SERPA Safety Notice.

[Ambush Master]

All,
I haven't seen this in here, so if it's already been covered I'd rather post it again due to the Safety Issues involved!! A good friend of mine just went through a course where this was pointed out! It was @ a significantly accepted School!! This is from a Governmental Agency!!

[Streck-Fu]

I am still surprised by the number of loyal fans this holster has in spite of the issues. Too many dismiss this as a 'training' failure...

[Badger52]

I am still surprised by the number of loyal fans this holster has in spite of the issues. Too many dismiss this as a 'training' failure...Agree; this tendency in using this holster has been known for sometime. Several schools won't allow them; somewhere I have a vid of some guy putting a very hot grazing booboo on his R leg during a 0-5ft drill at the range and slo-mo revealed exactly what happened.

Good thing he wasn't using a similar appendix-carry variation... :eek:

[mark46th]

My son is LEO- He was aware of the problem. He said it is related to the release button being next to the trigger...

[35NCO]

This holster has always given me the creeps. What has always worried me more is all the guys that wear it high center chest on their body armor. A last resort maybe, but it seems like asking for trouble. I don't like my weapon that close to my face. Others may see it differently.

There was a talk about this awhile ago on "The truth about guns". The company claims they are working on it. Honestly, I think the whole Serpa concept should be thrown in the garbage. Sadly quite a few of our guys use these. It is sold at every PX and clothing and sales I have ever been to. I don't know if there has ever been any Army related incidents with them, but it could be worth someone looking into. It definitely seems to no longer just be "operator error".

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/04/foghorn/ttag-improves-blackhawk-serpa-design/

And of course you cant forget this guy. A perfect example showing the worst, and he is lucky considering. Where he does explain it, it is still a Serpa design.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYvAxLX6OzE

[Badger52]

My son is LEO- He was aware of the problem. He said it is related to the release button being next to the trigger...Precisely; it is only called "operator error" by some who ignore what happens when someone is under duress and must do something with their trigger finger that they must immediately terminate doing once the gun clears. The motion needed to assure release of the gun will even get a Glock with a NY-1 trigger going if continued. There are so many better ways of carrying even if open-carry with Level-Whatever retention is a requirement.

Safariland's earnings are probably pretty good for the last couple years.

[rdret1]

I have one for my 1911 and one for my XD. I have never had a problem with them on any kind of drill.

[SLVGW360]

My agency has a similar prohibition for duty use due to the possibility of the release mechanism being locked up by debris. Our work environment creates this potential on a daily basis. I had one for my personal Glock 27 before the prohibition was issued. I now can only use it on days off for concealed carry. I have never had issues with it either. I do believe that the AD problem is that of the shooter and not the holster.

[Mills]

I heard about this a little while back but hadn't seen anything in writing. I recently switched from the Serpa to a similar holster, which is the Safariland. It has a thumb lock in damn near the perfect place when you are drawing.

I never had an issue with the Serpa, but never really liked the idea of where the release was on the holster either. That being said, the Safariland is 10 times better IMO.

[blue02hd]

FWIW, I have carried my Glock in a SERPA for the past two years both down range and during training events. Beretta 92 on a leg rig that is adaptable with a chest mount, both Serpa.

Never had an issue.

Know your equipment? Know how to draw from position 1?

[RB]

FWIW, I have carried my Glock in a SERPA for the past two years both down range and during training events. Beretta 92 on a leg rig that is adaptable with a chest mount, both Serpa.

Never had an issue.

Know your equipment? Know how to draw from position 1?

Great post blue.

You can also remove the retention button and tighten up the bottom retention screw. Remove the button if you're not comfortable with your trigger finger riding the side of the holster while drawing.
Holds the weapon tight in the holster, but not too tight as to hinder a fast draw. Simple process.

[Over]

Agree with this being a shooter issue rather than a holster issue. I've now carried this holster for approximately 4 years for regular duty, deployment training, and while deployed. I've never had an issue with the release mechanism preventing me from drawing due to obstructions behind the mechanism. Though admittedly, I'm not routinely crawling around in the dirt and gravel. I've also never had an issue with my finger entering the trigger guard even under stress. In my opinion, agencies (and gun toters) need to allow responsibility to fall where it should and allow officers and agents to carry whatever holster they are comfortable and proficient with.

The notation in the attached document about AFOSI banning the holster is only partly correct. Over the past several years, AFOSI firearms instructors at FLETC put out letters banning use of the holster by AFOSI personnel, but they exceeded their authority granted by policy. They could only approve (and therefore ban) holsters procured by AFOSI, not by individual personnel. Individuals could purchase any holster meeting certain retention criterai. Several months ago, FLETC issued a ban based on 2 negligent discharges attributed to the SERPA holster. AFOSI implemented a command-wide temporary ban awaiting the outcome of a safety review being conducted by FLETC. A final determination is still pending.

I don't know anything about the circumstances of the negligent discharges at FLETC. I suspect there is a reasonable probability these occured with personnel who are realtively new to handling firearms and/or drawing and firing under time/stress constraints. While I understand FLETC's position in banning SERPAs within their training environment, I do not understand agencies banning them from use based on what amounts to a very small number of incidents. The thing I would like to know is how many negligent discharges happen at FLETC with holsters other than the SERPA! I'm sure those don't get attributed immediately to the holster.

[7624U]

I watched a guy shoot himself in the leg with this holster, Shooter Error
Front sight or rear of handgun hit his belt or got cought on something and shooter went to depress the button again. but instead stuck his finger in the trigger guard with gloves on BOOM! .

We also ran a full evaluation of the holster trying to create situations that could cause a AD. We found the same thing can happen while holstering with gloves on if you are stressed or doing speed drills. (long story short don't be in a hurry to reholster, take your time and insure your finger is not near the trigger guard you could inadvertenly get your finger cought on the edge of the holster, this could cause a loose fitting glove to get wedged between the edge of the holster and gun itself causing a AD if the trigger gets depressed)

I still use the serpa for low vis. but I am very aware of what could happen if I made the same mistake my buddy did.

[The Reaper]

If I were on the line with a guy wearing one, I would probably choose my position relative to him very carefully.

They don't respond well to getting sand or dirt into the mechanism either.

TR