The Blackhawk Serpa Holster Modularity at its finest!

The Blackhawk Serpa Holster
Modularity at its fnest!
By Peter M. Reif Sr.
Figure Kimber Custom Classic in Serpa Duty Level 2 rig
Recently I transitoned to a Blackhawk SERPA (level 2) holster for my duty belt. I have been rather
skeptcal of new fangled duty equipment having seen, heard about, and worn many “ultmate” holsters
over the past thirty years. Having made the near Luddite level transiton from leather to (gasp) synthetc
duty belt gear, a decade ago I discovered that I vastly preferred the low maintenance aspects for daily
wear.
The Blackhawk SERPA CQC immediately grabbed my atenton during a recent training class based on
the simplicity of design and various levels of retenton ofered. I selected the level 2 platorm based on
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my partcular needs, and the fact the fnger tp type release just damn well made sense. If you HAVE TO
by direct requirement use a level 3 duty holster with thumb break one is available as well…….
Ordering my G-23 Serpa Level 2 duty rig at a local cop shop proved easy enough, and installing it on my
belt required nothing more than removing the existng holster and then sliding the duty carrier plate
down over the belt from the top and re-securing the two lock screws. Each of which has a dab of thread
sealant already applied to them, a nice touch!
The top loading feature is nice instead of having to slide all of the gear of the front of the belt make
adjustments, and then slide it all back on to the same positon each tme.
The SERPA duty mount ofers three integral tlt positons, forward, vertcal, and rearward. I lef mine at
vertcal placed at the point of my hip. A bit of draw practce was all that was required to retrain myself to
the new locking system due to the simplicity of design. The CQC Duty holster has afer one year of use
only presented one minor problem familiar to those who wear a duty belt in a vehicle. While seated in
the normal driving positon it pushes up from the seat of a Crown Vic into my side. The notorious trafc
make known as the “sideways slouch” commonly viewed on the roadways from the rear car window,
resolved that temporarily. (*Since then Blackhawk has added a mid rise platorm that raises the height of
the holster enough to make driving once again a pleasure.)
Holster Overview: The Serpa holsters are constructed of a high end synthetc that seems to be
impervious to just about anything normally encountered. Some of the handy features include a molded
in front sight track, separate screw tensioning device for adjustng accordingly, open botom for
drainage, drilled port for adding a bungee cord for additonal security, and lastly a threaded insert at the
rear of the holster for “optonal” use equipment.
The Duty Level 2 model also features an integral hood to deter most common types of frearms snatches
for the end user. Nothing will prevent a skilled opponent from removing a sidearm from any holster, in
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any carry positon. This includes Level 3 variatons, trust me on this topic…..
Figure Blackhawk Serpa Level 2 duty rig hood
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Figure Kimber C
holster
Paddle type Plate: I have had a love-hate relatonship with pancake/paddle holsters for a long tme. Try
fnding a pan/paddle holster that does not ride too high, rests comfortably on the hip all day long, fts a
variety of belt widths, and ofers a good balance between security and speed of draw is tough.
My second holster a Serpa CQC concealable proved to be a challenge to obtain, they just were not
locally available for a G-23 (Hmmm is there a popularity message here?). Fortunately I checked with
Brownells Inc. and they not only had them in stock, but in my hands in less than four days! FAR faster
than the locals could provide one to ft my immediate needs. Popping open the package revealed the
holster to be set up with the sloted plate for slide on belt carry. I practced draws and used it daily for
one week, and hesitantly decided to try the included paddle carrier.
This carrier bolts to the holster with three screws exactly the same as my duty rig, and additonally
resolves the belt width/slot issue with two adjustable synthetc pegs. Slide the paddle on the belt, then
look at the notches on the back, remove the paddle, and then install the locking pegs with a simple twist
of a coin or standard screwdriver. DONE!
Being somewhat hesitant the original setng height was for a 1 ¾” gun belt, and the Serpa CQC was
pressed down onto the belt while wearing the belted pants. It clicked into place and DID NOT MOVE at
any point while practcing with my blue gun, and then with the unloaded carry piece. Incidentally,
though not mfg. recommended the G-23 holster works fne with my G-27 as well!
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The SERPA fnger tp release and speed cut frontal area make this design unsurpassed for the intended
purpose. I compared it with my G-23 Hellweg speed holster and the CQC Serpa won for both
concealment and a very close second for speed of draw (the Hellweg only being a level one tensioning
type holster).
Figure G-23 Serpa paddle mount in cross draw mode
The cross draw adjustment ofers versatlity should you be assigned to say a VIP protectve detail and
determine that strong side carry prevents quickly accessing your PDW (buckled up of course…) in a
vehicle with recessed seatng. Those with serious Personal Protectve Specialist experience also
understand the benefts of cross draw while standing a statc post, or moving with the principle
“working” a crowd.
I like the Serpa design with my G-23 so much that when I transitoned back to a 1911 .45 pistol, ALL of
my other holsters were immediately replaced with just two Serpas. The Serpa Level 2 duty rig and a CQC
for more specialized assignments and of duty carry.
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For those with a penchant for “antquated” wheel guns, a few models are also covered by the Blackhawk
Serpa line!
Serpa Holster Spacers: One of the gripes most serious folks have with holsters is wearing an exposed
holster with a jacket. The Serpa CQC DUTY rig sits “almost” far enough from the duty belt to allow an uninhibited draw past the elastc waist of my jacket. Blackhawk makes available ¼” thick spacers to move
the holster out slightly further from the belt without creatng a safety problem for handgun retenton.
Figure Serpa Duty rig (lef) shown with spacer plate (right)
SERPA Concealment Vest platorm: If you wear a concealment type vest (aka 5:11 brand) you are
probably familiar with their 6 piece accessory package. Setng mine up was no problem plenty of
pockets and locatons for my various “fashion accessories”, however the included carry holster SUCKS!
The modular answer from Blackhawk is a hook backed platorm carrier that can be used not only with
tactcal vests, but atached anywhere you can put looped Velcro, or inside many styles equipment carry
bags.
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Shoulder rig: In 2010 Blackhawk also developed a harness to allow the Serpa holsters to be fted as a
shoulder holster. Good news for those who either by dress code or personal preference must carry their
defensive sidearm in this manner.
Synopsis: The Blackhawk SERPA holster platorm ofers good security, modularity of use, and speed of
access. The SERPA takes the “end user” to the current peak level of holster performance, without the
need to purchase and train with multple platorms.
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