Originally Posted By 3ACR_Scout:
The ALS mechanism will lock just fine without the light. The holster just has a big empty space to accommodate the light and doesn't lock onto the light in any way. All the retention is from the ALS mechanism locking into the ejection port (breach?) on the slide. The post that fits into the end of the barrel as well as the guides on either side of the slide help keep the slide aligned and locked in place.
Having said that, it's difficult to holster the pistol and align it properly so it locks in place without a light mounted. Plus there's the obvious added bulk of the light holster that's not needed when you don't have a light mounted.
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Safariland directly contradicted this statement last Oct in an e-mail where I asked if the ALS/Red Dot holster would work without the light (emphasis added):
"Question: Is the ALS locking system dependent on the light being attached to the gun or not? In other words: Will this holster work, specifically the ALS locking feature, with both a light installed and with no light installed?
"Thank you for your inquiry. The light will need to be installed for the holster to properly retain the firearm.
Without the light, the weapon will not be retained in the holster."
Whoever wrote that answer for Safariland
is completely full of shit.
Originally Posted By SilasB:
I should say that all Safariland ALS / Red Dot holsters are built for a weapon light, whether you want to run one or not. Running one of those holsters without a light is an exercise in frustration.
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Yep.
Hence, the purpose of this thread.