"Duty" holster for G30...

[LSP972]

A colleague just got permission to carry his Robar-modified G30 as a "duty" piece. He is a firearms examiner at our state lab (liason dude from the local PD) and wears the 5.11 tuxedo every day. He is issued a Gen 4 G17, and has the infamous Serpa available to him for issue. He wants nothing to do with the Serpa, imagine that...

He wants a Level 1 (thumb break only) retention paddle OWB holster; leather preferred, but plastic/kydex is acceptable if done to his satisfaction. Hey, I did my best to disabuse him of the paddle requirement, but he is insistent... and that has complicated my helping him find something suitable.

I told him to cough up the big bucks for a custom Rosen/Kramer/Sparks, but he's a typical cop and would rather find a less-expensive option...

Any suggestions/ideas appreciated...
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[Chuck Whitlock]

If this is to be carried openly vs. concealed, IMNSHO the Safariland ALS series is the best thing out there:

http://www.holsters.com/concealment/.../model6378.asp

It is far more secure than a thumbbreak. Add the ALS guard:

http://safariland.com/DutyGear/product.aspx?pid=6006

This brings the holster almost up to a lvl III (lvl II+). The holster can be ordered with the guard already installed, but it is a simple and cheap part to add on...my local cop shop keeps them in stock. For the security level provided, the draw is extremely intuitive, and the re-holster (and re-secure upon holstering) is a breeze compared to any thumbbreak.

If he is insistent on a thumbbreak, Safarilanf has those, too:
http://www.holsters.com/concealment/holsters/index.asp

Or any of the major leather places, such as Don Hume:
http://www.donhume.com/index.php?mai...kbh1lno4agejk5

Or Aker leather:
http://akerleather.com/off-duty-hols...addle+Holsters

FWIW, Safariland's paddles are probably the most comfortable/secure.

[Up1911Fan]

Another fan of the ALS here.

[LSP972]

I clued him in to the ALS (we issue that one to our plainclothes guys). He doesn't want that.

He found the SafariLand standard thumbreak, and I think he ordered one. I had been under the impression SafariLand didn't offer that one anymore.

Thanks all.

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[JBP55]

Let me know if he still needs one, I have a New Leather Galco Level 1 thumb break holster for a G30.

[nwhpfan]

Hands down the best paddle in the world is this:

http://kramerleather.com/productDeta...&categoryID=25 If he wants a thumb break, just add.

Paddle offers versatility to LE. Cops have to take their guns on and off and sometimes change from belt carry to thigh carry, or with certain armor certain carry doesn't work. For example if you are a detective on SWAT your daily carry is concealed..but then in an emergency you may have to change clothes, holsters, etc. Remember the Hollywood Shootout. Cops in their gym gear with their tac gear just thrown on.... So if your a forensic examiner; one moment belt carry is appropriate, the next your in a top down suit climbing through who knows what looking for some microscopic piece of evidence....

Many of your top leather holster folks out their make an easy(ier) on/off holster. This holster design has been around a long time and isn't as easy as a paddle, but it still pretty spectacular.

http://www.alessigunholsters.com/ale...emington-guns/ Again, you should be able to ask for a thumb-strap to be added. A few years ago when i got promoted to Detective I purchased a holster similar to the Alessi above from Bulman Gunleather...but he just took my money and disappeared. (PS if you know where he is let me know; I already asked Stan Chen and he doesn't know either )

But leather guys are in high demand and the process takes some time so if you need something right away that is still high quality...but not leather..you can go with this:

http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info...roducts_id=285

[LSP972]

Hands down the best paddle in the world is this:

http://kramerleather.com/productDeta...&categoryID=25 If he wants a thumb break, just add.

I made him aware of the several excellent "semi-custom" leathersmiths; basically, Rosen, Kramer, and Sparks... again, cost and wait time is the reason he declined those.

James, is your Galco a paddle? He insists on that. If so, I'll let him know about it, but he has definitely ordered the Safariland.

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[JBP55]

I made him aware of the several excellent "semi-custom" leathersmiths; basically, Rosen, Kramer, and Sparks... again, cost and wait time is the reason he declined those.

James, is your Galco a paddle? He insists on that. If so, I'll let him know about it, but he has definitely ordered the Safariland.

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New Galco Fletch black leather belt FL298B, I do not like paddles.

[LSP972]

Neither do I... but he loves them.

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