Holster Retention Levels

Bianchi does not number its retention

There is no Bianchi Level I, II or III. Neither the 2025 nor the 2017 order guide contains a numbered retention rating anywhere. Bianchi names the device instead, so a Bianchi holster is described by what holds the gun in, not by a level.

• Auto Retention™ with FingerLok™An internal device that secures the handgun as it is holstered; the FingerLok release lever frees it on the draw. This is the closest Bianchi equivalent to an ALS.
• Pinch Retention Device (PRD)Clicks into place and is set to the width of the user's own belt.
• ThumbsnapA strap over the hammer or slide, released with the thumb. Bianchi lists thumbsnap holsters separately for revolvers and for semiautos.
• Trigger guard detentA moulded catch on the trigger guard, used on the open-top concealment models.

So do not compare a Bianchi holster to a Safariland level. A level is Safariland's own rating of its own product; nothing on a Bianchi label maps onto it, and any chart that claims otherwise is inventing the comparison.

The feature names above are taken from the Bianchi order guides we hold (2025 and 2017 editions).

Blackhawk numbers its retention

Blackhawk publishes Level 2 and Level 3 on its own holsters, the way Safariland does — but it is still Blackhawk’s rating of Blackhawk’s product.

Level 3

• SERPA Level 3 Tactical / Auto Lock Level 3 DutySERPA Auto-Lock plus a Pivot Guard behind the slide. No snaps or hoods.
• T-Series L3DDuty. Thumb release frees a trigger-guard lock and a rotating strap behind the slide.

Level 2

• SERPA CQCConcealment. SERPA Auto-Lock plus the moulded fit.
• SERPA Level 2 Tactical / Auto Lock DutySERPA Auto-Lock plus the moulded fit.
• T-Series L2D, L2CThumb release frees a spring-loaded trigger-guard lock.
• Omnivore MultiFitLocks onto the light or rail device with a thumb lock, plus adjustable tension.

What holds the gun in

• SERPA Auto-LockAn internal catch; the index finger presses the release on the draw.
• T-Series thumb releaseA lever under the thumb frees the lock (and on L3, the strap).
• Pivot GuardA guard behind the slide, freed by the same SERPA release.

SERPA puts the release under the trigger finger. Some agencies and ranges do not allow it — the LAPD banned it in 2017, and the Connecticut State Police firearms unit bars it from its range. Check before you buy one for a class or a department.

Uncle Mike’s counts devices, not levels

Uncle Mike’s describes its duty holsters as dual or triple retention — the number of separate devices — rather than printing a Level.

• PRO-3 (SlimLine, Original, Tactical)Triple retention: an internal locking device, a thumb break and an adjustable tension device.
• PRO-2Dual retention: a thumb break, an outboard tensioner and a trigger-guard detent.
• ReflexA spring lug inside the shell; a twist of the grip releases it.
• Kydex belt slide and paddleMoulded fit, open top or with a thumb break.
• Sidekick (nylon)A thumb-break strap on the hip models.

Dealers often list the PRO-3 as “Level III” and the PRO-2 as “Level II”. That is the dealer’s translation; read it as three devices and two devices. Look up an Uncle Mike’s holster number →

Gould & Goodrich: “double” and “triple”, and two Levels

Most Gould & Goodrich duty holsters are sold as double or triple retention. Only the T.E.L.R. line uses Levels.

• T.E.L.R. (X1000–X4000)Level 3 with the thumb-rolled hood plus the ejection-port lock; Level 1 is the ejection-port lock alone.
• K391, T391, X341Triple retention, with a rotating hood and an anti-blade device.
• B501Double retention, with a trigger-guard hood.
• 809, 813Thumb break.
• 897Tension screw.

What holds the gun in

• Rotating hoodCovers the back of the slide; rolled forward with the thumb before the draw.
• Ejection-port lockClicks into the ejection port as the gun goes in; a thumb release frees it.
• Thumb break / tension screwA snap strap opened with the thumb; a screw that sets the friction.

Look up a Gould & Goodrich holster number →

DeSantis: mostly concealment, one named Level

Most DeSantis holsters are concealment holsters held by tension, some with a thumb break. DeSantis itself points out that no single body certifies retention numbers.

• ProwlerDeSantis calls it Level II: a self-locking Redi-Lok catch engages as the gun goes in.
• Thumb Break ScabbardThumb break plus a tension screw.
• Speed ScabbardTension screw, no strap.

The colour, hand and gun are in the holster number, but the retention is not. Look up a DeSantis holster number →

Galco does not number its retention

Galco holsters are held by their moulded leather fit, and some add a thumb break. We found no Galco page that calls any holster Level I, II or III.

• PLE Paddle, HaloA reinforced thumb-break strap. Galco says the PLE’s strap meets departmental safety rules — not a numbered level.
• Concealment linesLeather moulded to the gun holds it by friction.

So treat a Galco holster as passive retention unless it has a strap. Look up a Galco holster number →

Retention levels by model

As Safariland names them in its 2026 price list. Tap a model to see every fit code for it.

Level III

• 6360ALS®/SLS Mid-Ride Duty Holster, Level III Retention™
• 6360RDSALS®/SLS RDS Mid-Ride Duty Holster, Level III Retention™
• 6360RDSOALS®/SLS RDSO Mid-Ride Duty Holster, Level III Retention™
• 6362ALS®/SLS Hi-Ride Duty Holster, Level III Retention™
• 6362RDSALS®/SLS RDS Hi-Ride Duty Holster, Level III Retention™
• 6362RDSOALS®/SLS RDSO Hi-Ride Duty Holster, Level III Retention™
• 6365ALS®/SLS Low-Ride Duty Holster, Level III Retention™
• 6365RDSALS®/SLS RDS Low-Ride Duty Holster, Level III Retention™
• 6365RDSOALS®/SLS RDSO Low-Ride Duty Holster, Level III Retention™
• 73607TS ALS®/SLS Mid-Ride Duty Holster, Level III Retention™
• 7360RDS7TS ALS®/SLS RDS Mid-Ride Duty Holster, Level III Retention™
• 73657TS ALS®/SLS Low-Ride Duty Holster, Level III Retention™
• 7365RDS7TS ALS®/SLS RDS Low-Ride Duty Holster, Level III Retention™

Level II

• 6280SLS Mid-Ride Duty Holster, Level II Retention™
• 6282SLS Hi-Ride Duty Holster, Level II Retention™
• 6285SLS Low-Ride Duty Holster, Level II Retention™
• 6520SLS EDW Clip-On Style, Level II Retention™
• 72807TS SLS Mid-Ride Duty Holster, Level II Retention™
• 72827TS SLS Hi-Ride Duty Holster, Level II Retention™
• 72857TS SLS Low-Ride Duty Holster, Level II Retention™
• 73627TS ALS®/SLS Hi-Ride Duty Holster, Level II Retention™ (listed this way in Safariland's 2026 price list; the matching 7360 and 7365 are Level III)
• 7362RDS7TS ALS®/SLS RDS Hi-Ride Duty Holster, Level II Retention™
• 75207TS SLS EDW Clip-On Style, Level II Retention™

Level I

• 6390ALS® Mid-Ride Duty Holster, Level I Retention™
• 6390RDSALS® RDS Mid-Ride Duty Holster, Level I Retention™
• 6390RDSOALS® RDSO Mid-Ride Duty Holster, Level I Retention™
• 6392ALS® Hi-Ride Duty Holster, Level I Retention™
• 6392RDSALS® RDS Hi-Ride Duty Holster, Level I Retention™
• 6392RDSOALS® RDSO Hi-Ride Duty Holster, Level I Retention™
• 6395ALS® Low-Ride Duty Holster, Level I Retention™
• 6395RDSALS® RDS Low-Ride Duty Holster, Level I Retention™
• 6395RDSOALS® RDSO Low-Ride Duty Holster, Level I Retention™
• 73907TS ALS® Mid-Ride Duty Holster, Level I Retention™
• 7390RDS7TS ALS® RDS Mid-Ride Duty Holster, Level I Retention™
• 73927TS ALS® Hi-Ride Duty Holster, Level I Retention™
• 7392RDS7TS ALS® RDS Hi-Ride Duty Holster, Level I Retention™
• 73957TS ALS® Low-Ride Duty Holster, Level I Retention™
• 7395RDS7TS ALS® RDS Low-Ride Duty Holster, Level I Retention™

What the model number tells you — and what it does not

The middle two digits of a Safariland model number are the retention system, and the full breakdown now lives with the rest of the number: read a Safariland model number →

Two things it will never tell you, which is why the list on this page exists.

Two things the number will not tell you

• A level is only printed on the duty lineSafariland assigns Level I, II and III to the duty holsters only. Its tactical and concealment models — 6304, 6354, 6378, 6384, 637, 7371, 7378 and their RDS variants — carry no retention level at all in the 2026 price list, even though they have ALS or ALS + SLS. An unlevelled model is not a lesser one; Safariland simply does not rate that line.
• The pattern has an exceptionThe 7362 and 7362RDS are listed as Level II while the 7360 and 7365 beside them are Level III. The number is a very good guide. The list below is the answer.