When it comes to state of the art, innovative, high-quality holsters, Safariland is always a great option. The company has a rich history, which over the years has been enhanced by acquiring many other class-leading companies’ knowledge and expertise.
It’s little wonder their products are such a popular choice with law enforcement and the military. The Safariland 6378 ALS Concealment Paddle Holster with Belt Loop is a great example of the quality products on offer.
So, let’s find out exactly what I think of it, along with how each feature performs from a user’s perspective in my in-depth Safariland 6378 Review…
Contents
First Impressions
For a concealment holster, this thing is bulky. It definitely isn’t suitable for use in the summer or warmer climates and will require a jacket to keep it hidden. The main advantage of the extra bulk is that a tactical light can be accommodated on certain models. And there aren’t many choices when it comes to weapon-specific formed holsters with accessories attached.
When you are wearing extra layers during the colder periods, accessibility becomes crucial, especially for a concealment holster.
Remaining accessible…
Wearing an IWB holster in multiple layers of clothing just isn’t going to cut it. Short of electing for a complete shoulder rig, the other alternative is an OWB carry. So, you might as well put that baggy winter coat to good use.
Included with the 6378 holster is a hefty paddle in addition to a belt loop. Although this holster is only officially rated at retention Level I, it offers a similar performance to a Level II, largely thanks to Safariland’s innovative ALS retention system.
Class Leading Retention
One of the major features of Safariland’s holsters is their ALS (Automatic Locking System) which offers class leading retention. It really is one of the most simple and intuitive systems to operate while still keeping your firearm locked securely in place.
The release lever for the ALS is located on the inside facing area of the holster right next to your side. This makes it much less accessible for anyone who is attempting to get hold of your firearm from any position.
Simple to operate…
While it might be difficult for anyone unauthorized to access, operation for the user is simple and intuitive. To release the gun, all the user needs to do is place his hand naturally around the grip of the firearm while reaching forward with their thumb.
All that is then required is to pull back on the lever with the thumb while lifting the firearm directly from the holster. This releases the locking mechanism within the holster that latches onto the breach. Each locking mechanism is designed specifically for each firearm model.
Design Features
Protecting the finish and sights of your firearm is a suede lining within the holster’s interior. At the very bottom of the holster, there is also a small plug. This slides into the end of the barrel providing additional retention and stops the gun from rattling around.
There is an extra benefit to this additional retention. It makes it possible to securely holster your weapon with or without the tactical light. If you have an accessory such as a laser that is the same size or smaller than your tac light, this could also be used instead.
Paddling to safety…
As mentioned, the 6378 includes a paddle along with the belt loop. This is useful for those that enjoy a beer or two (you know what I’m getting at) or anyone who likes leaving their shirt untucked as I do.
Using only the belt loop means the holster is strapped closer to your body. This might usually be better for concealment purposes; however, it creates an issue in that reaching the release lever with your thumb becomes much more difficult.
Greater access…
With the use of Safariland’s included paddle for the 6378, it angles the holster away from the body. This makes it much easier for your thumb to access the lever for releasing the ALS. Particularly useful for those with, shall we say, a “rounder” middle section.
The paddle is contoured for a hip carry, so it’s actually pretty comfortable and molds around the body. This prevents any fingers from accidentally sliding between the paddle and belt when reaching for your firearm.
Concealment and Carry Position
This is advertised as a concealment holster, and in all fairness, it is possible to conceal. Honestly, though, that’s giving an awful lot of leeway with the term, all things considered.
Even though the 6378 is designed for use with compact handguns, this is a long and bulky holster. It is covered up just fine with my baggy jacket, but then again, I could probably fit a bow and arrow in there without being detected.
Taking the front seat…
Although this is a high ride holster, the almost unruly length means I need to wear it forward of the hip, just under my gut. Even then, when seated in an office chair or in a vehicle, the bottom of the holster occasionally digs into the cushion.
There is a slight forward cant to the carry position that helps with two aspects. First of all, the grip is pointed further upwards, making it easier to reach for. The other aspect is directly related in that the barrel of the gun doesn’t point straight down. This slightly negates the issue of it digging into chairs when seated.
Drawing Your Weapon
Now for the section that most shooters get excited about and with good reason, the draw. When you need your gun in an emergency, your heart will be racing, and you’ll want it immediately. So how reliable is the draw on the 6378?
It’s always going to be difficult balancing safe and secure retention with a quick and reliable draw speed. If you aren’t familiar with Safariland’s ALS, it’s going to take some practice and familiarization before you’ll feel completely comfortable.
Finding the right balance…
A firm grip is needed on the firearm before each draw, or else you could risk the locking mechanism not releasing. It’s for this reason that I prefer to keep the screw loosened so that it reduces the amount of force required to release the lever.
With the retention screw tightened, it does slow down your draw speed, creating resistance. In fact, the entire holster lifts when attempting to draw. However, once you do find the right balance for your own personal style, a fast and reliable draw is achievable.
Available Configurations
There are five different colors available, including Black, Flat Dark Earth Brown, Foliage Green, OD Green, and Coyote Brown. Every color is constructed from the same SafariLaminate material, which is an impact-resistant thermoplastic, which has been specifically thermoformed around the firearm. It’s even impervious to moisture and bloodborne pathogens.
You have a choice of five finishes, including Plain, Tactical, Basketweave, Tactical Basketweave, or Hi-Gloss. The 6378 is also available in both left and right-handed draw configuration but is not suitable for crossdraw.
Compatible manufacturers…
There is an extensive list of manufacturers and models which are compatible with the 6378. Manufacturers included are Beretta, Colt, FN, Glock, Heckler & Koch, Kimber, Para Ordnance, Ruger, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Sphinx, Springfield Armory, STI INTL (Staccato), and Walther.
Safariland 6378 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Can accommodate a tactical light on particular models.
- Class leading ALS retention for keeping your firearm secure yet accessible.
- Suede lining protects the finish on your firearm and sights.
- Included paddle makes accessing your firearm easier when concealed.
- Available in a range of colors and finishes.
- Made specifically for a large list of manufacturers and models.
Cons
- Long and bulky making it difficult to conceal without a baggy jacket.
- Digs into chairs when seated despite being a high ride holster.
- Trigger cover isn’t completely covered on models suitable for light attachments.
- Practice is required if you are unfamiliar with Safariland’s ALS.
Looking For More Great Holster Options from Safariland?
If you’re looking for a comprehensive rundown, then take a look at my review of the Best Safariland Holsters you can buy in 2024.
Or check out my in-depth holster reviews of the Safariland 6280, the Safariland 6345DO, the Safariland 6004, the Safariland 7377 7TS, as well as the Safariland 578.
But with so many more options out there, we thought we’d help make the decision easier, so also check out our reviews of the Best Small Of Back Holster, the Best Concealed Carry Holsters, our Best Car Holsters Reviews, our Best Ankle Holster Reviews, the Best Chest Holsters, or the Best Pancake Holsters currently on the market.
Conclusion
Calling the 6378 a concealment holster is a bit of a stretch. In saying that, it’s still well-made, comfortable, and reliable. The retention system manages to find that balance between safety and accessibility.
It could easily be worn as an open carry duty holster. With the open-top design and included paddle, it makes a fast draw possible. But remember that this is a Level I retention holster but can be upgraded with an optional hood accessory.
Overall this is a solid performer in the Safariland lineup, even if it’s a little lost in exactly which category it belongs.
Happy and safe shooting.
