Sweet Concealed-Carry Holster: Safariland 575 IWB GLS Pro-Fit Review

Compact semiautomatic pistols are more popular than ever. This increase in firearm ownership has caused a subsequent rise in the number of companies selling concealed-carry holsters. But choosing the right holster for your carry gun can be a challenge. Safariland has made that choice easy with the release of the 575 IWB GLS Pro-Fit, a safe, versatile, durable holster that allows you to keep your firearm of choice secure and accessible.

The 575 IWB GLS Pro-Fit holster is constructed from Safariland’s proprietary SafariSeven nylon, which gives the holster a durable, easy-to-clean matte surface that won’t mar your gun’s finish. Available in both right- and left-handed versions, the 575 comes with two separate mounting systems: belt-mount and J-hook.

The belt-mount option simply slides over the belt and the curved base of the mount locks securely underneath belts up to 1 ½ inches in diameter. The J-hook, by contrast, rides between the belt and pant with the hook attaching to the bottom of the belt. Two sizing adapters fit into the top of the J-hook for a custom fit and additional security.

Both the belt-mount and J-hook offer adjustable cant. Using the provided T-handle hex wrench, simply loosen the #6 screw that holds the mounting hardware in place. Once either the belt-mount or J-hook is loose (but not completely removed), the owner can rotate the mounting to various angles. Interlocking teeth hold the mounting hardware firmly in place when the screw is tightened. The holster also comes with a channel that allows it to accommodate pistols with red-dot optics installed.

The Grip Locking System (GLS) secures the gun until the release button is pressed The GLS release is attached to a lever that runs into the holster body, and this lever makes contact with a spring-loaded catch. When the gun is holstered, the spring-loaded catch locks in place behind the front of the trigger guard, offering a secure hold on the firearm without interfering with accessories like lights. During the draw stroke, the middle finger compresses the GLS release which, in turn, forces the retention latch down and allows the gun to be drawn.

Should someone else grab your firearm, though, the gun won’t release from the holster. I used to believe retention systems were a nicety, but the more training I receive and the more I speak with instructors and law enforcement professionals, the more I believe a retention system on a holster is an absolute necessity. During a violent attack, space is a rare luxury. If an attacker reaches you or takes you to the ground, you don’t want them to have access to your gun. Safariland’s GLS holsters reduce the risk that your gun will get into the wrong hands.

Adjusting holster tension on the 575 IWB GLS Pro-Fit is simply a matter of tightening or loosening the stainless tension screw. The tension screw is located at the rear of the holster and it can be adjusted using the provided T-handle wrench. The tension screw, like all the other hardware on the 575 IWB GLS Pro-Fit, is sturdy and durable. Hefty #6 screws hold the belt-mount/J-hook in place, and #6 screws secure the nylon tuck device to the holster. The tuck device, which is an angled polymer piece that attaches to the lower-rear portion of the holster behind the belt-mount, serves an important function; it ensures the grip of the firearm rides close to the body. Why is this important? Because the number one reason that most guns print when they’re holstered is because the grip strays from the body, and nothing announces to the world that you’re carrying a firearm quite so loudly as a handgun grip protruding beneath your polo shirt. The tuck device prevents that from happening, and it does so without adding any perceptible weight or digging into the shooter’s hip. Removing two screws allows you to detach the tuck device from the holster should you choose to do so.

For this evaluation, I selected the 575 IWB GLS Pro-Fit holster, which works with my Springfield XD-S 9mm. That model also fits the GLOCK 43, Springfield Hellcat and others, meaning Safariland offers a level of flexibility. After fine-tuning the tension screw, my gun locked firmly in the holster, yet it was easy to draw when the release button was depressed.

Despite working with several other firearm brands and models, the 575 fit securely around my Springfield XD-S. There were no large gaps and the gun remained locked solid in position until the release button was depressed. SafariSeven polymer is incredibly tough (the 575 IWB GLS Pro-Fit functions in temperatures ranging from -50 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and can be submerged without damaging the holster), so you won’t need to worry that your holster won’t stand up to the rigors of everyday carry. Perspiration can be hard on holsters, but that’s not an issue with this Safariland holster. Cleaning the holster is simply a matter of wiping it down with a damp cloth. The SafariSeven construction also makes this holster very light; the version I tested weighed in at a mere 3.3 ounces.

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The side of the holster that rides against the body is smooth, and its rounded edges won’t dig into the body even when sitting for long periods of time. Anyone who carries regularly understands a holster with sharp edges can turn from mildly irritating after a few hours to maddening by day’s end. Comfort was clearly a top priority when designing this holster, and so was concealability. The holster’s design ensures it remains close to the body regardless of position, and it won’t move or shift over time.

I found that I could draw my pistol from the 575 GLS Pro-Fit as quickly as I could from IWB holsters without retention. The Grip Lock is positioned so you’ll never need to concentrate on finding the release. Instead, when my hand grasped the firearm it came free and I could draw and fire from concealment without issue. The locking mechanism is visible inside the holster, and should you accidentally activate the lock (either by pressing it with your finger or trying to insert a firearm that doesn’t fit into the holster) all that is required to reset the lock is a simple press of the release button. And since so many shooters are adding reflex (red-dot) sights to their pistols, Safariland was wise to add the RDS red-dot channel to this holster.

Carrying a holster that doesn’t offer a retention system is risky. The Safariland 575 IWB GLS Pro-Fit eliminates that risk without slowing your draw. That blend of security and accessibility makes this holster a standout in a large, crowded field of competing brands, and with an MSRP of $68, it’s also a great value. The Safariland 575 is designed to fit a wide range of popular carry pistols; you can check their website for a compatible list.

Whether you’re one of the millions of first-time gun owners in America or a veteran of concealed carry, this holster is simply too good not to own. To learn more about the 575 IWB GLS Pro-Fit or any of Safariland’s other holsters, visit their website at safariland.com.

Safariland 575 IWB GLS Pro-Fit Holster Specs:

Type: Inside Waistband
Material: SafariSeven Nylon
Mounting System: belt mount and J-hook
Retention: Button release
Submersible: Yes
Cant Adjustable: Yes
Weight: 3.3 Ounces
Length: 6 ¼ inches
Width: 1 ¼ inches
MSRP: $68