BLACKHAWK SERPA Level 3 Auto Lock Duty Holster - Matte Finish

I bought this solely for use in armed security. The included belt attachment is annoying in that it doesn't allow you to slide the rig forward or back once it's on there, making it a royal pain to find exactly where you want it to be on your belt before you cinch down the screws to permanently secure it. Also, the low-hanging position of the belt mount is uncomfortable as heck when you're sitting in a vehicle (especially one with a center console), because it makes the holster dig into your thigh. The mid- or high-position mounts available for the SERPA holsters are MUCH better and pretty much a must-get. The Level III retention device takes a little bit of extra practice, just enough that you need to get in the habit of keeping your thumb stiff so it can push the button that disengages the top retention piece, but I've compared my draw-and-shoot times with a shot timer and it comes out to be almost exactly the same with this holster as it does with my Level II SERPA duty holster. The top retention piece flips back far enough out of the way that it doesn't hang up on the rear sight and doesn't interfere with the draw stroke at all, so you don't have to really do anything different in that sense. However, you do have to draw upwards just an inch or so higher with this holster to clear it during the draw stroke versus the non-duty SERPA holsters, since these have that extra bit of protective shell going up the FULL length of the slide instead of just half or three-quarters of it. Also, re-engaging the top lock is an extra step, and a little awkward, but even if you just re-holster the pistol like any other SERPA holster, it still clicks securely into place and it's not like your gun is going to fall out or anything if you don't snap that top part closed. Otherwise, this is just like any other SERPA holster in that it's simple, rugged, functional, secure, and nice-looking. EXTRA BONUS: I bought this to fit a full-size Smith & Wesson M&P45, but it also perfectly fits my SD9VE, as well as my Glock 30 (it will also fit a Glock 21 or 20), so the extra versatility is kind of handy if you own more than one pistol of a similar size group.

This holster is top quality and in my view the best at weapon retention. I use this holster in my line of work and it has and continues to perform in the roughest encounters and environments. There is no better holster for law enforcement or security applications.

The Blackhawk Serpa holsters have a bad rep for some unknown reason. Supposedly the position of the latch release has caused people to accidentally misfire their weapon when they draw. I just don't see how this can happen. First, the latch is well offset from the trigger position so if you press it with your trigger finger and draw the pistol, your finger should naturally end up laying along side the bottom edge of the slide. Second, regardless of where your finger ends up, there should be NO WAY that you fire the weapon, that would take a deliberate action in no way the fault of the holster. I am very pleased with this holster, solid, safe, excellent retention and great value.

This holster is solidly built. It locks onto the trigger guard of the gun when the weapon is placed into the holster, with no other action required from the user. Resecuring the hood device requires depression of a release button and a simultaneous rotation of the hood. Releasing the gun on the draw is accomplished by depressing the trigger finger release button, and the hood release button that is located directly under the natural position of the thumb. Proficiency with any holster requires practice, but this one is particularly easy to learn. Even with its Level III retention features, it's easy to use and very fast. The backstrap of the holstered gun rides approximately level with the top of the duty belt, and the mounting system that joins the holster body to the mounting plate is somewhat bulky. The gun rides a bit farther out from the body than with many other designs. This places it too low to defend against a gun grab attempt with the elbow. For me, getting in and out of the front seat area in today's smaller patrol vehicles took a bit of adaptive technique, particularly on the passenger side, where the gun butt has a tendency to catch on the door frame without a conscious effort to avoid that. I would like to see options for mounting the holster closer to the body and for raising it to a higher ride position. All in all, it's a secure, stable, reliable, and easy to use holster system for police duty or hunting use. It is also substantially less complicated and much less expensive than some other well known Level III rigs.

I wish these holsters were still made. These are great for retention and ease of the draw. I love this design.

I bought this holster years ago, when Safariland's quality control went down the tubes. This is a very fast, very reliable holster. Note: You MUST learn how to properly draw and present a firearm if you intend to carry it holstered. When the draw is complete and you are holding or aiming your gun, your trigger finger MUST REMAIN INDEXED along the side of the frame. These holsters got a bad rap because rookie shooters were pushing the release button, drawing their pistol, then allowing their trigger finger to snap off the holster and onto the trigger, causing a negligent discharge. I've been drawing with this holster, as well as the concealed model, for roughly 15 years with absolutely no problems. KEEP YOUR FINGER INDEXED when you draw, and don't put this holster to work until that is a well established habit. This is not difficult...in fact, this should be the way everybody is taught to draw. When properly used, this is an exceedingly fast holster. I promise indexing is not going to slow you down. The retention devices will not slow down a proper draw. It is easy to get a proper, high grip on the pistol. I recommend this holster to everybody who carries. Too many folks, including well trained, experienced law enforcement officers, have been killed after their guns got snatched. A retention holster is another layer between you and death, and probably the cheapest thing you can do to increase your and your partner's safety. Highly Recommend!

Great level 3 holster. Fits the Sig Sauer perfectly! Not very suitable for concealed carry, but most definitely a duty rig holster. Being level 3, affords a very high retention level but still easy to draw with practice and all the releases fall readily to the fingertips. Best purchase I EVER MADE! Highly recommended!

Watched a YouTube video to use for my canik TP9SFX since there’s no level 3 holsters for that brand worked out great You will have to trim the hood but great holster

If you're into airsoft or replica firearms, this might not work as some replicas have a slightly more angled shape on the slide, not exact to the millimetre as a real firearm. It works perfectly, level 3 is the best and not a hassle to draw from your holster at moments notice.

Premetto che ho provato diverse fondine delle più blasonate marche per anni e devo dire che mi son sempre trovato bene. In termini di operatività e sicurezza tuttavia ho notato che la Serpa Lv. III rispecchia a pieno ciò che si può cercare in una fondina leggera e compatta. PRO: -Materiale in fibra di carbonio, che la rendono leggera e resistente. -3º Livello di sicurezza. -Possibilità infinite di posizionamento, regolazione e altezza. -Compatta rispetto alla e concorrenza. -Non si può aprire accidentalmente. -Regolazione della pressione di rilascio. CONTRO -Per applicarla ad operator belts o cinture grosse serve far resistenza sulle viti della piattaforma, ad ogni modo nulla di troppo disturbo poiché ciò garantisce sicurezza alla fondina. Io la uso sulla Dom System Operator Belt. -Bisogna farci pratica: la brutta nomea delle Serpa è dovuta a chi abituato ad altre fondine prova ad estrarre una pistola aiutandosi con il carrello e premendo il grilletto senza accorgersene. Sbaglio enorme poiché questa fondina quando è sbloccata fa rilasciare la pistola molto dolcemente senza bisogno di tirare o aiutarsi con l'indice. Terza regola di Jeff Cooper. -Manca un sistema di sgancio rapido della fondina (che personalmente odio). Conclusioni: Io ho avuto 3 Serpa in 10 anni per 3 pistole diverse. Ora ce l'ho per una Glock 45 9x21 e devo dire che si comporta egregiamente. È una fondina che bisogna saper usare, non è cosi facile come una Safariland o una Ghost, ma vi assicuro che è molto più compatta e performante allo stesso livello. Chi preferisce premere il tasto col pollice come nella Safariland e nella Ghost probabilmente non amerà questa apertura, chi invece si trova bene confermerà tutta la mia recensione. Chi dice che si blocca il tasto, chi dice che nella neve non si può aprire, chi dice che ci si spara addosso. Sono tutte balle poiché è studiata per operatori e ha sempre ottenuto il massimo dei risultati, basta sapere come si utilizza. Dopo tante fondine che ho provato finalmente ho trovato qualcosa di leggero, semplice da usare una volta imparato il meccanismo e affidabile. Non posso che dare 5 Stelle. Mai acquisto migliore fu fatto. P.S. Anche la Safariland, la Ghost o la Vega non si aprono se stanno sotto la neve (chissa quando mai potrà capitare che vi ritrovate coperti di neve fino a dover otturare la fondina....) quindi se bisogna trovare difetti su una fondina del genere che siano difetti di conformità e non difetti strutturali in situazioni ridicole e imbarazzanti.

The product shows only in pictures but actually I received damaged part of the product not got the entire product

Me gusta la calidad y la resistencia.

Usato per lavoro, trovata benissimo, no cigolii, pistola ferma e stabile, estrazione ottimale, parti mobili con movimento fluido e corretto