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Article: 05-2007
The Blackhawk Serpa…A ‘How To’ Guide
By: Paul
Gomez
Following the widespread distribution of my
‘Damning Review’ from November 2005, I have had multiple conversations with
Blackhawk and the holsters have undergone several design improvements. The
instructions that accompany the Serpa duty holsters are much clearer than those
that came with the earlier units. If the end-users actually read them, and pay
attention, they will go a long way toward minimizing the risks.
In July 2006, I was tasked with training a group
that was issuing the Smith & Wesson M&P pistol and utilizing the newly
released Blackhawk Serpa Duty Holster. Given my previous writings concerning
the Serpa design, this was an ironic turn of events, to say the least. What
follows is a photographic sequence illustrating the method of operation that I
have come to advocate for the Serpa holster. As an aside, I am often accused of
fixating on meaningless details. Some of you may find this to be one of those
instances. So be it. My concern, in my initial writings concerning the Serpa, and
in this piece, is to provide legitimate information to the community. The Serpa
design is not going away and I encourage anyone who is not aware of the design
to familiarize yourself with it. If you are currently utilizing a Serpa
holster, please try this method of operation and let me know what you think. If
you know of anyone using a Serpa, pass this along to them. The more feedback,
the better.
The ‘drawstroke’ or ‘presentation’ of the handgun,
as I teach it, is a four count process wherein ‘1’ denotes establishing a full
firing grip on the holstered pistol, ‘2’ is both a high pectoral/retention
position and the beginning of the horizontal line of presentation, ‘3’ is the
point at which the weapon enters the peripheral vision, under the dominate eye,
and ‘4’ is appropriate extension or compression.
When dealing with retention or security holsters,
count ‘1’ is further broken down into a three step process[Index/Clear/Release]
to ensure that all locking devices have been dealt with and the gun will be
able to smoothly move to count ‘2’. I
borrowed the I/C/R concept from the
In this first picture, the raised shelf is
highlighted by the green line. This shelf is the physical reference point for
the trigger finger. The red arrow points to the portion of the Serpa Lock
Paddle that needs to be depressed to release the pistol from the holster.
Through the use of index points, which are
established before the full firing grip, the shooter should be able to gain a
consistent, robust interface with the gun and holster. This is key to a smooth
draw. The firing hand thumb is kept flagged, this will position the thumb to
release the Pivot Guard on the Level III Serpa and ties directly into my normal
drawstroke, where the thumb position maximizes physical contact with the torso.
The index finger lies flat along the shelf and the tips of the other three
fingers make contact with the front strap of the pistol. This is ‘Index’.
To ‘Clear’ the locking devices, the trigger finger
is rolled from the raised shelf onto the flat Serpa Lock Paddle. The motion is
similar to rolling a fingerprint and the pad of the finger should end up flat
and depressing the Serpa Lock Paddle. The fingertips contacting the front strap
slide around the butt of the gun, ending in a full firing grip.
Having ‘cleared the locking device’, it is
imperative that we verify that we have done so. ‘Release’, traditionally, meant
to ‘release’ any secondary retention feature on a duty holster and to break the
friction between the gun and the holster body. For our purposes, ‘release’
means to lift up slightly on the holstered gun to ensure that the Serpa Lock
has completely disengaged prior to attempting to withdraw the gun fully and
continue with our drawstroke. If resistance is felt on the gun, reseat it in
the holster and re-index. My concern here is that if one fails to affect a proper
release from the holster, the tendency will be to mash the button with the tip
of the finger and jerk upwards on the pistol. That is not good.
Having confirmed ‘Release’, the weapon is drawn up
the torso and presented to threat as previously described. In the pictures
accompanying this text, I am using the Level II CQC Serpa holster designed for
concealed carry. The same sequence works with both the Level II & III
Tactical [dropleg] Serpa and with the Level II & III Duty Serpa holsters.
The flagged thumb, mentioned earlier, contacts the Pivot Guard release on the
Level III holsters.
Paul Gomez
225.921.5900