BLACKHAWK SERPA Level 3 Auto Lock Duty Holster - Matte Finish

This was purchased for a Springfield Armory XDM Elite 10mm and the handgun fits PERFECTLY. It is a little longer than the 3.8" but the 4.5 inch would fill the length. The only way you can tell the handgun is shorter than the holster is if you looked or stuck your finger in the bottom. Since the holster accommodates the 3.8 up to the 4.5 you you have to expect this. I do wish they made this holster with the option of having a red dot and/or a light.I have to reiterate that I am extremely pleased with the way the handgun fit into the holster, locked into place and then how the hood perfectly covered the rear of the slide.I have read some reviews about holsters that have a trigger finger release and people complain that their finger slips into the trigger when the handgun is drawn from the holster creating the possibility of an accidental discharge. The location of the release on this holster puts your trigger finger even with the slide ABOVE the trigger. I do not see how this design would cause your finger to slip onto the trigger. I have never tried any of the other trigger finger release holsters but this one must be designed differently because it makes you place your finger exactly where it should be above and off the trigger.

I bought this solely for use in armed security. The included belt attachment is annoying in that it doesn't allow you to slide the rig forward or back once it's on there, making it a royal pain to find exactly where you want it to be on your belt before you cinch down the screws to permanently secure it. Also, the low-hanging position of the belt mount is uncomfortable as heck when you're sitting in a vehicle (especially one with a center console), because it makes the holster dig into your thigh. The mid- or high-position mounts available for the SERPA holsters are MUCH better and pretty much a must-get.The Level III retention device takes a little bit of extra practice, just enough that you need to get in the habit of keeping your thumb stiff so it can push the button that disengages the top retention piece, but I've compared my draw-and-shoot times with a shot timer and it comes out to be almost exactly the same with this holster as it does with my Level II SERPA duty holster. The top retention piece flips back far enough out of the way that it doesn't hang up on the rear sight and doesn't interfere with the draw stroke at all, so you don't have to really do anything different in that sense. However, you do have to draw upwards just an inch or so higher with this holster to clear it during the draw stroke versus the non-duty SERPA holsters, since these have that extra bit of protective shell going up the FULL length of the slide instead of just half or three-quarters of it. Also, re-engaging the top lock is an extra step, and a little awkward, but even if you just re-holster the pistol like any other SERPA holster, it still clicks securely into place and it's not like your gun is going to fall out or anything if you don't snap that top part closed.Otherwise, this is just like any other SERPA holster in that it's simple, rugged, functional, secure, and nice-looking.EXTRA BONUS: I bought this to fit a full-size Smith & Wesson M&P45, but it also perfectly fits my SD9VE, as well as my Glock 30 (it will also fit a Glock 21 or 20), so the extra versatility is kind of handy if you own more than one pistol of a similar size group.

Works well, fits well, made well. Blackhawk doesn't disappoint

Top notch equipment

This holster is solidly built. It locks onto the trigger guard of the gun when the weapon is placed into the holster, with no other action required from the user. Resecuring the hood device requires depression of a release button and a simultaneous rotation of the hood. Releasing the gun on the draw is accomplished by depressing the trigger finger release button, and the hood release button that is located directly under the natural position of the thumb. Proficiency with any holster requires practice, but this one is particularly easy to learn. Even with its Level III retention features, it's easy to use and very fast. The backstrap of the holstered gun rides approximately level with the top of the duty belt, and the mounting system that joins the holster body to the mounting plate is somewhat bulky. The gun rides a bit farther out from the body than with many other designs. This places it too low to defend against a gun grab attempt with the elbow. For me, getting in and out of the front seat area in today's smaller patrol vehicles took a bit of adaptive technique, particularly on the passenger side, where the gun butt has a tendency to catch on the door frame without a conscious effort to avoid that. I would like to see options for mounting the holster closer to the body and for raising it to a higher ride position. All in all, it's a secure, stable, reliable, and easy to use holster system for police duty or hunting use. It is also substantially less complicated and much less expensive than some other well known Level III rigs.

This is the second Blackhawk SERPA I have purchased. The first for a Glock 22 and this one for a Springfield XDM Elite 9mm. Just like the first one, this one is sturdy and reliable. It fits the weapon like a glove and keeps the weapon secure because it is a level 3. It also allows for a quick draw if the situation requires it. Blackhawk knows what they're doing when it comes to making holsters. After many years, the first holster is still going strong so I know this holster will last the test of time. This was a great purchase and will return, if I need another for another weapon.

I had been looking for a holster for my Beretta for a long time. I even tried other brands but nothing satisfied me. Then I saw this BLACKHAWK SERPA Level 3 Holster - Automatic Locking Gun Holster, Matte Finish. I loved it from the start. Functional, elegant, and fits incredibly almost perfectly. Its finish and carbon fiber material make this holster the best. I recommend it 💯