If Safariland is famous for one thing, it is for making full-size OWB (outside the waistband) duty holsters. For decades, the company has catered to law enforcement and military customers who primarily rely on openly worn belt holsters focused around duty-size firearms. If you look at the typical police officer’s holster nearly anywhere in the country, chances are it is a Safariland model of some sort on his or her hip.
As a purveyor of police gear, Safariland tends to do a good job at keeping up with times. It’s why many of its currently available OWB holster modes also cater to duty handguns that are both equipped with tactical lights and slide-mounted red-dot sights.
Enter the Safariland 6354 RDSO OWB Holster
A little over two years ago, Safariland launched the 6354 RDSO holster. This Safariland 6000 series holster is best described as a “tactical bucket” type holster that’s worn on a 2.25-inch-wide duty belt, battle belt or thigh rig that can accommodate handguns that have both a tactical light and a red-dot sight.
More specifically, the Safariland 6354 RDSO is an improvement over its predecessor, the 6354DO model. While both the 6354 DO and 6354 RDSO can accommodate slide-mounted red-dot sights, the newer 6354 RDSO’s shroud profile was tweaked and revised to better accommodate enclosed-emitter optics such as Aimpoint’s ACRO P-2 or the Steiner MPS. These types of enclosed-emitter red-dot sights are especially relevant to the modern law enforcement market. Case in point, the Walther PDO ACRO Professional that’s indirectly featured in this article is primarily meant for law enforcement customers, especially because its slide is directly milled for the ACRO P-2.
Beyond accommodating red-dot sights and Surefire or Streamlight tactical lights, the Safariland 6354 RDSO also includes some classic 6000 series features such as a thermo-molded polymer body, Safariland’s ALS active retention system and Safariland’s three-hole mounting pattern, which is arguably a bigger deal in the holster universe than Safariland itself.
Feature Focus: The ALS System And Optics Shroud
The Safariland ALS (Automatic Locking System) keeps the handgun locked inside the holster. This locking system is straightforward and uses spring tension and internal parts to keep the gun arrested to the interior of the hoster. “Unlocking” the handgun from the holster only requires the end-user to depress the ALS level with their thumb prior to the draw. Doing so swivels the mechanism away and frees the gun. Depressing the lever takes no special effort, nor does it drag or cause any resistance. The beauty of the Automatic Locking System is two-fold. First, activating requires no additional steps besides safely holstering the handgun. Two, if an unauthorized user were to try and grapple the holster-wearer for his loaded, holstered handgun, it will not budge no matter how forceful the “grabs” can be. Because the release lever is actuated by the end-user’s thumb, there is little risk of any errant finger inadvertently finding its way into the inside of the handgun’s trigger guard.
As previously mentioned, the optics shroud on the Safariland 6354 RDSO is optimized for enclosed-emitter, duty-oriented optics. One of the challenges when pairing red-dot sights to holsters like the Safariland 6000 series (which tend to cover and lock the entirety of the pistol in place) is making sure that the optic shroud and housing areas provide enough clearance for a wide range of optics. In the case of the 6354 RDSO, it’s Safariland direct go-to option for those who are already dedicated enclosed-emitter red-dot shooters. The Safariland 6390 RDS is arguably the most popular Safariland “tactical bucket” style-holster. The primary difference between the 6354 RDSO and the 6390 RDS is that the former does not have that swiveling polymer dust cover. The shroud is wide open from the top, which makes for a smooth draw. Of course, the holstered pistol is completely surrounded by the holster’s thermo-molded polymer shell.
Safariland 6354 RDSO: A Serious Holster For Serious End-Users
While some generalities obviously apply to all Safariland 6354 RDSO holsters, anyone that’s intending to purchase one would be wise to visit Safariland’s website and comb through all the details and options as they pertain to their handgun make and model. In addition to the different fits, there’s other factors to consider too. The Safariland 6354 RDSO’s retail price begins at $193.
And lastly, one is free to use open-emitter optics with it, so long as they’re of a standard size, such as the Trijicon RMR or a Holosun 507C.
Learn more at safariland.com.
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