Serpa Level III Issues?

[HisOwnHero]

Anyone else using a Level III Serpa holster run into any retention issues? Recently during weapon retention scenario training at work, I witnessed quite a few of these holsters (about 7) snap right off of the belt with just a decent tug on the gun. The screws that hold the holster to the belt loop just snapped causing the still holstered gun to come off of the belt.

I love the holster due to the amazing speed which I can draw my sidearm. Since the weapon retention drills however, I have been much more uncomfortable using it in the field due to the retention issues I witnessed. I have been considering switching over to a Safariland 6365. I am hesitant however because I have a 6280 and I find it difficult to get the weapon out of the holster quickly. It seems to catch a lot on the draw and I find myself fumbling to get it out of the holster which is why I have stuck with the Serpa.

[Axewound]

There is a recall on the light bearing serpas made before 2011 for this issue.

http://www.scribd.com/solsys/d/80865271-SERPA-Safety-Notice

The Serpa does not impress me. I have had it for about a year and am no longer happy with it due to multiple failures to draw in the field and that the light is a piece of garbage.

[USBP (Ret)]

Carried an H&K P2000 in a Blackhawk Level III Serpa during the last few years on the job. No complaints. Did have to practice activating the trigger guard and slide top releases until it became second nature, but no issues with retention, breakages, or malfunctions. I thought it was a great holster. Fast draw and high security.

[JMO8541]

I have used L2 and L3 as duty holsters with no issues like you have described. I have had issues with the release button sticking a bit on occasion.

[HisOwnHero]

It was about 7 holsters total that were effected on the day that I was at the training. There apparently were quite a few more in the other days that followed as well. The issue seems to have effected holsters attached directly to the belt attachment as well as holsters utilizing the spacer kit. Blackhawk is replacing it with no questions asked and looking into the issue.

[echan1911man]

FYI, serpa holsters are injection molded plastic and can break fairly easily. Kydex holsters, like safariland, are made of a much stronger material and can withstand extreme amounts of abuse.

[BigDogatPlay]

FYI, serpa holsters are injection molded plastic and can break fairly easily. Kydex holsters, like safariland, are made of a much stronger material and can withstand extreme amounts of abuse.

+1, but even Kydex can be defeated.

There is a famous, or infamous, video of a Fobus holster being twisted off the paddle in rear takeaway situation that started months of Interwebz range wars back and forth on Fobus specifically and on synthetic paddle holsters in general. I don't find the belt slotted single layer kydex rigs any more secure. The mechanical attachment to either the paddle or the belt slots is the weak point.

Color me old school, but if I have to be out carrying concealed for a living my holster is leather and has belt slots.

Link to video