Level 2 Control Kit – Fast Draw, Greater Control, Custom Fit
Posted by Dana Dara on Aug 27, 2025
Dara Level 2 Control Kit: Customize Your Retention Holster
Not every shooter interacts with a retention holster the same way. Hand size, thumb position, grip, holster placement, previous training and personal preference can all affect how naturally a shooter operates an active retention system.
That's why Dara developed the Level 2 Control Kit.
Designed for right-handed Dara Level 2 Duty Holsters, the Control Kit provides three interchangeable release options so shooters can choose the interface that works best with their draw. The system has become especially popular with competitive shooters using active-retention holsters, while also providing additional customization for law enforcement, security professionals and other Level 2 holster users.
What Is the Dara Level 2 Control Kit?
The Dara Level 2 Control Kit is a user-customizable upgrade for compatible right-handed Dara Level 2 Duty Holsters.
Instead of requiring every shooter to use the same control size and shape, the kit includes three interchangeable options:
- Small Push Control
- Medium Push Control
- Large Lever Control
Each option operates the same active-retention system but changes how the shooter's thumb interfaces with the release. The purpose is not to make one control universally better than another. It gives shooters the ability to test different configurations and determine which one works best with their hand size, grip and established draw stroke.
Why Offer Three Different Retention Controls?
There is no universal hand size or draw technique. A shooter's thumb length, grip position, holster ride height, cant and previous experience with retention holsters can all influence how naturally the retention control can be reached and operated.
The three Control Kit options provide different contact surfaces and operating styles.
Small Push Control
The small option provides a compact, lower-profile push-style interface. It may appeal to shooters who prefer a smaller control surface close to the holster body.
Medium Push Control
The medium option retains the push-style operation while providing a larger contact surface for the thumb. For some shooters, this provides a useful balance between a compact control and a larger interface.
That difference matters in actual customer use. Kevin C., who reviewed the Level 2 Control Kit on September 6, 2025, said:
"The medium size worked best all around for my specific needs."
Kevin also noted that he wanted the same medium control for two additional holsters, which shows why interchangeable control sizes can be useful for shooters who have a preferred setup.
Large Lever Control
The large option uses a lever-style interface rather than the smaller push-style profile. This gives the shooter a larger contact point and a different thumb movement when disengaging the active retention system.
Why Competitive Shooters Are Using the Level 2 Control Kit
Active-retention holsters are not limited to traditional duty applications. Competitive shooters who choose to run Level 2 retention still have to disengage the active retention device during every draw.
That makes the size, shape and location of the control part of the shooter's overall draw setup.
The Level 2 Control Kit allows competitors to experiment with three different interfaces while keeping the underlying Dara Level 2 retention system the same. Shooters can evaluate:
- How naturally the thumb finds the control
- How smoothly the release integrates into the draw stroke
- Consistency across repeated draws
- Measured draw times
- Performance during movement and match stages
- Which control works best with their hand size and grip
In his review of the Level 2 Control Kit, Kevin C. described it as:
"A fantastic addition for faster draws from the holster. Easy and intuitive to install."
Individual results will vary, but feedback like this helps explain why shooters may want the ability to choose between multiple control styles rather than being limited to one fixed interface.
How Does the Dara Level 2 Retention System Work?
Dara Level 2 Duty Holsters combine adjustable passive retention with a manually operated active-retention hood.
The passive retention system provides resistance against the firearm being drawn from the holster, while the rotating hood provides an additional active retention device that must be intentionally disengaged during the draw.
The Level 2 Control Kit changes how the shooter interfaces with that active-retention mechanism. It does not eliminate the active retention system or independently change the retention level of the holster.
This means a shooter can customize the control without replacing the entire holster or changing the fundamental Level 2 retention design.
What Is the Level 2 Control Kit Made From?
The controls are manufactured from fiber-reinforced polymer and were designed in-house specifically for Dara's Level 2 retention platform.
The Control Kit is not a universal aftermarket attachment. It is designed to interface with compatible Dara Level 2 Duty Holsters.
Customer Feedback on Dara Level 2 Holsters
The Control Kit is designed to work as part of Dara's broader Level 2 holster platform. Customer feedback on the holsters themselves also provides useful insight into how the system performs in real-world use.
Mike P. reviewed his Dara Level 2 Holster for a Glock 21 on July 21, 2026:
"Awesome holsters! Dara makes premium quality holsters. Perfect fit for my Glock 21 and very durable. Highly recommend this product for duty and personal use."
Customer reviews are useful because they provide feedback from actual users alongside Dara's own product specifications and design information.
Who Is the Dara Level 2 Control Kit For?
- Competitive shooters who use active-retention holsters and want to fine-tune the release around their draw stroke.
- Law enforcement officers who want a control that better matches their hand size, grip, equipment and training.
- Security professionals using compatible Dara Level 2 retention holsters.
- Shooters transitioning from another retention-holster platform who may prefer a different thumb-operated control style.
How to Determine Which Control Works Best for You
The best way to select a control is to test all three options using the same holster position and equipment.
Install one control and perform repeated practice draws. Then repeat the same process with the other two controls.
Competitive shooters can make the comparison more objective by using a shot timer and recording multiple draws with each control.
For example:
- Small Control: 10 draws
- Medium Control: 10 draws
- Large Control: 10 draws
Compare your average draw time, consistency and how reliably you disengage the retention system while maintaining your normal grip.
The fastest single draw does not necessarily identify the best control. The goal is to find the configuration that produces the most repeatable results for you.
Installation
The Level 2 Control Kit installs onto the existing release mechanism of compatible current-production right-handed Dara Level 2 Holsters without requiring permanent modification to the holster.
Watch the Dara Level 2 Control Kit installation video here.
After installation, verify that the retention mechanism operates properly before using the holster.
Level 2 Control Kit FAQ
What comes with the Dara Level 2 Control Kit?
The Level 2 Control Kit includes three interchangeable options: a small push control, medium push control and large lever control. Each provides a different interface for operating the compatible Dara Level 2 active-retention system.
Which Dara Level 2 control is fastest?
There is no single control that will be fastest for every shooter. Hand size, grip, thumb position, holster setup and training can all affect performance. Competitive shooters can use a shot timer to compare repeated draws with each control and determine which configuration works best for them.
Does changing the control change the holster's retention level?
No. Changing the control changes how the shooter interfaces with the active retention mechanism. It does not remove the retention system or independently change the holster's retention level.
Can the Level 2 Control Kit be used for competition?
Yes. Competitive shooters who choose to use an active-retention holster can use the Control Kit to customize how they disengage the retention system during their draw.
Is the Dara Level 2 Control Kit universal?
No. The Level 2 Control Kit was designed specifically for compatible right-handed Dara Level 2 Duty Holsters and should not be considered a universal retention-holster component.
Will the Control Kit fit older Dara Level 2 Holsters?
The Control Kit is intended for compatible current-production right-handed Dara Level 2 Holsters. If you have an older Dara holster and are unsure about compatibility, contact Dara before ordering.
Designed to Give Shooters More Control Over Their Setup
The Level 2 Control Kit was developed around a simple idea: one retention control is not necessarily ideal for every shooter.
Rather than forcing every user to adapt to a single control geometry, Dara provides three options that can be tested using the same Level 2 retention platform.
For competitive shooters, that means another part of the holster setup that can be tested and fine-tuned. For duty and professional users, it provides an additional way to configure the holster around individual equipment, hand size and training.
Whichever control you choose, consistent practice with your final configuration is what matters most.