Safariland makes tons and tons of holsters. They are the undisputed king of duty holsters, providing police, military forces, and citizens with robust, secure, and accessible holsters. When you think of Safariland, you picture a duty holster, but their product lineup includes a variety of what I call “hidden Safariland holsters.”
These rigs are the hidden treasures of the manufacturer’s vast catalog. They do things differently from the norm and often fill niche carry options with the same durability, security, and accessibility of the many proven products that made Safariland the king of the duty holster market. Let’s look at these hidden holster options.
Model 6378 ALS: The J-Frame Option
The J-Frame occupies a vaulted spot in the concealed carry hall of fame. Small revolvers have long been a go-to for deep concealment, often worn on ankles, carried in pockets, or inside the waistband. Rarely do you see a Level 1 J-Frame holster.
The 6378 ALS holster provides ALS Level 1 retention in a J-Frame holster. It’s made from molded polymers, specifically Safarilaminate. Inside, a layer of Safarisuede protects your firearm’s finish.
The 6378 ALS offers a concealed-carry or plainclothes option for the little J-Frame. Along with the ALS active retention lever, it offers compatibility with the Safariland 3-hole ecosystem for attachments and a purpose-molded design. It might be the only Level 1 J-frame holster on the market.
Model 25 Pocket Holster
I’m a pocket carry aficionado. It’s one of the most convenient ways to carry, especially when your clothing options are limited. When it comes to pocket carry, you still need a holster to protect the trigger, provide a consistent draw point, and protect the gun. That makes this example of the many hidden Safariland holsters an excellent place to start.
The Model 25 is a dedicated pocket rig that’s both simple and effective. The holster is made from a thin polymer that’s coated with suede. The suede grips the pocket material, and the thin polymer design keeps the holster open when you need to reholster.
The non-collapsing design ensures the holster does not interfere with the trigger. A membrane between the holster and the gun prevents body moisture from accessing your firearm, preventing rust and malfunctions.
The Model 25 is my daily go-to pocket carry rig, providing comfortable, discreet concealment while allowing for deep concealment.
Model 1051 ALS Shoulder Holsters
Shoulder holsters occupy an interesting spot in the world of holsters. They are somewhat niche and tend to excel when people are constantly driving or seated at a desk. Getting the gun off the waist has its benefits and downsides.
The Safariland 1051 ALS is an attempt to rectify some of those issues. By using the ALS lever, detectives from the 1980s don’t have to rely on a leather button snap device. I joke, but those leather snaps aren’t extremely secure and will slow down a draw.
The ALS lever allows for a master grip on the gun while defeating the retention device. This allows for smooth and rapid draw. It’s still slower than a waist-mounted holster, but faster than a traditional holster.
The 1051 shoulder holster allows the user to orient the gun downward to increase concealment, or to the front for a faster draw. This setup provides a dual magazine pouch on the opposite side to better balance the load and improve comfort.
What we see is a blend of what works with older shoulder holsters with a dash of modern tech to create the ultimate shoulder rig.
The Entire GLS Series
GLS stands for grip locking system, and Safariland produces an entire suite of GLS holsters for a multitude of purposes. These series utilize the Pro-Fit design to allow one holster to accommodate a wide variety of guns. These are quasi-universal holsters that don’t suck—a rare feat in modern holsters.
Each of these has the Grip Lock System, which positions the device where the shooter’s middle finger naturally falls when gripping the gun. This defeats the device and allows for a smooth, easy draw. These series are affordable options that work for concealed carry and competition quite well.
The ability to fit multiple firearms, use Safariland’s 3-hole interface, and affordable price make these an attractive option for all sorts of shooters.
The TQ System
This isn’t a traditional firearm holster; it’s a holster for a tourniquet. Specifically, a modern tourniquet such as the North American Rescue CAT or a comparable model.
Maybe it’s not a holster at all, but rather a holster attachment or pouch. The system is simple. It attaches between your Safariland holster and mounting bracket. It places the tourniquet at the front of the holster for easy reach and draw.
This allows anyone carrying a holster to free up that sacred belt space. I don’t know if you’ve checked the prices, but real estate in the Belt isn’t getting any cheaper. This simple little pouch frees up valuable space and keeps your tourniquet on hand.
The TQ System allows for rapid access with either hand. No need to reach behind you or struggle to find the tourniquet on your belt.
Hidden Safariland Holsters: Worth Finding
Safariland is full of surprises. They have a holster for seemingly everything, including niche carry options that are often ignored by the main duty market. If you’re looking for something outside the norm, Safariland has you covered.
