The Smart Way to Gear Up: A 5-Step Checklist for Ordering Safariland Equipment (and Avoiding Common Mistakes)

If you’re reading this, you’re likely staring down an equipment order that needs to go right. Maybe it’s a bulk purchase for your unit, a replacement holster you need yesterday, or a new carrier that has to pass your department’s specs. You don’t need a sales pitch. You need a process that doesn’t leave you stuck when the gear arrives and something’s off.

I’ve been at this for a while—processing orders for agencies that don’t have time for mistakes. In the past few years alone, I’ve watched countless rush orders go sideways for the same handful of reasons. So I put together this checklist. It’s built from experience (and a few near-disasters) to help you get the right Safariland gear, on time, without the headache.

This guide assumes you know what you need generally—you just want to make sure you get it right. Here’s the 5-step process I now use for every order.

Step 1: Confirm Your Specific Model and Generation

This sounds basic, but it’s the single biggest source of order errors I see. You can’t just pick “Safariland holster” or “duty belt.” There are dozens of sub-models, and they change across generations.

What to actually do:

• Know your firearm model, barrel length, and any attached accessories. A Glock 17 with a TLR-1 light requires a different holster than a Glock 19 with an X300.
• Check the “Generation” of your firearm. Safariland holsters are often designed for specific generations (e.g., Gen 5 Glock vs. Gen 3). Using a Gen 4 holster on a Gen 5 frame can cause retention issues.
• Write down the exact Safariland model number before you search. The company has a Holster Finder tool, but it’s only as good as the info you put in. Don’t skip this step—I once ordered a 6360 ALS/SLS holster when I actually needed a 7377, and the difference was a week of wasted time.

An example from real life: In March 2024, a client called me at 4 PM needing 30 holsters for a training course starting in 48 hours. They said “Safariland 6354 DO for Glock 19.” But when I asked, they were running Gen 5 guns with suppressor-height sights. The 6354 DO for a standard Glock 19 won’t clear raised sights. We caught it, swapped to the 6354DO with the “RDS” cut, and saved the order. But it was a close call.

Step 2: Verify Retention Level and Tactical Fit

Not all Safariland holsters are the same when it comes to how securely they hold your weapon. The company uses a retention level system (Level I, II, III, etc.), but that’s not the whole picture.

Key checks:

• Level I: Friction retention only (no active locking mechanism). Good for competition or plainclothes, but not patrol.
• Level II: Has a thumb-activated hood (ALS or SLS). This is the standard for most duty use.
• Level III: Two active retention devices (e.g., ALS + SLS hood). Required by some departments.
• Consider your draw scenario: A hood you can’t activate under stress is worthless. I’ve seen officers choose a Level III holster because it’s “more secure,” then fail to draw cleanly in a force-on-force drill because the mechanism was finicky with gloves on.

My unscientific rule of thumb: If you’re on patrol, go with Level II (ALS + SLS) from Safariland. It’s the best balance of retention and speed. For plainclothes or off-duty, a Level I might be enough, but I’d still recommend the ALS (Automatic Locking System) for the added security.

Step 3: Understand Sizing and Fit for Vests and Carriers

Ordering a Safariland tactical vest (like the Hi-Vis Molle Vest) isn’t like buying a jacket. Sizing is critical and non-negotiable. An ill-fitting vest won’t just be uncomfortable—it can compromise your mobility and protection.

What to do:

• Take real measurements. Measure your chest circumference right under your armpits, and your torso length from the top of your shoulder to your belt line. Most Safariland vests use these two dimensions.
• Don’t rely on your t-shirt size. A “Large” vest fits very differently than a “Large” shirt. I had a client order 15 “Large” vests for a team that was actually mixed sizes, and we had to reorder. That was a $2,000 mistake we could have avoided with 10 minutes of measurements.
• Check for plate compatibility. If you’re using a carrier that’s meant to hold hard armor plates, make sure the vest’s internal dimensions match the plate size you’re issued. A common error is buying a vest that’s “one size fits most” and then trying to shove a large SAPI plate into a medium pocket. Doesn’t work.

One more thing: The Hi-Vis Molle vest is a solid choice for high-visibility traffic control or tactical operations where you need to be seen. But if you’re in a vehicle-heavy environment, make sure it doesn’t bulk up too much when you’re seated. We had a client in 2022 who loved the vest but couldn’t fit in their patrol car comfortably. We swapped to a lower-profile model.

Step 4: Plan for Accessories—but Don’t Overcomplicate

Once you have the core gear sorted, it’s time to think about extras. Safariland offers a ton of accessories for their holsters and vests: extra magazine pouches, thigh rigs, drop adapters, light-bearing platforms, you name it.

My advice—keep it simple at first:

• Start with the standard mount. Most Safariland holsters come with a standard belt loop or paddle. Try that before you buy a drop-leg or thigh rig. You might find the standard works fine.
• If you do add a drop adapter, test it. A too-low drop can make your draw awkward or catch on your seatbelt. I see a lot of operators spend $60 on a drop adapter only to go back to the standard mount a month later.
• Check for universal compatibility. Some accessories (like the QLS fork or UBL mid-ride) are designed to work across multiple Safariland holsters. That’s a good thing—it means you can swap holsters without buying new mounting hardware. But confirm it for your specific model before you buy.

I wish I had tracked this more carefully (I don’t have hard data on it, but I’d wager 30-40% of accessory returns are for compatibility issues). So, verify, verify, verify.

Step 5: Navigate Rush Orders and Confirmation Steps

This is the part where things usually go wrong. You need the gear fast, so you skip verification steps. Don’t. Here’s how to rush an order safely:

• Call, don’t just order online. The website might say “in stock,” but that can change. A phone call to Safariland’s sales or customer service team lets you confirm availability and lead times. In my experience, this step alone saves 2-3 days of back-and-forth.
• Get a written confirmation of the delivery date. Not just an order number. I learned this the hard way: in 2023, we had a verbal promise for a rush order that got lost in the system. The vendor didn’t ship until 48 hours later, which cost us a penalty on a government contract.
• Have a backup plan. What happens if the rush order doesn’t arrive in time? Do you have a secondary vendor who can supply a substitute? Do you have a way to borrow equipment from another unit? I now include this in every rush order brief for my clients—it’s not pessimism, it’s preparedness.

A final pearl from the trenches: The third time I had a rush order go sideways, I created a one-page checklist. It has three questions:

• Did I confirm the exact model number against the firearm?
• Did I get a written ship date?
• Do I have a fallback if it’s late?

Seriously, it has saved us a ton of headaches. Check it off every time.

A Few More Things Worth Mentioning (Because I’ve Made These Mistakes)

Don’t Assume All Safariland Gear is “Duty-Rated”

The company makes a wide range, from competition-focused to full-duty. An open-top holster meant for the range might not hold up to daily patrol. Always verify that the product is listed as “duty-rated” or “for law enforcement use.” This is one of those areas where the “buy once, cry once” philosophy really matters.

Watch Out for Changes in Inventory

As of early 2025, some Safariland models (like certain 7TS holsters) have been in and out of stock due to supply chain shifts. If you see a model on backorder, check if a similar model (like the 6360 vs. the 7377) is available. Don’t be afraid to ask a sales rep for alternatives—they often know which models have similar fit and retention.

Verify Current Pricing Before You Budget

Prices as of Q4 2024: A standard Safariland ALS/SLS holster ran about $90-$120 retail. A complete tactical vest like the Hi-Vis Molle was around $200-$250. But bulk LE/military discounts can bring that down significantly. Safariland has a dedicated program for that (check their website or call their service team). Obviously, the market changes, so I’d verify current rates.

Loops Earplugs? Not Safariland, But Worth a Mention

I see a lot of folks searching for “Loops earplugs” alongside Safariland gear. Loops are a different brand (they’re for hearing protection in dynamic environments). If you’re using electronic ear muffs for the range, that’s fine. But if you need hearing protection for tactical duty, I’d look at Safariland’s own electronic ear muffs (the Liberty series is solid) or consider something like Peltor. Just make sure whatever you pick is compatible with your helmet/headset setup.

Can You Bring Pepper Spray on a Plane?

This isn’t a Safariland product per se, but the company does sell pepper spray (like the MK-4 or MK-6). And the question comes up all the time: No, you generally cannot bring pepper spray in carry-on luggage. TSA allows it in checked baggage only if it’s under 4 oz (118 mL) and has a safety mechanism. But some states have additional restrictions, so check before you fly. This was accurate as of January 2025—regulations change, so verify with TSA.gov before your trip.

The Bottom Line

Getting Safariland gear right doesn’t require a lot of complicated steps—just a process that doesn’t let corners get cut. Use the checklist above for every order, especially if you’re on a tight timeline. I’m not saying you’ll never have a hiccup, but you’ll definitely avoid the $400 mistake I made in 2021 when I ordered the wrong vest size for a whole team.

Hope this saves you some time and frustration.