Safariland: A Brand You Can Trust

Safariland, A Brand You Can Trust

For more than 45 years Safariland has produced some of the finest and most innovative products for the law enforcement, competitive shooting, and military industries. Safariland is completely dedicated to what they do and never happy to bask in success when there is more innovation and product creation that can take place. This drive is what has pushed Safariland to the top of the game and turned them into a go to brand when considering a product that allows law enforcement to do their job without worrying about the items trusted to save their lives. The motto of Safariland has not change over the past 45 years, "Together, We Save Lives."

Level of Retention and Security for Safariland Holsters

Upon acquiring Rogers Holster Company, Safariland continues to apply a security rating system that was developed in 1975. A series of field tests are the bases for the system. Through-out the past twenty years locking mechanisms have changed. The previous socket and stud snap were once the primary locking mechanism. Presently a more complex secure system is in place. This new systems involves several locking mechanisms and additional user movement is required to release the locking mechanism. The rating for the Retention level is given according to the highest Retention test the holster passes.

Level I:
The test for Level I Retention involves the following: A make shift "grab and snatch" scenario is performed. After 5 seconds the weapon must still be in the holster, the holster still securely holding the weapon, and the holster must be attached to the operator. After the test, within 2 seconds the operator must be able to successfully draw the weapon from the holster.

Level II:
The holster must first past Level 1 test to move forward with Level II testing. The initial action a user takes to unlock the holster is disengaged, once this is done the original test is preformed. The holster passes the test if it can further secure the weapon even though the initial unlock action is disengaged.

Level III:
The test is continued once a holster has passed Level II. This time however, the secondary locking mechanism is disengaged. The holster one again is tested to see how well the weapon is secured.

Safariland's SLS (Self Locking System) has two levels of security and when a Sentry device is add a third level of Security is reached. To unlock an SLS mechanism, the user must pass the pressure of two springs to push the hood down. Once the user has done this the hood must be rotated forward allowing for an opening the weapon can exit the holster through. If the weapon is not completely removed the SLS holster will re-lock, making it as secure as it was to begin with. The Sentry's third level of security requires the user to perform an additional motion to release the weapon.

Product Lines Under Safariland

Safariland Holsters	Bianchi Duty Belts	Hatch Gloves	Defense Technology Duty Gear

On January 14th, 2009, BAE systems products group (one of the largest law enforcement suppliers) became Safariland. The new company name is now home to 19 of the most respected law enforcement brands such as Bianchi, Hatch, Defense Technology, and Monadnock, among others. Through this cooperation Safariland brands will be working together for the greater good of the customer through increased innovation and an even greater quality product. By combining this grouping of manufacturers, Safariland is better equipped to provide the customer with the products they need ranging from holsters to safety gear, and all the way to their gloves.

Safariland's Standout Product - The Holster

With all of the different brands under the Safariland name, Safariland itself can continue to work on the improvements of its most popular item, the holster. Firearm holsters have been around for decades, they range from concealed holsters used for undercover work, all the way to sporting holsters used for weekend adventures or a relaxing time at the shooting range. Lets dive into some of the different types.

• Duty Holsters - Duty Holsters are one of the most well known holsters. These holsters are designed to be carried openly and not concealed. Because of this, the design and material of the product has to be appeasing to the eye, which is not always the case for concealment holsters. Duty holsters are usually made of leather, nylon, or plastic, depending on personal preference and situational use.
• Concealment Holsters - Concealment Holsters are designed to be to be lightweight and not noticeable, making them easy to be concealed. Having the gun in a holster that is next to the body and generally under some form of clothing brings into consideration many different features not found in other holsters. First, they must be comfortable to wear. Second, they have to be able to withstand perspiration without negatively effecting the holster itself, or the firearm.
• Tactical Holsters - Tactical Holsters are designed for use in military situations and some forms of law enforcement. They are normally made of a nylon or different forms of plastic, and generally have a painted finish that can be a camouflaged or solid color to help it blend into the users attire. These holsters can also come with a flap that encases the firearm, providing a significant disadvantage for items needed to be drawn quickly, but providing increased protection for the item in the elements and outdoor situations.

Some other forms of holsters are : Inside the Pants Holsters, which allow easy concealment directly under the users pants. Belt Holsters, designed to be mounted to the belt in a concealed or not concealed fashion, and Paddle Holsters, which use friction to prevent the holster from being pulled off of the user when the handgun is drawn.

For more information on Holsters visit our Holster Buying Guide.

Safariland: Decades of Innovation

Safariland has announced that it has become the first body armor manufacturer to gain approval for a multi-threat armor model made for the National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ) new Voluntary Body Armor Compliance Testing Program under NIJ Standard-0101.06 (NIJ-06). This certification is a big step for Safariland, which has now raised its industry-topping total of NIJ-06 compliant body armor products to five. This is just another reason why Safariland and the other manufacturers under its umbrella should be a go to destination for all your safety and duty gear needs. You can find these brands and more at OutdoorPros.com.