Safariland is known the world over for its duty-ready retention holsters, but their recent drive into the concealed carry market is noteworthy.
The award-winning INCOGx is an excellent inside-the-waistband option, and the Model 25 is a surprisingly form-fitting pocket rig. The Gravity is a discreet OWB rig. And then there is the Safariland 5198 paddle holster, which has served as my range and winter carry rig for the last year. Here is what you need to know:
Safariland 5198 Features
The 5198 is a conventional paddle holster that features a generous paddle that wedges between the belt and the waist and a stop to retain the holster on the belt.
This arrangement is more secure than using steel clips like with an IWB holster, but the real advantage comes with changing wardrobe. The holstered pistol can be taken off by pulling between the holster and the paddle to slip the holster out. There is no need to unfasten a belt or remove the pistol from the holster.
The holster and paddle portions are made of Safariland’s proprietary SafariLaminate polymer. The paddle is retained by two Phillips-head bolts, while the stop is retained by one.
The holster’s retention mechanisms consist of a friction fit to the trigger guard that is adjustable with a single set screw that runs through the holster, as well as a 15-degree cant to prevent rear snatches of the pistol from the holster.
Other features include suede lining of the interior left side to protect the controls of the pistol, as well as curious holster stitching that is equally decorative and functional.
The Safariland 5198 is a versatile holster that comes in a variety of color schemes. These include: black, FDE, OD Green, Foliage Green, Coyote, and red. It can be ordered with either a left-handed or right-handed draw. Finishes include plain smooth, tactical, basketweave, and Hi-Gloss to fit any uniform standard.
Fits range from popular brands like Beretta, Glock, Ruger, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, and Walther. Other brands in the CCW market like CZ, STI, Sphinx, Stacatto, and Taurus are also accounted for.
Carry Impressions
I ordered a Safariland 5198 in plain black for a 1911 fit. For a year, it has been my holster of choice for wearing on the range. As it happens, it was on demand for an 1,800-round battery of tests through various 1911 platforms. The only issue perceived is that initial retention was so tight that the pistol would not come out of the holster at all. Several turns of the set screw brought retention right where I wanted it.
Unlike some other paddle rigs, which can be nearly impossible to get on and off, the 5198’s paddle flexes just enough to allow for easy installation and removal from the belt. It also incorporates a 10-degree cant, uncommon for the type.
Thanks to the lockup at the trigger guard, the ejection port and rear of the slide are exposed. Ordinarily, a lockup at the ejection port is desired, but that means more material that can prevent an optic-ready handgun from being holstered. I had no issues with iron sights or optics clearing polymer.
Although the Safariland 5198 is best set up as an open carry rig and was used in that fashion at most times, it is not so bulbous as to be not useful for concealed carry. Under a flannel jacket, I was able to carry a full-size Colt Government Model without any obvious printing. Furthermore, the setup of the paddle allowed for better weight distribution, diminishing the heft of that all-steel pistol against my side.
The Bottom Line
The Safariland 5198 isn’t the latest product in the Safariland lineup, but it is a solid rig that blurs the line between a work and a concealed carry holster. For dedicated open carry, active retention devices are preferred, whereas the 5198 relies on old-school friction fit and angles for retention. The latter attributes bring the 5198 into the realm of concealed carry, which it can do well with the right wardrobe.
Where it excels most is as a general range and working holster, where concealment is not necessary, and active retention is not a work requirement.
