Last week, the Security Forces Center which serves exercises functional oversight for the Air Force’s largest careerfield issued guidance to the community mandating use of the Safariland Modular Holster System consisting of the 6004/6005 holster with the Quick Locking System for all SF applications of the M9 pistol in the Drop Leg, Hip, or Chest position. The memorandum dated Apr 5, 2013 also revokes authorization to continue to purchase Blackhawk SERPA holsters.
Tags: Safariland, USAF
Got this memo in my inbox last week, my first thought was how awkward the 6004 looks with the MLS mounted to the chest like the Serpa was. I think it was a bad decision for those who need to mount it on the plate carrier. But I’m just a lowly Defender, what would I know about actual practical application. Glad the center could make another great blanket decision for all of us. (Sarcasm intended)
From the same brilliant minds who mandated the DFLCS and banned P-Mags. Just for the record, I don’t have a problem neccesarily with the safariland, but I do take issue with the fact that it limits our options to drop-leg, a means of carry that’s grossly impractical for LE duties.
It doesn’t force you to carry drop legged. The Memorandum clearly says the holster can be worn in the drop leg, hip or chest position. The quick locking release system allows you to move it from one platform or position to another. I use it every day.
No it doesn’t but let’s be honest how many cops are going to have access to the quick locking release system? For that matter, how often will leadership let them get away with it in the name of professionalism
The 6280 holster is also a viable option that allows you to carry Safariland holsters on the belt and not have to carry on a drop leg.
Or get the 1.5 inch extension belt plate and swap the 6004 holster body from off the drop leg rig, onto the 1.5″ extension.
As HD says, you need to look at the DOH module. These things are $$
Good. The serpa is a dangerous holster on multiple levels.
Good. The SERPA is a dangerous piece of shit and should be banned and eventually relegated to airsoft only. I hate when I see Military and LE personnel using them. Unfortunately, ignorance of the problem(s) won’t save their lives when their pistol won’t come out of the damn holster.
This was a good call. I’d like to see AFSFC start looking at the Safariland ALS holsters as well.
A better step would have been to use the Safariland DFA. FAR too many wear the 6004 low like Han Solo and miss the point of a drop holster. The holster IS manageable on the plate carrier/chest, it just isn’t ideal. But, I don’t know what chest mounted holster is ideal in any case, particularly for a pistol with a mounted light. On a personal note, I discontinued my use of the Serpa because I need a holster that would accept the TLR and I didn’t want to shell out the cash for the BH light. I gave that holster a run for its money through the years and had no issues with the draw. Not a single AD and it came out of the holster every time. I accept many have had problems, but that just isn’t my experience or that of the guys I work with. Just my opinion
I make the same comment from seeing the different guys on flight, to SMC, to deployments. Everyone has the holster around their knees. I don’t care what holster is mandated, as long as people can learn how to wear the damned thing properly.
The SERPA is only as dangerous as the pistol you put in it. A SA/DA pistol with a heavy DA pull, a SIG226 for example, is no problem. Striker-fired pistols like Glock, S&W M&P, modern Walthers, etc are dangerous because of their non-existent trigger pulls in combination with a holster that funnels your finger into the trigger under stress.
Wait, what? Glocks don’t have a trigger pull? Could of fooled me, my G17 has a significant amount of pull. Somewhere between 5-8lbs worth. Even then I still wouldn’t trust a SERPA holster for any kind of use, even airsoft.
5-8 lbs of pull is insignificant when snatching a pistol from the holster. A 12lbs pull, like that of the 226, is a hell of a lot less likely to be activated by a threat-induced snatch. This is even true in the high-stress world of airsoft…
Mike, finger-banging the trigger is a problem regardless of the pull weight. If the design directs the finger towards the trigger before it’s time to shoot, then the design is flawed.
I’d say the serpa is dangerous with any gun. A gun stuck in a holster when you need it is dangerous by my definition.
Been wondering when the .mil would realize what we’ve all known for a long time, that the Serpa is a ND and sand locked latch liability.
I agree with Talon Six, approval for the ALS would have been nice. That said, the 6004 is a solid holster and far better than the Serpa.
The SERE school at Rucker uses serpas, in my class we had one get jammed, beyond that the ones we used didn’t have the buckles to attach it to your belt because they apparently wear out easily and we had to adjust the triglides to get a large enough loop to run belts through them.