POST academy equipment question

[sspro2340]

Hello Sirs

I have some criterion to be fulfilled for my gear for the academy.

I was curious if some of you could help me find some holsters that fit the following criteria.
(this is directly off the print out given to me in class)

1. Professionally made Border Patrol break front or safety types
2. Black in color
3. Basket Weave
4. No cross draw type, OR Swivel holsters
5. strong side
6. directional draw
7. may be level 2 or level 3 retention
8. may be of kydex or leather
9. NO THUMB SNAP

I perfer kydex fyi

Thank you for your help

So far the best thing I have found IMO, is the safariland stx 6280 SLS basketweave

The holster is more than likely going to be for a glock 17 or an m&p 9

thank you once again

[TRICKSTER]

People still use breakfronts?
I have a 30 year old clamshell and breakfront for a 6" S&W Model 19.

Try http://www.copsplus.com/ they usually have a good selection.

[sspro2340]

People still use breakfronts?

Lol yeah I have never heard of the design.

I had to google it, and I found a few articles discussing the evolution of holsters and how the breakfront was sort of the apex of retention holsters for officers.

Which made me think...why are they telling me to get such old stuff?

[fullrearview]

Safariland is what I have right now...

http://holsters.com/duty/holsters/model6285.asp

Once we go to sigs, I will be getting this.

http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Level-2-SERPA-Light-Bearing-for-Xiphos-NT,1180,1410.htm

[Notorious]

1. Professionally made Border Patrol break front or safety types
2. Black in color
3. Basket Weave
4. No cross draw type, OR Swivel holsters
5. strong side
6. directional draw
7. may be level 2 or level 3 retention
8. may be of kydex or leather
9. NO THUMB SNAP

Where the heck did you get this list? Reads about as old as my checklist from Rio Hondo back in the day a long long long time ago.

Actually back in the day, my "Border Patrol" style low ride 45 degree rear rake holster was pretty standard and the mid-ride Safariland 200 Top Gun holster was considered the newfangled design.

The SLS (level 2) will be an awesome holster but I suggest you try out both the 6280 and 6285 for what fits you. I prefer the 6285 because it is 1.5" lower on the belt and I don't have to bend and tuck my elbows so much to draw the weapon.

If this is something you imagine you are going to keep and use later on, you might also look at the 6360/6365 (level 3) for the ALS retention which gives you even more security.

[sspro2340]

Where the heck did you get this list? Reads about as old as my checklist from Rio Hondo back in the day a long long long time ago.

The SLS (level 2) will be an awesome holster but I suggest you try out both the 6280 and 6285 for what fits you. I prefer the 6285 because it is 1.5" lower on the belt and I don't have to bend and tuck my elbows so much to draw the weapon.

If this is something you imagine you are going to keep and use later on, you might also look at the 6360/6365 (level 3) for the ALS retention which gives you even more security.

I appreciate the +1 on the 6280
I had looked at the 6360, and while I think devices like the ALS, and thumb drive are cool, I really don't want to rely on a spring or button to get my gun out. I just don't quite trust them enough yet. Maybe as time goes on I'll change my mind (i often do) but I just can't bring myself to say yeah I want to rely on a plastic button which encases a little spring to get my gun out.

Of course I do have polymer guns, so I guess I'm a hypocrit.

[sspro2340]

Safariland is what I have right now...

http://holsters.com/duty/holsters/model6285.asp

Once we go to sigs, I will be getting this.

http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Lev...,1180,1410.htm

no serpa for me, thank you.

the 6285 is the low ride version of the one I listed I believe

To my understanding the low ride interferes with one's body and the car seat when sitting in a cruiser.

I also prefer to keep my holsters pretty high, I may even get the UBL high ride for the 6280 if that's the route I go.

Thanks for adding to the list!

[Notorious]

The 6285 does not get in the way of me sitting in the car. Then again, it also depends on your width. Anything can get in the way if you are wide enough to push it against it.

[BigDogatPlay]

That seems like a very old standard that no one has gotten around to updating yet. Breakfront holsters and semi-automatic pistols are not necessarily a good combination IMO. I'm kind of wondering what their deal is with no thumb snap?

The Safariland line is always going to be good gear. The 6285 is a good choice that would serve well. And, FWIW, as a lower riding holster it is something of a modern iteration of the classic "Border Patrol" design. Nothing wrong with that.

[sspro2340]

That seems like a very old standard that no one has gotten around to updating yet. Breakfront holsters and semi-automatic pistols are not necessarily a good combination IMO. I'm kind of wondering what their deal is with no thumb snap?

The Safariland line is always going to be good gear. The 6285 is a good choice that would serve well. And, FWIW, as a lower riding holster it is something of a modern iteration of the classic "Border Patrol" design. Nothing wrong with that.

yeah the more and more I looked at the break front concept it seems to be very outdated.

The guys in charge are some what old school but also progressive.

I.e. our PT is focusing on core and sprinting, rather than long distance running.

But for the equipment they seemed to of wanted to stick with things they knew maybe? Or maybe they felt we could get this stuff cheaper?

IDK. But everyone seems to support the 6280 and 6285, which is great because that's the system that I've been looking at the most and seemed to fit all of my needs and the academy's needs

thanks to everyone for their input.

And please if you find anything else POST IT.

I still haven't gotten the firearm that I want to use for the class yet, so keep throwing the ideas out there.

Or through out some pros and cons of the systems already mentioned, I would love to discuss some of this equipment before spending the hard cash on it.

thank you once again

[sspro2340]

I noticed that quite a few of you keep recommending the 6285 over the 6280, is that because of the bulkiness of the body armor?

I know that guys wearing armor and plates like the drop leg system.

So is that the reasoning? Does it make the firearm more accessible while wearing soft armor?

[Notorious]

The 6285 is not a drop leg. The belt mount is lower where it connects to the holster. It clears everything. The butt of the gun is level with the top of your belt, instead of above it. google some pics.

[just4fun63]

I would vote for the Safariland 6360 without the thumbshield. great holster

[Notorious]

I would vote 6285 with hood guard and sentry latch which you can leave off or put on depending on your OpEnv.

[BigDogatPlay]

I noticed that quite a few of you keep recommending the 6285 over the 6280, is that because of the bulkiness of the body armor?

I know that guys wearing armor and plates like the drop leg system.

So is that the reasoning? Does it make the firearm more accessible while wearing soft armor?

See photos below.





Top is a 6285, bottom is a Safariland "Border Patrol" style holster. Note the similarities. I used one similar to the Border Patrol model for a long time with S&W semi autos before I went to higher retention levels later on. I preferred a straight up and down drop or just slightly muzzle forward as to me it was easier to defend and a much faster draw.

They key feature is the butt at or about belt height. This gets the butt out away just a bit. It helps the draw in that you don't have to bring your elbow and wrist way above waist height to get clear of the leather. The original idea was to provide clearance for a mid length, or 'Ike' type, jacket. Now it provides some additional room for those (like me) who've expanded a bit over the years and keeps the butt of the gun clear from getting tied up in the bottom of the body armor.

You can thank this guy for the concept... the late, great Bill Jordan, who spent a career in the Border Patrol and survived more gunfights than all of us here put together ever will experience.