RFI Safariland ALS Concealable For Glock 19

[Cypher]

My Galco CM is about 6 years old and it's starting to get a little soft. I'm considering replacing it with a Safariland ALS.

I liked the Safariland holster I used when I was working armed but it was a duty holster and I'd need a Burka to conceal it.

So, does anyone have any experience with the ALS for concealed carry?

ETA my biggest concern is that I have always been taught that you buy a holster that is fitted to your gun and the only Safariland ALS holster I've seen was for a range of different guns

[Cypher]

That in itself is an answer.

I'm going to save and buy a Kramer

[HCM]

My Galco CM is about 6 years old and it's starting to get a little soft. I'm considering replacing it with a Safariland ALS.

I liked the Safariland holster I used when I was working armed but it was a duty holster and I'd need a Burka to conceal it.

So, does anyone have any experience with the ALS for concealed carry?

ETA my biggest concern is that I have always been taught that you buy a holster that is fitted to your gun and the only Safariland ALS holster I've seen was for a range of different guns

There is no ALS holster to fit multiple guns. The ALS uses a thumb lever release which locks into the ejection port of the pistol,

I believe you are confusing the ALS with the GLS or “Grip Locking System” which uses a middle finger lever release and locks on to the trigger guard.

There are several types of GLS holster one of which are the “pro fit” versions which can be adjusted to fit multiple guns. There are also gun specifics versions, gun specific pancake type OWB versions and a gun specific IWB version.

Short take: the GLS provides good retention to prevent accidentally losing your gun. It is not as good as the ALS at preventing active attempts to take your gun but better than no retention.

I have used all but the IWB version. Both the regular GLS and the ALS are not true concealment holsters, they are really permissive environment/ cop concealment holsters. If you need real concealment the OWB pancake style GLS is good to go and issued by at least one big name 3 letter agency. I have also found the Pancake style GLS to be a bit better at both aspects of retention.

There is a thread on them and the IWB version here on PF.

[HCM]

My Galco CM is about 6 years old and it's starting to get a little soft. I'm considering replacing it with a Safariland ALS.

I liked the Safariland holster I used when I was working armed but it was a duty holster and I'd need a Burka to conceal it.

So, does anyone have any experience with the ALS for concealed carry?

ETA my biggest concern is that I have always been taught that you buy a holster that is fitted to your gun and the only Safariland ALS holster I've seen was for a range of different guns

Link to thread on the GLS pancake holster (Model 537) https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?17900-Safariland-537

Holster http://www.safariland.com/products/holsters-and-gear/holsters/concealable-holsters/belt-slide/model-537-gls-open-top-concealment-belt-slide-holster-53700.html

[HeavyDuty]

It was the middle of the night!

I’m an ALS user for concealment. I am often in a rough area of Chicago, and I prefer carrying in a retention holster when I’m there. I gladly give up a bit of absolute concealability for security when I’m in the hood. I have several (six or seven), and have settled on a 637x or 737x body with a 6006-1 ALS guard and a 565BL belt loop as my preferred ALS rig.

You may be thinking of the *GLS* series holsters, I believe they are multifit. The *ALS* series holsters I have (six or seven of them) are very specific fit, to the point my older ones won’t work with a Gen5 without minor modification.

(Edit) HCM was typing faster.

[MGW]

I believe SouthNarc put this holster through at least one of his classes.

[ssb]

I used a pancake GLS for a year. Concealment was good for OWB, retention was helpful for outdoor use (wouldn't trust it against a gun grab). Only reason I don't now is because - to my knowledge - there isn't one compatible with my current carry gun.

[LittleLebowski]

GLS (https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?k=safariland+gls+glock+19&ref=nb_sb_noss_2&linkCode=ll2&tag=ratio07-20&linkId=c622065ff0c013739efcb865a1be7963&language=en_US), all day. I think it's fine for a gun grab, I certainly can't wrench the gun out of it sans hitting the release.

[HeavyDuty]

GLS (https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?k=safariland+gls+glock+19&ref=nb_sb_noss_2&linkCode=ll2&tag=ratio07-20&linkId=c622065ff0c013739efcb865a1be7963&language=en_US), all day. I think it's fine for a gun grab, I certainly can't wrench the gun out of it sans hitting the release.

...and that’s my exact reason for going ALS instead. The very nature of a from-the-rear grab will hit the release. We tried this when GLS first came out, and I could strip the gun 100% of the time.

GLS is only secure from grabs from jamoches that are missing their middle and ring fingers.

[Tensaw]

I have, and use, a GLS (based on the thread referenced above). It will retain the pistol just fine if you, for instance, trip and fall. If a hoodlum gets their hand on the butt of the gun, they almost have to go out of their way to avoid hitting the retention button/lever. Not super crazy about the set-up, but it is waaay more concealable than the ALS. I made a conscious compromise of taking concealability over retention. You pays yore money and takes yore chances.

ETA: *Probably* still better retention than a thumb-break. Concentrate on protecting that release lever in a fight for the gun.

[Cypher]

It was the middle of the night!


I've been working nights for so long I sometimes forget

[FNFAN]

I received my GLS last week. Designed specifically to fit a G19 size gun. Will stay with the ALS for general work duties and the SLS/ALS for working warrants. I did find that the optional curved belt slide mounting plate is far more comfy in a cramped car and makes the ALS -slightly- more concealable.

[HCM]

GLS (https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?k=safariland+gls+glock+19&ref=nb_sb_noss_2&linkCode=ll2&tag=ratio07-20&linkId=c622065ff0c013739efcb865a1be7963&language=en_US), all day. I think it's fine for a gun grab, I certainly can't wrench the gun out of it sans hitting the release.

The concern on gun grabs is not the mechanism but the fact that the GLS lever is more exposed to someone else hitting the lever than the ALS which is between the gun and the body.

The other gun grab problem inherent to the GLS is The same thing that makes it so intuitive to draw from. When you get a good grip on the handgun your hand naturally falls into place to release the GLS mechanism. The problem with that is the first step in retaining the weapon is to get your hand on it and hold it/lock it down into the holster. With the GLS having a good grip on the gun will mean that you were only holding it in place instead of you holding it plus the retention mechanism.

I like the GLS, particularly the pancake models but if gun grabs or a high concern the ALS is better. That said I would rather have my people using the pro fit GLS than a Serpa. Factors many cops are cheap and will not go any further than a big box store for a holster which means Serpas or GLS Pro Fits.

[jlw]

The GLS Pro Fit fits a range of different guns, and there are different versions of the Pro Fit.

They do, or at least did, make model specific GLS holsters as well. I have three for a G19. I currently carry in one most days and have a righty and a lefty in an awful color (meaning not a proper black) that I bought on clearance.

[Cypher]

So if I'm understanding correctly these are good holsters but they are not truly concealed carry holsters. Is that correct?

I noticed in the other thread South Narc described them as "OK for detective casual."

If they're truly not a concealable holster that's going to kind of have to be a deal-breaker for me

[HeavyDuty]

So if I'm understanding correctly these are good holsters but they are not truly concealed carry holsters. Is that correct?

I noticed in the other thread South Narc described them as "OK for detective casual."

If they're truly not a concealable holster that's going to kind of have to be a deal-breaker for me

Exactly this. They are not going to be as concealable as a decent OWB pancake, but - for me anyways - it’s good enough for what I consider to be higher threat areas. Here in IL printing isn’t a legal issue, but the way I dress when using ALS is good cover. (Unbuttoned shirt over a covered T-shirt, or a coat/jacket.) I IWB when I feel the need to be as discrete as possible.