blackhawk’s cqc serpa holster
TRANSCRIPT
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FOG HORN a Twobirds Flying Publication
14 November 2011 By: Sal Palma FOG HORN BLOG Blackhawk’s CQC SERPA Holster
Before you tune me out saying this is another
SERPA holster review, give me an opportunity to
give you my perspective on holsters.
The holster is part of your weapon system
period. You can have the most finely tuned
pistol on the planet seated in a poorly designed
holster and you might as well opt for a slingshot.
Holsters function to provide you with a means
to carry your pistol or revolver; sometimes for a
long period
of
time;
so,
they
have
to
be
comfortable. You need to be able to sit, stand
and squat without the firearm or holster getting
in the way.
The holster must also provide you with ready
access to your firearm. In other words it must
facilitate drawing the weapon.
Finally, the holster needs to contribute to
weapon retention. It should assist you in
retaining control of the weapon during a close
quarter confrontation.
Those are the three key ingredients that any
holster must
satisfy
in
order
for
me
to
give
it
thumbs up.
I wish I had a nickel for every holster I’ve
purchased over the years – only to end up in a
drawer. It’s like buying socks I guess.
I’ve had holsters that were very quick on the
draw but if I ran in them the pistol would fall
right out. I’ve also had holster with thumb
breaks that wouldn’t release.
While in the service, I used to moonlight a bit
providing armed security. A hotel located in a
high crime
area
retained
me
as
plainclothes
armed security. My job was to detect illegal
activity; deter it when possible or hand it over to
the local PD.
Although you’d never guess it by the look of the
property, the inflow of drugs and prostitution
kept everyone busy.
One rainy Friday evening, a guest from
Memphis, TN checked in and setup shop in one
of the rooms. By about 1:00 a.m. Saturday
morning, there was a steady stream of people
going to and coming out of the room. I
contacted
the
police
and
informed
them
of
suspected drug trafficking. When the police
arrived, they set up surveillance and reached
the conclusion that the individual had a shooting
gallery up and running.
The officer in charge asked me to escort four
officers up to the floor where two officers
secured both ends of the hallway and two
officers would enter the suspect’s room.
While just outside the guest’s door, the officer
standing directly behind me – I will never forget
this ‐ says “use the master key to open the door
then go low and I’ll go high.”
What ensued
could
only
be
described
as
assholes and elbows. I’ve never seen a more
Chaplin like scene than that one. Everyone
running into the toilet to flush the evidence, it
was intense. Luckily, no one was armed. But, it
gave me a snapshot of what can take place, and
as important, it gave me a feel for firearm
access and control.
What’s the bottom line? Your holster is as much
part of your weapon systems as the weapon,
magazines and/or ammunition. It all works
together.
The
urban
settings
in
the
Iraqi
conflicts
of
Desert
Storm and Iraqi Freedom accelerated and
formalized a type of combat operation called
CQB or close quarter battle, and CQC or close
quarter combat. This setting demanded new
approaches, new equipment and new training.
In reality CQC and CQB are not new concepts at
all. The law enforcement community, especially
S.W.A.T., has been engaged in CQB and CQC for
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quite some time, we just didn’t have a name for
it. And, in fact, many of the techniques
employed by
the
military
and
special
operators
today have law enforcement origins.
The Blackhawk Industries CQC SERPA holster
was bred in that environment. Operators had a
need for a holster that would provide
exceptional weapon access yet provide
retention above what was currently available
which was the military style flap holster.
As operators refined their techniques, the
technology to support them followed. We began
to see widespread use of pistols with high
capacity magazines, rails and accessories such as
rail
attached
lights
and
aiming
lasers.
Holsters,
as well, evolved to support these emerging tools
and we began to classify them, rather
informally, as Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.
A Level 1 holster is one that relies on friction to
keep the weapon in the holster. Here a number
of techniques are employed to secure the
holster. Holster shape / angle and tensioning
screws are the principal mechanisms.
Level 1 holsters are principally used as
concealed carry holsters or range holster where
aggressive physical activity is not expected and
where weapon retention is not as critical.
A Level
2 holster
offers
friction
and
a secondary
mechanism such as latch – mechanical or strap.
A Level 2 holster is intended for situations
where it is reasonable to expect aggressive
physical activity and weapon retention is a
concern resulting from close proximity to an
opposing aggressor.
Lastly, A Level 3 holster offers three retention
systems – friction, a primary latching system and
a secondary latching system.
Level 3 holsters are common among police
officers where weapon retention is of
paramount
importance.
What makes Blackhawks’ CQC SERPA holster
such an exceptional choice is not its Level 1, 2 or
3 characteristics. Rather, it’s the
implementation of these to create and effective
and efficient holster system.
The CQC (Close Quarters Concealment) SERPA
comes with three subassemblies. The holster, a
paddle mount and a belt mount.
The
holster
is
made
from
a
reinforced
carbon
fiber that is impervious to moisture, retains it
shape and is highly durable. The holster body
also houses the retention mechanisms.
The tensioning screw, just forward of the SERPA
latch is adjusted an 8th
of a turn at a time to set
the precise desired level of friction.
In the picture below, I’ve elevated the holster
and weapon and depressed the SERPA latch.
Note that the SIG remains in the holster and
does not fall to the surface below. This is your
Level 1 at work.
The SERPA latch built into the holster provides a
mechanical restraint that is defeated when the
latch is
depressed,
and
this
is
your
Level
2.
In
a close quarter confrontation, the opposing
aggressor would not be able to unholster your
firearm unless they new to depress the SERPA
lock.
Having a Level 2 or Level 3 holster of any make
is no substitute for weapon retention
instruction. If you carry a firearm for self ‐
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defense or work, I strongly suggest that you get
that level of guidance.
For obvious
reasons
this
is
a high
priority
with
police departments and officers receive weapon
retention training at regular intervals to
maintain proficiency.
The SERPA system has a further benefit. The
location and design of the SERPA lock forces the
operator to extend his or her index finger along
the side of the holster to release the weapon. As
the weapon is pulled from the holster, the index
finger remains in its correct position along the
pistol’s frame and out of the trigger guard until
the operator is ready to fire. This is extremely
important
for
safety
and
greatly
improves
muzzle and firearm control.
Index
Finger
Extended
Depresses
SERPA
lock.
Weapon Release
Weapon drawn and ready to be placed into action.
I also spoke about access. I have worn a variety
of holsters that keep the pistol or revolver very
close against the body. This may be good for
conceal carry but it makes it difficult for the
operator to access the weapon particularly in
stressful situations. To enhance accessibility,
Blackhawk Industries engineered a mounting
system that places the holstered weapon out
from the operator’s body about a quarter to half
an inch;
as
such,
it’s
easy
to
slip
your
hand
over
the weapon’s grip and draw the weapon
without being entangled by clothing.
Finally, we arrive at comfort and here too
Blackhawk did an exceptional job. The SERPA
holsters are shipped with two different
mounting arrangements.
The first is a paddle mount, which I prefer over
the belt mount.
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FOG HORN a Twobirds Flying Publication
Copyright 2011, Sal Palma, dba Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved.
When selecting a tactical holster system try to
remember that gunfights aren’t won by quick
draws and
putting
five
rounds
down
range
before the first empty shell casing hits the
ground.
Instead, they are won by the methodical and
consistent application of doctrine, and mastery
of the tools available to you.
The CQC SERPA is such a tool ‐ practice with it,
develop proficiency and consistency – “slow is
smooth and smooth is fast” but always
remember to place safety first.
Be sure to visit Blackhawk Industries for a
complete line of exceptional products. The paddle slips between your pants and your
belt. The large horseshoe paddle slips into your
pants
and
the
smaller
paddle,
which
contains
the holster attachment points traps your belt
using adjustable hooks provided. It is completely
solid and quite comfortable. I like it because I
don’t have to remove my belt to put on or take
off my holster.
‐SP
You’ll also note that the holster’s angle can be
adjusted front or back. I favor the FBI can’t
which is the slight forward cant readily seen in
the picture above.
The belt mount offers the same degree of
flexibility as the paddle mount, which means
that it can be adjusted for cant and belt size.
But, it
means
threading
a belt
through
the
loops
and I’d rather not, so I fly with the paddle
mount.
In closing, Blackhawk’s CQC SERPA holster
satisfies all of the essential requirements of
comfort, accessibility and retention at an MSRP
of $40.99. I give it great big thumbs up!
It’s not hard see why SERPA designs have
revolutionized tactical holster technology.