Safariland Holster Guide
Introduction
Safariland offers a ton of holsters, and with so many options, it can get confusing quickly. Below, we’ll cover some of Safariland's main holster options and provide a brief description of each.
Inside-the-Waistband (IWB)
Safariland Incog IWB Holster
The Safariland Incog X and Incog XS are two of the more traditional IWB holsters that Safariland offers in collaboration with Haley Strategic Partners. They feature a Boltaron construction, a material similar to Kydex, with a microfiber suede wrap to increase comfort. The X has a dual clip design that offers more stability and an optional mag carrier, like our Sidecar holster, while the XS is a single clip design that trades stability for a smaller profile. Both the X and XS offer adjustable retention, optional concealment shims to control tuck, and micro or full-size optic compatibility.
Safariland Schema IWB Holster
The Safariland Schema Holster is an incredibly minimalistic IWB holster with an injection-molded construction and a skeletonized design for a smaller footprint. The Schema is not light-compatible, doesn’t work with suppressor height sights, and is only available in right-handed versions, so it’s not without its trade-offs. However, it is optic-compatible with compact style dots like the Shield RMSc, Holosun 507K, and Trijicon RMRcc.
Safariland Species IWB Holster
The Safariland Species Holster is a minimalistic IWB holster made from Boltaron. Its Safarilaminate construction provides excellent durability and longevity, while its suede lining improves fit and protects your handgun's finish. The clip is fully cantable and vertically adjustable for comfort and concealment. The Species fits standard 1.5” belts and is optic-compatible, though it does not support weapon-mounted lights or suppressor height sights.
Safariland GLS IWB Holster
The Safariland 575 GLS Pro-Fit is an IWB holster that features Safariland's GLS (Grip Locking System) mechanism that provides active retention until it is deactivated with the middle finger upon establishing a firing grip. The 575 GLS is made from a proprietary nylon blend that is both strong and non-abrasive, features fully adjustable cant for improved concealment, and, because of the GLS system, it has the ability to fit multiple firearms in the same holster. While it is not light-compatible, the 575 GLS offers a wide range of optic compatibility.
Concealment Outside-the-Waistband (OWB)
Safariland Solis ALS OWB Holster
The Safariland Solis ALS is a concealment OWB holster that features Safariland’s ALS (Automatic Locking System) mechanism that provides a fast and repeatable straight-up draw motion. The Solis is compatible with most optics and compact weapon lights, but does not work with iron sights over .350” tall.
Safariland GLS Pro-Fit OWB Holster
The Safariland 578 GLS Pro-Fit is a concealment OWB holster that features Safariland's GLS (Grip Locking System) mechanism that provides active retention until it is deactivated with the middle finger upon establishing a firing grip. Because of the GLS system, this holster is able to fit multiple firearms in one holster, allowing for adaptability. The GLS Pro-Fit is optic-compatible, but doesn’t support weapon-mounted lights.
Safariland Gravity OWB Holster
The Safariland Gravity is a lightweight OWB holster that features a simple Safarilaminate construction with an open-top design and low cut sides to allow for a quick, easy draw. It also has adjustable cant, adjustable tension, and comes standard with a paddle mount that can be swapped for any Safariland 3-hole pattern mount. The Gravity fits iron sights up to .406" tall, and is IDPA and USPSA approved.
Duty Outside-the-Waistband (OWB)
Safariland 6000 Series
The Safariland 6000 series is the Safariland holster most people are familiar with. It comes in thousands of shapes, sizes, variations, and mounting options, as well as three different retention levels. The 6000 series offers a wide range of light compatibility due to its bucket-style design, at the compromise of overall fitment, causing a small amount of loose motion (rattle) in the holster.
While the 6000 series is lenient on lights, it does require the holster to be ordered for a specific barrel length. Putting a shorter barrel in a longer holster can cause excess rattle and reduce security, and on the inverse, longer barrels will not allow the gun to lock into the holster without changing the muzzle plug to something like the OT Defense Multi Muzzle Plug.
We have thoroughly curated this series down to two models that we think will cover most users, the 6354RDS and 6354RDSO:
- The 6354RDS is a level one holster that features full optic protection with a removable optic cover to prevent dirt and debris from entering your optic.
- The 6354RDSO is essentially the same as the RDS, but instead of an optic cover, it features an extended optic shell with no cover, for simplicity and slightly more optic compatibility for larger enclosed optics where the cover would need to be removed on the RDS.
Safariland 7TS (7000 Series)
The Safariland 7TS (7000 series) is the successor to the 6000 series. It features a modern injection-molded construction and a few small features, such as enhanced dirt and debris mitigation and more heat resistance. Like the 6000 series, the 7000 series has a ton of models and variations; however, they do not have as much aftermarket support.
Safariland Safarivault
The Safarivault Holster, according to Safariland, is the strongest holster they’ve ever built. It features increased structural integrity, an improved ALS design that reduces flex, a pass-through muzzle design for threaded barrels and debris mitigation, and a magnetic guidance system for easy reholstering. It accepts all Safariland 3-hole pattern mounts and accessories.
Safariland Ballast
The Safariland Ballast is another one of Safariland's OWB duty holsters. It features increased crush resistance, a protected internal ALS spring, a textured ALS lever, and an integrated Axon Signal Sensor Port. Like most of the other OWB holsters we have talked about, the Ballast is compatible with most Safariland 3-hole pattern mounts and accessories.