Smart holster handgun safety FAQ

PHALANX PROTECTION™

We started with a blank piece of paper, a goal and a commitment : ----- Design a totally new holster system focused on the 3 most important considerations in gun carry. We call this the PHALANX SSS FACTOR : Safety in Carry, Speed of Draw, and Security of the Pistol when not in use. PHALANX SMART HOLSTERS^® use the most technically advanced, durable, light weight materials and are designed to the KISS protocol for rapid training and simple motor memory proficiency.

To accomplish these critical criteria we dismissed the design formats of all conventional holsters which are simply based on a pouch for a pistol with cumbersome snaps, straps and tensioning devices. PHALANX SMART HOLSTERS^® create a dynamic synergy between the pistol and holster when carried and convert to a portable locked gun safe when not worn. You have complete control of your pistol's safety 24/7.

PHALANX SMART HOLSTERS^® provide single-handed speed and maximum security; and they do so with no moving parts, snaps, straps or tensioning devices. With only a short single-handed motion the PHALANX automatically transitions from trigger and pistol locked to unlocked, loaded Condition I, cocked, drawn and on target in less than a second!

The Multiple Tactical And Safety Advantages of This Unique Holster Have Generated Some Frequently Asked Questions:

How does the PHALANX SMART HOLSTER^® work ?

PHALANX^® HOLSTERS are custom made to fit specific makes and models of semi-automatic pistols. We produce them for either Condition I or Condition III carry mode. The Condition I model is designated as the PHALANX FLASH LE/M™ (Fully Loaded Action Safety Holster, Law Enforcement / Military). The Condition III model is designated as the PHALANX LASH® (Locking Action Safety Holster) AUTOLOAD HOLSTER™, the world's only automatic loading holster.

How does the PHALANX^® FLASH™ Condition I model work ?

After chambering a round into battery and a fully loaded magazine in the grip, the shroud of the holster is configured so that it secures the slide from moving as you single-handedly holster the pistol by placing the muzzle into the bottom of the holster and pushing straight down on the grip. This downward motion of the grip partially opens the chamber accepting the pistol in parallel to the shroud by a one quarter inch forward motion thus allowing a boss on the inner part of the shroud to enter the chamber thereby locking the slide partially open. As you release the downward pressure on the grip the action partially closes to a locked partially open breech status. Simultaneously, the Automatic Safety Locking Lever cams off of the rear of the slide and locks under the slide's rails preventing any motion in any direction until the Safety lever is thumb released. Now the pistol cannot be removed by any downward, upward, backward, forward or side motion. It is firmly locked in the FLASH™, non-functional with the trigger disengaged automatically by the partially open locked action and locked by the internal cam action of the Safety Lever..

The pistol is removed by firmly grabbing the pistol's grip and pushing firmly down on the Safety Lever, (thus actuating the internal cam release), while rotating the pistol out of the holster shroud. Rotation is accomplished by moving the grip end of the pistol out of the holster shroud with the barrel end within the shroud used as the pivot point. Once the grip end of the pistol has cleared the holster shroud pistol can be raised in a low, non-telegraphing presentation, ready to fire with a perfect combat grip. At all times during the drawing process the muzzle end of the barrel is pointed away from your body and feet. Draw time, ½ second! Single-handed reholstering time, ½ second!

How does the PHALANX^® LASH® AUTOLOAD HOLSTER™ Condition III model work ?

Starting with no magazine in a cleared pistol you single-handedly holster the empty pistol by placing the muzzle end into the end of the LASH® AUTOLOAD HOLSTER™ and pushing straight down on the grip. The downward motion of the grip opens the chamber and by moving the pistol forward one inch in parallel with the shroud allows the non-moving Action Locking Lug that protrudes from the inside of the shroud to enter the chamber and bore.

As you release the downward pressure on the grip the action partially closes locking precisely around the Action Locking Lug. Now the pistol cannot be removed by any upward, backward, forward or side motion. It is firmly locked within the LASH® AUTOLOAD HOLSTER™, unloaded and trigger disengaged. The loaded magazine is then inserted in the grip. Holstering time-1.5 seconds! The LASH® AUTOLOAD HOLSTER™ will not accept a loaded pistol because the action locking lug of the holster shroud will block the action from movement forward if there is a round in the bore.

Drawing from the LASH® AUTOLOAD HOLSTER™ is accomplished by pushing down on the grip which fully opens the chamber. Moving the pistol to the rear one inch clears the action locking lug from the chamber. Releasing the downward pressure on the grip allows the recoil spring to expand, closing the action on a chambered round automatically fed into the bore by the closing action. Draw time, less than 1 second!

Once I have drawn my pistol from the LASH® AUTOLOAD HOLSTER™ and it is loaded, how do I reholster the pistol unloaded into Condition III ?

You can do this very quickly, and above all, safely. First, withdraw the magazine half way from the grip retaining it with the little finger of your grip hand. Turn the pistol with ejection port down and eject the round. Reholster the cleared pistol and push the magazine into the grip. The pistol will again be in Condition III, unloaded and locked in the LASH® AUTOLOAD HOLSTER™ ready to fire in less than a second. Because reholstering a pistol in the LASH® AUTOLOAD HOLSTER™ requires 3 to 4 seconds and use of both hands, we designed the FLASH™ to be employed by agencies which require fast, single-handed reholstering... and the FLASH™ is by far the fastest and safest way to reholster a loaded pistol to a secure, grab-proof status, ½ second!

Can I withdraw my pistol from the LASH® AUTOLOAD HOLSTER™ without chambering a cartridge ?

Yes, easily and above all, safely. By removing the magazine prior to removing the pistol from the holster no cartridge can be chambered when your pistol is withdrawn from the LASH® AUTOLOAD HOLSTER™. With increasing legislation restricting loaded pistols from certain buildings or areas, the magazine can be removed, pocketed, or in some instances locked up. In those areas where even an unloaded pistol is prohibited the pistol can be combination locked into the LASH® AUTOLOAD HOLSTER™ with the magazine removed. This procedure avoids clearing of a loaded pistol within a public area. The LASH® AUTOLOAD HOLSTER™ also protects the checked-in pistol from misuse or abuse as with the Combination Locking Barrel Blocking Rod in the LASH® AUTOLOAD HOLSTER™ only you can remove the pistol. There are times when a pistol must be stored for a short time; i.e., a court hearing, physical training, classroom or locker room attendance. The combination lock or keyed lock goes on and the pistol is locked in the LASH® AUTOLOAD HOLSTER™ until only you remove the lock. The same locking procedure can be employed with the FLASH™.

What happens if someone tries to grab my pistol out of the PHALANX SMART HOLSTER^® ?

It was a gun grab where a young police officer friend of mine was killed that inspired me to invent the PHALANX SMART HOLSTER^®. If an assailant pulls upward, backward, forward or to either side on the pistol, the Action Locking Lug will retain the pistol even more securely. A pistol can only be withdrawn from the SMART HOLSTER^® by a firm, straight down action. - the exact OPPOSITE DIRECTION to withdraw from all other holsters. If you require complete anti-grab protection insert the provided Tactical Safety Locking Ball Bearing Pin through the muzzle end of the SMART HOLSTER^®. This will prevent removal of the pistol by anyone except you. The Tactical Safety Pin can be single-handedly and quickly removed, the pistol unlocked from the holster, loaded, cocked, drawn and ready to fire in a second and a half. The FLASH™ incorporates an additional safety which is explained in our video.

The trigger is exposed. Isn't that dangerous ?

No. The trigger is blocked by the trigger disconnect because the action is always blocked partially open when the pistol is holstered. The trigger remains inoperable until the pistol is drawn. When a pistol is locked in the PHALANX SMART HOLSTER^® the action is partially open to precisely accommodate the Action Locking Lug in the chamber and bore. The trigger is locked and cannot be functioned until the pistol is unlocked and out of the holster. As the Action Locking Lug is in the chamber and bore, the PHALANX SMART HOLSTER^® will not accept a loaded pistol. As the Action Locking Lug is in the chamber itself, no cartridge can be chambered. If the trigger is pulled it will not function. Even if the trigger could be pulled, which it cannot, the firing pin would strike against the stainless steel reinforced solid polymer Action Locking Lug which keeps the firing pin one inch away from the empty chamber. The FLASH™ incorporates another feature which is explained in our video.

How hard will it be to retrain my personnel to use the PHALANX SMART HOLSTER^® ?

Amazingly fast. In fact the draw motion is very natural, and already ingrained in our motor memory as it is just like thrusting your hand into your pocket and removing it. It is exactly the same motion we make 20 or more times a day, every day! The first 5 times should be done slowly to establish movement sequence.

The next ten repetitions are done at an increased speed, followed by 10 to 15 faster repetitions taking a total of approximately 10 minutes of initial practice. We provide dummy rounds to practice with and recommend practice draws regularly to maintain motor memory.

How can I safely store my pistol with the SMART HOLSTER^®?

Each SMART HOLSTER^® is supplied with three quality locking devices: the Tactical Safety Pin for optimum safety while carrying, the Barrel Blocking Rod for use with the Combination Lock or the Keyed Brass Lock with case hardened shackle for storage. When not in use the SMART HOLSTER^® serves as a portable 24 hour a day, seven days a week gun safe. By inserting the solid stainless steel Barrel Blocking Rod through the muzzle end of the SMART HOLSTER^® and locking the combination lock through it, or by inserting the shackle of the keyed brass lock through the muzzle end, the pistol becomes totally inoperative. The action is locked partially open and the trigger is locked. The pistol cannot be removed or actioned until you remove the keyed or combination lock and the Barrel Blocking Rod. Additionally, the pistol cannot be disassembled while locked in the SMART HOLSTER^®.

I am left-handed. Does PHALANX make a left-handed SMART HOLSTER^® holster ?

All PHALANX SMART HOLSTER^® holsters are ambidextrous and height adjustable and can be adapted to either side or various heights by using the supplied hex wrench. The SMART HOLSTER^® can also be carried right or left cross draw.

Does PHALANX make a SMART HOLSTER^® shoulder holster or tactical thigh holster ?

Yes. In fact, we have a strapless shoulder holster, the SLASH® (Strapless Locking Action Shoulder Holster) that is incredibly comfortable and undetectable. We also produce a thigh mount and a surface mount SMART HOLSTER that can be mounted on a wall, bed, or desk and can also be mounted under an automobile dashboard.

I'd like to be able to carry my pistol with a frame mounted Insight laser, Surefire or other flashlight on it. Is this possible with the SMART HOLSTER^® ?

Yes. Without any modification the SMART HOLSTER^® accommodates large frame mounted tactical accessories without effecting the ease of carry or the speed of draw, or safety features of the PHALANX SMART HOLSTER^®

Made in the United States of America

Designed in the United States of America

U.S. Patent No. 5,611,164 | U.S. and Foreign Patents Pending | ® & ™ Registered