I can relate to Tex, because I had a similar incident, however mine was exclusively equipment failure related (trigger never pulled, gun not drop safe). There is a tendency to want to take responsibility, despite what some would think. I know I blamed myself, and still do, even though it was a defective commie gun. I would further add that I suggest drawing your own conclusions based on the best information available, not worrying about what others think, even if they got shot and/or are well known.
In the case of the Serpa line up, this is the
best video break down I know of.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDpxVG9XFJc
Those of you who think you are above and beyond ******* up, I wish you luck. Fortunately for the rest of us, you're only endangering yourselves.
Well it is certainly a video with an agenda. He even maligns the Serpa paddle attachment as having an awkward angle to allow depressing the release correctly, but ignores the fact that the holster can be adjusted to several different positions/cants. I wear my Serpa straight up and down for just that reason.
The rest of the video is devoted to demonstrating the improper way to use/activate a Serpa - such incorrect procedure is
not the fault of the holster design - it is operator error.
The "problem" of not being able to draw/depress the switch if you pull up on the gun too soon - I see this as a safety feature to make gun snatches more difficult. If your gun does not clear the holster for this problem, keep your finger straight (don't move it), push down on the gun and immediately draw it. Walla - no muss, no fuss...........and no operator error.
Now to be quite candid, there is a small problem with a Serpa and no it is not the mythical pebble - redesign fixed that years ago. My best student was an eight year old boy - son who grew up to be the Senior Use of Force Instructor at a state academy.
His testing proved that a Serpa could be ripped off from the side with a violent two handed grip, giving the aggressor a holster with a gun - effectively disarming you. The screw heads (diameter) vs shank size are not large enough. THAT got my attention.
Serpa could likely fix that with a metal insert at that point or maybe a metal surface plate w/longer screws. Do I consider that a valid, realistic reason to cease use of my Serpa's - not really.
Truth is I really like the Safariland level 3, especially with the quick mount platform - been looking for an excuse to buy one. Now I have it + allows me further ingress into the "by his student, he was taught" category. Thanks Jami-san.