Your review? Blackhawk drop leg/thigh SERPA 2 holster

[vyadmirer]

Out shooting I once saw a guy trip and fall wearing a serpa. The holster fell right off the leg platform when he hit the deck. The 1/17th of an inch screws (exaggeration) simply couldn't hold the 2 together during a simple trip and fall. It was rather eye opening to be honest.

[jeepinbandtrider]

I've been running the Lvl II SERPA(s) for many years. I like them and suggest them to people for a great all around holster. I use mine for competition, Concealed Carry (sometimes I use a simple pancake holster for the G26), on my "war belt" and in my car. They function just fine. I threw around the idea a few months ago about going to G-Code holsters across the board but still haven't done it yet. Not sure if I will.

I'll admit I threw around that idea a while back when I was hearing about the issues that have been described in this thread but after rolling around in fields while shooting, going down the river on a regular basis and other crap like that mine have never failed me. I still have my original one I bought years ago and two others. One mounted in the car and one mounted on my "war belt". THey've done just fine too.

[Hoot Harrington]

I own a serpa. I was taking my pistol and holster off my hip one night and decided to un-holster the weapon before removing the holster as it can be a bit difficult when only using the paddle attachment. After I had them both removed I went to re-holster the weapon off my person and put it on a desk, my attention was towards the person I was conversing with and put the gun in backwards. Let me emphasize in the fact that I did not force or shove the gun into the holster but merely placed it in, now I understand that I should have been paying more attention but the action of simply putting it in backwards rendered the holster completely useless, it would no longer accept the pistol at all. Eventually I took the holster apart and put the little plastic piece which apparently was dislodged back into place. This made me loose all confidence in the holster for anything other than around the house or range trips.

[jeepinbandtrider]

Put it in backwards?? is that even possible?

I just pulled my SERPA and G26 out and tried to put it in the holster in various positions where it would fit "easily" and It never gets close to any of the mechanical bits for the finger release.

[RickOShea]

I own a serpa. I was taking my pistol and holster off my hip one night and decided to un-holster the weapon before removing the holster as it can be a bit difficult when only using the paddle attachment. After I had them both removed I went to re-holster the weapon off my person and put it on a desk, my attention was towards the person I was conversing with and put the gun in backwards. Let me emphasize in the fact that I did not force or shove the gun into the holster but merely placed it in, now I understand that I should have been paying more attention but the action of simply putting it in backwards rendered the holster completely useless, it would no longer accept the pistol at all. Eventually I took the holster apart and put the little plastic piece which apparently was dislodged back into place. This made me loose all confidence in the holster for anything other than around the house or range trips.

I was practicing one hand/weak hand reloads a few years ago with one of my 1911s and a Serpa. "Your holster is your friend". Everything was going good until about the third try when the slide didn't lock back when the gun went dry.

I ejected the empty mag, put the pistol in the holster (backwards) and inserted the new mag. But when I went to pull the pistol from the holster it was stuck "in there like swimwear".

The front sight was stuck in front of the plastic rib that normally puts pressure on the dust cover. I eventually got the pistol withdrawn (using two hands, which negated the one hand/weak hand drill), but I broke that plastic rib in the process.

[jeepinbandtrider]

I might be able to see that. Neither of my GLOCK SERPAs have that piece that you are talking about. My XD ones did.

[Robxxxx]

I have a serpa 2 paddle holster, as for the holster its self, it's decent enough i have since upgraded from it. I have no reservation about lending it to friends for use at the range. Bear with me for a moment and lets take a look at the drop leg/ thigh set up. Now under normal daily carry this really isnt practical, some states require a ccw lisc to carry at all and require the weapon be concealed, i live in WV where open carry is legal. A thigh rig for self defense porpouse is kinda impractical, its a rather slow draw compared to on the waist, impossible to conceal, and makes having your weapon taken away from behind much more of a concern. Drop legs were designed to be used with a secondary weapon, that being said in the eventuality that your main weapon malfunctions, runs out of ammo, what ever the case may be, the primary weapon droped and on to the secondary. Keep in mind you are in a fire fight, do you really want to reach to your thigh? Theyre have been many advancements such as chest rigs for your vest which your hands are already there, duty holster on the hip which are Still a much faster draw. I apologize for the lentghty post, just wanted to share my experiance and help pass along information that i have learned first hand and help simeone make an informed desicion, I also apologize for any offence taken of my saying the drop leg is impractical again merely my personal opinon from personal experience.

[Hoot Harrington]

Put it in backwards?? is that even possible?

I just pulled my SERPA and G26 out and tried to put it in the holster in various positions where it would fit "easily" and It never gets close to any of the mechanical bits for the finger release.

Without looking I gently inserted the pistol backwards just like this.
http://imgur.com/3fz6I
It only went in about an inch or so, before I realized my mistake and immediately took it out. When I went to holster it properly I realized the holster was rendered useless. My initial reaction was "Really SERPA? Fucking really? Combat rated my ass." I did get it working again by taking it apart and putting it back together properly but I have no faith in it.

[jeepinbandtrider]

I just did that with my G26 and G17 all the way to the trigger guard and neither weapon caused either of my GLOCK blackhawk holsters any problems. Infact I could a reload as described by Nick O Shea and I can't see how it would cause any problems at all. Neither of mine doesn't have the piece that Nick described that caused the malf. on his holster.

[RickOShea]

I have a serpa 2 paddle holster, as for the holster its self, it's decent enough i have since upgraded from it. I have no reservation about lending it to friends for use at the range. Bear with me for a moment and lets take a look at the drop leg/ thigh set up. Now under normal daily carry this really isnt practical, some states require a ccw lisc to carry at all and require the weapon be concealed, i live in WV where open carry is legal. A thigh rig for self defense porpouse is kinda impractical, its a rather slow draw compared to on the waist, impossible to conceal, and makes having your weapon taken away from behind much more of a concern. Drop legs were designed to be used with a secondary weapon, that being said in the eventuality that your main weapon malfunctions, runs out of ammo, what ever the case may be, the primary weapon droped and on to the secondary. Keep in mind you are in a fire fight, do you really want to reach to your thigh? Theyre have been many advancements such as chest rigs for your vest which your hands are already there, duty holster on the hip which are Still a much faster draw. I apologize for the lentghty post, just wanted to share my experiance and help pass along information that i have learned first hand and help simeone make an informed desicion, I also apologize for any offence taken of my saying the drop leg is impractical again merely my personal opinon from personal experience.

That's all well and good, but I prefer a thigh rig when I'm riding around our property on an ATV or doing some work with the bulldozer or bush hog.

[Robxxxx]

The best way to carry is how ever you choose to carry. Theres no right or wrong (long as its legal).

[RickOShea]

The best way to carry is how ever you choose to carry. Theres no right or wrong (long as its legal).

No, the "best way" to carry would be dictated by the activity. IWB and OWB holsters for CCing, drop-holsters on my battle belts, and thigh rigs for when I'm operating equipment, wearing a heavy hunting coat or a back-pack. (I also keep a Safe-Packer in each vehicle, JIC.) YMMV.

[Seigii]

I'm surprised no one mentioned the yahoo on YouTube that shot himself in the leg using a sherpa. If I find the link I'll post it later. At least he was honest enough to admit it was operator error. That being said, I have a sherpa for every handgun I own. Knock on wood, I've not had any safety related issues. For some reason Blackhawk has two different length mounting screws available. I emailed them to purchase the longer ones and they sent me a set for free. Due to the location of the holster release extra care is needed as the trigger finger presents to the side of the frame trigger guard area. As for durability, i haven't been in the sand with it, but I have been in the mud and bush with mine with no issues. I was using the thigh rig, until I had need to draw while running...ordered the jacket slot mount the same day. Low enough to clear a tacvest, platecarrier etc. high enough to not need a thigh strap. My advice to the op, if you're planning on the sherpa to be your main holster practice dry paying extra attention to your trigger finger. If this is one of many holsters, practice even more as the release is different than a thumb strap or safariland's release. Also, check eBay for the sherpa sportster version as they are cheaper. Keep in mind though, blackhawk states the sportster is not duty rated, but you may be able to get it cheap enough that if you don't like it you won't be kicking yourself for spending the money.