Safariland 6360RDS vs 7378 7TS vs 6378 ALS: Which One Fits Your Gun?

These three holsters do not compete head to head, because each is molded for a different pistol. The useful comparison is how to choose among them, and what the model names are telling you.

How to read this comparison

The usual head-to-head format does not work well here. These three holsters are not alternatives for the same pistol. Each is listed for a specific gun, so the question is not which is better, but which one is made for the pistol you carry, and what the differences between them teach about how to shop.

• The Safariland 6360RDS ALS is listed for a Glock 19 MOS with an X300U-class light.
• The Safariland 7378 7TS ALS is a paddle holster listed for a Sig P320 compact in 9mm or .40 with a light.
• The Safariland 6378 ALS is a paddle holster listed for a Springfield XD with a 5-inch barrel.

Each listing is right-handed. Hold that thought, because left-handed buyers need to search for their own versions.

The vocabulary: ALS, SLS and levels

Safariland's retention names are worth knowing because they come up in every listing. ALS is the Automatic Locking System: an internal lock that engages as you holster and releases with your thumb as part of the draw. SLS is the Self Locking System: a rotating hood over the back of the slide that you push forward and down. Our guide to duty holster retention levels lays out how makers count active devices to arrive at Level I, II or III.

The key point is that "level" is a count of independent actions required to draw, and each manufacturer defines it in its own way. For these three holsters, treat the following as established and everything else as something to verify:

• The 6360RDS, with both an ALS and an SLS, is commonly classed as Level III.
• The retention levels of the 7378 and 6378 should be taken from Safariland's product pages. We are not asserting them here.

Three holsters, three jobs

Read that table as a summary of what the listings say. If a cell says "check," it means the listing text does not tell us and we are not guessing.

The 6360RDS: the full-duty answer

The RDS in the name means the holster is cut to clear a red dot, which matters on any optics-ready duty pistol. Combined with the light fit, this is the holster that answers the question every optics-and-light shooter faces: how do you retain a gun with two accessories hanging off it? The details are in our light-bearing holster guide.

If you are on the Glock side of this, our G19 MOS review explains the optic half of that combination.

The 7378 7TS: paddle with a light

A paddle slips on and off a belt without removing it. It is popular for plainclothes, off-duty and some range uses, and it appears in the listing for a P320 compact with a light. Many agencies require a belt-mounted holster on uniform and allow paddles in plainclothes, so paddle versus belt-mount is a policy question before it is a preference.

The 6378: the XD owner's version

The 6378 listing is for a Springfield XD with a 5-inch barrel, on a paddle. It is a reminder that holster families cover many pistols and that the fit is in the details. Another pistol's fit might exist in the same family under a different model number. If you carry something else, the holsters category is the place to look for your gun's version.

What actually decides it

Skip the model numbers and work through four questions in order.

1. Which pistol, exactly? Model, barrel length, slide cut and generation. A holster listed for a "Glock 19" may or may not clear an optic.
2. Which light, if any? Light-bearing holsters are molded for specific lights. A different light usually means a different holster.
3. Which optic, if any? The holster must clear it.
4. How is it mounted, and at what retention level? Policy first, preference second.

Only after those four do the specific SKUs matter. Confirm exact model compatibility with Safariland before you buy, because listings are written for particular guns and lights.

Common mistakes

• Buying the holster first. The holster should follow the gun-light-optic decision, not precede it.
• Treating "Level III" as a quality ranking. More retention is not automatically better; it adds a motion that must be trained until it is automatic.
• Assuming handedness. All three listings are right-handed.
• Ignoring the belt. A heavy holster on a flimsy belt shifts. Our duty belt setup guide explains why.

Pick this if / pick that if

Training the draw, whichever you pick

A retention holster is only as good as the draw that goes with it. The release motions are deliberate, and under stress deliberate motions get lost unless they have been repeated until they are automatic.

• Start slow. With an unloaded pistol, in a safe direction, practice the draw in stages.
• Practice the reholster. Reholstering is where mistakes with ALS and hoods tend to happen.
• Train in the clothing you wear. Jackets, gloves and armor change how the release feels.
• Re-check after changes. A new light, a new optic or a different belt can alter the draw.
• Ask your range staff. Many agencies run retention training; use it.

Inspect the holster regularly for loose screws, worn hoods and cracked components, and replace parts that show wear.

Bottom line

These three Safariland holsters are best understood as examples of one design philosophy applied to different guns. Choose by gun, light and optic, confirm the retention level from Safariland, and train the draw until it is automatic. Nothing here overrides your agency's equipment policy.

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from manufacturer specifications and publicly available information. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify specifications, compatibility and legality for your own situation.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.