Safariland 578 GLS Pro-Fit Review: A Multi-Fit Holster for Off-Duty

One holster that fits many pistols sounds like a compromise. For off-duty and secondary guns, it can be a sensible one, as long as you know where the compromise sits.

The problem a multi-fit holster solves

Most holsters are molded to a single pistol. That is good for retention and bad for flexibility: change the gun, and the holster is scrap. A multi-fit design takes the opposite trade. It accepts a range of pistols, so one holster covers a handful of guns, and it pays for that with a looser fit to any single one.

The Safariland GLS Pro-Fit is the company's multi-fit line. The 578 GLS Pro-Fit listing is written for compact models and is right-handed. This review looks at what that means for an officer who carries more than one gun, or who wants a sensible off-duty rig without buying a molded holster for each pistol.

How GLS retention works

The "GLS" is Safariland's Grip Locking System. In plain terms, a lever is released by the shooter's middle finger as they take a firing grip on the pistol. That is different from holsters that rely on a thumb-release hood (SLS) or an internal lock released by a thumb push (ALS). Safariland presents the system as one that can adapt to many pistols in a single holster, which is the idea behind the Pro-Fit name.

Our guide to duty holster retention levels explains how makers count devices. The honest summary for the Pro-Fit is that it is a flexible, lower-complexity retention approach, positioned for range, security and secondary-gun use more than for uniform patrol. Safariland defines its own levels, so check the listing for how it rates this model.

What the 578 listing tells us, and what it does not

The listing identifies a right-handed GLS Pro-Fit for compact pistol models. It does not, in the text we have, tell us which specific guns are in the fit list, whether it clears a red dot, or whether it accommodates a weapon light. Those are the three things that matter most, so read the maker's fit chart before assuming anything.

Where a multi-fit holster earns its place

• Off-duty and plainclothes. The gun you carry off duty is often different from your duty pistol. A multi-fit holster can handle that without a drawer of molded holsters.
• Range and training. A holster that fits several pistols is convenient when you rotate through models in an armorer's course or qualification program.
• A secondary gun. For a backup pistol, a flexible holster is often enough.
• Trying before committing. If you are not sure which pistol will be your carry gun, a multi-fit holster lets you test several without buying a stack of molded rigs.

Where it falls short

• Retention is not tailored. A molded holster holds one gun in one way. A multi-fit holster generalizes, and any generalization has edges.
• Lights and optics. A holster designed around a flexible fit is unlikely to match the shape of a specific light or a red dot. For a lit, optics-equipped pistol, a combination-molded holster is the right tool. Our light-bearing holsters guide explains why.
• Uniform use. Agencies commonly specify retention level and mounting style for uniformed members. A flexible holster is not a substitute for what your policy requires.
• Fit slack. If your gun sits at the edge of the holster's range, retention and draw can feel different from a molded fit. Practice the draw and reholster with an unloaded gun, and treat any looseness as a reason to choose another rig.

A short check before trusting it

1. Is your exact pistol on the fit list? Model, barrel length, slide cut.
2. Does it clear your sights and optic? A red dot or taller sights can change the answer.
3. Does it accept your light? If you carry one, this probably ends the conversation.
4. What retention level does Safariland assign it? Compare with your policy.
5. Does the draw feel repeatable? Train until it is. Then leave it alone.

Pick this if / skip it if

Comparing it with the molded options

If you have already settled on a duty pistol, light and optic, the right holster is one molded for exactly that. Our comparison of the Safariland 6360RDS, 7378 and 6378 shows how fit-specific listings read. The Pro-Fit is the other end of the spectrum: more flexible, less specific. For carry-position options on the civilian side, DefensiveHandgun's holster positions guide is a good companion. And if you are choosing an off-duty pistol itself, see our Hellcat Pro versus P365-XMACRO comparison.

Practising with a grip-release holster

Because the release is tied to taking a firing grip, the draw tends to be intuitive for people who already grip correctly, and awkward for those who do not. If your grip is inconsistent, the holster will expose it.

Work through the draw with an unloaded pistol, pointed in a safe direction, and watch for two things: whether the lever releases reliably when you take your normal grip, and whether it releases too easily if you brush the pistol with your hand. Both are signs to adjust your technique or choose a different holster. Practice reholstering slowly as well, because the lever has to re-engage cleanly.

If you carry more than one pistol in the same holster, redo the check for each gun. A fit that is fine for one pistol may feel different for another.

Bottom line

The GLS Pro-Fit is a practical, flexible holster whose strength is that it does not need to be replaced when the gun does. Treat it as an off-duty and utility tool, not a primary patrol holster for a lit, optic-equipped pistol, and verify the fit list, retention rating and any light or optic support with Safariland before buying.

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.

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