I use for that gun.

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

I was asked on another forum to shoot a pic showing the thickness difference between a 6378 and a 5378, and thought it might be good to show it here, too:

6378 on the left, 5378 on the right - both Shield versions. The ALS hardware on the 6378 results in the additional thickness.

I prefer the way ALS operates, but the new system is much more concealable. I'm sticking with ALS for OC field rigs but will probably start picking up more GLS holsters for CCW.

 

[RPeacock1128]

I love Safariland products. - I used the Level 3 duty holster most of my LE career. Long lasting with great function and fit. I'll probably get one to add to my "holster" collection. Thanks for the heads up......

RP

 

[CTPete]

Which online retailer had it in stock?

 

[CTPete]

Also…..

I like the design of this holster, but I wonder….if a threat tries to grab the gun, won't they automatically be able to get the gun out of the holster just by gripping it??

 

[olman]

Does anyone know how high the holster rides when paddle is removed and the holster becomes basically a 5377 model? Does the holster have an upswept hook on it that fits around ones belt? Thanks

 

[CTPete]

In addition, this type of holster is a bad idea for other reasons as well. Anything that is held together with bolts, screws and widgets is not well thought out. Sooner or later, the holster body remains in one place and the belt loop, belt hanger, paddle, or whatever attachment method the user chooses goes with the wearer to a different location. Screws and bolts have a knack to loosen and fall apart at the worst possible time. If you get one of these, put your hex wrench on your key ring - you will need it.

I believe that this holster is akin to the ALS duty models that have the hood and the thumb retention system. This series is probably the most common duty holster in use today. I find it hard to believe that the screws or other body parts are likely to loosen or fall apart. My own experience with the ALS duty system has been nothing short of complete reliability.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Sorry, but the holster in question is not capable of concealment in any manner suitable for a private citizen. For a police officer who wears his badge next to the holster on the belt, and who does not mind the bulge, well ok. That holster is more suited to being "covered," but it is not effective at true "concealment." If you think otherwise, look closely at the almost "jacket slot" between the body and the grip of the pistol in the Safariland video on the company's web page at the link in Post 1.

In addition, this type of holster is a bad idea for other reasons as well. Anything that is held together with bolts, screws and widgets is not well thought out. Sooner or later, the holster body remains in one place and the belt loop, belt hanger, paddle, or whatever attachment method the user chooses goes with the wearer to a different location. Screws and bolts have a knack to loosen and fall apart at the worst possible time. If you get one of these, put your hex wrench on your key ring - you will need it.

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

Sorry, but the holster in question is not capable of concealment in any manner suitable for a private citizen. For a police officer who wears his badge next to the holster on the belt, and who does not mind the bulge, well ok. That holster is more suited to being "covered," but it is not effective at true "concealment." If you think otherwise, look closely at the almost "jacket slot" between the body and the grip of the pistol in the Safariland video on the company's web page at the link in Post 1.

In addition, this type of holster is a bad idea for other reasons as well. Anything that is held together with bolts, screws and widgets is not well thought out. Sooner or later, the holster body remains in one place and the belt loop, belt hanger, paddle, or whatever attachment method the user chooses goes with the wearer to a different location. Screws and bolts have a knack to loosen and fall apart at the worst possible time. If you get one of these, put your hex wrench on your key ring - you will need it.

Opinions are a wonderful thing.

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

Which online retailer had it in stock?

I got mine from Red Diamond in Ohio.

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

I like the design of this holster, but I wonder….if a threat tries to grab the gun, won't they automatically be able to get the gun out of the holster just by gripping it??

It's not anywhere near as snatch proof as an ALS rig, but I think it's acceptable for a concealment rig - about the same protection as a SERPA, the Bianchi PaddleLok or the DeSantis Chek-Mate. If I'm going to be in a snatch environment, I'll be wearing an ALS.

 

[sierra255]

Shawn, very interesting points. A friend gave me a BlackHawk Serpa CQC holster and it also has screws holding the paddle attachment on, but when removed it becomes a belt holster.

I was wondering what you and the members on this forum think of this holster and it's retention system and the BlackHawk brand ? I have always used a leather holster myself.

 

[wittmeba]

I was asked on another forum to shoot a pic showing the thickness difference between a 6378 and a 5378, and thought it might be good to show it here, too:

6378 on the left, 5378 on the right - both Shield versions. The ALS hardware on the 6378 results in the additional thickness.

I prefer the way ALS operates, but the new system is much more concealable. I'm sticking with ALS for OC field rigs but will probably start picking up more GLS holsters for CCW.

Thanks for posting the picture showing the thickness comparison.

I'm looking at two different styles for carry and both will yield concealed carry abilities.

OWB or Open Carry: I have a Blade-Tech and I have ordered a paddle attachment. That will make it similar to your pic above. If this is used with a long shirt it becomes a concealed carry which I will use also.

I have also ordered an AlienGear which is a Hybrid IWB. But someone posted a picture that shows the shell pretty compressed and flattened against the leather. Of all the Hybrids I've looked at I like the AlienGear the best but the compression is a concern. Theirs is on stand-offs (rubber tubing) to allow for compression to control the retention amount. Others use solid rivets to the leather which requires the shell to be a little deeper but doesn't distort the shape as much - from what I understand.

So...I thought if the shell of the Blade-Tech (or some better brand) won't compress (at least not as much) I could remove the AlienGear shell (only covers the outer side of the gun) and replace it with a better full shell and have an almost "Perfect/Best" holster.

The Safariland shell looks really good but is a bit more expensive - difference between $25.00 and $38.00 just for the shell.

I'll post pics as soon as it arrives. Thanks for the info.

 

[bobelk99]

Opinions are a wonderful thing.

And perhaps worthy of lengthy consideration.

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

And perhaps worthy of lengthy consideration.

Thanks, but I'll rely on my own long experience with gear in general and Safariland duty and off duty gear specifically.

 

[Mr. Satchmo]

I prefer retention holsters for carry much of the time. My retention holster of choice has been the Safariland 6378 ALS paddle model, but it's not the most concealable rig in the world due to the thickness required between holster and belt for the retention device and release.



Safariland recently released a new design of retention rig that is optimized for concealed carry. It rides much closer to the body and is as concealable as most other OWB holsters. It's called the "GLS" series.



They aren't available for many guns yet, but they can be had for the M&P FS, M&P compact and the Shield. It comes in three varieties - the 5377 with a belt loop plate, the 5378 with both belt loop plate and paddle and the 5379 with a hinged clip. I've tried all three methods, and prefer the paddle over the belt loop plate, and the clip on a distant third place.



It's an economical holster, too - mine was about $35 from an on line dealer. I'm very impressed with it so far.



If you're like me and like retention, this holster may be worth a look!



Model 5378 GLS? Concealment Paddle and Belt Slide Holster | Safariland?

Now that is what I need, I had bought the paddle "concealment" holster 6378 and it was way too bulky!

 

[Rastoff]

Ken,
Thanks for that review. It was very well written.

I prefer retention holsters for carry much of the time.

All holsters are retentions holsters. Otherwise the gun wouldn't stay in the holster at all. The question is, what level of retention do you want?

Holsters come in three retention levels:

Level I-
A holster that releases the gun with just a simple pull. That doesn't mean it isn't held in by something, it only means it takes one action to remove it.

Level II-
A holster that requires two actions. One to release some kind of catch or lock and another to pull the gun free.

Level III-
A holster that requires two actions before the gun can be removed. One to release a lock, one to free the gun and the third is actually pulling the gun free.

I like the idea of the GLS from Safariland. However, it is not what I would call a level II holster. The reason I say that is that it doesn't prevent a snatch very well. Because a normal grip will release the mechanism, anyone grabbing the gun is likely to defeat that mechanism as they try to grab it. Even so, it will hold the gun in securely while running or some other form of activity, this is a very good thing.

Until they make one for a 1911 or the M&P .45, I won't be getting one, but I would like to try it.

sierra255,
The Blackhawk Serpa holster is an example of a decent level II holster. The problem I have with it is that it requires the trigger finger to operate a lever to release the gun. In my opinion, the trigger finger should be doing nothing but finding the reference point or trigger. I've seen many people get hung up trying to remove their guns from this type of holster.

I have a Safariland 6005 that was issued to me for the M9. It is a very high quality Level III holster. It is not concealable and is not designed for a speedy presentation. I would only use it if I were a LE or Military personnel on assignment.

 

[Mr. Satchmo]

Oops, forgot the pic!

I'm really liking this holster and it will be my next purchase, I have a Blackhawk serpa cqc concealment holster for my 1911 and I love it but I want to go a different route for my M&P FS, the safariland concealment holster I bought before is nice but it's too bulky for concealment. I will probably order this soon.