The concept of security "levels" was created by Safariland some years ago to describe the retention on their holsters. A Level I holster had one security device, a Level II had two levels, and so forth. The term spread industry wide over the years. For better or worse, there remains some confusion regarding what is actually a security device. For instance, does a friction fit really constitute security?

Rather than look for a particular level, I'd look at the features of the holster that you need, balancing speed, security, concealability, and comfort. By way of example, when I was detailed to the academy, the uniform was usually cargo pants and a polo or sweat shirt. I ordered a Safariland ALS concealment holster which somewhat replicated my uniform duty rig. While it was secure, it tended to bang into things and was higher profile that I preferred. I transitioned to a Safariland pancake holster with a thumbbreak. This sat high enough up that I could protect the weapon with my elbow if needed and was much more comfortable.

Another example is our duty rig which comes with a Hood Guard that prevents the hood from rotating forward accidentally or in a gun grab. We made those optional for those who felt they might hinder smooth presentation of the weapon.

There are a ton of options available for the G-19 in leather and synthetic. A pancake holster with a thumbbreak might be a good option if you hand one holster for OC and CCW.

 

jnc36rcpd is pretty well spot on. Safariland in particular has gone "retention level" crazy in the past few years, using level 1, 2, 2+, 3, 3+, 4, and I think even 4+ in their marketing. For example, the 6360 ALS holster was originally advertised as a "level 2+", but is now a "level 3." Safariland explains their reasoning here: http://safariland.com/DutyGear/info/retention.aspx

My advice would be not to by on numerical advertised retention level alone, but to consider the way the holster works and how many levers and widgets need to be manipulated to draw, relative to your intended use and level of comfort. Safariland in particular has videos on their website (for better or worse) to demonstrate the draw of most of their holsters.

 

Level 2 vs level 3 holsters, what's the diff?

One level?!?!?

 

The above post nailed it.

I recommend at least a level 3 for uniform carry. My 6070 with hood guard is considered a level 4 and could be a 5 with the sentry.

The ALS with hood guard seems to be the new standard for patrol use.

 

I have a Safariland 6360 for my Glock 19. I really like it compared to the Blackhawk Serpa Lvl 3 I used to have.

However, I'm iffy on the hood guard. Walking I like it, but it somewhat hinders me if I need to draw in a vehicle. Any thoughts from other LEOs on it?

 

I have a Safariland 6360 for my Glock 19. I really like it compared to the Blackhawk Serpa Lvl 3 I used to have.

However, I'm iffy on the hood guard. Walking I like it, but it somewhat hinders me if I need to draw in a vehicle. Any thoughts from other LEOs on it?

The hood guard is a big plus for me. It has never hindered my draw, even in a vehicle, but it does do its job from any other angle.

Only problem I have is my body armor pushes on the hood guard when I am seated in the car and eventually the hood guard will break. I replaced a cracked hood guard last year after three years. I bought four of them at once as they are cheap and will just replace as needed.

 

Level 1 used to be a thumb break, but then became just simple friction retention and then the thumb break now made it level 2 after the SLS and then you have the 070 with the middle finger break which made it level 3 and also the ALS with the same thing which is also level 3 and if you add the sentry lever, then it's level 4... but only level 3 with the SLS which is level 2 to start with.... whew!!!

 

I have a Safariland 6360 for my Glock 19. I really like it compared to the Blackhawk Serpa Lvl 3 I used to have.

However, I'm iffy on the hood guard. Walking I like it, but it somewhat hinders me if I need to draw in a vehicle. Any thoughts from other LEOs on it?

The hood does nothing for me. I don't feel like I have any added security or retention. I've never had the SLS accidentally unlock and rotate forward.

I also find it impossible to draw from a 6360 using the support hand if a hood guard is install.

 

Level 2 is usually plenty in most situations. But, I suppose if you get in areas to work that are more likely to be a problem a person may need something more secure.

The best security tool is the mind.

 

I like having the hood on my holsters and I usually don't use the sentry while in the car but if I am doing foot patrol for a busy gig like a football game or other type of activity where I will be in a crowd, then I will put the sentry on as well for an extra layer of protection.

 

The hood does nothing for me. I don't feel like I have any added security or retention. I've never had the SLS accidentally unlock and rotate forward.

I also find it impossible to draw from a 6360 using the support hand if a hood guard is install.

See, personally, I added the hood because I was having my external vest push down in a vehicle and sometimes (not often) push down and rotate the SLS forward.

Also, I have practiced a lot with it, and I don't have any issues from a standing position doing an off-hand draw with the hood guard.

 

here's an issue i ran into yesterday with my safariland 6280. sometime during the night, i must've rested my elbow on the thumb break (whatever you call it) and moved it out of the way. the friction retention screw has long worked itself out and fell somewhere. anyways, while running after a suspect, i jumped over an officer who had fallen and heard the sound of my gun hitting the concrete. yep, that jump and landing was enough to let my gun slide up and out.
i guess if i had an added retention measure, it would've stayed in. or maybe just tightening up the friction part if i can just get that part in.

now my gun has scuff marks on it.
but i've used this holster for the last 6 years and it's pretty worn in.

 

here's an issue i ran into yesterday with my safariland 6280. sometime during the night, i must've rested my elbow on the thumb break (whatever you call it) and moved it out of the way. the friction retention screw has long worked itself out and fell somewhere. anyways, while running after a suspect, i jumped over an officer who had fallen and heard the sound of my gun hitting the concrete. yep, that jump and landing was enough to let my gun slide up and out.
i guess if i had an added retention measure, it would've stayed in. or maybe just tightening up the friction part if i can just get that part in.

now my gun has scuff marks on it.
but i've used this holster for the last 6 years and it's pretty worn in.

WOW:shocked:

I have always thought the 6280 needed a hood guard and sentry to be suitable for patrol work.


As you can tell I am a retention junkie. I have been in a fight/gun grab and the extra retention sure didn't hurt me.

 

See, personally, I added the hood because I was having my external vest push down in a vehicle and sometimes (not often) push down and rotate the SLS forward.

Also, I have practiced a lot with it, and I don't have any issues from a standing position doing an off-hand draw with the hood guard.

If it works for you, that's great. Have you trained drawing with the suppor hand from other positions? If you are being forced to draw using the support side, you probably aren't standing up.

 

here's an issue i ran into yesterday with my safariland 6280. sometime during the night, i must've rested my elbow on the thumb break (whatever you call it) and moved it out of the way. the friction retention screw has long worked itself out and fell somewhere. anyways, while running after a suspect, i jumped over an officer who had fallen and heard the sound of my gun hitting the concrete. yep, that jump and landing was enough to let my gun slide up and out.
i guess if i had an added retention measure, it would've stayed in. or maybe just tightening up the friction part if i can just get that part in.

now my gun has scuff marks on it.
but i've used this holster for the last 6 years and it's pretty worn in.

thats why i "upgraded" to the 6360, had my gun fall out during range practice (using a 6280) and thought, wow that would suck if that happend during a shift. the 6360 is basically the same, but has another level of retention with the hood down.

 

+1 on the 6360 over the 6280

I'd rather have the ALS only than the SLS only, but having both is the best IMO

 

I also find it impossible to draw from a 6360 using the support hand if a hood guard is install.

I had a very difficult time also, so I removed it.

 

What level is this guy sporting? :whistling:

 

we've been standardized on the 6280 with and without taclight option. i just issued one of our new guys a 6280 level iii that has the additional ALS retention thing. I'll see how he likes it and will probably pick one up. My current 6280 is so old. I think I got it when the Insight M3 first came out years ago, the holster has gone through a Glock 22 with M3, then the original TLR-1, then an Insight Procyon, then to my Glock 31 with TLR-1 C4 LED.

It's probably time to buy a new holster.

 

What's a 6280 with level 3? You mean the sentry?

 

He may be referring to the 6360.

 

Please lets not get into details of exactly how they release, don't want to spread that information around.

It's not like it's a secret that could be "spread around". It's readily available on every holster maker's website...

 

Sadly enough, there is no "secret" when it comes to retention holsters. The only thing we have is the training and will to survive to get us out of jams.

 

yeah, i meant the 6360. that's what i issued the new guy because the uniform store didn't have any 6280s in stock with the light option.
he removed the hood thing (hey, i'm tired, it's been a long night, i can't remember the names of stuff), so he just has the regular hood and the als lock on it. i'm going to pick one up for myself.

 

I love the 6360 and have been using one for over 2 years now.