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FiRM GRiP
New Member
54 Posts |
 Posted - 11/02/2009 : 13:39:05
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I debated putting this thread hear or in CCW Tech but because this lesson is about holster retention, I am putting it here. We could probably start an entire sub-forum on the "lessons I would never like to learn again." Please excuse the length.
Background:
I have been shooting pistols regularly for about 9 years. I have had my CC permit for almost 2 years. I carried sometimes for about the 1st year, then about half the time, and now for the last 8 months all the time. I consider myself an advanced novice. I used to have an opinion about everything, but now I know enough to know I don't know much.
Situation:
So I have been breaking in a Crossbreed holster for the better part of 2 weeks for my EDC, a Walther PPS 9mm. I love the comfort. I have been wearing it in different positions and different cant angles to get it just right. I had it set to the forward most cant at about 8:30 (I'm a lefty)...I had the gun on in the house and I guess I didn't have my belt tight enough (stupid me) so I went to adjust the holster up (it had sagged a bit), not thinking anything about it (stupid me, again) I pushed up on the holster through my jeans with the palm of my hand and the butt of my hand nudged the grip of my PPS and the gun went flying...yep, popped right out. For the next 1/2 second (the eternity that it took my loaded PPS-with chambered round-to hit the hardwood floor) shocking horror went through my veins as my two children where less than 10 feet away. Other than a loud crash on the floor, no discharge (as designed of course but who wants to test that feature?). I picked the gun up, cleared it, and locked it in the cabinet for the rest of the day. This was one of those almost traumatic events that is pretty traumatic. I still feel sick to my stomach that it happened and just thinking about what could have happened...Thank you Walther, Thank you Lord.
Lesson:
I had previously noted the pistol was slightly loose in the holster but I ignored it by tightening down the belt to fix it (stupid me, this is a recurring theme). But, on that Saturday morning around the house with a loose belt, a large forward cant, and an improper way to adjust holster position Murphy came a knocking.
So now what? To be sure, I never want to conduct a drop test this way again. The Crossbreed does not have retention setting screws and therefore cannot be adjusted. Some have mentioned hair dryers and what not to re-form but they can keep that. As well, the belt should not be a required component of retention. Retention that passes the "turn it upside down and shake" test will be absolutely mandatory for me in the future where a slight bump won't unseat the pistol.
Final note:
As I have carried more I have gotten more comfortable in public and around people, all those things we worry about as newbies. However, the challenge while becoming more comfortable with your firearm is not to become less vigilant. Thanks for listening. |
NRA Lifer
Walther PPS 9mm | Glock 17 RTF | SIG P228 | Berreta 92FS | Taurus 627 Tracker | Ruger LCP (only for the speedo by the pool)
"We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free." Ronald Reagan |
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Eric
Senior Member
USA
1005 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 13:45:44
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First, thank the Lord it functioned as intended and didn't discharge. As someone with a 4yr old running around and playing on the floor with him nightly with my own PPS in a Crossbreed Supertuck, I can only imagine the horror you experienced as your brain realized it was out and falling.
I haven't had that happen myself, never felt my Supertuck needed to be tighter. I do believe when I received mine there was an insert page added in the packaging describing how to heat and tighten up the Kydez portion around your PPS, if it was needed.
You've said you aren't interested in that, so maybe give Mark at Crossbreed a call and explain the situation to him, I bet he'd gladly let you send it back and he would get the mold tightened up for you, covered under warranty.
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Glock 23 RTF
Walther PPS .40
There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men. - Edmund Burke
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Duffy
Average Member
USA
747 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 16:12:05
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| You did the right thing by not trying to catch it once it fell. That is the most dangerous time. Let it drop. It may get scratched up or dinged, but there is a very high change of getting a finger or thumb in the trigger guard if you try and catch it. |
It's been a rruufff day.
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Chris_T
Senior Member
1841 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 16:37:07
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| the super tuck can be adjusted with a hair dryer. |
"A government strong enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have"
---Thomas Jefferson
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life."
--Robert A. Heinlein
"Remember democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide."
-- John Adams |
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LandonJ
Basher Of Trolls
USA
5683 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 16:58:05
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Thank god for the internal safeties in life, as well as in firearms. Glad you're ok.
Now, with that said, are you going to be getting a different holster? I know Charlie (medic68) uses High Noon holsters for his PPS'. (apostrephe added because he owns four ) I'll text him and see if he can give his two copper abe lincoln's on this issue. |
"You are only out-gunned if you miss." -Jeff Cooper |
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FiRM GRiP
New Member
54 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 19:30:46
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Thanks all for the thoughts.
quote:
Originally posted by LandonJ
Now, with that said, are you going to be getting a different holster?
For now I will revert back to my Blade-tech UCH which has served me well. One option is another shell for my MTAC that I use for my Sig228 and have used in the past for a Kahr P45. However I don't think I like the idea to two different size guns shaping and reshaping the leather so I would probably need a whole new one. I too have read a lot of the positive feedback on High Noon...So the search begins. |
NRA Lifer
Walther PPS 9mm | Glock 17 RTF | SIG P228 | Berreta 92FS | Taurus 627 Tracker | Ruger LCP (only for the speedo by the pool)
"We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free." Ronald Reagan |
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Teufelhunde
Senior Member
1722 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 19:49:21
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| That, my friend, is precisely why I prefer the MTAC to the Crossbreed. The MTAC has adjustable tension through the screws that hold the Kydex body to the leather backing. |
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Angrytony
Junior Member
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2009 : 19:47:18
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I've dropped a firearm before and that is about as slow as you knowing a car accident is about to happen to you. (quite the coincidence that you picked that user name =D )
I have a VM2 and I'm boldy confident that my carry will never come loose. I used to use a IWB uncle mikes holster and I had to hold my waist if I had to run or move fast, I always worried about my body posture. Glad everything came out safe for you. |
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808Shogun
Senior Member
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2009 : 20:12:23
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quote:
Originally posted by FiRM GRiP
I debated putting this thread hear or in CCW Tech but because this lesson is about holster retention, I am putting it here. We could probably start an entire sub-forum on the "lessons I would never like to learn again." Please excuse the length.
Background:
I have been shooting pistols regularly for about 9 years. I have had my CC permit for almost 2 years. I carried sometimes for about the 1st year, then about half the time, and now for the last 8 months all the time. I consider myself an advanced novice. I used to have an opinion about everything, but now I know enough to know I don't know much.
Situation:
So I have been breaking in a Crossbreed holster for the better part of 2 weeks for my EDC, a Walther PPS 9mm. I love the comfort. I have been wearing it in different positions and different cant angles to get it just right. I had it set to the forward most cant at about 8:30 (I'm a lefty)...I had the gun on in the house and I guess I didn't have my belt tight enough (stupid me) so I went to adjust the holster up (it had sagged a bit), not thinking anything about it (stupid me, again) I pushed up on the holster through my jeans with the palm of my hand and the butt of my hand nudged the grip of my PPS and the gun went flying...yep, popped right out. For the next 1/2 second (the eternity that it took my loaded PPS-with chambered round-to hit the hardwood floor) shocking horror went through my veins as my two children where less than 10 feet away. Other than a loud crash on the floor, no discharge (as designed of course but who wants to test that feature?). I picked the gun up, cleared it, and locked it in the cabinet for the rest of the day. This was one of those almost traumatic events that is pretty traumatic. I still feel sick to my stomach that it happened and just thinking about what could have happened...Thank you Walther, Thank you Lord.
Lesson:
I had previously noted the pistol was slightly loose in the holster but I ignored it by tightening down the belt to fix it (stupid me, this is a recurring theme). But, on that Saturday morning around the house with a loose belt, a large forward cant, and an improper way to adjust holster position Murphy came a knocking.
So now what? To be sure, I never want to conduct a drop test this way again. The Crossbreed does not have retention setting screws and therefore cannot be adjusted. Some have mentioned hair dryers and what not to re-form but they can keep that. As well, the belt should not be a required component of retention. Retention that passes the "turn it upside down and shake" test will be absolutely mandatory for me in the future where a slight bump won't unseat the pistol.
Final note:
As I have carried more I have gotten more comfortable in public and around people, all those things we worry about as newbies. However, the challenge while becoming more comfortable with your firearm is not to become less vigilant. Thanks for listening.
Thanks for Sharing, Luckily no one was hurt. |
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nolt
Senior Member
1579 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2009 : 20:23:53
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i have 4 supertucks for 4 different weapons and the supertuck for my PPS has the poorest retention.
ive never had any problems like what you have describe (agreed thank the Lord you are all well) but i have considered tightening it with heat.
its really not that hard to shape a supertuck. i do understand why you may not want to fool with it though.
i used to wear the PPS supertuck relatively high so that it would sit above my pelvis and angle the grip inwards along my back. it conceals maybe a little bit better this way but thats how i noticed the looser retention. it seems to hold better with it lowered.
either way glad you are all safe. |
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Topic |
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Drop Test...Unplanned...Need Holster Retention
