Level 3 Holster Retention: How it Could Save Your Life

Image Courtesy of Safariland

Why Should You Use a Level 3 Holster?

The simple answer is it can save your life. To most people, a holster is a device used to carry their firearm. For someone in law enforcement, it is an additional safety device as well.

But this hasn’t always been the case, and history is riddled with incidents where officers died after being shot with their own firearms.

Years ago, one of our deputies was attacked by a suspect following a lengthy vehicle pursuit. During the hand-to-hand altercation, the suspect tried repeatedly to pull the deputy's handgun from his holster.

^{A holster should be both accessible and secure. A Level 3 provides a good balance of both. (Image: Jason Mosher)}

The deputy was using a Level 3 Safariland duty holster, and the suspect was not able to get the gun out of the deputy’s holster. After a prolonged struggle, the deputy was able to push the attacker backward, draw his weapon, and fire. The retention on his holster likely saved the deputies’ life that night.

Is the upgrade worth the price?

Yes, because an officer’s life could depend on it. With the advancement in modern holsters, more agencies are now requiring Level 3 duty holsters for uniformed officers.

Upgrading equipment is something agencies across the country struggle with regularly. This is caused by budget constraints and non-commissioned personnel lacking the understanding of the equipment being considered. However, with the help of community partners and a focus on officer safety, many agencies are now issuing level three holsters to their officers.

Retention Mechanisms and How They Are Rated

Different companies have varying standards and interpretations for rating a duty holster's retention level. I am familiar with the Safariland retention system because this is what I have always carried on duty.

Retention mechanisms are the devices on a holster that secures the gun in place until released. The rating given to a duty holster isn’t necessarily how many mechanisms are on the holster, but how many actions are required to work those mechanisms.

For example, a holster with an SLS (self-locking system) thumb release has a Level 1 rating. This is because one action is required to release the firearm.

_{The level of a holster depends on the type of locking mechanism it is equipped with. Safariland’s Level 3 holsters require both the ALS and SLS systems. (Image: Jason Mosher)}

ALS (automatic locking system) holsters have a rotating hood, requiring you to push down and then forward to release the gun. Because there are two actions, the ALS system is a Level 2. One action pushes the hood down and the second action is rotating the hood forward, out of the way.

When a holster has both the SLS and ALS systems, it is considered a Level 3 holster. This is because three actions are required to remove the gun from the holster

Balancing Security and Accessibility

A holster needs to be both secure and accessible for the officer. When Level 3 holsters started circulating, many —including myself—were skeptical. It seems logical to assume that multiple locking mechanisms would be a hindrance, not a benefit.

However, security and accessibility don’t have to be mutually exclusive. There is a point where locking features on a holster could be counterproductive, which is why agencies and officers need to evaluate retention systems to ensure they can be used efficiently.

And, to ensure these holsters are practical in the field, agencies should integrate holster manipulation drills into firearms training. Working the retention mechanisms need to become muscle memory. When a holster strikes the right balance between security and accessibility, the officer gets the best of both worlds.

Level 3 Holsters Should Be Standard Issue

Not everyone likes change, and upgrading to a holster with additional security is not an easy task. But the safety benefits of a Level 3 holster are hard to ignore. Like any other equipment, if it can save your life, it should be a standard issue. A good duty holster will keep your firearm ready when you need it while protecting you from those who don’t.