Who owns guns and you carry?

[3skulls]

If you can't protect yourself, you are relying on someone else to do so.

[KMG]

If you can't protect yourself, you are relying on someone else to do so.

I hate getting "where were you!?!

[olstyn]

I also really like the blackhawk serpa cqc holster. They are harder to conceal but are comfy and secure. They have a nice draw too.

I won't go so far as to say that the Serpa is inherently unsafe. However, there are some issues with the design that prevent me from considering it for myself, and some well-respected trainers actually ban it for use by their students, the sole exception being if it's an issued duty holster and therefore what the student in question is stuck with.

First, the fact that you have to make an inward motion with your trigger finger in order to release the pistol from the holster can make it more likely that you'll accidentally hit the trigger during the draw stroke. (Google "tex grebner shoots himself" to see someone put a .45 into his own leg in this fashion.) Yes, being extra careful and really paying attention to what you're doing will generally prevent that, but why not design something that doesn't require the use of your trigger finger at all? Wouldn't that be inherently better? After all, humans make mistakes.

Second, there have been many reports that the holster's retention mechanism can lock up if it gets a bit of sand/grit/whatever in it, making drawing the pistol impossible. Those two things make it a non-starter for me, even if I would otherwise have considered it.

On a completely separate note, if anybody's got a source that has reloading components actually in stock that isn't charging an arm, a leg, and your first born child for them, let me know, cause I'm going to need more soon-ish and they don't seem to be available anywhere. I won't be able to afford to shoot USPSA this spring/summer if I can't reload. Factory ammo has just gotten WAY too expensive.

[KMG]

I can see the issue. I have long fingers though so my finger is past the trigger guard when drawing. You would not believe some of the stories I know of people putting one in the leg while reholstering. That happens with all kinds of holsters.

I also do not consider it duty quality and would never carry it in that function.

Valid points.

[olstyn]

I can see the issue. I have long fingers though so my finger is past the trigger guard when drawing. You would not believe some of the stories I know of people putting one in the leg while reholstering. That happens with all kinds of holsters.

I also do not consider it duty quality and would never carry it in that function.

Valid points.

For sure on the reholstering issue with all holsters. There's no prize for doing it quickly, but some people seem to think there is, and that's where they get into trouble. Glad my post didn't get an angry reply; I was kind of worried it might, as some people get very emotionally attached to their gear choices.

[KMG]

Not at all. Its hard to find the perfect holster. That's why i have so many. Haha!

An officer on my dept tried to draw his pistol from a Safariland ALS and it wouldn't come out. They had to take the holster apart by cutting it to get the gun out. I think most issues like that are from guys just not taking the time to properly clean and maintain their gear. I know officers that never clean their gun. Seeing some of them i believe only the dirt is holding them together.

[33rpm]

Not at all. Its hard to find the perfect holster. That's why i have so many. Haha!

An officer on my dept tried to draw his pistol from a Safariland ALS and it wouldn't come out. They had to take the holster apart by cutting it to get the gun out. I think most issues like that are from guys just not taking the time to properly clean and maintain their gear. I know officers that never clean their gun. Seeing some of them i believe only the dirt is holding them together.

Just curious, is an officer allowed to carry his/her own firearm on the job? Or are they all issued?

[Mike41793]

Just curious, is an officer allowed to carry his/her own firearm on the job? Or are they all issued?

I would certainly hope they're allowed to carry their own. If they're issued one that they aren't comfortable with then they won't be as accurate, should they need to use it. It's like if race car drivers weren't allowed to drive their own cars or if baseball players weren't allowed to use their own gloves.

[Rob]

I would certainly hope they're allowed to carry their own. If they're issued one that they aren't comfortable with then they won't be as accurate, should they need to use it. It's like if race car drivers weren't allowed to drive their own cars or if baseball players weren't allowed to use their own gloves.

Most departments carry issued weapons, that being said they take the issued weapons to the range and have to qualify with those weapons. So to answer your question mike, yes they are nice and comfortable with them.
The only exception I have seen so far was a tiny police dept. out in a tiny town in TX near fort hood.

[33rpm]

I would certainly hope they're allowed to carry their own. If they're issued one that they aren't comfortable with then they won't be as accurate, should they need to use it. It's like if race car drivers weren't allowed to drive their own cars or if baseball players weren't allowed to use their own gloves.

I figured as much. It's not everyday I can ask a cop questions. Usually they are the ones asking the questions, in my experience!