quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Well, my sights are metal (neither plastic nor glass), which keeps the vapors at bay.

I had the front sight of an M&P 45 go flying off while shooting once.

If it ain't properly attached, it doesn't matter what it's made of.

I'm just wondering how your cut compares to what a factory cut setup would be. Assuming that's what Safariland based their holster off of.

There is no factory acro cut. so its not a factor in the discussion.

Doe the holster have the original barrel indexing plug installed? Was the holster intended for your slide length? I know you mentioned the possibility that it was a reholster without a light and I think you're onto something there, but generally the barrel indexing plug would keep the gun from falling too low in the holster. Generally, the holster bodies are all the same and the plug is intended to match the slide length so a compact slide going in a full size holster would likely not catch the indexing plug.

The holster is relatively new (received last January) and has had little use, only a few range sessions. It has the indexing plug and the slide is the full size length that the holster is designed for.

You do have a point, though, about whether the plug would have prevented the pistol from going in far enough for the sight to contact the projection that I believe caused the damage. Something to try to check, so thanks for that idea.

I got around to actually checking the fit of the pistol in the holster rather than just assuming. Not having the sight mounted made it easy to see what happens when it’s holstered.

When the (dummy) light is mounted, the pistol is positioned so that it goes straight down and the indexing post of the holster enters the muzzle of the barrel. In that position there is evidently enough clearance between the sight and the projection pictured above. Without the light, however, it’s possible for the pistol to be rotated to the rear to the point that the front of the slide bypasses the indexing post entirely. That allows the gun to be inserted farther into the holster, and from what I can see, that would make it possible for the sight window to contact the projection. If the sight is also mounted that might limit the degree of rotation, but evidently not enough to prevent the problem.

Why the damage to the window occurred on only one corner isn’t clear, but I suspect it was because the pistol slide was also canted to one side as well as being rotated to the rear.

So, boys and girls, remember that holsters are designed to work with specific guns and accessories. Using them in unintended ways can cause problems, including things that are worse than a broken sight.

That is surprising for an Acro. I thought they would be tougher than that against the plastic.

As much as I have tried to get used to a red dot, I have found they are not for me and have spent good money on buying different types. I understand they are an asset for some but I can't get used to the function/sight picture. My son will make out in my trials, as I give them to him. On a rifle, it is a different story.