Uncle Mike's Pro3 Tactical Holster
By: Frank Borelli, September 2004
A few weeks back we started a review of tactical holsters by examining the DeSantis 096SRT. This week we're going to take a look at a holster made by a well-known manufacturer: Michael's of Oregon, or "Uncle Mike's". Uncle Mike's manufactures holsters with dual or triple retention, and the one we're going to look at is the Pro 3 Tactical holster.
The Pro 3 is built out of nylon and polymer with metal fixtures and is available to fit most popular law enforcement service pistols. The test model I have is a size 21 indicating that it fits all compact and full-size 9mm, .40S&W and .357Sig Glock pistols. My primary test weapon for this holster was a Glock 23, but I have used it with a Glock 19 (9mm), Glock 22 (.40S&W), and a Glock 34 (9mm) Practical-Tactical. I was concerned that using the holster with the Glock 34 might introduce problems in drawing and presentation of the pistol due to the extra barrel length (5.3" vs 4.5" for the Model 17). However, I experienced no issues with the pistol/holster combination at all.
The nylon holster body is surrounded by, and mounted on, a polymer shell that maintains the shape and stability of the holster. The entire holster is mounted onto a laminated support panel that is the tactical thigh platform. Three allen-head screws are used to attach the holster to the platform and one of those screws also secures the thumb-break strap to the holster body. The platform on my test holster is 4" high and 8" wide creating a stable surface to work the holster against. This is important given that you have to twist the weapon to draw it. The holster/platform is secured to the leg via a two-inch wide nylon strap that is covered with Velcro. At the center of the strap is a section of elastic material so that the strap can be snugged by adjusting overlap at either end.
The holster/platform is secured to the belt by way of the adjustable belt-loop extender. This two-inch wide piece of ballistic nylon surrounds what Uncle Mike's calls a "co-polymer" stiffener and is secured at the desired length by using the 1" wide Velcro wraps. I can't imagine a leg too long or too short so as to be beyond the adjustment range of the extender. I have a 32" inseam and stand 5'10" tall. My holster is adjusted properly (so that the weapon grip is right at my hand when I'm standing) and I could easily lengthen the extender another eight inches if necessary. On the other hand, I could shorten it five or six inches and still have nothing sticking out the bottom of the platform.
This holster is a triple retention model, meaning that it secures the weapon in three ways:
1) The holster has an adjustable tension system which allows the user to tighten or loosen the holster by way of a Philips Head screw (green in the cutaway picture).
2) The holster is equipped with a snapped thumb-break strap made of a polymer/plastic material (purple in the cutaway picture) and is available with the strap covered in Velcro so that the strap can be held back out of the way should the user so desire.
3) The holster incorporates an internal trigger guard hook (red piece shown in cutaway picture) which requires the user to twist the pistol prior to drawing. The twist, as you reach down to grab the weapon is grip-into-the-body. On right-handed holsters, that's a clockwise twist. Opposite for left-handed models.
These retention features make the holster difficult to snatch the weapon out of for anyone other than the officer wearing the holster. Further, the holster is of sturdy enough construction that it can survive serious assault and still maintain the security of the weapon. Several years ago, when I was about thirty pounds lighter than my current 195, I had on a Pro 3 standard duty holster. With a red gun secured into the holster, I had a partner of mine, all six foot four inches and three hundred fifteen pounds of him, try to get the gun out of the holster by brute force. He made no attempt to defeat either the thumb-strap or the trigger guard hook, but simply tried to tear the gun from the holster. When all was done and said, the gun was still in the holster. I had been lifted off my feet, and the holster had partially ripped from my gunbelt, but the gun was still secure.
Just like any other holster than incorporates internal retention features, the user must train with and master the use of the holster prior to going on duty with it. No one needs to suffer in a shooting situation for/from lack of ability to draw a weapon from an unfamiliar holster. Additionally, prior to practicing with this holster, the tension must be adjusted to the user's specifications. If the tension screw is too loose, then no real retention exists from it. If it's too tight, the wearer can find him/herself unable to draw the weapon when necessary. It should be just tight enough to demand a positive pull when the thumb strap has been opened and the trigger-guard hook disengaged. The weapon is draw straight up out of the holster and should come out smoothly if the tension level is correct.
I've worn and tested my Pro 3 in all weather conditions and performing various types of duties. The only sign of any wear that I've seen is the slight fading of black material to gray material due to being rubbed against the center-console of my cruiser, or the occasional scratch/nick when the polymer shell gets run into metal objects (doorknobs, hinges, etc). In fact, I've had this particular Pro 3 since 1994, and the only real sign of wear is some slight rust on the heads of the three screws that secure the holster to the platform. A stiff-bristled brush and some touch-up paint will resolve that should I ever feel it necessary.
My Pro 3 is black and I always thought that was enough. How many different colors of holster does a police officer need? Thinking of different holster manufacturers, one can now have holsters that are woodland camo, desert camo, urban camo, etc. Uncle Mike's has increased the variety of its Pro 3 holsters by one color: OD green. In fact, you can now get an entire gunbelt set from Uncle Mike's in OD green. Although this doesn't quite compare to the variety of other tactical holsters available, it does allow for the Uncle Mike's products to be used in a military setting where OD is acceptable.
I've found the Pro 3 priced as low as $54.99 in some gun shops, and as high as $120 online. With proper shopping around, I'm sure the Tactical Pro 3 can be found for a reasonable price, and I'm confident that it would serve its wearer well when properly worn and used.
By: Frank Borelli, September 2004
A few weeks back we started a review of tactical holsters by examining the DeSantis 096SRT. This week we're going to take a look at a holster made by a well-known manufacturer: Michael's of Oregon, or "Uncle Mike's". Uncle Mike's manufactures holsters with dual or triple retention, and the one we're going to look at is the Pro 3 Tactical holster.
The Pro 3 is built out of nylon and polymer with metal fixtures and is available to fit most popular law enforcement service pistols. The test model I have is a size 21 indicating that it fits all compact and full-size 9mm, .40S&W and .357Sig Glock pistols. My primary test weapon for this holster was a Glock 23, but I have used it with a Glock 19 (9mm), Glock 22 (.40S&W), and a Glock 34 (9mm) Practical-Tactical. I was concerned that using the holster with the Glock 34 might introduce problems in drawing and presentation of the pistol due to the extra barrel length (5.3" vs 4.5" for the Model 17). However, I experienced no issues with the pistol/holster combination at all.
The nylon holster body is surrounded by, and mounted on, a polymer shell that maintains the shape and stability of the holster. The entire holster is mounted onto a laminated support panel that is the tactical thigh platform. Three allen-head screws are used to attach the holster to the platform and one of those screws also secures the thumb-break strap to the holster body. The platform on my test holster is 4" high and 8" wide creating a stable surface to work the holster against. This is important given that you have to twist the weapon to draw it. The holster/platform is secured to the leg via a two-inch wide nylon strap that is covered with Velcro. At the center of the strap is a section of elastic material so that the strap can be snugged by adjusting overlap at either end.
The holster/platform is secured to the belt by way of the adjustable belt-loop extender. This two-inch wide piece of ballistic nylon surrounds what Uncle Mike's calls a "co-polymer" stiffener and is secured at the desired length by using the 1" wide Velcro wraps. I can't imagine a leg too long or too short so as to be beyond the adjustment range of the extender. I have a 32" inseam and stand 5'10" tall. My holster is adjusted properly (so that the weapon grip is right at my hand when I'm standing) and I could easily lengthen the extender another eight inches if necessary. On the other hand, I could shorten it five or six inches and still have nothing sticking out the bottom of the platform.
This holster is a triple retention model, meaning that it secures the weapon in three ways:
1) The holster has an adjustable tension system which allows the user to tighten or loosen the holster by way of a Philips Head screw (green in the cutaway picture).
2) The holster is equipped with a snapped thumb-break strap made of a polymer/plastic material (purple in the cutaway picture) and is available with the strap covered in Velcro so that the strap can be held back out of the way should the user so desire.
3) The holster incorporates an internal trigger guard hook (red piece shown in cutaway picture) which requires the user to twist the pistol prior to drawing. The twist, as you reach down to grab the weapon is grip-into-the-body. On right-handed holsters, that's a clockwise twist. Opposite for left-handed models.
These retention features make the holster difficult to snatch the weapon out of for anyone other than the officer wearing the holster. Further, the holster is of sturdy enough construction that it can survive serious assault and still maintain the security of the weapon. Several years ago, when I was about thirty pounds lighter than my current 195, I had on a Pro 3 standard duty holster. With a red gun secured into the holster, I had a partner of mine, all six foot four inches and three hundred fifteen pounds of him, try to get the gun out of the holster by brute force. He made no attempt to defeat either the thumb-strap or the trigger guard hook, but simply tried to tear the gun from the holster. When all was done and said, the gun was still in the holster. I had been lifted off my feet, and the holster had partially ripped from my gunbelt, but the gun was still secure.
Just like any other holster than incorporates internal retention features, the user must train with and master the use of the holster prior to going on duty with it. No one needs to suffer in a shooting situation for/from lack of ability to draw a weapon from an unfamiliar holster. Additionally, prior to practicing with this holster, the tension must be adjusted to the user's specifications. If the tension screw is too loose, then no real retention exists from it. If it's too tight, the wearer can find him/herself unable to draw the weapon when necessary. It should be just tight enough to demand a positive pull when the thumb strap has been opened and the trigger-guard hook disengaged. The weapon is draw straight up out of the holster and should come out smoothly if the tension level is correct.
I've worn and tested my Pro 3 in all weather conditions and performing various types of duties. The only sign of any wear that I've seen is the slight fading of black material to gray material due to being rubbed against the center-console of my cruiser, or the occasional scratch/nick when the polymer shell gets run into metal objects (doorknobs, hinges, etc). In fact, I've had this particular Pro 3 since 1994, and the only real sign of wear is some slight rust on the heads of the three screws that secure the holster to the platform. A stiff-bristled brush and some touch-up paint will resolve that should I ever feel it necessary.
My Pro 3 is black and I always thought that was enough. How many different colors of holster does a police officer need? Thinking of different holster manufacturers, one can now have holsters that are woodland camo, desert camo, urban camo, etc. Uncle Mike's has increased the variety of its Pro 3 holsters by one color: OD green. In fact, you can now get an entire gunbelt set from Uncle Mike's in OD green. Although this doesn't quite compare to the variety of other tactical holsters available, it does allow for the Uncle Mike's products to be used in a military setting where OD is acceptable.
I've found the Pro 3 priced as low as $54.99 in some gun shops, and as high as $120 online. With proper shopping around, I'm sure the Tactical Pro 3 can be found for a reasonable price, and I'm confident that it would serve its wearer well when properly worn and used.