Looking for duty holster

[Tbear0574]

I have a LEO friend that realy doesnt know much about guns is looking for a duty holster for his springfield XD .40 4" with the M3 tac light, I was told safariland is comming out with one, but does any one know another brand that will fit this set up?

Dont realy know what kind of look he wants in it, just that he doesnt want leather.

[timlt]

If he doesn't want leather, would he prefer one of those hard Kydex (plastic) type holsters? Here's an example of one, the BlackHawk CQC for the Springfield XD. I've heard some Leo's say they like this one, though I confess I haven't used it and don't even like Kydex myself. I'm not recommending this particular store, it's just one of the first places that came up in my search that had a good picture:

http://www.fundeals4u.com/product_p/rsbh410507bkr.htm

[BlkHawk73]

i'm guessing the dept has standards nd such governing which pistols are allowed for duty use. There's possibly other officers using this a=same pistol so why not seek their advice.
I will say not to skimp on the gear. The one time it's neccessary, one's life and well being can depend on it. Why skimp with that at stake?

[DocWagon]

I know a few guys who use that Blackhawk for plain clothes/court attire carry, but its not a duty holster.

Your LEO friend better check with his department and see whats authorized, first off. A minimum retention level, color, and finish type are normal. Is he wearing a nylong duty belt? If so, he'll probably have to stick with a nylon holster, minimum level 2 retention, and usually black for city and state officers, brown for deputies, rangers, etc.

Once he knows the criteria, than he can see what's available and go from there.

Safariland makes our issued holster for our Glocks, and they are of very good quality. I've never felt a need to purchase my own, as I'm very happy with the one I was issued.

[timlt]

[Updated]
Sorry Tbear, I think your friend is outa' luck, as far as a duty holster for an XD .40 from Blackhawk. They do make duty holsters in the Serpa II and III models, which I had linked to last night, but then I went checking on their site (because I had some interest in these myself, as I own an XD9 that I'd like to open carry at some point), but found they don't make these duty holsters for the XD.

[Zydeco76]

I used the safariland rention lvl 3 for my XD. Mine did not allow for a light though. I was satisfied with the holster.

[mbott]

Until the XD makes greater inroads into LE, I doubt you will see a Safariland duty holster w/light anytime soon. Around here, the XD has basically been an individual officer purchase and not one that any major department has moved to.

I believe I remember hearing from Safariland that it costs them over $50k just to create the holster molds for a pistol.

--
Mike

[timlt]

Don't know why, but I'm kind of doubting now whether the XD ever WILL make much inroads into LE. With the new S&W MP coming out, being American made and offering great package buys to agencies in large quantities, my guess is that in most cases if they don't stick with the most common option of Glocks or whatever else they currently use, the preferred "new" option will likely be the M&P rather than the XD. I would LIKE to see the XD succeed in this LE market, but it's just the combination of timing and other factors that I don't think it's going to take off in this market. So I think you're right, that if the holster companies don't already have a hot-selling duty holster for XD's, they probably aren't going to be adding many new ones. I've pretty much given up searching for a duty-type holster for open carry of my XD, and am just looking for a traditional belt holster with some kind of retention system. I'm looking at some Galco options right now, and also High Noon Holsters.

[93sr20det]

I'm looking at some Galco options right now, and also High Noon Holsters.

Galco is the only holster that I will buy. I have had nothing but good luck with them and the fit and finish is second to none! They are a bit spendy but I have been getting some killer deals on them on evilbay used or NOS.

[gunrun45]

Don Hume holster item # H738-SH Tac: Light. Cost $128

They make them to fit and are of excellent quality.

Check them out here

http://www.donhume.com/Products/ProductsList.cfm?action=SearchByWeapon&WeaponID=243

[timlt]

Thanks for the tip. I'd never even heard of this company. Can you give an idea of what other holsters out there they would closely compare to, in terms of quality, style, and materials?

One other question about "duty" versus direct access style holsters. In getting a belt holster for open carry, how important do you think it is to get a duty-style holster with a retention strap, versus a more direct-access holster that may have a screw or something to aid retention, but has no strap? I'm wondering if it becomes a big liability issue, if a person ever is involved with a shooting using an "openly-carried" gun, and you don't have a retention strap as the police do.

[DocWagon]

Thanks for the tip. I'd never even heard of this company. Can you give an idea of what other holsters out there they would closely compare to, in terms of quality, style, and materials?

One other question about "duty" versus direct access style holsters. In getting a belt holster for open carry, how important do you think it is to get a duty-style holster with a retention strap, versus a more direct-access holster that may have a screw or something to aid retention, but has no strap? I'm wondering if it becomes a big liability issue, if a person ever is involved with a shooting using an "openly-carried" gun, and you don't have a retention strap as the police do.

I'm not sure I understand the liability question. Do you mean if you use your gun or if someone snatches it and uses it? If you use it, I don't think the type of holster will be relevant. If someone grabs it from you and uses it, you could probably be named on the lawsuit but I doubt it would go anywhere (never can tell, though).

The retention device is to prevent a gun grab and to prevent it from coming out of the holster in a melee. A good retention device and a bit of practice and it becomes second nature and doesn't slow your draw. A poor retention device and/or lack of practice is going to be detrimental. I wouldn't open carry without it.

[timlt]

The concern is for the case of a "righteous" incident involving a civilian with an openly carried sidearm, where everything about it is legal and acceptable, you have to fire, and no BG succeeds in a grab. But an unscrupulous attorney decides to go after you anyway, trying to infer motives from details about your gear: a modified trigger pull, or in this case, a holster without a retention strap. The assumption is that such attorneys would say the lack of the retention strap indicated a premeditated desire to use the sidearm, and made it too quick and easy to do so, and that the whole thing was unnecessary. I'm asking if this scenario with the holster is something that does happen or could happen, and if one would be better protected from fraudulent liability cases (besides the obvious fact that it protects better against grabs) by going with a retention holster.

[DocWagon]

I'm not saying the argument couldn't be made, but I don't think it would go anywhere. The same argument has been leveled against police officers carrying firearms off duty but not carrying OC. "You just wanted to kill someone so you didn't carry your non-lethal equipment off duty..." arguments have been made but to the best of my knowledge have always failed. I've frequently heard the same argument against non-factory ammunition, even from some acknowledged experts in the field, but I've yet to have anyone show me a case where it actually swayed the verdict.

In my layman opinion, the opposing attorney could bring it up but I don't see it going anywhere.

[gunrun45]

+1 for Doc's statements. I don't see where the argument would go. Even in the LEO world the different levels of retention devices (straps, rocking, twisting, etc...) varry greatly and I have never heard the arguement there. Even plain clothes officers (detectives and such) rarely carry holsters that have a retention strap since they carry concealed.

As far as Don Hume goes, its very good stuff. They have been around for many years and are better know in LE circles for primarily duty holsters. They don't get into the synthetic stuff much so its hard to compare them with most of the modern holster makers. Fit and finish is excellent. Most holsters are suede lined and metal reinforced. They offer a variety of retention styles but the verison that fits the light bearing guns is single retention only. They are a high quality item but like all other hosters require practice and breaking in for 100% reliability.

My old department had several Don Hume hoslters that were in service for over 15 years with no issues. I compare that to the Bianchi accumold junk that is out there today and laugh. The Bianchi "pleather" holsters (nylon overlayed with synthetics stamped to look like basket weave) for duty were a joke. We sent back EVERY holster at least once to have the snap replaced and the laminate pealed off most of the holsters within one ot two years.