What level retention holsters do you prefer?

[islandchanel]

I was wondering what retention level holster everyone is using. I have a level three and I am no sure if I like it. I have been practicing with it for quite awhile and am comfortable with it. But now I'm wondering if I should keep using it. I tried drawing my gun from my week hand and it's pretty much impossible. Any opinions?

[BigDogatPlay]

After using what would be considered (maybe) level 2 breakfronts for revolvers early in my career and high ride level 1 holsters when I first went to semi-autos, I ultimately settled on the Safariland 070 level 3. There are others more advanced, but it's still a sound design, IMO, and I'd trust it now if I had to.

[415dog!]

Safariland level 2 I think...sls hood only

[Jonathan Doe]

I do not like overly complicated safety retention system. It is hard for the bad guys to take your gun away, but at the same time, it is also hard for you to get the gun out of the holster. Most LEOs do not practice enough.

I just like simple ones. I have no one tried to take my gun away in my 25 years, yet.

[SoCalDep]

I like my Safariland 6360. It's pretty natural but secure (level 3). It is true that most LEO don't practice enough...In weapon retention and drawing. In my opinion it's a personal choice. I practice extensively on the draw and I'm "into" guns so I'm comfortable with the slightly (very slightly) more complicated draw, especially since I'm admittedly less practiced with retention skills. Someone better versed in weapon retention and hand-to-hand combatives may decide he can retain his weapon in a less-secure holster in order to allow him a simpler and more reliable draw.

[TheExpertish]

Level 3. I think most departments mandate at least a Level 2. I admit a cross-draw if your dominant hand is useless is harder, but not impossible. Just have to take your time. Plus I can probably draw faster with my non-dominant hand than most can normal. I can't tell how many times I've seen guys flub draws when they wanted to draw down on someone. Thankfully I haven't seen someone flub when the NEEDED to.

[Jonathan Doe]

When I wear Sam Browne, I use Safariland 6284 holster. I don't like its forward cant, but that is only one that I can use that is decent.

[code33]

Don't judge strictly by retention level, factor in design as a criteria well.
Safariland 070 and 6360 are both level 3.
I highly prefer the 6360 over the 070 due to its design with the ALS.

You didn't mention which holster you are using...

When cross drawing with the non-dominant hand, you may have to yank on the holster first to shift everything over to get the gun out. You have to do whatever is necessary to get the gun out, even if it means your pants are twisted.

[mej16489]

When cross drawing with the non-dominant hand, you may have to yank on the holster first to shift everything over to get the gun out. You have to do whatever is necessary to get the gun out, even if it means your pants are twisted.

The above... or go straight to BUG.

[veeklog]

When I was in uniform over ten years ago, I carried personally owned Safariland 070 Holsters for both my Beretta 96 Brigadeer and Sig 229. With practice I could draw either my Beretta or Sig faster than I did with just the plain Don Hume Level 1 holster I was initially issued.

The reason I transitioned to a 070 holster was that on a midnight shift, I got into a foot chase with someone in the Arizona desert. I was going through some bush by a wash when a branch unsnapped my holster and I saw that the gun was coming out of the holster. Luckily for me I caught it just in time and didn't have to worry about searching for my gun. After I transitioned to a 070 holster and for the subsequent three years, I didn't have to worry much about the gun coming out of my holster, even when I was going through some nasty brush or wash.

[retired]

I find it interesting that many of you have a choice of holsters and there is no dept. mandated one. When I was last in patrol in 1997, we used a Safariland holster. I can't recall the model number (Ron probably can tho), but as far as I can recall, that is the only one we were permitted. I don't recall the retention level on it.

Due to a defect in the initial model issued in late 1989, early 1990, that contributed to some negligent discharges, they went to a different Safariland model, but it was still dept. wide. Reading topgun7's post leads me to believe the dept. has eased up a bit.

[9mmepiphany]

I've always used a personally owned holster for my guns...usually a Level 2...the department issued holster was usually a Level 1. I liked being able to reholster by just dropping the gun in the pouch without having to snap or rotate anything.

Just before I retired, they converted to a Safariland SLS to go with the Sig 226R/229R series pistols. That was pretty slick and easy to use. If I were starting now, I'd stick with a Level 2 ALS pouch unless they mandated the covering hood

[SoCalDep]

I find it interesting that many of you have a choice of holsters and there is no dept. mandated one. When I was last in patrol in 1997, we used a Safariland holster. I can't recall the model number (Ron probably can tho), but as far as I can recall, that is the only one we were permitted. I don't recall the retention level on it.

Due to a defect in the initial model issued in late 1989, early 1990, that contributed to some negligent discharges, they went to a different Safariland model, but it was still dept. wide. Reading topgun7's post leads me to believe the dept. has eased up a bit.

The 280S was the replacement for the "AD" holster and it's a level two (sorta...it's a bit unique). It remained the dept issue until the M&P started getting issued to new recruits. Now we issue the 6360. I'm pretty sure if a Dep breaks his/her 280S it gets replaced with another 280S.

The dept also allows the old Don Hume H738 (I think that's the model) and the 6280/6285. The range tested the Serpa but it hasn't been approved. I should find out more about that soon.

[Samuelx]

I should find out more about that soon.

November?

And fwiw, I use holsters from the 6280/6285 and 6004/6005 families on duty, level 3...

[retired]

Thanks SoCalDep for that. 280 something came to mind, but I couldn't recall in what context.

I would have to disagree with you, unless you have other info, on the term AD and not ND with the other holsters. All the shootings I'm aware of, including the one that almost killed me, were because the safety (decocker) was off when they reholstered the pistol. That was against Dept. policy at the time, so they were NDs, not ADs IMHO. I am admittedly biased since one deputy's negligence almost killed me. I heard the bullet go by my head and miss my foot by a few inches.