Safariland 6280 for OC - Two tumbs up [holster review]

[Pa. Patriot]

Not to long ago I switched to the Safariland 6280 for OC, & the occasional casual CC.
http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/p....aspx?pid=6280
***

Having had and used various Safariland holsters in the past I had been eying the 6280 for quite a while and finally saved a few $ and got one.

I replaced the (duty style) UBL belt loop with the 6281 "High-ride adapter" in 1.5" to match my belts.
http://www.copquest.com/23-2400.htm#...Ride_Belt_Loop

*** I will add a pic of this holster in use, with the high ride adapter since the above pic is the stock photo with the regular (duty) belt loop.

I also installed the optional Sentry device.
http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/p....aspx?pid=6001
Safariland considers this a Level III to Level IV holster in this config, provided you have the retention screw also adjusted properly.

The rotating hood is also a decoy strap/snap to further protect against a disarm attempt. An unfamiliar person would assume the top strap was an outside snap/strap, since that is what it looks like. But the retention is hidden.

The holster requires the following to draw the weapon:
1) Release hidden Sentry lever with thumb
2) Release the hood/strap by pushing down and fwd with thumb on hidden pad.
3) Draw weapon absolutely straight up.

I'm very happy with this holster. Not only is it more secure than the serpa, but it looks much more professional and is LEATHER. Well, it is polymer-leather laminate, but you get the idea, the leather is on the outside. And it's lined for all you guys with "pretty" guns.
Seriously, this safariland makes the serpa look, and feel, like a toy. But of course it costs 2-3 times as much. If you are looking for a sub $100 holster this ain't it In that circumstance a serpa would be a good temporary solution while saving for this. Pennsylvania dealer http://www.mattsshootingsupplies.com can order you any model you need. Optics planet also had good prices but did not have my model in stock.

Other thoughts:
Concealing this would be pretty difficult. I've concealed with other OWB holsters, including the serpa, lots of times. Not hard with a simple cover garment. But the 6280 is thicker material/built beefier than the thin serpa and is not as tight/snug to the body. It's pretty much an OC or very casual CC holster. Which for me, fits the bill nicely

[cgbudde]

Looks good, but how quick is it to get firearm out of holster. Remember old people like me are not that quick anymore. LOL.

I'll have to check matts website.

[smithwessn]

(03-17-2010 11:34 AM)Pa. Patriot Wrote:  Not to long ago I switched to the Safariland 6280 for OC, & the occasional casual CC.

Was there any particular reason you switched? Problems with your old holster, or just time to try something new?

[Insane Kangaroo]

I've the 6280 with level IV upgrade for my Springfield XD .45 which is still in evidence.
mm/dd/yyyy
Currently I use a Safariland Raptor 6070 Level III upgraded to level V for carry of my Glock 21.

Welcome to the world of secure holsters for people who care about proper firearms retention and safety.

[spencer280]

looks good i have also upgraded to the retainer 3 duty holster by safariland

[t1m0thy]

I have been looking at Safariland for a replacement for my Glock. Where is a good place to pick one up?

[spencer280]

ebay sales them at a good price. you could check there

[Insane Kangaroo]

(05-02-2010 12:02 PM)t1m0thy Wrote:  I have been looking at Safariland for a replacement for my Glock. Where is a good place to pick one up?

If you want a new holster, there are a couple of options available in regards to better prices. Opticsplanet depending on the item, second LAPolicegear, third would be copsplus.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/safariland-holsters.html

Raptor 6070 Level III ($129.60) . I use this holster with the level V upgrade.
http://www.copsplus.com/prodnum2090.php

(well the 6070 price is high on their site)
http://www.lapolicegear.com/saduho.html

[Signmaker]

Level IV retention holster...for private citizen OC? Jeez, why not just get really serious and strap a small gun safe to your belt? Or are you anticipating getting illegally disarmed by another very unlucky officer, and want to enjoy the first of many confused and befuddled expressions as they attempt to remove it, resulting in you offering the simpler (and safer) "let me take it off the belt and leave it in the holster" approach?

[Insane Kangaroo]

(05-04-2010 12:11 AM)Signmaker Wrote:  Level IV retention holster...for private citizen OC?

Here, I'll use this wonderful thing called logic.
Police have plenty of training and generally use Level III holsters.
Citizens who OC generally have zero training and/or don't train every year.

See where I'm going? Why wouldn't a person use with less to no training not use a high retention holster?

[Signmaker]

(05-04-2010 12:38 AM)Insane Kangaroo Wrote:  Here, I'll use this wonderful thing called logic.
Police have plenty of training and generally use Level III holsters.
Citizens who OC generally have zero training and/or don't train every year.

See where I'm going? Why wouldn't a person use with less to no training not use a high retention holster?

Don't get a wrinkle in your fursuit, I'll explain.

If the average LEOs retention training, is anything like their marksmanship training, I'd be tentative about calling it 'plenty'. Though, that is besides the point really, because LEOs operate a little differently than the common OCer, in that it's their job to go after the bad guy, whereas it is ours to get away. This is why every major city has a stack of account of LEOs being violently disarmed by badguys. Compared to zero accounts nation-wide of an OCer being similarly violently disarmed by a BG.

So, in short, were comparing an intermediate level of training, coupled with a high risk of occurrence, resulting in risk mitigation of lvl III, with moderate/advanced training, minimal risk of occurrence, resulting in a far higher level of risk mitigation.

Furthermore, when we talk with folks who pay their bills by training both common OCers and LEOs (wheres Mercop when ya need him), we learn that sidearm retention, like so many other things, is based more on ability than equipment. This is why marginally trained LEOs, with lvl IIIs, still get disarmed. Maybe if they received more tactics training, instead of relying on an inanimate object, there would be a few less of those disarms.

This also reflects on my original comment, in that I am I person with a predisposition towards fewer steps in weapon deployment. Favoring things like fixed knives to folders, and DA pistols to SAs with safeties. Of course, those things are, to quote Big Leowski, "Yeah well, that's just, like, your opinion man".

Finally, please note my attempt at mirth, when suggesting that PAPatriot would get illegally disarmed again by a LEO. While Im sure he'd love to put another addition onto his home, I'm equally sure LEOs in his neck of the woods have had the fear of god put into them.