Jul 28, 2011

Talk’s Cheap

So Are Holsters

The old-salt-gear look is a sign of being an old patrol dog, but I think the grey in your mustache and squared-away professional demeanor should be enough. You’ve spent the last ump-teen years breaking in your Sam Brown and gear. It’s so salty from sweat and grime; it’s actually falling apart. The once-black belt is now tan in places, and isn’t really much of a belt anymore. The snaps on your handcuff and OC case quit working about four years ago, and the retention snap on your holster is hanging on by a fraction of metal contact. Still worse, the retention hood or snap quit working, but is much faster now. Is that duct tape over a zip tie holding your holster together? You may be laughing now, but trust me, I’ve seen it.

If a vision of your patrol belt or one of the new accessory-laden patrol vests just flashed through your mind and your kit is similar to the one described above, I have one question for you: Why? If your department issues you equipment, I’m sure they have a program where you can “survey” the gear and get new stuff. If they don’t, and you have to buy your own kit, I ask this, how much is your life worth to you? If the gear you depend on to save your life — or someone else’s — fails due to mal-functioning or because it’s poorly maintained, the burden is on you.

If you lose your handcuffs during a foot pursuit, it’s not too big of a deal, unless you need to cuff the guy you were chasing. If your baton or other less-lethal devices hit the deck, the bad guy might grab them to use on you, or you won’t have them and will resort to using an unnecessary force option. As for your holster (the major concern), if it’s supposed to be a retention holster but isn’t anymore, that’s a big problem. What happens when you’re in a fight and need to make sure the gun stays secure? Wise words from Clint Smith: “I’m not trying to be ugly or your dad, but this needs saying. Don’t be cheap on gear you use to do a sometimes very dangerous job!”

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