Holster Retention Levels

[PawPaw]

I've been going through my holster box lately, and examining my understanding of holster retention levels. One fairly good explanation is here at the Safariland page, but it seems that the industry doesn't have a good definition of retention levels.

For example, Safariland rates its SLS holsters at retention level II, (two motions required) and the ALS holsters at retention level I (one motion required). Whereas Blackhawk rates its Serpa CQC as level II retention, when the user must only make one manipulation to release the holster. It appears to me that the Serpa should be more accurately rated at Level I. What am I missing here?

[tcourtplayer]

How it was explained to me is not necessarily how many actions it takes to release it but how many points of retention there are. For example, if after pressing the release on the Blackhawk holster the only way to release the pressure retention was to rock it forward as you drew vice pulling it straight up they would count that as a second retention device. This is because someone trying to take it from you could be prevented even if they hit the release if you can prevent them from rocking it forward, so no matter how hard they tried to pull up it wouldn't come free. I'm no expert though and this is second hand knowledge.

[PawPaw]

How it was explained to me is not necessarily how many actions it takes to release it but how many points of retention there are. For example, if after pressing the release on the Blackhawk holster the only way to release the pressure retention was to rock it forward as you drew vice pulling it straight up they would count that as a second retention device. This is because someone trying to take it from you could be prevented even if they hit the release if you can prevent them from rocking it forward, so no matter how hard they tried to pull up it wouldn't come free. I'm no expert though and this is second hand knowledge.

That's the way I understand it too.

I've posted a large piece on the matter at my website. LINKY! What amazes me is that the holsters that I think are some of the best, simply aren't made any more. Bianchi isn't making their #350, and Don Hume no longer makes their H950. I consider those two of the best revolver retention holster ever made, and they are no longer available. I better take care of the leather, because once they fail, there ain't no more.

[Greg]

I've posted a large piece on the matter at my website. LINKY! What amazes me is that the holsters that I think are some of the best, simply aren't made any more. Bianchi isn't making their #350, and Don Hume no longer makes their H950. I consider those two of the best revolver retention holster ever made, and they are no longer available. I better take care of the leather, because once they fail, there ain't no more.

I wouldn't worry about that last part so much. Lots of good custom makers out there, you can find them on any good handgun-related board like here.

Take care of the leather so you save yourself the expense of buying a new holster.