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| BlackHawk Serpa |
I would love to know who made the decision that now was the time to switch holsters from the M12 to the BlackHawk Serpa line.
Don't get me wrong, I've worn the holster and find it functional in a normal environment, I can't ignore all the reports of the mechanism jamming when dirt, soil or even snow enter it. An additional worry for me is the issue with the actual protection of the sidearm. Will this holster provide adequate protection in all environments?
I have my doubts. I also don't like how this announcement was made. I didn't read any announcements about a competition. All I heard was that BlackHawk had been selected to provide the next holster for the Marine Corps.
Just by the eyeball test the old holster provides much more protection. Which brings me back to the one major issue that keeps smacking me upside the head. When is ideal too much and good enough a viable solution?
Was there some type of issue with the M12 rig that made it completely unworkable? If not then our Commandant's statement of being frugal is nothing but words that have no basis in reality. But if by chance they did find a reason why the M12 is unworkable then how about theses offerings...
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| Bianchi |
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| Safariland |
Both provide superior protection and both should be better options (I base my thinking on a non-mechanical retention device...even if the BlackHawk is simple its still more complex than the Bianchi or the Safariland) for Marines that jump or fast rope or actually operate in the field.
Exhibit one. Our holster selection. Evidence of a confused and misguided Marine Corps procurement system.
