Safariland

Drop-Leg-Holster-System

After I have used my Uncle Mike´s Pro3 for a couple of years, I needed a different holster solution to cover multiple applications. Just in that time Safariland came up with the new, at least back then, SLS-Self-locking-system holsters. That was exactly what I was looking for. As the ALS (Automatic-locking-system) came out in 2006 or so, I had to have one. I also fall in love with this one and used it in an ALS-only configuration for concealed carry. Or I wore it in a combination of SLS/ALS for the rough work.

I guess with all large companies with such a huge supply, costumers get confused with item names. Safariland is there not an exception. I planned to get me a thigh-rig combination and I ran into MLS 15-18, the 6004-14, 6004-8 and the 6354. Sounds easy, huh? Yes, there is a system behind the numbers, but I have no potions to get used to it. OK, what I got me first are two 6004-14. That is the Tactical leg shroud with one leg strap. I am used to carry my thigh-rig´s high so I have no need for a second strap. Back in the days, I cut the standard two-strap-leg-shroud down, to modify it into a current 6004-14.

Next was 6345 ALS Holster. All ALS Holsters are coming with a “hood-guard” to protect the ALS-release lever from accidental opening, such as seatbelts, ropes, rifle slings, armor-vests etc. Yes, it helps, but the support hand draw is a little more than a pain in the neck. So depending on the mission I would take it off. But that is your decision. Don´t blame me, when you lost your handgun. Since I wanted to try something new, I also went with the MLS 15 +18. This is the Holster-Locking-Fork and the Holster-Receiver-Plate. The plate goes on the shroud and the fork is for the holster body. The idea of this setup is, that I can equip different holsters and carriers with forks and plates. Now I can change the holster/carrier configuration for each mission in just second, fork off-fork on.

Due to the different mounting options, with or without the MLS15+18, I often like to try out different combinations. This gives me a nice overview about what will work and what will not. The MLS-18 Holster-Receiver-Plate has  a guard at the bottom. So the forks of the MLS-15 will not stick out and harm the operator or to get stuck.

MLS-16 and MLS-17 is the Accessory-Locking-Fork and the Accessory-Receiver-Plate. With this parts, you can add mag-pouches, baton holsters or stuff like this to your setup and switch it all around for each mission or to find out what will work best for you under different circumstances. It is nothing really, but I like the oversized Allen-Head screwdriver. Yes, in every Safariland Holster you will find a Allen-Head. But the downside of my new setup is, that you have to do a lot of screws, on and off and on again. Well, for some people it can be fun to ;-)

Another idea of the MLS, or should I say the main- idea, is to mount the fork to the PALS. Then mount the receiver plate to the fork and use any holster or accessory that has a fork mounted to it to mount it to the receiver. Good idea! In the advertisement they say, that you can mount it in any angle. Well, I don´t know, but maybe I got an older production-run, because my set can just be mounted straight.

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So I had to get me a MOLLE-Plate-Adapter. With this item I can mount the receiver plate to the MOLLE plate. Now the forked holster or accessory can be mounted on a PC for example. With the MOLLE plate you can pick different angles for different equipment, weapons or solutions. Of course the holster body is sticking out a little bit. But rifle mags can be pulled out if the holster is mounted across. If the holster is mounted at an angle it could be difficult since the bottom of the holster could block the rifle mag. The ASP-Holster is too tight when used with an open baton. I had to cut out a bit at the bottom and it was still a pain in the neck to get it in and almost impossible to get it out. So you better try it out with your personal megrim stick.   

On the other side I put the 6004-14 (Tactical-Leg-Shroud) with 3 exemplars of the 774 series (Rifle-Mag-Pouch). To mount those, you really start to love the large Allen-Head and it is fumbling too. But once they are set, they will work fine. The retention screw can be adjusted the way I want and it fits all kinds of AR mags. Only the Diemaco mags did not went in as deep as the other mags. But that is just 5mm or so, I never had the feeling that they will jump out without an order. I just tightened the retention screw a bit, I guess that was for my mind only. And yes, I am a “Beer-can-gripper” and proud of it. ;-)

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That is what I like, messing around with gear. The Safariland tight rigs are perfect for it. They also fit perfect and the function is also perfect. What I don´t like is the fact that the angle of the receiver plate can’t be changed, when using the fork on the MOLLE. The hole at the bottom of the baton holster was to narrow. Is this perfect? Well…no. I also found out, that the ALS holster will just work with a small frontsight on your handgun. If you use a larger target sight or a fiber-optic front sight, you may get in trouble. I should have taken the 6005 shrouds since they have the buckles on it. I though the fixed straps would be fine. Standing, running, driving, crawling is ok with this holsters. But when driving or sitting I have to get used to the stiff leg-straps.

I didn’t wanted to run around in the house with a life handgun all the time while getting used to the holster and during different tests I did, So I went with the Safariland training guns. They fit the holsters very well and they have a good realistic weight. Even with the painted body the Sig 226 training gun came up with a little rust that I could wipe off. I guess, that this is the stuff you have to struggle with, when using a all metal training gun. May be a little slick but this helped me to always apply a firm grip when drawing. And drawing was fast. I almost got under one second at 5 yards. But to be honest, this was just muscle memory I guess.

I hope my review on the Safariland Drop-Leg-Holster-System was useful for you.

Cheers,

Gunner