When it comes to weapon retention for duty holsters, there’s no substitute for testing in real-life conditions. At Dara Holsters, we believe a Level 3 duty holster should perform not just in theory or static range drills, but in the chaos of a real fight.

That’s why we took our Level 3 Holster prototype to the mats at Meta Jiu Jitsu Academy inside Rich’s Gym, pairing two highly skilled fighters in a controlled, high-intensity retention scenario to see how it truly performs under pressure.

What Is a Level 3 Duty Holster?

A Level 3 holster incorporates three steps to secure a firearm. This setup is designed for law enforcement, military, and high-security applications where the risk of a weapon grab is high.

In a real-world confrontation, an officer or armed professional may be taken to the ground. A Level 3 holster’s job is to keep the firearm secure long enough for the wearer to maintain control or regain it under extreme stress.

The Test: Grappling for the Gun

We teamed up with two subject matter experts:

• Jacob Horton – SWAT Commander, 13-year Law Enforcement Officer, and Purple Belt in Jiu Jitsu.

• Samson – Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu, Owner and Lead Instructor at DAGR Management, with a background in sambo, judo, and wrestling.

The objective was simple: Jacob’s mission — keep his firearm in the holster at all costs. Samson’s mission — get the gun out, using realistic grappling techniques and aggressive pressure.

Note: This was a controlled test. Both fighters pushed each other to the limit, applying full resistance, but without intentionally injuring one another, simulating realistic retention pressure in a safe training environment.

Key Observations from the Fight

1. Hand Fighting Wins Retention Battles

Jacob’s ability to control Samson’s hands — and prevent them from reaching the retention buttons — proved to be just as important as the holster’s mechanical design.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj0T8ioXNdI&t=318s

2. Retention Buttons Held Strong

Even when Samson managed to defeat the first retention level, Jacob’s control prevented access to the others, keeping the gun in place.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj0T8ioXNdI&t=259s

3. Fatigue Changes the Game

After over an hour of grappling, both fighters felt the drain. The holster’s secure fit, combined with Jacob’s defensive skill set, made the difference when physical endurance became a factor.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj0T8ioXNdI&t=830s

Why This Matters for Law Enforcement & Armed Professionals

Weapon retention is a two-part equation:

1. Mechanical Design – The holster must be engineered to resist grabs from any angle.

2. User Skill Set – The wearer must know how to defend their weapon in close-quarters combat.

As Samson put it during the post-test discussion:

“You can’t out-buy your skill set. The holster buys you time — your training decides the outcome.”

Watch the Full Retention Test Video

See every attempt, every scramble, and how the Level 3 Duty Holster prototype performed under real grappling pressure:

? Watch the Full Video on YouTube

Key Takeaways

• The Dara Level 3 Holster held up against repeated, full-pressure retention attempts.

• Proper hand fighting and positional control are critical for real-world retention success.

• This kind of testing is a vital part of our R&D process to ensure every Dara holster meets the highest standard.

Learn More About Dara’s Holster R&D Process

At Dara Holsters, we don’t just design gear — we fight test it. From Jiu Jitsu mats to live range drills, our goal is to produce holsters that hold up when it matters most.

Subscribe to our youtube channel for more information: https://www.youtube.com/@DaraHolstersandGear

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