The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Blackhawk Serpa Holster = Negligent Discharge?

Shawn Thompson · July 7, 2011, 08:21 AM

We have not arrived at the point of banning the Serpa holster from our classes; however, we have had a close call that was caught by one of our instructors.

The incident began with the release not being adequately depressed before removing the pistol from the holster. With the firearm being pulled with some amount of force, the pressure created binding against the release. In turn, the student applied substantial pressure, with his trigger finger, to overcome the binding on the release in an attempt to remove the pistol and complete the draw.

Had our instructor not seen this series of events as they unfolded, caught him and shoved the pistol back into the holster with both hands, we are confident that this students finger (under that much pressure) would have snapped into the trigger guard once it cleared the holster.

From the other incidents with Serpa holsters that we are aware of, this same set of circumstances is pretty much how the ND starts; missed release, binding pressure, hard press on release to overcome it, then bang when both the triger and the finger clear the holster. Which, from watching the video, appears to be similar to the series of events involved with this ND.

This isn't "Serpa Hate", but it does illustrate one very significant design flaw of the Serpa holster - The trigger finger serves one purpose and one purpose alone! It should not be convoluted with extraneous tasks moments prior to serving its function.

July 7, 2011, 08:21 AM	#106
Shawn Thompson Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 101	We have not arrived at the point of banning the Serpa holster from our classes; however, we have had a close call that was caught by one of our instructors. The incident began with the release not being adequately depressed before removing the pistol from the holster. With the firearm being pulled with some amount of force, the pressure created binding against the release. In turn, the student applied substantial pressure, with his trigger finger, to overcome the binding on the release in an attempt to remove the pistol and complete the draw. Had our instructor not seen this series of events as they unfolded, caught him and shoved the pistol back into the holster with both hands, we are confident that this students finger (under that much pressure) would have snapped into the trigger guard once it cleared the holster. From the other incidents with Serpa holsters that we are aware of, this same set of circumstances is pretty much how the ND starts; missed release, binding pressure, hard press on release to overcome it, then bang when both the triger and the finger clear the holster. Which, from watching the video, appears to be similar to the series of events involved with this ND. This isn't "Serpa Hate", but it does illustrate one very significant design flaw of the Serpa holster - The trigger finger serves one purpose and one purpose alone! It should not be convoluted with extraneous tasks moments prior to serving its function. __________________ Qui non proficit deficit Last edited by Shawn Thompson; July 7, 2011 at 08:31 AM.