Safariland SLS Holster?

[Atlas]

I am in the market for a duty holster and would appreciate opinions on this particular holster. I have heard mixed reviews and don't know if I should stick with Bianchi "Grabber" model I already have? I am in the Academy and haven't had any real world experience. Thank you for any advice.




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Who is John Galt?

[cajuncop]

I'm assuming that when you say SLS, that you are reffering to the Self Locking System by Safariland. If so, keep in mind that it is a level 2 holster. Not trying to say anything bad about a level 2 holster, but you may want to try a level 3.

I myself had the option of either choosing a level 2 or 3. After speaking with some of the guys, I opted for the level 3. Safariland has the SSIII. That is the one that I went with, have never regretted it.

In the academy it was put to the test with an exercise called "down fighting". During that experience, the holster was unsnapped, but I was able to retain my weapon.

Since then, it was put to the test in the field last year. After my partner and I was attempting to arrest a suspect, the suspect went for my weapon. He was able to get the holster unsnapped, but again I was able to retain my weapon without it coming out of the holster. This guy was so strong that he literally picked me up off the ground by my weapon, but never managed to get it out of the holster.

In a separate incident, another officer of ours, was recently involved in a similar incident. That officer was using a Safariland Level 2 holster. The suspect in that one was able to pull the weapon out of the holster. It was then up to the officer to maintain control of the weapon, in which he had to fight for. During the process of fighting over the weapon, the gun discharged and the projectile grazed the shoulder of the suspect.

Now I'm sure you may here good or bad things about Safariland products, as well as Level 2 or Level 3 holsters. However, I'll never regret the one I chose.

Remember this, if you opt for the Level 3, it takes awhile to break the holster in. Practice, practice, practice....

[John from Maryland]

While many officers really like the SLS system, our officers do not seem that happy with it. It seems slower than our previous semi-frontbreak holsters.

If you do decide to change holsters, you're going to have to spent a lot of time developing a muscle memory for a new draw.

[Plaso]

We carry the level three and most of the deputy's like it. You do have to practice with it or you may not be able to get it out of the holster. It does take some work, especially if you are seated in a vehicle.

Our rangemasters also time us on our draw at the range. They are not trying to make fast draws out of us just get to a point where you can draw and fire under a certain numbers of seconds.

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Remember, there's a fine line between Macho and stupid. You cross the line, you get hurt.

[This message has been edited by Plaso (edited 01-28-2001).]

[Pugzly]

We love the model 6280 SLS holsters from Safariland. Some of us also have the little 6000-1 hood guard attachment. This prevents the threat from using the traditional "karate chop" disarming method that works on most level two holsters (and with some training, the SSIII holster). It's also MUCH easier reholstering with the 6280, since there are no snaps to fumble with. From a retention point of view, it's outstanding, and I am more than confident of the unit.

As a weapons and weapon retention instructor, it's the holster I recommend. It doesn't slow you down, increases retention, and makes your job easier.

I've alway recommended staying away from front breaking holsters - those just help gun grabbers, since they are already pulling in that direction anyways.

Hope this helps!

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"If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. That

[SPAinAZ]

Hey Pugzly,

You got a link for that "hood gaurd attachment"??

I also have the 6280 SLS (with the 2-1/2" drop). Much better than the Level 1 we get from our Uniform Contractor.



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"Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man and those who have hunted men long enough and liked it, never really care for anything else therafter."

[drunkhunter]

I prfer the Safarriland 070 to anything else out there.

I also have an Uncle Mike's pro-3 for a personal weapon. I love this holster for for my off duty use, and I think that it would be a fairly good duty holster. However, the 070/SSIII will be better as far as retention goes.

[Pugzly]

Check out the hood guard here: http://www.safariland.com/dgcat/6000.htm

Let me know if you want more pictures and I'll snap a few of mine.

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"If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. That

[SPAinAZ]

Thanks for the link Pugzly.

Tell me, what is the difference between the 6000 and the 6001?

One seem to cover the thumb release while the other is a lock of some sort.

Is this correct, or am I "misreading" what I am looking at??

thanks


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"Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man and those who have hunted men long enough and liked it, never really care for anything else therafter."

[720]

I was going to use the SLS until a Sergeant pulled his gun out of the holster with the hood still in place. The hodd wasn't stiff enough and is twistable to the point the gun could be removed. I am now going to use the (what I hear) awesome and durable/safe as well as highly traditional/stylish looking level 3 from Safariland.

[John from Maryland]

Pugzley, you're absolutely correct. The biggest weakness of a breakfront or semi-breakfront is that the badguy is most likely to be pulling from the front. On the other hand, you're less likely to be caught off-guard by the nogoodnik in front of you than the one behind. That being said, I personally would prefer something more secure than what we previously or currently wear.

A point about the SLS holster: use the retention screw. You'll still have lightening speed if you need to draw under fire and the weapon won't come bouncing out. I recently read about a weapon falling from a Ninja's holster in a SWAT competition. It fell about thirty feet, missing a judge's head by about a foot. I couldn't find the forum to source this report, but I don't disbelieve it.

[SPAinAZ]

720,

I have not had that problem. As far back as the starp sits, I don't think it would come out even if I pulled it hard.

Maybe the hood was not all the way back and locked into place?? I know that a couple of times at first I did not rotate the hood all the way back. The little "stub" on the back side of the hood was still stiff. No problems now though.



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"Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man and those who have hunted men long enough and liked it, never really care for anything else therafter."

[Pugzly]

Well, I'm 6' and 220lbs. I've been lifted off my feet by my Glock 22 as it sat in the 6280 holster. After teaching hundreds in weapon retention, I've yet to seen a gun snatched from one. I'm fairly confident of the holster, and recommend it. But I also recommend adding the hood guard. It's worth the 7 bucks.

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"If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. That

[Lightfighter]

Thogh I have never trained with it, I stock it. Everyone I have ever sent one too and everyone who I have trained with that uses the SLS loves it. I think it is a noble improvement over the thumb strap.

High Performance Tactical Gear!
www.Lightfighter.com (http://www.Lightfighter.com)

[Mark THG]

I just recently went to the level II 6280 holster
The only problem I have is that if I have the tension screw tightened the holster tips when I draw and it slows me down
This may be because I'm using a real leather belt that is not stiff enough, if I push in on the grip while I draw the holster reamains vertical. Otherwise I like the holster and it really beats a level I holster

Does anyone know how the 6002 lock really works ? The folks at safariland where not real helpful with information.

[AirmanE3]

I use the 6004 SLS holster on a daily basis and I love it... but, I am also not dealing with perps everyday... normally, I am on a Mobile Fire Team or guarding a gate


But I still recommend it!

[ccthompsfs]

I think it is all a matter of opinion and what the department requires. The Air Force only authorizes a level 1 holster known as the Bianchi M12 for its military designation or other wise known as their UM84/92 series. My current base uses the Bianchi 7001 with the adjustable thumbreak bad Idea. Any it all comes down to practice, practice, practice. I wore a safarialnd 070 which as most of us know is a triple retention and I love that thing I have never had the weapon removed cept by my own hand, and even with the thumbreak unsnapped I still had 2 levels of protection. I am currently wearing their 6274 Raptor drop which is a level 2. The drawstroke is similar to the 070 and can be upgraded with the sentry switch to a level 3. The only thing I don't like about it is that damn hood guard is a pain in the rear, but so far I love the thing.

[hebron24]

It's practically the same as the 070 but it's plastic instead of leather. Takes a little getting used to and has some awesome security features. I've added the extra switch to make mine a Level 4.

[USP45FAN]

I would also suggest the Gould and Goodrich Galaxy Pro Triple retention. It has a twist up designed draw. They're comparable to the Safariland 070, either would be an excellent choice. You're not going to go wrong be getting the added security of a triple retention, and don't let other students in the academy make fun of you for getting a triple retention. They'll soon see their folly for getting a level 1 when DT time comes around.

[lsmalibu]

Don't know if you guys are aware, but San Jose PD had a Safariland SLS holster break during weapon retention drills. The plastic loop that the duty belt loops through snapped and while the holster was still attached to the belt and the weapon was retained in the holster, it's still a scary thought.

I believe Safariland is aware of this and is replacing the defective piece at no charge. I don't know if it applies to all Safariland models, only SLS models, or this particular Raptor model, but please contact Safariland to confirm.

[ccthompsfs]

The part in question is their UBL, and it's only affecting those before a July 02. If you have a holster with the this item after that date your good to go. ANd if you ahve the defective piece they will replace it. Here is a link to the service announcement oin it you may have to download it in order to read but it's worth it so you know what your looking for. http://www.safariland.com/news/#20050523a

[ArcLight]

I have a 6280 (LvII) and installed the optional Sentry Lock that upgrades it to a LvIII. I also have a 6285 with the hood. I like the security of the Sentry Lock better than the hood. The Sentry Lock locks the rotating strap button in place so it can't be pushed down and then rotated forward. When I got the extra upgrade parts (the sentry lock and the hood) I was thinking of installing both pieces on the 6280 to bring it to a LvIV. However, according to Safariland's instruction sheet, you can't use the Sentry Lock and the hood at the same time on a holster. As I was installing the parts, it's clear you can't use both together (at least on those two holster models). They won't fit right and the bases that the screws go through aren't made to "mate" with each other and seat properly together.

To help break-in, I adjusted the tension screw and everything as per the instructions and then holstered and drew my weapon over 100 times by holding the holster in one hand and my weapon in the other. I did this before I started to practice while wearing it on my duty belt. I noticed a definite difference between how the weapon felt when drawn before I broke it in off the duty belt and after when I mounted it on the belt. Much smoother feel (to me anyway).

Anyone know where I can get the Safariland # 6002 SLS Sentry/Hood Guard Combination part? Their website says it fits all SLS holsters. That would be the perfect thing to bring my 6280 up to LvIV like I wanted it to be in the first place. I've checked different places online and I can't seem to find any supplier that has it.

[e-man]

Cant u get it online at their website? http://www.safariland.com/products.asp?id=137
What exactly is the Sentry addition? I know what the hood is.
E

[ArcLight]

Cant u get it online at their website? http://www.safariland.com/products.asp?id=137
What exactly is the Sentry addition? I know what the hood is.
E

Wish I could get it directly from their site, that would be the easiest solution. They have no online store from the way it looks. You have to get it from one of their dealers. I got my other parts from CopQuest.com--maybe I'll email them to see of they can order it (they don't have it listed with the other accessory parts in their online catalog, so it probably isn't regularly stocked).

The Sentry Lock is simply another thumb operated "button" (located at the same place the movable strap mechanism/button is) that you push forward and click into place. It locks the strap button and keeps it from being pushed down vertically (pushing the strap button down releases the strap allowing it to be rotated forward so you can draw the weapon). You can see a pretty good picture of it here http://copquest.com/23-2450.htm (half way down the page look for Safariland 6001 SLS Holster Sentry Guard).