[drider]

Hello all friends, I'm just purchasing this holster for my pre service sheriffs academy beginning in a month. The academy requires the holster being purchased is at least a level II retention and basket weave. After researching and talking to good LEO friends they said since the holster is just for the academy get something plain and simple. Now do you guys think the 6280 is a simple to use holster? My only experience is with the thumb snap style retention holsters, so this whole SLS self locking system retention is totally new to me. Do you guys say nay against this holster for a new trainee and say find a thumb snap style one for the academy or say yay and buy it, it'll be simple to learn the SLS system? Thanks for looking any input will be appreciated. MY only concern is the SLS is totally new to me and during the academy I'll be worrying more about learning than studying how the holster works? http://www.copquest.com/23-1080.htm

[ateamer]

Get the 6360 with the ALS. The ALS release is completely natural and adds no time to the draw. I don't know why they still make the 6280, as the 6360 surpasses it in every way.

[drider]

So it's explained in the name the difference is Automatic locking instead of self locking? Meaning when I draw and re holster the retention will automatically lock it self?

[Pepper45]

I use the 6280 and like it. I may look into a 6360 if and when this one needs to be replaced.

[ateamer]

Originally Posted by drider

So it's explained in the name the difference is Automatic locking instead of self locking? Meaning when I draw and re holster the retention will automatically lock it self?

The hood guard still has to be manually rotated, but there is an internal automatic lock that is very effective, simple and reliable.

[CAcop]

I have used the 6280 or 6285 since 1998. I like it. The right amount of retention for me. I have tried all of the other holsters, 070, Raptor, ALS, etc. and they take too much motor skill for me. I guess I am a retard when it comes to holsters. I atually find it easier to use than a simple thumbreak and a little more secure.

[DVeng]

The 6280 is a fine holster, but get the 6360 if they make it for your fit. It is a better holster in pretty much every way and has a nearly identical draw stroke. It has the same hood as the 6280, but includes an additional "ALS" mechanism that secures the firearm as soon as it enters the holster and before the hood is moved back into place.

[collim1]

I dont feel the 6280 has enough retention. If I was gonna carry it I would for sure add the hood guard and sentry to it.

[kayl]

Another vote for the 6360 here!

Get the low-ride version though

[ray9898]

I carry a 6280 but I added a sentry lever. My next holster will be the 6360 for the extra security.

[drider]

Thanks guys! I think I'll lean towards the 6280 since it fits my budget and this holster will be only used for the academy.

[CW Mock]

I have been using a 6280/6285 for almost six years now, and its been good. I prefer the drop of the 6285 myself. I find it easier to use, and my draw is a little quicker, especially from "odd" angles, like being seated, etc.

I'd like to try an ALS holster for the extra security, but I don't have that option where I work. I can't even add the sentry. If I can ever escape, I'm going to experiment a little with the 6360 on a gun I actually want to carry.

[jadams951]

Originally Posted by kayl

Another vote for the 6360 here!

Get the low-ride version though

The 6365 is the low ride version of the 6360

I had hte 6280 for a number of years. Only real retention is the hood. It's big and bulky. I now run the 6365 and find it better retention and smaller.

[Cochese]

I like the 6280. I've had one since 2004. I don't like change.

[Cochese]

What kind of gun, what finish and right or left?

[Kahr_Glockman]

FWIW, I carry a 6360, and if this holster wasn't available to me, i would carry the 6280.

For me it's Safariland only. They have the best stuff on the market.

[Hoser423]

Whichever way you go for your purchase, get the holster you think will be best for LONG-TERM. Don't think of it as "just for the academy". All the repetition you do there will be a foundation of muscle memory. The 6280 is comfortable and intuitive for most people, so don't worry about "learning" how to use it. You'll be fine.

Sure, guys change holsters during their career, and you can re-train for darn near anything, but at least try to start with something you want to keep. And, good luck in the academy !

[DaBigBR]

The 6280 is a fine holster, however I personally prefer the 6360.

Originally Posted by CAcop

I have used the 6280 or 6285 since 1998. I like it. The right amount of retention for me. I have tried all of the other holsters, 070, Raptor, ALS, etc. and they take too much motor skill for me. I guess I am a retard when it comes to holsters. I atually find it easier to use than a simple thumbreak and a little more secure.

The 1911 ALS is poorly designed with a large plastic shroud over the top of the ALS lever that prevents your thumb from hitting it square (probably to "protect" the safety from being deactivated on the draw). On my leather and B/W 6360s I used a Dremel to cut off the little shroud and recontour around the lever so it looks more like every other ALS holster they make. Every single one of my coworkers that has/had a 1911/ALS combo (four of them) did the same thing and preferred it.

[toddmog]

I liked the 6360 until I wanted to add a light. I found the light bearing 6360 to be a little bulky. When I added a TLR-1, I opted for the 6280. I really liked the 6360 and used it for around a year and a half before adding a light.

You might check eBay to see if they have a good used one for you that would work for the academy.

[DMF]

The ALS is the way to go for level II holsters, and IMO the SLS system sucks.

Despite myself and coworkers doing thousands of draws from our issued SLS holsters, occasionally people still "fumble" on the draw. A few of us went out and got ALS holsters. None of us have ever fumbled the draw on the new holsters. Before I got the ALS I got a SERPA because that is better than the SLS, but the ALS is even better than the SERPA.

Get the ALS without the SLS hood. The 6320 or the 6325.

[Bill Lumberg]

I am issued both. I like them equally well.

[CJStudent]

Originally Posted by DMF

The ALS is the way to go for level II holsters, and IMO the SLS system sucks.

Despite myself and coworkers doing thousands of draws from our issued SLS holsters, occasionally people still "fumble" on the draw. A few of us went out and got ALS holsters. None of us have ever fumbled the draw on the new holsters. Before I got the ALS I got a SERPA because that is better than the SLS, but the ALS is even better than the SERPA.

Get the ALS without the SLS hood. The 6320 or the 6325.

We use these at my institution. My only complaint was, on a Beretta Vertec (with rail), it would occasionally hang up on the draw (causing me to actually not get a round off in time on quals). I think it's more because I suspect they bought the 6320 for a regular 92, instead of the Vertec, though. I have had the 6360 and the paddle version without the hood for a Glock with absolutely no issues before, though.

[Agent6-3/8]

Objections? Yes.

I used to carry a S&W 4566 w/Streamlight M3 in a 6280. The light no doubt had an effect on my experience with the holster, but I always though it had more in common with a plactic bucket than a retention holster. Too easy to knock the hood down(on purpose or accident) and have you gun removed/fall out. IMO, a traditional thumbbreak offer more security.

I was issued the above and had no say in the matter. Nex time around, if I have a choice I'll select something with a higher level of retention.

[ray9898]

Originally Posted by Agent6-3/8

Objections? Yes.

I used to carry a S&W 4566 w/Streamlight M3 in a 6280. The light no doubt had an effect on my experience with the holster, but I always though it had more in common with a plactic bucket than a retention holster. Too easy to knock the hood down(on purpose or accident) and have you gun removed/fall out. IMO, a traditional thumbbreak offer more security.

That is why I added the Sentry lever to the hood. It increased the draw time by a fraction of a second but really enhanced the security.

[use2b6L32]

I used a 6280 (Glocks with lights) for the bulk of my career. I liked it, but I always had the Sentry switch on it, which I feel is mandatory for the 6280.

YMMV.