Tack Driver
June 21st, 2013, 11:00 PM
To hell with Safariland's numerical model system. You need a moon phase calendar, a tide chart, an abacus, a scientific calculator, and a palm reader to figure out what hoster you need. I wanted to share my experiences with my latest setup.
I need a rig that got the holster low enough to clear my vest, but I wanted to have a thigh rig I could wear VERY high. None of them seemed to get high enough, except maybe the newer single strap 6004-10 shroud;
http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/product.aspx?pid=6004-10
Talking with like minded people I found another option though. If you use the mid/low ride "UBL" adapter;
http://www.copquest.com/23-2400.htm
And some 2" webbing and buckles, you can do this;
http://www.itstactical.com/gear/secure-your-safariland-6004-for-mid-ride/
I think it's the best draw, and the best height compromise between clearing the vest and flopping around on your leg. I have found however, if your belt is stiff enough, you might not need the strap at all.
On the retention systems. I didn't want the SLS retention, the one with the hood. Seemed a bit much for me. Being an open carry/SHTF rig, it had to have some sort of retention. I went with the ALS only holster, and purchased the ALS Sentry, a lock of sorts that goes over the ALS.
So, the holster gets here and the lock right behind it. The lock can't be used with the holster because the holster has the ALS guard. But I'm not a quitter.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j280/sstanley_photos/Gun%20Parts/IMAG0108_zps3f3d78ba.jpg
Drill out the rivet, swap the lock, stick a 1/8 rivet though it with plenty of lube on the friction surfaces.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j280/sstanley_photos/Gun%20Parts/IMAG0109_zps7f7dbf75.jpg
So, you can get an ALS hood with an ALS guard, but if you already have a holster with an ALS hood, you can retrofit the guard. ;)
I need a rig that got the holster low enough to clear my vest, but I wanted to have a thigh rig I could wear VERY high. None of them seemed to get high enough, except maybe the newer single strap 6004-10 shroud;
http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/product.aspx?pid=6004-10
Talking with like minded people I found another option though. If you use the mid/low ride "UBL" adapter;
http://www.copquest.com/23-2400.htm
And some 2" webbing and buckles, you can do this;
http://www.itstactical.com/gear/secure-your-safariland-6004-for-mid-ride/
I think it's the best draw, and the best height compromise between clearing the vest and flopping around on your leg. I have found however, if your belt is stiff enough, you might not need the strap at all.
On the retention systems. I didn't want the SLS retention, the one with the hood. Seemed a bit much for me. Being an open carry/SHTF rig, it had to have some sort of retention. I went with the ALS only holster, and purchased the ALS Sentry, a lock of sorts that goes over the ALS.
So, the holster gets here and the lock right behind it. The lock can't be used with the holster because the holster has the ALS guard. But I'm not a quitter.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j280/sstanley_photos/Gun%20Parts/IMAG0108_zps3f3d78ba.jpg
Drill out the rivet, swap the lock, stick a 1/8 rivet though it with plenty of lube on the friction surfaces.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j280/sstanley_photos/Gun%20Parts/IMAG0109_zps7f7dbf75.jpg
So, you can get an ALS hood with an ALS guard, but if you already have a holster with an ALS hood, you can retrofit the guard. ;)