Different types of holsters are called for during different activities or situations. It’s no different than switching to winter tires or off-road tires, or sneakers versus loafers versus sandals. In the holster world, duty holsters are worn openly on a duty belt or battle belt. The idea is that such a holster keeps the pistol protected from the elements via the body of the holster while also making it difficult for unauthorized users to grab the pistol away from the wearer. In addition to protecting the gun from the elements or would-be aggressors, the majority of contemporary duty holsters also holster guns with mounted red-dot sights and tactical pistol lights.
Safariland 6000 Series (MSRP varies, starts at $180)
There’s no denying that Safariland is the granddaddy of modern duty holsters. It controls the lion’s share of the market and chances are if you see a police officer out and about, their sidearm is holstered in some Safariland OWB duty holster model. Safariland also has a wide number of models and styles, but for brevity’s sake, I’m showcasing the Safariland 6000 series which remains one of the company's workhorses. 6000 series holsters are made from thermo-molded polymer and Cordura nylon wrapped, so they’re available in different colors and patterns. All models have at least two forms of retention, most famously the Safariland ALS (Automatic Locking System).
Mission First Tactical Guardian Duty Holster (MSRP: $214.99)
One of the newest, if not the newest product in this list is Mission First Tactical’s Duty holster. It belongs to the Mission First Tactical Guardian product family, which I have a bit of experience with. Like the Guardian OWB and other members of that lineup, the Guardian Duty holster incorporates the same rare-earth neodymium magnets that serve as a means of retention by “attracting” the steel of the barrel and slide. In addition to the signature MFT magnet, the Guardian Duty holster’s shell fully covers the handgun, a light and a mounted red-dot sight. It’s designed to work with many major brands including optics models from Aimpoint, Trijicon, Holosun and Leupold.
Alien Gear Rapid Force Duty Level III Holster (MSRP: $199)
Though Alien Gear has traditionally catered to the concealment holster segment, its Rapid Force Duty Holster offerings have been standing out more and more these days. Rapid Force Level III Holsters come with the requisite three points of retention, but Alien Gear also designed the holster’s hood to be removable at the end-user’s discretion. These duty holsters also incorporate Alien Gear’s quick-detach system (QDS) for which Alien Gear has also designed and manufactured and entire ecosystem of belt attachment accessories.
Falco Duty Holsters (MSRP: starts at $129)
Slovakian holster company Falco offers a range of duty holsters manufactured from Kydex with at least two levels of retention. Due to their Kydex build, these holsters have a sleeker footprint compared to other duty holsters made from high impact polymers (that result in that ‘bucket’ shape). Recently, Falco also implemented its redesigned safety hoods across its duty holster product line too. The new safety hood maintains the same spring-loaded function as the original while being more ergonomic and functional. Finally, the newest thumb-activated release button on Falco duty holsters has been repositioned for a more natural reach to improve the draw.
BlackPoint Tactical Slick Duty Holster (MSRP: $169)
BlackPoint Tactical offers its Slick Duty Holster with two levels of retention. While this company also offers a Level III retention model, the Slick Duty represents a design balance between reasonable accessibility and smoothness on the draw. The Slick Duty Holster is built around BlackPoint Tactical’s “Master Grip System.” It simply refers to holster design that allows the wearer to keep a master firing grip over their handgun while also being able to use the same hand to move or switch the duty holster’s active and passive retention devices. This is in comparison to other holster designs whose retention devices require different hand motions or contortions in order to reach their respective retention controls.
