REVIEW: BLACKHAWK T-Series Level 3 TLR 1/2 Light Bearing Duty Holster

From BLACKHAWK, there is now a new holster, the T-Series. We took a detailed look at the variant for a Glock 17 with Streamlight TLR 1/2 for you, the T-Series Level 3 TLR 1/2 Light Bearing Duty Holster.

BLACKHAWK offers a very sleek holster. What you immediately notice is missing is the good old and much-discussed SERPA locking button on the front. This is because the T-Series holsters have been completely redesigned.

Even from a sloping angle, the holster appears very sleek. We like that. The outer shell is made of glass fiber-reinforced polyamide. We were not particularly gentle with the holster, but could not find any significant scratches.

Viewed from above, the locking mechanism is finally revealed. This is operated with the thumb, so "accidentally shooting yourself in the foot" should probably be a thing of the past, but who knows.

Releasing the weapon from the holster is intuitive and simple. Grab the handle and your thumb is already on the switch. Lightly press inward, the strap snaps forward, and the weapon can be easily drawn. This is simple and very safe. Yes, the index finger should be resting on the holster, as in the lead image.

The T-Series holsters do not hold weapons in the holster through friction, as with other manufacturers, but are always locked. Without activating the thumb switch, you can pull on the weapon as much as you want, the holster won't budge.

Here's a look at the switch and the inside of the holster. The Belt Loop mount is included, so just unpack and you're ready to go. The interior is also made of a special plastic that is particularly smooth and sound-absorbing. Naturally, it is also hydrophobic, the only fear that shooters like to see.

The labeling is for the Streamlight TLR 1/2 program holster. Without the light module, the weapon simply will not lock.

Here is the Glock 17 without light in the holster photographed from below. You can clearly see that the pin does not even touch the trigger guard, ...

... because it locks onto the Streamlight TLR 1 directly under the toggle switch. So: no nonsense with the trigger. Definitely not.

If the Belt Loop is removed, the entire locking mechanism is exposed. In heavy mud or very fine sand, there may be problems here. The screw pattern is identical to that of the good old SERPA holster, so all accessories from BLACKHAWK will fit here.

The outer side in its smooth glory. The pulling resistance can be adjusted with a cross screw in the lower part.

And here it is in motion.

CONCLUSION: BLACKHAWK has reinvented the SERPA, you could say, but the T-Series has absolutely nothing to do with this notorious holster except for the identical screw pattern. The design has been completely rethought from the ground up and what has emerged is a truly practical holster.

The BLACKHAWK T-Series Level 3 TLR 1/2 Light Bearing Duty Holster is available at BLACK SHADOW for both left- and right-handed shooters for €189.00.

BLACK SHADOW on the web: www.blackshadow.at

Almost too beautiful to unpack. This is how the T-Series comes in its packaging.