Yes it is. There are several things to note about that video, first and foremost is the first word in the name. It's an opinion. I like my Serpas just fine too. You'll note while watching the video that many of his complaints are situational. For instance, when pointing out the dangers from Tex's situation, one of them only applies if you're using a 1911 pistol. Another danger he mentions is only a danger if your fingers are of a certain length. But what really gets me about the whole thing is that he says the Serpa holster in particular is dangerous because people curl their finger into the trigger guard. To attempt to limit that to the Serpa is somewhat absurd, because that's something no shooter should ever do with any holster. And doing that doesn't make the holster dangerous. It makes the shooter dangerous. He does try to differentiate a bit better later when he says the Serpa holster in particular encourages people to curl their fingers into the trigger guard due to it's design, and that's what makes it different from other holsters. He attempts to buttress this argument by demonstrating that a Serpa holster will not release if you pull on the gun butt prior to the release button being pressed, which is true. He also demonstrates that if you keep pulling, the gun continues to be 'jammed' into the holster no matter how much pressure is applied to the release button, which is also generally true (I tested it with one of my Serpas). Technically you can get it to release, but it takes far more force than you could ever generate with just one finger, so for the purposes of this discussion it's not releasable. So he says with the Serpa, people then fall prey to the natural tendency to curl their fingers, manage to release the gun, and the curled finger then slips into the trigger guard and produces a negligent discharge. There are two very obvious problems with that argument. 1) Falling prey to a tendency to curl your finger into the trigger guard is standard trigger discipline 101 and applies to ALL holsters, and 2) Didn't he just say releasing the gun wasn't possible? Yes, he did.I have seen negative comments about the Serpa holster before, also saw the video of the guy shooting himself in the leg. I have three of these holsters for different pistols. I actually like them. Ofcourse I understand that it is possible that one could forget or not pay attention and put their finger on the trigger while drawing. Isn't this possible with any other type holster?????
The problem with the design of the Serpa retention system is a matter of human factors. Simply, the releasing action requires a motion similar to trigger pull. The user must apply index finger pressure in the general direction of pull near the trigger guard while drawing. So it absolutely encourages and allows for negligent discharge by design.
You see, I read that sentence and I feel no need to read any further. Human factors are not the problem of any holster. They are the problem of humans. The only people who are having those problems are the people who are doing things wrong, and that isn't the fault of any holster. One design certainly may be less forgiving of a mistake than another design, but it isn't the design making the mistake, and it isn't the design that's to blame for making that mistake.The problem with the design of the Serpa retention system is a matter of human factors.
Completely wrong. The Serpa retention system is designed to draw the firearm with a straight index finger pushing down the paddle switch. When drawn, the straight index finger lands on the frame above the trigger guard and along the slide, just as it does when drawing from a holster with a different or no retention system.
The Serpa holster is not dangerous to all shooters, just to those that curl their index finger when drawing the firearm, i.e., to those with piss-poor training. To me, the ban on Serpa holsters at certain ranges is similar to the mandated 12-pound handgun trigger for NYPD officers. An equipment fix to a training problem.
I personally do not like the Serpa holster as dirt can block the paddle switch and the firearm becomes locked. I prefer Safari holsters if retention is needed.
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"Completely wrong. The Serpa retention system is designed to draw the firearm with a straight index finger pushing down the paddle switch. "
Yes, I think it's the "pushing" part that can lead to problems. I don t think we want any drawing mechanism that directs pressure on the draw towards the slide adjacent to to the trigger area. Again, this is just my opinion as a human factors engineer. We are trained to design systems around the human limitations and capabilities of people. People can make mistakes and we can design systems to help prevent them.
You see, I read that sentence and I feel no need to read any further. Human factors are not the problem of any holster. They are the problem of humans. The only people who are having those problems are the people who are doing things wrong, and that isn't the fault of any holster. One design certainly may be less forgiving of a mistake than another design, but it isn't the design making the mistake, and it isn't the design that's to blame for making that mistake.
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As an owner of a couple of Serpa holsters I can say your remarks make it clear you either aren't familiar with them at all, or you practice horrible trigger discipline with your holsters.
Yes, you make my point. The holster is less forgiving by design. People will make mistakes. History has shown it. Design can absolutely be part of the issue. Kids that eat the colorful dish washer detergent cubes because they look like candy? Design. Giving an adult dose of heparin to a child because the labels look exactly the same? Design. Floppy leather holsters that get caught in the trigger guard on reholstering? Design. Holsters that don't cover the whole trigger guard? Design. Yes, design can make a huge difference.
Look, I'm in the design business. I have no skin in this fight but to make our sport and our lives safer. If you actually read my post you'd see that as I said, most of the time, there won't be any issues. Use the holsters if you want. There are amazing innovations out there that improve the quality of the human condition. Serpa isn't evil. I just think it can be improved. The guys taking it off their ranges apparently do too.
You can insult my trigger discipline or my knowledge or whatever, but you should actually read my post...
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