Safariland, as a company, is a bit like that warehouse at the end of Indiana Jones. It’s full of treasures, and if you look around enough, you’ll find a new thing or two. The vast catalog makes it tough to keep track of all the options. If you are willing to prowl and search, you come up with treasures like the Safariland Solis.
I’ve had my Solis for a few weeks now, and it’s been my go-to training holster. I’ve gotten what feels like several thousand draw strokes from the rig and have finally sat down to review the rig and give my thoughts.
The Solis is an OWB holster with Level 1 retention. That doesn’t sound too radical, but the Solis focuses on being lightweight, easy to use, and in some cases, it’s concealable. Safariland builds the Solis from SafariSeven material, the same non-marking nylon blend used for the 7000 series holsters.
The Solis comes with both a paddle and a belt loop in the box, but it’s compatible with Safariland’s three-hole system, so you have all manner of mounting options. In testing, I used the paddle, which worked surprisingly well for my needs.
The Solis: What’s the Point?
Safariland makes tons of 7000 series holsters with the ALS device that accommodate a variety of different guns, so what’s so different about the Solis? Admittedly, it does accommodate guns like the Glock 17 and Glock 19, but its original purpose was to provide a modern, Level 1 retention holster for subcompact handguns.
Specifically, subcompact handguns that feature lights and optics. There was a massive hole in the market for a modern retention holster for modern subcompacts. While many choose to run their guns plain, we can’t ignore the popularity of mini optics and newer, more powerful subcompact pistol lights.
The Safariland Solis gives you all the modern features of a duty rig for a subcompact pistol. It allows police officers in admin positions, detectives, and similar roles to carry smaller, lighter guns without sacrificing modern retention.
Outside of police officers, the Solis is well-suited for guys like me, who want a solid retention option for smaller, modern guns.
My plan with the Solis is to make it my new competition rig. Retention isn’t necessary for competition, but if you drop your gun, you get disqualified. I don’t mind having to deal with an ALS lever to avoid embarrassing myself.
Additionally, I like to adventure: to ride ATVs, to kayak, to hike, hunt, and more. I always have a gun, and I don’t want to lose that gun.
The Solis locks that gun into my holster and ensures that no matter how rough my adventures can get, the gun is staying put.
What About Concealed Carry?
The Solis could work for concealed carry and would work better than most of the 6000 and 7000 series holsters. It rides high and is more compact than dedicated duty rigs. With that said, it’s still rather large and carries the gun a fair distance from the body.
Concealment is possible but would require a very baggy shirt or a light jacket of some kind. As a winter option, it’s a winner, but for summer in Florida, there is no way I’m concealing the Solis. For certain clothing options and situations, it’s fine, but don’t expect the same level of concealment as something like the Schema.
Putting In Work With the Solis
The last few weeks of live and dry fire training have been consumed by the Solis. It’s been my go-to for various drills and my nightly 15 minutes of dry fire practice. Drawing from the Solis feels natural and easy.
I’ve become accustomed to the ALS device, so that was an easy transition for me. If you’re new to Safariland and the ALS device, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how natural it feels. It’s a lever that sits on the inside of your holster and near the body.
When you grip the gun, your thumb naturally falls where the ALS lever sits. All your thumb needs to do is pull slightly back on the lever, and the gun can be drawn. The position and the design of the ALS lever make it extremely difficult for anyone but the user to grab the holster.
The ALS device permits a rapid draw, as does the straight-pull design of the holster and its open top. Pushing the gun away from the body also makes the gun easier to draw. In a relatively short order with little practice, you can be drawing quickly and efficiently.
Without pressing that lever, the gun isn’t going anywhere. It’s part of the Safariland retention system, and it’s been proven in both controlled environments and on the streets. As a casual user, it’s certainly more than enough for me.
I don’t typically like paddles, but for my use, the ability to remove the holster and reinstall it has been handy. The paddle’s upward hook locks it onto your belt and keeps it from slipping or sliding, which is a nice touch. This might be the first paddle I keep on a holster.
Run and Gun
The Solis series is clearly growing, both in size and the guns it can carry, but also in popularity. A recognizable name and a plug-and-play design make it an awesome go-to holster. The Solis is well-suited for both casual users and professional users.
As an average Joe, it’s an excellent adventure and working holster, as well as a good competition rig. The Solis system is the most modern option available for modern micro-compact and subcompact pistols, even when they come with all the fixings.
