Tag: Holster

High Speed Gear® Offers Peerless Versatility and Reliability

Posted on by Mathew Pruitt

If you’re new to the tactical space, you may not be familiar with the company that revolutionized the magazine pouch game, otherwise, you’ve surely heard of High Speed Gear® or seen its distinct and popular range of battle-proven tactical gear™.

 

HSGI® blazed the trail with the first true one-size-fits-all magazine pouch, the TACO®, which fits most rifle-caliber magazines and even non-mag items like smoke grenades or handheld radios. A version of this pouch, the X2R TACO®, a double rifle mag pouch, performed so well throughout evaluations that the Marine Corps selected as their new standard-issue mag pouch. The number one deciding factor in its selection was Marine preference.

 

But it’s not just HSGI’s® huge variety of different TACOs® for everything from mags to stun guns, HSGI® is also incredibly popular for its medical pouches, rigger belts, war belts and more. This 100% American-made brand also stands behind its workmanship with a lifetime warranty for all its products.

 

 

The TACO®

 

This unique pouch is constructed from injection-molded polymer brackets, heavy-duty nylon, and shock cord lacing to both expand and lock just about any magazine in place.

 

• Securely holds most rifle magazines

• Magazines deploy easily and silently on demand

• Also fits certain radios, flashbangs, smoke grenades and more

• Strip of loop fastener sewn inside for additional contact and grip

 

 

The ReFlex™ IFAK

 

The ReFlex™ IFAK was developed with direct input from active-duty medical personnel. The ReFlex™ is a two-piece system, med roll and carrier, that is designed to carry organized medical supplies with ambidextrous accessibility. The system, constructed primarily with heavy-duty nylon laminate, allows rapid deployment of medical supplies. This system was designed around the medical supplies included in the U.S. Army-issued IFAK. The ReFlex™ Carrier and ReFlex™ Med Roll can be purchased together or separately.

 

• Features HANK™ (High Abrasion-Resistant Neoprene Kevlar® composite) grab handles for long-term durability

• Can mount vertically or horizontally on belts 1.5 “-2.25”, and horizontally on MOLLE

• Intentional organization features put all supplies in easy reach

• Carry handle and shock cord loops allow the roll to be attached to a patient, or hung from an I.V. rack

• Gloves can be accessed via side slots with or without removing the roll from the carrier

• “Mini” MOLLE allows for a precise fit on belts as narrow as 1.5” or two-row MOLLE panels

• Features loop panels on med roll and carrier for label patches (Medical Cross Patch included)

 

 

 

The Kydex® Tourniquet TACO®

 

The Kydex® Tourniquet TACO® is designed to retain windlass tourniquets on a belt, rig, or bag using the unique properties of Kydex®. Comp-Tac® uses airline-grade Kydex®, which has a smooth inside finish, is resistant to sweat and solvents, and provides a material that won’t damage the tourniquet, or the platform it’s attached to. Combining Comp-Tac’s® Kydex® manufacturing capabilities with HSGI’s® versatile TACO® design provides users the best of both worlds in manufacturing and use.

 

• 100% aircraft-grade Kydex® body gives a smooth finish for easy insertion and draw (.080 thickness)

• Unique shock cord design allows for the use of most windlass-style tourniquets, such as C-A-T®, SOF®TT, SOF®TT Wide, and SAM XT tourniquets, in one pouch

• Kydex® does not hold water and won’t add weight from rain, humidity or sweat

• TACO® hole pattern allows for stacking two pouches in the space of one

• Designed to match the look of the HSGI® Polymer TACOs® and Kydex® Handcuff TACO® for a seamless look on the belt

• Can be mounted to belts up to 2” or MOLLE with included two HSGI® Universal Clips

• Includes separate red medical cross decal

 

This product is member tested and recommended by the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA).

 

 

Duty Triple Pistol TACO®

 

Our Duty line of TACOs® functions the same as the originals, but feature sleeker fronts and hidden bungee, which is woven internally. This triple pouch will hold most pistol caliber magazines, small flashlights, pocket knives, multitools, and more.

 

• Mounts to both MOLLE and belts up to 2” with our new HSGI® Universal Clips

• Proprietary heavy-duty nylon laminate, shock cord, and polymer brackets provide versatility in size and adjustable retention

• Tapered, protruding brackets enable quick and easy indexing and reinsertion of items or magazines

 

 

Operator Belt (COBRA® IDR 1.75”)

 

The Operator Belt is a low-profile shooter’s belt designed to work with both MOLLE and belt-mounted gear. This two-belt system is overbuilt, like all HSGI® gear, to outlast the competition.

 

• Built with two layers of military-grade Type 13 nylon webbing

• Sewn together with five rows of lock-stitched, bonded 138 nylon thread

• Proprietary construction process provides additional rigidity and stiffness

• Features an additional layer of 1.5” webbing to form industry-standard columns of MOLLE for use with MOLLE pouches and holsters

• Double-needle binding along upper and lower edges of 1.5” webbing for added durability

• Includes your choice of HSGI® Inner Belt or Micro Grip Belt Panel to mate with the Operator’s interior hook fastener

• Two-belt setup enables the easy donning and removal of a belt

• Features patented COBRA® integrated D-ring buckle with matte black finish

 

 

Laser Sure-Grip® Padded Belt – Slotted

 

This new version is of our modular padded belt system is constructed with a laser-cut, proprietary heavy-duty nylon laminate. This belt’s slotted design allows inner belts to be woven under and over the MOLLE panels, making it compatible with both MOLLE and belt-mounted pouches and holsters. Our proprietary neoprene padding adds comfort while offering excellent grip and performance. The rear features an extra row of laser-cut MOLLE for larger pouches and additional comfort.

 

• Neoprene padding provides a “gel-like” comfort and unsurpassed grip

• Additional row of laser-cut MOLLE on wide back panel for comfort and larger pouches

• Individual laser-cut MOLLE panels allow the innerbelt to be woven inside or outside of the MOLLE to satisfy user needs for MOLLE mounting or belt mounting holsters and other accessories

• Assembled with an HDPE stiffener for added stability

Holster Retention Levels And Your Safety

Posted on by Mathew Pruitt

There is a lot of concern in the Law Enforcement community for the safety of law enforcement officers. In 2019 146 officers were killed in the line of duty.  Three died from assault and 50 by gunfire.   Most agencies recognize the need for helping officers keep their weapons from falling into the wrong hands

 

Currently, there are no government requirements and no industry standards for rating holster retention levels as there are for body armor protection. Companies are free to develop their own protocols for testing and ratings. As such, retention levels are not directly comparable across the industry, and things can quickly become confusing.

 

In the early 1970s, Bill Rogers, former FBI agent and founder of the Rogers Holster Company, studied and tested all of the existing duty holsters to see which designs were effective.  Bill developed a system based on a series of simple tests that could be conducted in the field by the end user. Today these have evolved. Below are Safarilands test retention requirements for duty holsters.  These are used because they are in writing and have been around for a long time.

 

Security ratings used by Bill Rogers and then Safariland after buying Rogers Holster Company, are performed using a suitable duty belt.  As such concealment holsters and tactical holsters were and are not rated.  Tactical holsters are generally attached to the body using nylon or Velcro.   Concealment holsters are attached to the body using numerous kinds of pant belts or just inserted into a pair of pants by some.  It does not matter what security rating a holster has if it is not secured to the officer’s body.

 

Below is the Rogers / Safariland testing method used to rate levels of security for their products.

 

The Test Retention Level I™

 

The Holster Retention Test is described as applying all the force to the grip or handle of the weapon by an individual while the weapon is totally secured in the holster and mounted on a suitable belt being worn by another individual.  The test is to simulate a “grab and snatch” initiated by an adversary.  The direction of force is unlimited but the duration of the force is limited to 5 seconds.  At the end of the 5 seconds, the weapon must still be secure in the holster and the holster must still be attached to the operator.  The operator must be able to accomplish a draw after the attack within the times set as a standard by the controlling department or within two seconds if no standard exists.  If the holster passes this initial test, it qualifies as a Level I Retention™ Security Holster. The Holster Retention Test described above is referred to as the “Test”, but over the years, it has become synonymous with “Level l test”

 

Level II Retention ™

 

Before a holster can be considered for a Level II rating, it must first past the Holster Retention Test. After passing the Test, the primary lock must be disabled and the same Retention Test is repeated. In order to test the holster for a Level II rating, the primary securing device must be determined.  The primary securing device is defined as the lock that requires the first action by the user in order to start the drawing sequence.  This initial action is an individual and deliberate action by the user to start the unlocking of any securing mechanism.  The holster is tested with the initial lock disabled.  It does not have to pass the complete test.  If the holster exhibits the ability to further secure the weapon in a meaningful way after the primary lock is disengaged then it qualifies as a Retention Level II™ security holster.  If after disabling the initial lock, the holster can again completely pass the Holster Retention Test, then it is clearly is rated as a Level II and may qualify for additional levels of security.

 

Level III Retention ™ and additional levels

 

A Level I holster that has completely passed a second Holster Retention Test, with the primary lock disabled, is clearly rated at a Level II.  It can be further tested for additional levels of security.  To determine a further rating, the second motion or action required by the user to continue the drawing sequence must be simulated.  As in the example described in the Level II rating of the secondary lock would be in the final unlocked position before the Retention Test is performed.  The holster does not have to pass the complete test.  If the holster exhibits the ability to secure the weapon in a meaningful way after the secondary lock is disabled, then it qualifies as a Level III Retention™ security holster.  Of course if the holster passes a complete Retention Test with the second lock disabled, it can be tested for further security levels by continuing to disable additional locks and conducting the same tests as outlined above.

 

So, if you’re shopping for a Security / duty holster — as an individual, a supervisor or buyer, you need to go beyond the sales pitch and fully understanding how the security features work. You need to ask questions about the specific tests that a manufacturer uses to rate their products. Until the NIJ and or the industry unite around a single standard, it’s not enough to assume that all rating denotes a comparable level of security between the different manufactures.   Many departments are using pull testers to test the strength of the holster and the mounting brackets of different holsters.

 

Every year Officers are still killed in the United States with their own weapons, duty holsters need to be secure but still easy functional under all levels of stress.  All Duty Holsters can be defeated if the attacker knows how they function.  The only way a manufacturer can produce a duty holster that cannot be defeated with today’s technology is to weld the pistol into a metal holster.  If the officer can get it out a suspect can get it out.   Everything on a duty belt is a tool that can be used by and for the officer to do their jobs.   Tools are great but Defensive tactics and training is still a necessity.

 

Thank you for your service and be safe out there!