Safariland: Way More Than Kydex

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When it comes to holsters Kydex has dominated the synthetic arena. But Kydex (a thermoplastic material of acrylic-polyvinyl chloride, aka acrylic PVC) is to laminate holsters as Xerox is to photocopy machines — it’s a brand. Technology behind these laminate materials gives them the strength to stand up to the elements and the occasional criminal attempt at breaking a holster. Aside from being tough, thermoplastic materials are rated to function in temperatures ranging from -50 to 300 degrees F.

Safariland has been in the business of making holsters for 50 years; they were around before Kydex’s humble beginnings. Over the years Safariland has improved on this material and they have their own material called SafariLaminate — manufacturing most of their holsters from it.

The heart of the ALS. The arrow shows the mechanism that locks into the ejection port and is part of the whole cowl, which cams out of the way when you holster your gun. To disengage the mechanism, push the thumb lever on the inside upper edge of the holster.

Automatic Locking System

Safariland’s ALS (Automatic Locking System) line is named for a mechanism that “automatically” locks into the ejection port of your weapon when you holster it. Think of a cowl with a protrusion shaped like the ejection port slot. Holstering your gun cams the cowl out of the way and it then snaps back into place once the ejection port is in line with the protruding piece.

To disengage the mechanism, simply push a thumb lever on the inside upper edge of the holster as you draw your weapon. It doesn’t take much effort to pivot the mechanism out of the way and can be achieved using a proper draw grip. There shouldn’t be any juggling and re-gripping once you’ve unholstered. This very natural movement makes sure the only thing you’re doing with your trigger finger is operating the trigger. It took me only a couple of minutes to start making the muscle memory I needed to tackle the holster.

I took this rig to the range and let another range master try it. This guy has over 25 years of experience, from LE to the competition circuit, and I value his opinion. I asked him, “Hey, you want to try another finger?” With a laugh and a raised eyebrow, he took the holster for a quick test. His constant smiles and proclamations of, “I love this holster” every few draws didn’t leave me much room for guessing how he felt about it. He said he’d use it on- and off-duty because it’s so low profile.

This Safariland 7TS (with ALS), shown with my Glock 17, is an ideal concealment
holster. I’m lovin’ the paddle shape too, it doesn’t make my waistband poke out oddly.

7TS

Safariland’s newest line of holsters, the 7TS, is made from a new material they call SafariSeven — a proprietary blend of DuPont nylon — and is said to be non-abrasive to your gun’s finish. They even say to use a scouring pad to clean and maintain it. The holster has a sturdy appearance attributed to the channels (they call them raised standoff areas) created to allow moisture and debris to clear from the holster. It’s also hydroscopic — can be submerged in water indefinitely and still maintain all its properties and function. You could actually use it as a dive holster if you were so inclined. To prove the abilities of this holster, they sent it to us in a bag of water within a box of gravel-like material.

Aside from being waterproof and having a tank-tough skin, the 7TS is what you might say “temperature proof.” It can withstand temperatures from -50 to 300 degrees F, and I don’t know anybody who would be working in temperatures beyond that. I wish I were built like that.

Tons Of Options

These holster lines are available in a wide variety of gun fits and retention levels, from concealment to duty rigs. And because it’s Safariland, they offer plenty of options in how to wear these rigs: from belt slide or clip, paddle and shoulder, to tactical rigs. All these options allow you to consistently carry the same holster “system” — now there’s some muscle memory. Prices start around $50 and go up.