ihocky2 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 I am picking up my M&P 9L in a day or two and am trying to decide on a holster to use for 3-gun. Safariland only lists the GLS for the 9L, which I have read less than favorable opinions of. The 5.11 Thumbdrive looks nice because it will sit about the same as my Blade-Tech holsters for all of my other guns and seems like a good retention system. The 5.11 is only listed for the M&P Pro 5" though, has anyone used a 9L in the Thumbdrive? Are there any holsters I am missing. I don't not want to go into the Blade-Tech WRS with the level II retention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianATL Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 (edited) Safariland 6378 http://www.scheels.com/shop/en/scheels-catalog/Model-6378-Safariland-ALS-Concealment-Paddle-Holster-Smith--Wesson-MP-9L-with-5-Inch-Barrel-STX-Plain-Black-Right-Hand-A-5198-819-411 Edited April 1, 2015 by BrianATL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick S Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 I use this from Safariland. http://www.holsterops.com/7ts-qls19 If you are using Dawson Adjustables or other higher profile sights you might want to consider the model that Holster Ops Cuts down in house. Otherwise you can trim the non cutdown version with a dremel. http://www.holsterops.com/cutdown-7ts-paddle I own and have used both. They work great and the price is right. ALS retention. Very secure. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnuke146 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 9L should work in the pro 5". I like the thumb drive for good level II retention and a simple set screw, screwed in with the thumb drive pressed in to make it a no retention holster. Just my opinion. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StealthyBlagga Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 ... Safariland only lists the GLS for the 9L, which I have read less than favorable opinions of.... Interesting. I have a GLS on order... wondering what the perceived problems are with the system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihocky2 Posted April 2, 2015 Author Share Posted April 2, 2015 Reviews I saw on the GLS were that the release button was not as intuitive and the thumb releases. Most had to make a point to press it and press it hard enough. Kind of like a Serpa holster, but the GLS at least keeps your finger away from the trigger during the draw. BrianATL; on that 6378 ALS paddle you linked to, does it seem like you could switch the paddle to a Tek-Lok easily, or at least with an adapter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpom Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 Another question: Will the 6378 ALS for the 5" work wilth a pistol without the manual safety? On the Safariland site, the 7TS for the 5" is for one with a safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick S Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 The 7TS holsters I referenced above both work without the thumb safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmiller Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 I ordered a 7ts. It arrived yaesterday to try it out, and it is not retaining my pistol. I have Dawson adjustable sights and a stormlake barrel. It is not locking in real well. Has anyone had this problem? I wonder if the barrel sticks up enough to keep it from locking in. I am calling them today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarkeg Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 I ordered a 7ts. It arrived yaesterday to try it out, and it is not retaining my pistol. I have Dawson adjustable sights and a stormlake barrel. It is not locking in real well. Has anyone had this problem? I wonder if the barrel sticks up enough to keep it from locking in. I am calling them today. Does it have an extended/threaded barrel? I have a 9L (non CORE) with a Stormlake barrel and 10-8 sights, and the 7TS works great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thermobollocks Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 I use the Thumbdrive for a 5" M&P. It's excellent. Retention is bang on -- no worries about tree branches, slings, or other obstacles at all. It's survived a couple years of 3-gun matches no worse for the wear, 0 issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmiller Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 No threaded barrel, I called Safariland and they are sending out another. It is a 5" Pro with Dawson sights. The rep said all holsters are checked before they leave. It feels like the gun is not going down into it deep enough. I can rip it out without hitting the lever. I think they will make it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmiller Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 It was hitting on my dawson adjustable rear sight base. Going to cut it down . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick S Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 It was hitting on my dawson adjustable rear sight base. Going to cut it down . As I stated above it will work out fine if you trim it down so the hood clears the rear sight. If you are using a higher front (.285-.305) you may need to take the holster apart and open up the channel for the front sight internally so it doesn't drag. Holster Ops sells a version that is already trimmed down that I linked above for future reference. Safariland is bit clueless and just reads off a cue card and says it will fit. I went round and round with them a while ago and didn't get anywhere until a higher up got involved who then went way above and beyond to get me squared away. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmiller Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 (edited) I cut it down, it works great with my full size .40. Doesn't fit my 9mm pro. I can rip it out without pushing the lever. Been dealing with holster ops, and they are extremely helpful. They are sending me a new holster. My 40 slide is 1.025" wide in front of the ejection port. My 9mm pro is .877" wide. I think that is the problem. Edited April 9, 2015 by bmiller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick S Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Did you try adjusting the retention screw on top? The Pro and L have slightly different contours on slide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmiller Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Yes, no difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmiller Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Quick update. I worked with Tom at holster ops . They sent me another holster and it fit great. Ran it at Tarheel 3gun over the weekend and it worked perfectly. I am very happy with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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