Safariland ALS concealment holsters

[Smithsrevenge]

So I ran into one of these today at my local police supply. And being in need of a owb retention holster that was NOT a serpa , and being the price point of $49.99 I thought, what can it hurt?

So I left the store with it thinking it will be nice seeing as I use a ALS 6360 holster for duty work. Got home and I was right. This holster is my duty holster except it only has the ALS thumb lever. No hood. No hood guard. No light bearing capability... But the same dang thing!

It is even lined with suede ! Comes with a paddle attachment, and belt attachment *although the belt is more flimsy than the paddle*.

And it's Safariland quality! Definitely a keeper!

Here's some gratuitous holster porn


Sent from my VS930 4G using Tapatalk 2

 

[WC145]

I've used one for plainclothes work with a 1911, absolutely the fastest security holster out there. I used in in IDPA also, just as fast as a zero retention holster, your thumb sweeps the release then the safety in one smooth movement as you draw.

 

[Rastoff]

I have been looking at these since someone mentioned them in another thread last week. They intrigue me a lot.

I love the suede lining. I'm just not sure about the ALS though. I'm very curious to hear more about how it affects your presentation.

WC145,
You say you use it in IDPA. Don't you feel that it slows the draw? Is releasing the ALS really a natural motion?

I have also considered the Safariland 5198 because it doesn't have the ALS. I like the security of the ALS, but I don't want to hinder the presentation.

 

[Smithsrevenge]

I have been looking at these since someone mentioned them in another thread last week. They intrigue me a lot.

I love the suede lining. I'm just not sure about the ALS though. I'm very curious to hear more about how it affects your presentation.

WC145,
You say you use it in IDPA. Don't you feel that it slows the draw? Is releasing the ALS really a natural motion?

I have also considered the Safariland 5198 because it doesn't have the ALS. I like the security of the ALS, but I don't want to hinder the presentation.

It's very fast. The ALS is not activated by a secondary motion. The natural grip of the weapon activates it. As you grip the gun, your thumb naturally sweeps over the lever as you form a grip and you just pull up on the gun. Once you get the hang of it you can draw in under a 1/4 of a second. It's the fastest retention holster I've ever used. Even my duty model which is a level 3 takes less than a second for me to present and fire the first round.. Compared to my 070..... It's 1/2 the draw time and natural placement of the hand does all the work for you. Also grabbing the weapon in a non natural angle makes drawing very difficult, thus increasing the security of the weapon.

Sent from my VS930 4G using Tapatalk 2

 

[Rastoff]

Also grabbing the weapon in a non natural angle makes drawing very difficult, thus increasing the security of the weapon.

Please tell me that this statement applies only to your level III holster. It sounds contrary to what the 6360 is designed for.

 

[Smithsrevenge]

Please tell me that this statement applies only to your level III holster. It sounds contrary to what the 6360 is designed for.

Nope. Both. It's designed so that if someone were to let's say grab it from the side, the rear or the front the natural motion of them grabbing the weapon would not unlock the ALS. Thus disabling them from removing it from the holster unless they already knew how the lock worked. They are both designed so that the user can fluidly draw the weapon but secondary people's can not do so with ease.

The ALS is moved back by natural thumb motion while making a grip from a straight angle. However it is hidden by the rear of the slide. So any grip angle other than the users, coupled with the users knowledge of the ALS will not disengage the ALS

Only difference between the concealment and the 6360 is the secondary safety of the ALS hood

that must rotate forward to activate the rearward ALS. Take that away and you get level 2 retention. Aka the concealment model

Here's 2 vids to attest to the speed.

ALS concealment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WlJv2nZ2n0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

ALS 6360
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8A7k3rgkrM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Sent from my VS930 4G using Tapatalk 2

 

[Rastoff]

OK, I misread the statement. I read it as though the shooter was grabbing it at a non-natural angle. What he meant was if someone else grabbed it, they would be at a non-natural angle. I got it now.

Another reason I'm asking about the ALS is due to my experience. I have a 6005 that was issued by the Air Force. It has the SLS and that is not very good. To release the hood the shooter has to move his thumb much further away from the gun than should be necessary. Thus the presentation from that holster is quite slow.

I suppose you could get used to it over time, but I want something that doesn't require anything beyond the natural motion.

 

[WC145]

Smithsrevenge is right, the ALS release doesn't slow the draw at all, I was easily as fast or faster than the guys with zero retention holsters. It does take some practice to get the proper draw stroke, if you twist the gun it won't come out, it is surprisingly secure for as simple as the retention device is.

I carried an HK USPc in an SLS holster, didn't have any issues with it. I have a Blade-tech duty holster with a rotating hood similar to the SLS except it's spring loaded. It's okay, the best you can get for a FNP45 Tactical w/Trijicon red dot.