The world of Safariland holsters can often feel like a fun combination of numbers and acronyms. Their naming system makes sense because Safariland makes a holster for nearly every automatic handgun, including those with optics and lights. Spend enough time around Safariland, and the code will start to read like a second language. For instance, the 578 GLS Pro-Fit might not mean much to you initially, but it’s actually quite straightforward, easy to decipher, and tells you a story.
- The 578 means it falls into the 57X family of holsters.
- GLS is the retention system, and GLS stands for Grip Lock System. The GLS design uses an active retention device that is released via the middle finger.
- Pro-Fit means the holster can accommodate a wide variety of guns with just a few adjustments to the holster.
At the end of the day, the Safariland 578 GLS Pro-Fit is a versatile, outside-the-westband concealment holster designed to be nearly universal. It features a Hi-Ride 1.5-inch belt loop to stick the gun to the shooter. I’ve been rocking and rolling one with several different guns, and here’s the breakdown of why this might be your next concealed carry holster.
The 57X Series
The 57X series holsters are all fairly similar. They mainly differ by the method they attach to your belt. These holsters are designed for concealed carry and made from SafariSeven. The 578 works with the low-profile Hi-Ride belt loop system.
A quick rundown of the 57X series:
- 578: Comes with paddle and loop or QLS.
- 576: Comes with a belt clip.
- 571 – Comes with a micro paddle.
- 537 – Belt slide holster.
- 575 – IWB holster with IWB belt hook.
The Pro-Fit Design
The Pro-Fit holsters allow a single holster to fit over 100 different guns while guaranteeing total safety. The Grip Lock System (GLS) uses a retention device that locks around the trigger guard.
Guns come in different shapes and sizes, and the problem with most universal holsters, even modern polymer designs, is that they don’t always cover the trigger. If the holster doesn’t cover the trigger, it doesn’t lock into the holster, and then the pair shouldn’t be used.
Since the GLS locks around the trigger guard, the trigger remains covered.
The 578 GLS Pro-Fit can accommodate guns as large and long as the Glock 34 and as short and sweet as the Glock 26. It can also fit guns as thin as the Walther PPS and as thick as the Glock 20. It can even fit oddballs like 80% lower Glocks and Grand Powers. A few parts of the system combine to make this versatility possible.
The first and easiest design feature is the open-bottom design. There is plenty of room for longer barrels or accessories like compensators, as long as the compensator isn’t wider than the gun. Additionally, the GLS accommodates trigger guards up to half an inch wide out of the box. For thinner trigger guards, you can install a shim, which only requires a single tool to open the holster and access the GLS.
A single stainless Allen bolt at the bottom can be adjusted using the same tool you use to open the holster. This bolt makes it easy to adjust the holster to fit various sizes of dust cover. That’s why I can swap a .22LR SIG P322 for a 10mm Glock 20 with minimal effort.
What It Doesn’t Fit
The standard 57X series won’t fit lights by any means. It will fit most optics, but some combinations of optics and guns won’t work well. Optics like the SRO push forward a bit, and on some guns, that might mean the optic hits the holster before the gun can sit safely.
Other times, some guns just don’t work well with this holster. The 578 doesn’t play well with the Staccato P/C or the Springfield Prodigy. It’s best to check Safariland’s website and fit guide to make sure your gun or guns will fit. Admittedly, not all will be listed, but when in doubt, hit customer service up.
Carrying the 578 GLS Pro-Fit
The 578 GLS Pro-Fit and its Hi-Ride belt loop are surprisingly compact. It slides onto your belt without a hitch and pushes up and under the shirt easily.
Like every OWB holster, it has concealment challenges, and compared to some other holsters, it doesn’t sit as tight to the body. This wouldn’t be the best choice for a smaller shooter, and if you’re on the petite side, you might find it tough to conceal.
For me, it disappears pretty well under a black shirt as long as it’s not a fitted shirt. The 578 GLS Pro-Fit works well under the vented fishing shirts I rock most of the summer. Come winter, a hoodie or jacket will make this thing disappear.
It’s incredibly comfortable. It doesn’t press tight against the body and doesn’t rub or chafe. I carried this thing all day long without complaint. Hell, I even mowed five acres of field and forgot I was carrying a full-sized Glock 20 on my hip. The 578 GLS makes carrying a big gun comfy.
Getting the Draw
This was my first experience with the GLS system. The Grip-Lock System places the retention device at the bottom of the holster. When you grab the gun with a natural grip, the middle finger defeats the retention. This frees the gun as soon as it’s grabbed and allows you to have a natural draw without much thought put into the process.
It’s a bit different than other retention devices, but it makes a whole lot of sense with a concealed carry rig. The holster isn’t your standard duty design and doesn’t feel like one I’d associate with duty carry, but for concealment or even plain clothes work, it’s a serious contender.
The 578 GLS allows for a swift and natural draw. The holster sits off the body a bit, which allows for enough room to get a good solid grip on the gun for a clean draw.
I did my normal at the range practice, but I also worked on some of the vehicle tactics I learned at Full Spectrum Warriors. I had no problems drawing while inside a vehicle or from a seated position in general.
What the 578 GLS gives up in concealment, it makes up for in access and speed.
The 578 GLS: Versatile and Ready
The 578 GLS gives you a versatile and high-quality holster for daily carry. It’s smartly designed, easy to use, and conceals fairly well. It’s not the best option for the beach, boardroom, or ballroom, but for daily use, it’s a concealable holster with excellent retention and access.
