Review: Blackhawk! Omnivore Holster

When asked to test the Omnivore holster, I did not know what I was getting into. I am not a big fan of one size fits all holsters. I had to erase all that I knew about holsters. This isn’t that type of holster at all. Instead, the Omnivore is a modern, well thought out holster.

Blackhawk! enjoys an excellent reputation. After all, the Blackhawk! Serpa is a tremendous holster that my son, Captain Matthew Campbell, carried on deployment for many months. The same team is giving us the Omnivore.

The Omnivore is a great holster for someone like me who tests a lot of handguns and needs a secure range holster. However, it is more than all that as well. The design is very interesting. It will accommodate dozens of handgun designs. The holster cost about $60, very reasonable for a holster intended to work well with many self-loading handguns. The concept is well thought out and works well in practice.

The Omnivore demands a handgun with a Picatinny accessory rail. This rail is standardized in modern production handguns. These rails were first used on rifles and now are universal in the many polymer frame, striker-fired handguns and aluminum frame handguns such as the SIG P226R and the Beretta 92A.

As for the Omnivore, there are several variations available. One demands that the handgun must not have a light or laser in place. The handgun must have the Blackhawk! rail attachment device attached. The others lock to the handgun when it is mounted with a Streamlight TLR 1 or TLR 2, or the Surefire X300 / X 300 U A lights.

When the handgun with the light attached is inserted in the holster the combat light locks into place. No part of the handgun itself is used to retain the handgun in the holster. Since there is no contact with the handgun, there is little chance of finish wear on the handgun itself. Blackhawk! calls the design free floating.

The release latch is positive in operation and operates in a natural fashion. The release latch may be adjusted for height. I tried the Omnivore with a good selection of handguns including the Glock 19X, Glock 17 Generation 5, Hudson H9, and others. The Omnivore is secure—as demonstrated by jumping up and down a few times with the handgun and light in place. It is a fast holster as well, with a natural draw and a rapidly operating release.

Looking over the Omnivore, we find a relatively affordable holster with good features. Due to its hollow construction, there is no material needed to touch the handgun. The company has considerable experience with the well respected Serpa holster, which means that the Omnivore has a good lineage. The holster is good to have on hand for home defense or area defense for those that carry a handgun at all times. I am increasingly seeing farmers and ranchers using modern 9mm handguns instead of revolvers. This holster is ideal for this use, as well as being a good choice for security companies, armored car companies, and others that may approve several handguns.

I do not think many, if any, shooters will deploy a 9mm handgun and a combat light and attempt to marry them together in a fight. However, it is a different story when the handgun and light are married together and worn in a quality holster. The Omnivore provides that option. The Omnivore isn’t a concealed carry holster, it is too large, but it is a credible duty holster.

I have had the greatest respect for the Serpa line and find the Omnivore an interesting option. I like the holster, it is good to have, but it isn’t a concealed carry holster in my opinion. It is more of a field holster or for those who carry the handgun in uniform. It is another good option from Blackhawk!

Have you used the Serpa holster? How does the Omnivore compare as a duty holster? Share your opinions in the comment section.

[bob]