B5 Systems

Blackhawk! Serpa Holsters Recalled (Again)

This isn’t the first time that Blackhawk! has recalled their SERPA holsters. Apparently, this time it’s the light bearing models made before 2011.

SERPA Safety Notice

The issue is that some SERPA Level 3 Light Bearing Duty Holsters have broken away from the jacket slot (the interface between holster and belt) due to improper assembly caused by using excessive force, improper screws or missing screws. They are offering a free replacement holster.

Visit www.blackhawk.com and follow the directions.

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13 Responses to “Blackhawk! Serpa Holsters Recalled (Again)”

  1. That’s too bad. I know there is a lot of debate over which is better: safari land and Serpa, but I have used both extensively, and my favorite is still the Serpa.

  2. Joe says:

    POS holster. Dangerous, poorly made, and no match for the better options out there.

  3. Joe says:

    Safariland ALS holsters are the new industry standards for duty carries. Check those out. Love mine.

  4. kenny c says:

    i personally think the serpa is a well built holster. maybe not for everyone, but it is a good piece of kit.
    and i think the fact that Blackhawk! is owning up to the flaw and giving free replacements is very good, and it shows their dedication to customer service.
    i think the serpa gets a bad rap, due to shooter negligence and poor training. i love mine just as much as i love my 6004.
    practice makes perfect.

    • Matt says:

      The SERPA’s “bad rap” is a result of many, many failures. Sand, dirt and snow clog the retention button. Holster can break free from the mount(as documented in a disarming event involving an officer in upstate NY). Also, the holster uses a draw method that puts the finger over the trigger, which when combined with stress has shown to equal NDs. Ok, this is a training issue as well, but what is the advantage that the trigger-finger release offers over a thumb release?

      • mike says:

        Well, that depends if you’re using a pistol that you can breathe on the trigger to discharge or one you have to give a solid squeeze. I would never use a SERPA with Glock/modern Walthers/XD but I have no problem using one with a SIG.

    • straps says:

      Yeah awesome. I’m sure that troop waay off the beaten path in Afghanistan is over the moon about BHI!’s dedication to customer service, and that nobody between Virginia Beach and someplace like FOB Mizan has ANYTHING better to do than replace holsters that weren’t worthy of fielding in the first place.

      • kenny c says:

        i meant that the customer service for the LEO guys/civilians/non-deployed troops. ya if one breaks out in the sticks, that person is pretty much SOL.
        but i sorta feel the NDs are the users fault. the holster isnt pulling the trigger and your finger doesn’t go inside the trigger guard because of the holster, it rests flat against the gun when you draw. trigger fingers can still be controlled under stress. just my opinion though.

  5. jellydonut says:

    Larry Vickers and Kyle Defoor, former special operations and now trainers, and Todd Green, well-renowned pistol trainer, have all banned the SERPA in class. To my knowledge Suarez International has also banned it.

    This holster is an abomination. Blackhawk should discontinue this holster, apologize for the massive failure it is, warn against using it for anything but airsoft, and offer refunds. Before they do so I won’t respect them or buy their products.

  6. RTAsp says:

    Several federal agencies recently have banned Serpas (including mine). Looks like FLETC will soon or has already recommended against their use also.

    • SSD says:

      We know the Office of the Inspector General and USAF Office of Special Investigations have already banned its use. We are keeping a close eye on this.

  7. kevin says:

    after watching an accquaintance ND (fortunately with an empty wpn) while practicing with his new SERPA, we decided that friends don’t let friends catch SERPES