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Hello all,

My brother is looking for a left-handed holster for an XD(m) .40 with retention features. He lives in a state with open carry and wants a holster option for the times when he would rather OC than hide it (think fishing and hunting stuff). It also needs to work on a regular gun belt (1.25") so anything that would only be secure on a big ol' duty belt won't work. Off the shelf would be best, but a custom job would be ok if there isn't a good OTS option.

He's new to carrying (both open and concealed) so he asked me for some ideas, but I have no experience or even second hand knowledge of retention holsters, other than I have heard to stay away from the Blackhawk Serpa due to a couple issues. (Which is unfortunate, because he likes the style of that holster.)

Any suggestions? Things to look for/avoid?

Thanks!

It's not very common and sometimes maligned, but I like the Blackhawk Serpa. It is probably available for his gun.

C-dub wrote:It's not very common and sometimes maligned, but I like the Blackhawk Serpa. It is probably available for his gun.

+1 for the Serpa. Mine went through a LOT of deployments and took a LOT of abuse.

Sangiovese wrote:Hello all,

My brother is looking for a left-handed holster for an XD(m) .40 with retention features. He lives in a state with open carry and wants a holster option for the times when he would rather OC than hide it (think fishing and hunting stuff). It also needs to work on a regular gun belt (1.25") so anything that would only be secure on a big ol' duty belt won't work. Off the shelf would be best, but a custom job would be ok if there isn't a good OTS option.

He's new to carrying (both open and concealed) so he asked me for some ideas, but I have no experience or even second hand knowledge of retention holsters, other than I have heard to stay away from the Blackhawk Serpa due to a couple issues. (Which is unfortunate, because he likes the style of that holster.)

Any suggestions? Things to look for/avoid?

Thanks!

I'm sorry, but I didn't read your second paragraph.

I have used the Serpa for CC for about 7+ years, first with my Glock 40's and now with my 45's. I keep them clean and they have not malfunctioned once on me. The issues with clothing getting stuck in them could happen with any holster.

Personally much prefer Safariland SLS and ALS thumb-operated retention systems to the Serpa

Thanks for the help. I know there are lots of people who swear by the serpas, but I think we're going to try to avoid them if we can.

I'll have to look into the safariland holsters.

There are a lot of options with retention holsters, if you have a police supply house that is open to the public go by and check out what they have. It is better to put your hand on one than look at them online. Most makers that make duty holsters make duty/conceal holsters as well. Happy hunting.

txhighlander wrote:There are a lot of options with retention holsters, if you have a police supply house that is open to the public go by and check out what they have. It is better to put your hand on one than look at them online. Most makers that make duty holsters make duty/conceal holsters as well. Happy hunting.

Good suggestion - for OP there is a GT Distributors somewhere in DFW area, highly recommend

A-R wrote:Personally much prefer Safariland SLS and ALS thumb-operated retention systems to the Serpa

That ALS looks really interesting. I only open carry a couple of times a year, in a very low crime state, but it still feels somewhat irresponsible to do so without a retention holster.

A-R wrote:

txhighlander wrote:There are a lot of options with retention holsters, if you have a police supply house that is open to the public go by and check out what they have. It is better to put your hand on one than look at them online. Most makers that make duty holsters make duty/conceal holsters as well. Happy hunting.

Good suggestion - for OP there is a GT Distributors somewhere in DFW area, highly recommend

Basically, it's at 635 and Northwest Hwy.

I just looked at the GT Distributors site and it looks like they have a lot of options. I'm going to head over there later this week and check out some of the various models that are available for the XD(m).

I'm sure that between handling the holsters and bugging the sales people I will be able to figure out which one to recommend. Heck, I might even find something I can't live without

Thanks a ton for the suggestion!

I made it out to GT Distributors over lunch today and it was exactly what I needed. Although they didn't have any left handed models in stock for the XD(m), I was able to look at several right handed versions. That Safariland ALS system is really slick. I may pick up one for myself, and I'm definitely going to recommend that big bro place an order for one.

Sangiovese wrote:I made it out to GT Distributors over lunch today and it was exactly what I needed. Although they didn't have any left handed models in stock for the XD(m), I was able to look at several right handed versions. That Safariland ALS system is really slick. I may pick up one for myself, and I'm definitely going to recommend that big bro place an order for one.

Interesting. How does this locking mechanism differ from what the Serpa uses? I saw that is thumb operated, but does anyone know how the mechanism holds onto the gun?

C-dub wrote:

Sangiovese wrote:I made it out to GT Distributors over lunch today and it was exactly what I needed. Although they didn't have any left handed models in stock for the XD(m), I was able to look at several right handed versions. That Safariland ALS system is really slick. I may pick up one for myself, and I'm definitely going to recommend that big bro place an order for one.

Interesting. How does this locking mechanism differ from what the Serpa uses? I saw that is thumb operated, but does anyone know how the mechanism holds onto the gun?

This link has a picture of the ALS setup. Not sure if it shows enough detail to answer your question or not. But it is better than my "after you press the lever, a little thingy moves out of the way" explanation.

http://www.safariland.com/dutygear/duty/als.aspx