The Next Echelon
Springfield Armory – the name invokes images of a few historic firearms. Two are their M1A rifles and 1911s. However, we'll be discussing the new thumb safety version of the Echelon. What the Gun Is The Echelon is a polymer-frame, striker-fired, high-capacity 9mm pistol from HS Produkt in Croatia. It is built around a serial numbered Central Operating Group – chassis and fire control assembly. A belt holster I bought from Concealment Solutions - [...]
Superior Concealment By Phlster
Most experts acknowledge that small revolvers still have a place in law enforcement as dependable backup guns. Revolvers also excel as deep-cover guns for officers working in undercover capacities. The rounded shape lends itself to effective concealment on the human body, and the long double-action trigger increases safety margins when [...]
Making Sense Of Duty Holsters And Retention Levels — Part 2
Editor's note: Part 1 is here Safariland retained the retention levels when they purchased the Rogers Holster Company and its designs in 1985. Actually, Safariland didn't just keep the protocol; they expanded it, adding new criteria and new test requirements, which made it even more difficult to achieve a Level [...]
Making Sense Of Duty Holsters And Retention Levels — Part 1
I was comparing notes on new products with American Cop Editor Erick Gelhaus at the 2023 SHOT Show, and the conversation turned towards law enforcement duty holsters. Each of us had seen some promising leads, and we were eager to share what we had learned with each other. Alas, [...]
Concealed Carry Holsters
Recently, a reader - Robert H - emailed requesting an article on concealed carry holsters for retired cops. Well, that fits nicely into my wheelhouse. Appropriate concealed carry holsters are not just a subject for off-duty cops, like nearly everything else here – it is a subject for all our [...]
CIRCLING BACK | Adjusting Holster Cant
Holsters are to handguns as slings are to rifles and shotguns. That is where you securely store the handgun when it's not in your hands. In my old department, 1911 pistols were common when I started as a patrol deputy in 1990. One popular holster was a muzzle-forward, open-top design [...]
Shoulder Holsters – Part 2
I have always loved shoulder rigs because they allowed me to carry large firearms and support gear comfortably and in a manner I can easily don and doff as needed. I have recently gone back to finding a good use for shoulder holsters. I spend a lot of time in [...]
Galco’s High Ready Chest Rig
I reached out to Galco a while back after seeing their new High Ready chest rig advertised on their website. Galco's Media and PR Manager, Mike Barham, responded swiftly and was good enough to send me samples to try out for two pistols: one to fit a Sig P227 and [...]
Alien Gear Holsters New Rapid Force LVL2 Slim Holster
Having a durable and reliable holster is crucial when it comes to carrying a firearm, but it’s even more important for law enforcement. For as long as they’ve been armed, suspects have attempted to disarm cops — sometimes successfully. The quality of retention is a life-saving matter. Enter Alien Gear [...]
Shoulder Holsters – Part 1
As a generation X founding member, I grew up on many of the classic cop shows, and more importantly, I was addicted to Miami Vice from the first episode. While we should not use TV and movies to select our gear, the fact is that Hollywood is very influential in [...]
BLACKHAWK Limited Ranger Green T-Series L2c Holster
Secure design and a compact fit make the Limited Ranger Green T-Series L2c the perfect OWB option. This duty-rated holster is thumb-activated that means you won’t have to change your draw stroke or sacrifice speed for security. The “speed cut” geometry design aids in rapid drawing and re-holstering, as well [...]