@mandlebro Depends on a few factors.

So my level-2 has the button positioned near the waist, so no issue of that regardless.

My level-3 has two buttons, and one of them is positioned like you suggest. However since i always have the safety on that wouldnt be an issue even if it did happen. So far that hasnt been an issue for me even with the safety off.

@mandlebro @freemo Yeah, button on the outside releases for retention holsters, ones that prevent simple grabbing of your gun, are such a no-no I’m surprised they even exist (can’t remember now the really infamous model of them).

As I understand it, the good holsters might include a button but that and the real action is inside the holster, such that the manipulations required to release it won’t cause a negligent discharge. These can be so good at their general job the Tsarnaev brothers of Boston Marathon bombing infamy couldn’t figure out how to release the gun from the holster of the police officer they ambushed and killed and left it behind.

@ThatWouldBeTelling @mandlebro

While i agree on the second half, that level-2+ is great to prevent people from snatching your gun, I disagree on your first statement about button on the outside.

2 out of the three level-2+ holsters I have are button on the outside. I have never accidentally hit the trigger hitting it and even if i did the safety would have protected me. So its hard to see a real issue there unless you dont have a safety, in which case I'd say the concern is very valid.

It has to be considered situationally. Im running a 1911, so it has 2 safeties, the palm safety and the switch itself. So a whole lot of mistakes would have to happen all at once to get a misfire.

@freemo @mandlebro Yeah, you and I run M1911s so this is less of a concern unless we manage to swipe off the main safety way too early, which would also likely depress the grip safety.

(Also note I’m 99% IWB well hidden concealed carry so I don’t have good/real opinions on open carry.)

The accidents with button outside holsters were as I recall with Glocks, which in terms of acceptance by US police departments the total lack of a real safety was a big plus, they work rather like the revolvers they were replacing.

Let me mention something from Massad Ayoob’s safety video: guns with external hammers can be safer for holstering. You put your thumb under or over the it and if it releases (SA like M1911) or starts to move up you can in theory avoid a discharge.

Not an option with a normal Glock, and in all cases avoid clothing that might dangle into the holster, windbreaker string closure holders are one known bad example.

@ThatWouldBeTelling

With my HK VP9 I would not run a level-3 with front button unlock. The only safety it has is a trigger safety, and that is almost like no safety at all.

@mandlebro

@freemo @ThatWouldBeTelling @mandlebro You might want to read the actual source: the FLETC report on SERPA. It's a little dry, but not too bad, and explains everything, including the known NDs at FLETC facilities and the experiments they staged when debugging the issue. There's too much Internet lore spun around the issue.

@gat @freemo @mandlebro The SERPA holster! Thanks, that was the name I was trying to remember.

This seems to be the FLETC report you’re referring to: https://www.fletc.gov/sites/default/files/imported_files/reference/public-information/freedom-of-information-act-foia/reading-room/training-information/holisterStudy.pdf

@SteelFolk Yes the flap that exists is usually one of the locking mechanisms... If that is the only lock/retention in use it would be level-2.

@freemo They look as if they are to keep the rain off the gun. If you had one here, it would be something to consider!

@SteelFolk The purpose is to protect the hammer/gun from catching on something. but there are two types, one of which isnt considered a lock/retention.

@torparskytt Yea I am very thankful to be in a shall-issue state... open carry outside of the city doesnt even need a license... but to conceal or carry open or concealed int he city you do need one. So I have one.

@Romaq one thing pointed out is if your gun doesnt have the right sort of safety level 3 may put you at higher risk.

For my 1911 though i feel the level 3 pairs nicely.

@freemo I know enough to know I don't want to be in the position of having to make those choices. But if put upon me, I'd research carefully. I don't care for self-inflicted decorative piercings.

@Romaq You have tons of options, and its always a tradeoff between your safety re: accidents vs your safety in an attack... Gun ownership is often about finding an appropriate balance.

For example level 3 holster with a gun with a safety and/or not chambering it will certainly put you in a pretty safe spot... But chambering a bullet adds a good 2 seconds to your readiness too... Most cops are always chambered for that reason.