Another holster question...would appreciate advice...

4214 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Strategic Tactical, Feb 11, 2008

bbjoe

Discussion Starter · Feb 7, 2008

I know there is an Accessory Forum, but this seemed to be the place for holster questions as of late. Trying to outfit a S&W M&P9 (fullsize, not compact). Wanting a plastic/Kydex holster, but they have proven elusive in local gun stores. Was looking at a Blackhawk SERPA CQC Kydex holster, but price, availability, and recent recalls of this Blackhawk holster have me concerned. I say availability because Blackhawk is telling me they won't be available until April or so.

Then I saw a new Fobus Kydex holster made specifically for the M&P. This particular holster seems to come in either paddle or belt version (not both). Which version is preferred by those here who are experienced int his sort of thing? Is it just preference, or are there some real pros/cons to consider?

Thanks in advance.

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GeneticsDave

· #2 · Feb 7, 2008

I would wait for the BlackHawk, but get a Fobus if you need to fill the void until then. I use the paddle holster on my BlackHawk as it has three teeth that grab the belt (1 inside and 2 outside) - it's so hard to remove I have to take my pants off just to get the holster off. The paddle seems to support the gun and prevent outward tilting - taking the strain off my belt (even though my belt is extremely stiff (kydex reinforced Wilderness Instructors Belt 1.75"). The belt loop attachment on the BlackHawk is adjustable, but didn't have a measurement that fit my belt EXACTLY, so I decided against it. Make sure that when you buy the holster, you have a stiff belt that will actually fit inside the loops (usually a 1.5" will be perfect).

I hope I helped a bit, if you have any other questions, please ask.

divegeek

· #3 · Feb 7, 2008

I wear my Blackhawk SERPA with the belt loop attachment, and it works well for me, even with an ordinary 1.25" leather belt from Wal-mart (about 8 dollars). I cinch my belt fairly tight, which holds the gun and holster tightly against my side, and then rely on the width of the belt loop attachment itself to keep everything nice and stable. The holster can't rotate toward or away from me because the stiff, 2.5" wide belt loop attachment won't let it. It obviously doesn't provide as much support as the 6" paddle, but it seems completely solid without the extra support.

As others have mentioned, the SERPA also lets you cant the grip forward, which adds an additional level of protection from someone sneaking up behind you to grab your gun. I do that, and place the holster at about the 2 o'clock position (which I couldn't do with the paddle attachment -- not if I ever wanted to sit down) so I'd have to be unconscious not to notice someone grabbing for my sidearm. I also adjust the retention screw so the gun is held pretty securely even without the finger release.

Perhaps I'm too concerned about retention, but since I open carry from time to time the idea that someone might be able to take my gun from me and hurt someone with it really worried me. The CQC SERPA (mine has the carbon fiber finish, which I think looks nice) is strong enough and has sufficient retention, especially when positioned where I carry it, to address my concerns completely.

I agree with GeneticsDave: get something inexpensive for now (I used a nylon Blackhawk with a thumb snap -- $15 at a local shop) and get the SERPA when you can.

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althor

· #4 · Feb 7, 2008

All of the paddle style holsters that I've seen seem to set the gun away from the hip instead of pulling it in. I don't have any experience with the Blackhawk SERPA holsters as they don't make one that fits my gun, so I can't speak for those. If a close-in fit is important to you then it is something to consider as you look at specific holsters.

I agree with Dave on the belt. A good stiff belt, preferably made with carrying in mind, is a must. I too have a wilderness 1.75" reinforced belt and only have good things to say about it. I also have one of their 1.5" 5-stitch models. If you look around (online) you can find leather reinforced belts as well, but they will be more expensive. I resisted spending the money at first because I didn't believe it could make such a difference... but it does!

Don't skimp on either if you can afford it... that way you will avoid the box of unused holsters and belts in the basement.

bbjoe

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 7, 2008

Thank you for the replies. It sound slike everyone is impressed with the Blackhawk SERPA CQC. I believe many of the Blackhawk products come with both the belt and paddle feature. Even so, here are some follow-up questions:

(1) It sounds like the belt works better for some, whereas the paddle works better for others. Also, as someone pointed out, YES, carrying close to my body would be preferable. Although my M&P is a fullsize gun (4.25" barrel, not the compact version with a smaller handle), I would love a holster that would offer some degree of concealability. So it sounds like the BELT option did this well for one person, but that the paddle option worked better for another. Hmmm....

(2) Am I wrong, or does taking off your pants to remove a paddle-holster seem to be extreme? :lol: I would hope that any holster could be removed relatively easily if I wanted to.

(3) No one said anything about the recent Blackhawk recall of their SERPA CQC holsters for the M&P. I don't know if there are any M&P owners, but I still remain a bit concerned about the recall, which was apparently due to guns discharging when being holstered. Should I not be concerned about this with the hopefully new M&P holster coming out in a few months, or not?

Thanks -

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T-Man

· #6 · Feb 7, 2008

bbjoe said:
Thank you for the replies. It sound slike everyone is impressed with the Blackhawk SERPA CQC. I believe many of the Blackhawk products come with both the belt and paddle feature. Even so, here are some follow-up questions:

(1) It sounds like the belt works better for some, whereas the paddle works better for others. Also, as someone pointed out, YES, carrying close to my body would be preferable. Although my M&P is a fullsize gun (4.25" barrel, not the compact version with a smaller handle), I would love a holster that would offer some degree of concealability. So it sounds like the BELT option did this well for one person, but that the paddle option worked better for another. Hmmm....

(2) Am I wrong, or does taking off your pants to remove a paddle-holster seem to be extreme? :lol: I would hope that any holster could be removed relatively easily if I wanted to.

(3) No one said anything about the recent Blackhawk recall of their SERPA CQC holsters for the M&P. I don't know if there are any M&P owners, but I still remain a bit concerned about the recall, which was apparently due to guns discharging when being holstered. Should I not be concerned about this with the hopefully new M&P holster coming out in a few months, or not?

Thanks -

These holsters come with both attachments for belt-loop and paddle, so if you are wondering which one is better, you will have both options to try for yourself. And if Blackhawk recalled the old M&P holster, I would assume they would fix the problem before selling new ones. Blackhawk is a good company and a big name in gun-related gear, I don't think they would make the same mistake twice with the same item. Just a thought.

Strategic Tactical

· #7 · Feb 7, 2008

SERPA...SERPA....SERPA... ok I think you get the hint there. I carry EVERYTHING I own in a SERPA holster 99% of the time. I love them. The recall that BlackHawk did was from 2 AD and they have said 60 days until they are out. I called them because we have a couple customers that are waiting on them. GREAT holster and you have other options with ONE holster. Standard belt slide, paddle, Drop leg (Tactical Holster), shoulder holster all with ONE holster.. I love it.

bbjoe

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 7, 2008

...but what in the Sam Hill does "SERPA" stand for?

Strategic Tactical

· #9 · Feb 7, 2008

LOL ya know, I sale their products but have NO idea what SERPA stands for. Its their retention system on the holster though. I'm going to call them and find out. I'll let ya know in a couple minutes

Strategic Tactical

· #10 · Feb 7, 2008

Ok SERPA is the last name of the person who invente the retention system on the holster.... TA DAAAA... and there you have it.

GeneticsDave

· #11 · Feb 7, 2008

Taking the pants off to get the holster off is a GOOD thing. This prevents someone from grabbing at your gun and getting the holster too. The system grips nicely and bites in to prevent the holster from leaving your side unless you really get in there and pry it out from under the belt on the inside (I like it, yes it's a pain, but it's SUPER secure). The Fobus paddles are easy to remove from your waistline - but I think that's a TERRIBLE thing.

The recalls were only on 1 line of holster and have been removed from the market, it's an old issue that keeps popping it's head up - you should be fine with a new product.

bbjoe

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 8, 2008

I think I will order a Blackhawk then and just do something else until it gets here. Thanks!!

divegeek

· #13 · Feb 8, 2008

Strategic Tactical said:
Ok SERPA is the last name of the person who invente the retention system on the holster.... TA DAAAA... and there you have it.

That's annoying. It shouldn't be all caps. I'm going to have to start writing it "Serpa" now.

divegeek

· #14 · Feb 8, 2008

GeneticsDave said:
Taking the pants off to get the holster off is a GOOD thing.

I can remove my CQC Serpa's paddle holster without taking my pants off. It's not easy, though, and I agree that's a good thing.

GeneticsDave said:
The recalls were only on 1 line of holster and have been removed from the market, it's an old issue that keeps popping it's head up - you should be fine with a new product.

Anyone know what the defect was? Just curious.

kev4

· #15 · Feb 9, 2008

Searches on many forums convinced me to run far away from Fobus.

I have the Blade-Tech Revolution holster for my M&P9 full size. http://www.blade-tech.com/Holsters-c-253.html

I'm glad I found Blade-Tech. It is cheap but well made. It has held up to thousands of draws in a short time. It has the M&P logo on it which looks cool. Customer service was good and shipping was fast. You can interchange the attachments from belt loop to paddle to their Tek-lok without having to buy a new holster.

xmirage2kx

· #16 · Feb 11, 2008

For the price the fobus is a great holster, but you are getting what you pay for. A $25 holster is going to be lacking the quality of a $100 holster.

Strategic Tactical

· #17 · Feb 11, 2008

Good choice on the SERPA, let us know when it comes and how you like it.

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