Blackhawk Serpa Holster = Negligent Discharge?

Error-net!...

To correct a recent post here, it was a sworn "undercover" DEA agent not a FBI special agent who shot himself with a Glock .40S&W pistol. The wounded federal agent was from Lake Mary Florida and was speaking to a group of children in the Orlando area. To my knowledge the DEA special agent also played for 2 different NFL football teams too.
As for the video clip, the wounded man clearly states he does NOT blame the Blackhawk holster.
I think it's more of a training & safety issue than a equipment issue. I, too have seen & read about problems with SERPA rigs but I've also seen many cops & armed professionals wearing them. The large(1200+ sworn LE members) sheriff's office in my metro area has used SERPA tactical holsters with the Glock 21 .45acp for many years.
I was looking into a left hand Blackhawk SERPA for my new S&W military and police 9x19mm. I may buy a SFS/ALS type Safariland holster for duty use.
ClydeFrog
ps; As I said before, training is important. Red guns or Ring blue guns can be used to increase drawing/safe shooting methods.
Important too is; KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER, until you are ready to fire.
 
As for the video clip, the wounded man clearly states he does NOT blame the Blackhawk holster.
Click to expand...

Then he isn't aware of the other accidents of this type that have occured with this holster.
 
Nothing wrong with he Serpa. This guy is just a idiot. He doesn't know how to draw. He flips off the safety with the gun still in the holster. He engages the trigger the minute it clears the holster. I am curious as to what training he is referring to. He certainly didn't appear to have any.
 
I have to disagree with most everyone. The only holster I used as a Leo is a level 3 serpa with a tac light. Reason being bad guys can't take your gun unlike with a standard hood one. And as far as them breaking any holster will do that with a paddle design. I know for a fact the duty set up wont, since its mounted like any other duty holster.

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http://www.warriortalk.com/showthread.php?45333-The-Serpa-Holster-Why-We-Don-t-Allow-Them-In-Class

Yet another weird failure I wasn't aware of:

http://www.warriortalk.com/showthre...the-Blackhawk-Serpa-holsters.&highlight=serpa

Comments from other instructors (again: forget the part Gabe Suarez writes...)

http://www.warriortalk.com/showthread.php?49242-More-Serpa

Here's a Fobus in full fail mode:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDeKtgkZKmQ

I'm done arguing.

For anybody able to listen: a plastic OWB non-concealed rig is a bad idea unless the belt connections are rock solid - and NONE that have adjustable tilt angles are solid, period, end of discussion.

(This does NOT apply to the IWB rigs - esp. the "hybrid" leather plate with a kydex half-holster bolted to it like the Crossbreed Supertuck - those rock, esp. when used in a deep-cover role. Try and open-carry with 'em in the "strongside kidney area" and they're a grab magnet from hell - but that's just mis-use of an otherwise good design. If it's covered, the need to go for the shirt first will give you enough warning to elbow-to-the-face a grabber.)

If you're going to do OWB concealed or plain old open carry, run leather. It can't be ripped off. Don't want it grabbed from behind? Carry high-ride, *ahead* of your waist, either appendix carry forward tilt or high-ride forward crossdraw. The latter is easy to "cover" with your off-hand forearm in a fashion that doesn't look threatening, if you're in a crowd. It also offers very fast off-hand-access. Situational awareness is required. The Serpas and the like are being bought by people who think it's a partial substitute for situational awareness and sorry but that's a massive mistake right there!
 
Oh and if used properly you don't curl your finger into the trigger. As someone else said you use the whole finger not the tip. If used properly it is a safer and faster draw than almost any other holster out there.

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Go back to the video at the start of this thread. Go to the slo-mo section. His finger WAS straight. But in trying to "go fast", he applied more muscle and ended up with enough curl to crank one off in his damn leg.
 
Like others have said its poor training on his part. I have practiced the same drill he was trying several times with my duty holster and tried to pull it out before I released the serpa just like him and have never had a issue, same went for my coworkers. The only flaw I see is the fact of a tiny rock getting stuck behind it. But that is not a real big issue in the newer holsters. There has been some redesign in them from the original and you will be surprised at the difference.

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Couldn't this have been avoided by keeping his finger off the trigger until it was pointed down range? Or does defensive shooting technique call for placing your finger on the trigger and disengaging safety when pointed downrange afterwards???

I can see the holster having a large role in how this happened but I don't think you can blame it on the holster.

Very lucky he shot himself in the leg, can you imagine the gun pointing ever so slightly inward and going through his kidney or pelvis region.
 
Good video. It CAN happen to anybody! Experienced shooters are no more exempt from ND's than professional racecar drivers are from car accidents. Somebody will come along and say the guy was careless. I say he was human. He was practicing a legitimate draw technique using a quality holster, something that you see in the gun rags and on gunshows on TV. It DOES seem that the location of the 1911 safety and the 511 thumblock holster are a BAD combination. I like the Serpa holsters alot. This guy should stick with one holster system.
 
Thanks for not closing Mike.

Also, Kudo's to the OP for sharing this film, knowing some will criticize rather than learn.
 
Thanks Don Glock

Most of us are familiar with, and try very hard to practice safe handling, and techniques, but it just goes to show that one instance of inattention can lead to disaster.

Sometimes something such as this video can serve to remind all of us just how quickly these things can happen, and maybe plant that little bug of extra caution in our minds that may sharpen our awareness, and prevent future accidents.
 
What is the lesson learned?

I also practice drawing from my different holsters with different pistols. You have to know how to use your equipment. I start out real slow with an empty chamber and do it over and over and over again. The one thing that comes to mind is never go for the trigger until you have cleared the holster, the ground in front of you and have the pistol pointing in front of your body.

He was indeed very lucky. Looks like the bullet travelled along side his femur. Could have easily gone though, and puncture his artery. He would not be making this video if that had happened.
 
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