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The Omnivore | Finally a Universal Holster that Doesn’t Suck?

Blackhawk and holsters seem to be a contentious conversation. The Serpa holster left a bad taste in a lot of mouths. I get why, but after being issued one and carrying it for several years and several countries I can’t hate the Serpa. I don’t love it, but I do love Blackhawk’s latest holster, the Omnivore.

The Omnivore is a quasi-universal holster that is designed to work with weapons equipped with a Picatinny rail or a weapon light. The Omnivore comes in both light bearing models and standard models. The standard model uses a small block attached to the Picatinny rail to guarantee retention.

The light-bearing model attaches the retention around the light and the Omnivore is made for the TLR 1 and 2 or the Surefire X300 series. Mine is the light-bearing Omnivore for the TLR 1. I’ve had it for a couple of years now and it’s been a surprisingly well-made holster.

Inside the Omnivore

The Omnivore uses an active retention system and is a Level 2 holster. Unlike the Serpa, it doesn’t use a button activated by your trigger finger. Instead, it utilizes a thumb driven release that’s much safer, but just as intuitive.

As you’d imagine the holster is made from polymer and it’s universal design means it’s a good bit bulky. It’s certainly not a concealed carry holster. It’s better for the range, the great outdoors and if I was a security officer here’s a great duty holster.

It’s compatible with the Blackhawk Serpa mounting systems which does include leg rigs, shoulder setups, paddles, belt loops, and more. It comes with both belt loops and a paddle. You also get multiple thumb drive portions of different lengths for different sized hands.

The Omnivore works with over 150 different guns. This includes the favorites like the Glock 17 and railed 1911s. But you also get compatibility with odder guns like the MR9 Eagle, the CZ P09 and P10 series. Just attach a light and make sure it fits.

In Use and On the Range

My concealed carry holsters are passive retention holsters that don’t require me to defeat any devices. Surprisingly I had zero issues going from these holsters to a retention holster. The thumb drive device is very easy to use and I made it a natural part of my draw stroke in a short period of time.

The Omnivore proved to be a holster that works. It retains every handgun I’ve put in it without issue. I dropped my Polymer 80 handgun. This Glock based handgun is built on an 80 lower receiver and doesn’t fit stock Glock holsters. It fits the Omnivore though, like a glove.

It drops right in and stays put. I’ve attached this holster to my battle belt and its perfect for the variety of different handguns I own and use. It’s well suited for battle belt use due to its massive size. The Omnivore is a chunky beast, but the big chunky design doesn’t touch the gun. It wraps around the light and that is it.

This ensures multiple guns can fit, but also makes sure your guns aren’t damaged or harmed while being held in this contraption. You’ll be able to preserve the fine finish of your firearms without worry or issue.

Cost, Efficiency, and Availability

If you own a ton of different guns then the Omnivore is a cheap investment. It’s functional, reliable, well mad,e and cost a little less than 50 bucks on Amazon. It fits tons of guns, including guns that are fitted with the Recover Tactical Grips and TLR 1. I popped these on my 1911 equipped with the grips and light and it fit perfectly.

The Omnivore is a well made, and dependable holster that fits a ton of different guns. All you need is a light or a railed handgun and you are golden. And it costs less than 50 bucks, that’s hard to beat. Add on the modular nature of Serpa attachments and the Omnivore is hard to beat for a budget holster.