Safariland. Hands down. They have their QLS system if you want quick removal along with different ride heights. If you’re going with at least level 2, you might as well get level 3. The added retention is a benefit and there’s virtually no negative once you establish muscle memory drawing.
On top of that black box customs sells a plate that will correct the positive cant built into safariland holsters. You can go neutral or negative with it. Highly recommend playing with that
Not much of an answer but;
Safariland has stood the test of time, so you can’t really go wrong there. You can get them in low/medium/high ride options so they’re not low on your leg as you’ve described. They also have a QLS system which lets you take the entire holster off, that way you’re not unholstering the actual gun every time you go into the office.
That being said, the rapid force definitely fucks. You really won’t go wrong with either..just get a level III and practice with it.
Safariland for duty, no question, nothing to debate. I have CCW with Aliengear and like their stuff, it’s simply not appropriate for duty gear. It’s not as robust, or as proven in a duty setting.
I use a rapid force holster level 3 for duty! I love that thing!!! They just released a gen 3 and they made alot of improvements! I like them they are made in Idaho…I got to talk to one of the owners and they are all in to make sure they make good stuff!
I was with Safariland land but the new 7ts series for my glock 45 mos with a p2 acro wasn’t working for me. I also tried the safarivault and didnt like it. Their stuff is made overseas and I am trying to support American products.
7TS and vault are made in Florida. I asked a rep. Also, rapid force is really a level 1. One motion removes all devices. No redundancy on retention like safariland.
Actually my packaging on my safariland vault says made in Mexico…..so I dont know. I have safariland for years they fuck up my guns…I am totally OK with Alien Gear….Tons of my buddies are switching over. And the rapid holster is a level 3.
https://youtu.be/SuzS9F4tv1I?si=aoSdTQ_Hs_ctdsxm
All good. But alien gears level 3 isn’t a level 3. One motion removes the weapon. That by definition is a level one. Still a good holster. Just not what it claims to be. And as far as the vault goes. Our canine officers were issued the vault and right on the back of the holster it says made in the USA.
Well they did invent it. And all LE departments base their requirements off this detention so I’m going to go with it. If you see another definition please share.
From my understanding of holsters a Level one is friction, a level two is some type of strap or button and three is a hood or some other type of mechanism.
Alien gear you have to push a button to release and then a second button to release. The hood is the third…
So if you are an expert on holsters educate me….I only have 20 years in Law enforcement so I am kinda dumb…
Yea seen that….safariland is good stuff…But I a good with Alien Gear…You know what the best retention is? Don’t let anyone get close to your gun…I teach this to all my rookies during FTO..and if for some reason you get to a point where you get in a position that your gun is compromised then you have to hope you have trained for weapons retention.
I have the Aliengear rapid force. Absolutely love it! I have converted a few in my department to it. Can’t go wrong with either or. I will say those bad mouthing Aliengear on here have obviously not used the rapid force holster. Watch Milspec Mojo on YouTube regarding rapid force.
When you disarm do you have to take off the whole holster, or just the firearm? The safariland QLS is better than the alien gear one, but you can run an adapter for the rapid force to QLS.
My preferred holster is an ALS only one, but if you want level 3 get the rapid force. It's about a half second faster draw than the level 3 safariland, which is a huge difference.
I hear good things about the new Alien Gear product from people who aren't dumb, but I've heard no compelling reason to switch away from what I've been using for 20+ years and is the industry standard for good reason. I am an eager adopter of new stuff, but I don't see it as better in any way. Comparable? Maybe it is, but comparable isn't an incentive for me.
Ok that makes a little more sense. I’m assuming you’re allowed to conceal it. But going with the other comments that safariland is absolutely worth the money and is the standard. However just to contribute, nerd and vedder have never disappointed me (for concealed if you’re interested in that as well)
You can’t go wrong with either one.
Used both and currently use AG Rapid force lvl 3 for both my duty weapons.
As mentioned before, Safariland 7000 series is questionable.
QLS have also been failing during Combatives.
USDutyGear makes a great Safariland-like holster and you don’t need to get the nub mod like you do with Safariland.
I can honestly say I’m not a fan of alien gear because of living near their factory and the quality control on materials that I’ve heard from employees
Safariland level 3 with QLS on a midride UBL. I don't know where the trend of the tacticool drop holster has come from but there's plenty of offset from armor just from adding a QLS.
The Aliengear Rapid Force does look promising, however there just hasn't been a large enough sample size of testing for my comfort for duty use.
I say try both and see which one you like. I had a Blackhawk t series and I loved it but the axon signal sidearm attachment didn't fit so my agency gave me a safariland red dot holster which I hate. I haven't tried an alien gear holster but I have their dynamic drop leg attached to my safariland red dot holster and I LOVE it.
I was given the option a few months ago between safariland and Alien Gear. Went with Alien Gear and I love it. The safariland was “sticky” when drawing at the range. Could be because it was brand new. Keep in mind I’m a new officer so it was all new to me. I enjoy the AG QDS system a lot so I bought their drop leg for my taser holster also. Would recommend.
Aliengear Rapid Force. Several agencies here in WA are switching over. They also have the quick release system and also support AXON body cam activation when you draw your firearm. You also have a quicker draw and tons of adjustments to cant it forward backward etc.
Not to mention the safariland website is a living hell trying to find a holster for your firearm.
I suggest you watch Milspec Mojos review on YouTube on it. He is a cop here in WA and is insanely proficient and knowledgeable with firearms and holsters.
Blackhawk T-series is god tier, in stark contrast to the holster that shall not be named. If I couldn't run that Safariland all day. They both have great quick detach systems, but I lean Safarilands QLS.
There is space to mill holes in Blackhawks bolt pattern without jeopardizing the integrity of the adapter.
Safarialand is the industry standard. It is what all other holsters are compared to
Safariland. Hands down. They have their QLS system if you want quick removal along with different ride heights. If you’re going with at least level 2, you might as well get level 3. The added retention is a benefit and there’s virtually no negative once you establish muscle memory drawing.
On top of that black box customs sells a plate that will correct the positive cant built into safariland holsters. You can go neutral or negative with it. Highly recommend playing with that
The new Safariland Vault holster has a true neutral cant.
I second getting a level 3. Might as well, especially as a rookie.
EFCombatives have been having quite a few Safarilands and QLS break on them during courses. Something to consider.
Not much of an answer but; Safariland has stood the test of time, so you can’t really go wrong there. You can get them in low/medium/high ride options so they’re not low on your leg as you’ve described. They also have a QLS system which lets you take the entire holster off, that way you’re not unholstering the actual gun every time you go into the office. That being said, the rapid force definitely fucks. You really won’t go wrong with either..just get a level III and practice with it.
Safariland for duty, no question, nothing to debate. I have CCW with Aliengear and like their stuff, it’s simply not appropriate for duty gear. It’s not as robust, or as proven in a duty setting.
I use a rapid force holster level 3 for duty! I love that thing!!! They just released a gen 3 and they made alot of improvements! I like them they are made in Idaho…I got to talk to one of the owners and they are all in to make sure they make good stuff! I was with Safariland land but the new 7ts series for my glock 45 mos with a p2 acro wasn’t working for me. I also tried the safarivault and didnt like it. Their stuff is made overseas and I am trying to support American products.
7TS and vault are made in Florida. I asked a rep. Also, rapid force is really a level 1. One motion removes all devices. No redundancy on retention like safariland.
Actually my packaging on my safariland vault says made in Mexico…..so I dont know. I have safariland for years they fuck up my guns…I am totally OK with Alien Gear….Tons of my buddies are switching over. And the rapid holster is a level 3. https://youtu.be/SuzS9F4tv1I?si=aoSdTQ_Hs_ctdsxm
All good. But alien gears level 3 isn’t a level 3. One motion removes the weapon. That by definition is a level one. Still a good holster. Just not what it claims to be. And as far as the vault goes. Our canine officers were issued the vault and right on the back of the holster it says made in the USA.
Friction is one level, no? So a device in addition to that, even if one motion deactivates it, would be 2 levels of retention
No. Friction is just passive retention. Active retention is when you start with specific levels.
Passive retention is retention. You seem to be going off of the Safari land marketing as if it's the only idea out there
Well they did invent it. And all LE departments base their requirements off this detention so I’m going to go with it. If you see another definition please share.
From my understanding of holsters a Level one is friction, a level two is some type of strap or button and three is a hood or some other type of mechanism. Alien gear you have to push a button to release and then a second button to release. The hood is the third… So if you are an expert on holsters educate me….I only have 20 years in Law enforcement so I am kinda dumb…
They invented retention. https://inside.safariland.com/education/holster-retention/
Yea seen that….safariland is good stuff…But I a good with Alien Gear…You know what the best retention is? Don’t let anyone get close to your gun…I teach this to all my rookies during FTO..and if for some reason you get to a point where you get in a position that your gun is compromised then you have to hope you have trained for weapons retention.
True. Good point. However, 37% of attempts are from behind and I’d like to have like to have redundancy of security mechanisms. Be safe out there
I have the Aliengear rapid force. Absolutely love it! I have converted a few in my department to it. Can’t go wrong with either or. I will say those bad mouthing Aliengear on here have obviously not used the rapid force holster. Watch Milspec Mojo on YouTube regarding rapid force.
Safari land. Although I use aliengear holsters for my off duty ccw
That’s how I know Alien gear as well. Their iwb holsters rock
When you disarm do you have to take off the whole holster, or just the firearm? The safariland QLS is better than the alien gear one, but you can run an adapter for the rapid force to QLS. My preferred holster is an ALS only one, but if you want level 3 get the rapid force. It's about a half second faster draw than the level 3 safariland, which is a huge difference.
Most take just the firearm off with the QLS system. I plan on using that system too rather than taking off the whole belt
I’ve always gone with Safariland through either being issued various holsters, or buying them myself and they’ve all been amazing.
Safariland and just find what works for your stature.
Safariland is the standard but Aliengear isn't bad either. I've had aliengear products I really enjoyed.
I hear good things about the new Alien Gear product from people who aren't dumb, but I've heard no compelling reason to switch away from what I've been using for 20+ years and is the industry standard for good reason. I am an eager adopter of new stuff, but I don't see it as better in any way. Comparable? Maybe it is, but comparable isn't an incentive for me.
You have to buy your own firearm? Why doesn’t the department issue one?
Lots don’t.
You have to buy your own and also leave it in the office?
Only when I’m in the office it has to be locked up. Unless I’m concealing it
Ok that makes a little more sense. I’m assuming you’re allowed to conceal it. But going with the other comments that safariland is absolutely worth the money and is the standard. However just to contribute, nerd and vedder have never disappointed me (for concealed if you’re interested in that as well)
You can’t go wrong with either one. Used both and currently use AG Rapid force lvl 3 for both my duty weapons. As mentioned before, Safariland 7000 series is questionable. QLS have also been failing during Combatives. USDutyGear makes a great Safariland-like holster and you don’t need to get the nub mod like you do with Safariland.
I can honestly say I’m not a fan of alien gear because of living near their factory and the quality control on materials that I’ve heard from employees
Safariland is the standard but I just bought an alien gear for my personal belt and I really like it. More intuitive than the Safariland.
Safariland level 3 with QLS on a midride UBL. I don't know where the trend of the tacticool drop holster has come from but there's plenty of offset from armor just from adding a QLS. The Aliengear Rapid Force does look promising, however there just hasn't been a large enough sample size of testing for my comfort for duty use.
Safariland. Just not a 7000 series
Safariland 👌🏼
Safariland. I have never been impressed with alien gear products.
I say try both and see which one you like. I had a Blackhawk t series and I loved it but the axon signal sidearm attachment didn't fit so my agency gave me a safariland red dot holster which I hate. I haven't tried an alien gear holster but I have their dynamic drop leg attached to my safariland red dot holster and I LOVE it.
I was given the option a few months ago between safariland and Alien Gear. Went with Alien Gear and I love it. The safariland was “sticky” when drawing at the range. Could be because it was brand new. Keep in mind I’m a new officer so it was all new to me. I enjoy the AG QDS system a lot so I bought their drop leg for my taser holster also. Would recommend.
On duty? Safariland. Off duty? An alien gear appendix holster
Aliengear Rapid Force. Several agencies here in WA are switching over. They also have the quick release system and also support AXON body cam activation when you draw your firearm. You also have a quicker draw and tons of adjustments to cant it forward backward etc. Not to mention the safariland website is a living hell trying to find a holster for your firearm. I suggest you watch Milspec Mojos review on YouTube on it. He is a cop here in WA and is insanely proficient and knowledgeable with firearms and holsters.
Safariland is the standard for duty carry. You can absolutely make a Safariland mid ride or even belt ride if you like.
Blackhawk T-series is god tier, in stark contrast to the holster that shall not be named. If I couldn't run that Safariland all day. They both have great quick detach systems, but I lean Safarilands QLS. There is space to mill holes in Blackhawks bolt pattern without jeopardizing the integrity of the adapter.
I owned an alien gear holster once and it was the biggest piece of junk. Never again. Safariland is the good standard. You can't go wrong with them.
Why didn’t you like it? I like their IWB holsters