I’m generally not a fan of paddle holsters, though a few have turned out to be extremely good. By that, I mean the holster does not “draw with the gun.” I’ve had paddle rigs that do that. One maker who has a “no escape” paddle – a design I believe can be traced back to Bill Rogers – is Safariland. The newest holster version that features that (as well as other mounting options) is the Safariland Gravity holster.

Dave Spaulding covered the Gravity and another paddle holster here. I had a sample made for the GLOCK 19. As it fit the GLOCK 44, a 22 LR training analog to the G19, and I was still working with the GLOCK-esque Ruger RXM, I decided to use that holster for some dedicated practice.

Both guns fit the holster, which has a simple friction-fit (with friction being adjustable) holster pouch, the outside with a Cordura fabric wrap. The holster is described by the factory as being made of the Safarilaminate material. It has a trigger guard detent for security, plus adjustable tension.

This sample was wrapped with Cordura fabric in black Multicam.

I repaired to the range in early November with the 9mm and the 22 auto. The ammo for the 9mm was recently-purchased Monarch “zinc coated steel” case 9mm 115gr. FMJ. The G44 consumed the Remington ThunderBolt 22 LR load.

The course was draw-intensive range practice, a mash-up of old qual stages with elements from some local sources and other elements from federal courses of fire.

The holster worked as expected with both guns; in fact, it was so transparent that I didn’t really make a lot of notes on it. It suffices to note that under the just-over-waist length jacket, I couldn’t raise my arms much before the bottom of the holster would show. Likewise, wearing it too far forward could create an unintended exposure of the gun.

As to draw speed, there was nothing to it. It’s ideally situated and constructed to make draws and re-holstering trouble-free. I will say that the “look it into the holster” crowd won’t like me. Part of the process is to remain aware of surroundings while the gun is being (perhaps temporarily) stored in the holster.

They say “if the fight’s not over, don’t put the gun away.” What they never told me is how I’m supposed to know that the fight is actually over in an operational environment. It also tells me that either (1) they’ve not employed guns in public environments before, (2) never had to take someone into custody without shooting, or (3) they’ve learned little from their experiences.

Learn to clear the holster by feel and to holster by feel. It may pay dividends someday.

The RXM had four failures to fire in 42 rounds with the steel-case Monarch ammo. Testing the ammo in other guns – and the RXM with other ammo – will be reported on shortly.

The Monarch “zinc coated steel” case 9mm 115gr. FMJ ammo experienced four failures to fire, with two rounds that didn’t go after repeated strikes. That was with a 42-round course of fire going back to 25 yards. The accuracy wasn’t bad with every round on paper.

With the GLOCK 44 22 auto, I used the Birchwood-Casey 12”x18” BC-IPSC Practice Target (a reduced size from standard) and shot out to fifteen yards. With the 22, there were no misfires, no stoppages. The shooting wasn’t great – but it was practice. I seem to learn something from every non-center hit.

I should eventually improve.

If you’re looking for a casual concealment/range holster, the Safariland Gravity works just fine.

- - Rich Grassi