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Safariland QLS: How the Quick Locking System Works

By Matúš Koleják, Braňo Hrivňák 18 min read
Safariland QLS: How the Quick Locking System Works
In this guide

The short version

The Safariland QLS (Quick Locking System) is a two-part quick-release mount for holsters. The QLS 19 fork bolts to the back of any Safariland holster with the 3-hole pattern. The QLS 22 receiver plate bolts to whatever you want to carry it on: a belt loop, a leg shroud, a MOLLE vest, a wall or a vehicle. The fork clicks into the plate and comes out with a pinch of thumb and finger, with the pistol still locked in the holster. Safariland says the fork and plate pass its Level I Retention pull test and are compatible with its Duty Rated testing. Buy one fork for each holster and one plate for each place you want to carry it. QLS is worth it if you move a holster between positions or swap holsters on one position. If your holster never leaves your duty belt, a direct mount is simpler, sits closer to your body and has fewer screws to check.

This guide is for anyone who has seen "QLS" on a holster listing and wants to know what it is, what it fits and whether to pay for it. That includes police and corrections officers, people who switch between a belt holster and a thigh rig, and competition shooters. It explains the parts and their numbers, how the system goes together, what it is compatible with, how to install it, how many forks and plates to order, and its drawbacks, which few product pages mention. We sell the QLS parts and the Safariland holsters they fit, so we have an interest here. Where a statement is Safariland's, a third party's or our own opinion, we say which.

If you are still choosing the holster itself, start with our guide to holster retention levels. For carrying on the thigh, see our drop leg holster guide. This article is about the mount between the holster and whatever carries it.

How we wrote this guide

  • Part numbers, compatibility and installation steps come from Safariland's own QLS education page and product descriptions, linked at the end. Where two Safariland sources disagree, we say so.
  • The point about law enforcement security comes from a Safariland technical specialist quoted by Police Magazine. The drawbacks come from a named retailer and from published buyer reviews, reported as "users report", not as fact.
  • We have not lab-tested the QLS. Safariland does not publish a weight, dimensions or a screw torque for the parts, so we give none.
  • The photos in this article are illustrations generated from our product photos, not pictures of real users or of our own kit. The diagram is ours.

Safariland QLS at a glance

Part What it is Where it goes
QLS 19 (6004-19) Locking fork, the "male" half On the back of the holster (3-hole pattern) or of a pouch (2-hole pattern)
QLS 22 (6004-22) Receiver plate, the "female" half On the platform: belt loop, leg shroud, MOLLE adapter, wall, vehicle
QLS 22L Receiver plate with an extra locking feature Same as the QLS 22. Safariland says it is typically used by corrections officers only, and it is ordered through Safariland's customer service
QLS kit (QUICK-KIT) Kit 1: one QLS 19 and one QLS 22, with hardware and an Allen wrench. Safariland also lists a Kit 3 with one fork and two plates The usual starting point. Kit 3 suits one holster used in two positions
Colours Black, Flat Dark Earth, Foliage Green, OD Green, Coyote Brown Fork and plate are sold in the same five colours
Retention Passes Safariland's Level I Retention pull test This is the rating of the mount, not of the holster. The holster's own retention level does not change

What the Safariland QLS is

QLS stands for Quick Locking System. Safariland describes it as "a two-part fork and plate system" that lets you move, exchange or secure a firearm "without having to remove it from their holster". In practice it is a clip between the holster and its mount. Without QLS, a Safariland holster is screwed straight to its belt loop or leg shroud with three screws, and moving it means an Allen key and a few minutes. With QLS, the holster carries a fork, every place you might want to wear it carries a plate, and moving it takes a second.

According to a 2009 Police Magazine article, Safariland developed QLS for law enforcement. Its sister system, the MLS (MOLLE Locking System), was developed for the military. Both appear later in this guide, because they are often confused.

Black Safariland QLS 22 receiver plate and QLS 19 locking fork lying side by side with four button screws and an Allen key
The two halves: the QLS 19 fork (right) goes on the holster, the QLS 22 plate (left) on the belt loop or shroud. Illustration generated from our product photos.

How QLS works

How the Safariland QLS fits together: holster with the QLS 19 fork on its 3-hole pattern clicks into a QLS 22 receiver plate, and the plate can sit on a belt loop, a leg shroud, a MOLLE vest via an MLS 16, or a wall or vehicle
One fork per holster, one plate per place. Pinch the fork arms to release.

The fork has two flexible arms. When you push it down into the receiver plate, the arms lock with a click. To release it, you squeeze the arms together between thumb and index finger and lift the holster out. Safariland calls this "a quick pinch of the thumb and index finger". The pistol stays locked in the holster the whole time, which is the point: you move the holster, not the gun.

The plate is made of injection-molded nylon. Safariland says it "can be attached at different angles according to user preference", so you can set the cant at the plate. It comes with large T-nuts for leg shrouds, belt loops and paddles, and small T-nuts for MLS parts.

The QLS 19 fork locks into the QLS 22 or QLS 22L. It does not lock into the smaller ELS plates, which are a separate system for pouches.

What QLS fits, and what it does not

The short rule from Safariland: the QLS 19 fork "can be bolted onto any Safariland 3-hole pattern holster mounting point or thigh rig setup". Our product listings add that it also mounts to Safariland pouches with the 2-hole pattern.

That covers the Safariland holsters we sell, including our duty holsters (for example the 6390RDS and 6360RDS), tactical holsters and many concealment holsters. Some tactical models are sold with the fork already fitted, such as the 6354RDSO with QLS 19 fork. If you order from Safariland directly, it uses two suffixes: -MS19 means the fork is fitted and there is no mount, and -MS30 means the full QLS, with a fork on the holster and a QLS 22 on a mid-ride belt loop.

Item Works with QLS? Note
Safariland holster with 3-hole pattern (duty, tactical, most OWB concealment) Yes Remove the belt loop or shroud, bolt the fork on
Safariland pouch with 2-hole pattern Yes, per our product listings For small accessories, the ELS system is lighter and smaller
Kydex holsters from other makers with a Safariland 3-hole pattern Often T.REX Arms, for example, lists its Ragnarok holsters as compatible. Some makers need an adapter pack. Check with the holster maker
IWB holsters and holsters without the 3-hole pattern No There is nothing to bolt the fork to
ELS receiver plates (ELS 35) No The QLS 19 locks into the QLS 22 only
Copies sold as "QLS compatible" Unknown See the mistakes section below

One condition matters for duty use. Safariland says a Duty Rated holster has to pass its test "while attached to an approved Safariland mounting device and duty belt", so the rating belongs to the system, not to the holster alone. Safariland states that QLS "is compatible with Safariland's Duty Rated Testing standards" and that the fork and plate are "compatible with Safariland Duty Rated configurations". It does not say that about third-party adapters, so if you need a Duty Rated system, keep every part between the holster and the belt from Safariland.

Where to put the receiver plate

The plate is what you put on each carry position. These are the platforms we stock that take a QLS 22 or come with one fitted. Belt widths and features are from our product listings.

Platform Position QLS 22 included? Note
CUBL with QLS 22 Duty belt, mid-ride, cantable Yes 2.25 in (58 mm) belts, black only
CUBL Belt, cantable No, add a QLS 22 1.75, 2 or 2.25 in belts. Listed as QLS compatible
QUBL Belt, low, mid or high ride without tools Built as a QLS mounting platform 2 or 2.25 in belts. Sits close to the body. Not for use with the 3004 leg strap
RGR-UBL Belt, low-ride, with elastic leg strap Yes 2 in (50 mm) belts, black or FDE
6004-27 leg shroud with DFA Thigh, single strap, high on the leg Yes For a holster that already has a QLS 19. Belts 2 to 2.25 in
MOLLE vest or plate carrier Chest or side Add a QLS 22 Put an MLS 16 on the back of the QLS 22, or use a TMA
Wall, safe, vehicle Storage or staging Add a QLS 22 Safariland lists wall and vehicle mounting. Storage rules for firearms depend on your country

All of these are in our quick attachment systems, duty belt loops and leg shrouds collections.

How to install the QLS, step by step

These steps follow Safariland's QLS instructions. Do all of this with an unloaded, checked pistol or with the holster empty.

  1. Check the pattern. Look at the back of the holster. If it has the Safariland 3-hole pattern, the fork will fit.
  2. Remove the old mount. Use the Allen wrench to turn the three screws counter-clockwise and take off the belt loop, paddle or shroud. Keep the old screws and the mount in a labelled bag.
  3. Bolt on the fork. Fit the QLS 19 to the 3-hole pattern with the button screws from the kit. Tighten them evenly. Safariland does not publish a torque figure, so tighten firmly and stop. Do not force the screws, because the parts are nylon.
  4. Fit the plate to the platform. Bolt the QLS 22 to the belt loop, leg shroud or MOLLE adapter. The large T-nuts are for loops, shrouds and paddles, the small ones for MLS parts. Set the cant you want at this stage.
  5. Click it in. Push the fork straight down into the plate until it clicks. Then pull up hard on the holster body. It should not move.
  6. Practise the release. Pinch the fork arms and lift. Do it a few times so you know how much force it takes, then practise your draw from the new setup. A QLS adds a little distance from your body, so your grip point moves slightly.
  7. Check the screws. Check them after the first range day and then regularly. Buyers report screws working loose over time. Some use a removable thread locker. If you do, use one that is safe for plastics, because some thread lockers can crack nylon parts.
Empty black polymer duty holster with a QLS 19 fork clicked into a QLS 22 receiver plate on a belt loop on a black basketweave duty belt, a hand holding the holster
Holster with a QLS 19 fork, clicked into a QLS 22 plate on a belt loop. To release it, pinch the two outer fork arms and lift. Illustration generated from our product photos.

How many forks and plates do you need?

The rule that saves the most confusion: one fork per holster, one plate per position. A fork is cheaper than a holster, so the system makes most sense when several positions share one holster.

Your situation What to order
One holster, moved between the belt and a thigh rig A Kit 3 (one fork, two plates), a Kit 1 plus a second QLS 22, or a CUBL with QLS 22 plus a 6004-27 shroud, which both have the plate fitted, and a separate QLS 19
One belt position, two holsters (for example a duty pistol and a training pistol, or with and without a weapon light) Two QLS 19 forks, one QLS 22
Belt for daily wear, plate carrier for some tasks One QLS 19 on the holster, one QLS 22 on the belt loop, one QLS 22 with an MLS 16 on the carrier
Holster stored in a vehicle or safe and worn on the belt One QLS 19, two QLS 22 (one on the belt loop, one on the mounting surface)
One holster that never leaves the duty belt No QLS. Mount the holster straight to a belt loop. See the drawbacks below

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
Moves a holster between belt, thigh, vest and storage in about a second, without tools Adds distance between the holster and your body. T.REX Arms says it "offsets the holster a bit more from your body"
The pistol never leaves the holster during a move, which Safariland's specialist called the safer way to handle it Adds an interface with screws that need checking. Buyers report screws coming loose
Passes Safariland's Level I Retention pull test and is compatible with its Duty Rated testing Some buyers report a small amount of play between fork and plate, noticeable only on close inspection
Same parts across Safariland duty, tactical and many concealment holsters, in five colours Costs more than a direct mount, and you need a fork for every holster and a plate for every position
Lets you set the cant at the plate No published weight, dimensions or screw torque from Safariland

Our judgement: the offset is a cost on a slim belt under a jacket and a benefit on a belt worn with a plate carrier, where the extra distance helps the holster clear the carrier. The play that some users notice has not, in the sources we found, been linked to a holster coming off. It is still worth checking your own setup by hand.

QLS vs MLS vs ELS

Safariland has three quick attachment systems, and the forks look alike. They are not interchangeable in every combination.

QLS MLS ELS
Built for Law enforcement holsters Military holsters and pouches on MOLLE Small accessories: magazine pouches, shell holders
Parts QLS 19 fork, QLS 22 or 22L plate MLS 15 holster fork, MLS 16 accessory fork ELS 34 fork, ELS 35 plate
Holds on by Locking fork in a plate, passes the Level I pull test Threads through MOLLE, designed to break away at 140 lb per military specification Smaller fork and plate
Works with the others QLS 22 accepts MLS 15 and MLS 16 forks MLS forks can go into a QLS 22 Needs the MLS 16 to go on MOLLE

The breakaway is the important difference. Safariland's technical specialist explained it in Police Magazine: the MLS "must break away when it meets a certain amount of resistance" so a soldier does not get snagged, while "the QLS is what I usually recommend for law enforcement because it's more secure", since "gun grabs are generally more of a concern for law enforcement than becoming tangled". If you carry a pistol where someone may try to take it, use QLS for the holster and keep MLS for pouches or military use.

Video: Safariland Quick Locking System (QLS) by Kit Badger, an independent gear channel. Useful for seeing the fork go in and out of the plate. It was not made by us or by Safariland.

Is QLS worth it?

Our view, by user:

  • Patrol officer with one duty holster on one belt. Usually not. A Duty Rated holster on a properly set up duty belt with a direct UBL mount is simpler and sits closer. It is worth it if you change holsters for training, move the holster to a different belt, or your agency asks you to secure the holstered pistol at a jail or holding facility. Police Magazine describes officers doing exactly that. Check your agency's policy first, because some specify the mount.
  • Officer or operator who switches between belt and thigh or vest. Yes. This is what QLS was made for. One holster and one pistol fit, several positions.
  • Battle belt and range user. Often yes. It lets one holster serve a battle belt, a plate carrier and a daily belt. See also our battle belt ranking.
  • Competition shooter. Safariland says 2-gun and 3-gun competitors use QLS and ELS to change their rig between divisions. Check the rules of your division first.
  • Corrections officer. Ask about the QLS 22L, which Safariland says has an additional locking feature and is typically used in corrections.

If you are choosing a duty holster to go with it, these are the Safariland duty holsters we stock. All have the 3-hole pattern.

Common QLS mistakes

  • Buying two kits when you need one fork and two plates. Count holsters and positions first.
  • Mixing up QLS and MLS on a duty holster. The MLS is designed to break away. For a holster, use the QLS 19.
  • Assuming any holster fits. No 3-hole pattern, no QLS.
  • Never checking the screws. Check after the first range day and then on a schedule.
  • Buying unbranded "QLS compatible" copies for a duty holster. Their fit, plastic and pull strength are not Safariland's, and the Duty Rated testing does not cover them. Buy from Safariland or an authorised dealer.
  • Not practising the draw after fitting it. The offset moves your grip point. Do dry draws with an unloaded pistol before you carry it.
  • Trusting product titles over descriptions. Listings, including ours, are not always consistent about QLS 22 and QLS 22L: our CUBL with QLS 22 names the QLS 22 in its title and the 22L in its feature list. If the plate type matters to you, ask us to check before you order.

Frequently asked questions

What is Safariland QLS?

The Quick Locking System: a fork that bolts to the back of a Safariland holster (QLS 19) and a receiver plate that bolts to a belt loop, leg shroud, vest or other surface (QLS 22). The fork clicks into the plate and releases with a pinch, so you can move the holster without tools and without taking the pistol out.

What is the difference between QLS 19 and QLS 22?

The QLS 19 is the fork and goes on the holster or pouch. The QLS 22 is the receiver plate and goes on the platform you wear or mount it on. You need one of each to make it work, which is why the kit includes both.

What is the QLS 22L?

A version of the QLS 22 receiver plate with an additional locking feature. Safariland says it is typically used by corrections officers only and asks customers to contact its customer service for it.

Does QLS fit every holster?

It fits Safariland holsters with the 3-hole pattern and, according to our listings, Safariland pouches with the 2-hole pattern. Many Kydex holsters from other makers use the same 3-hole pattern, but check with the maker. IWB holsters without the pattern do not take it.

Is the Safariland QLS secure enough for duty use?

Safariland says the fork and plate pass its Level I Retention pull test and are compatible with its Duty Rated testing. A Safariland technical specialist told Police Magazine he usually recommends QLS for law enforcement because it is more secure than MLS. Your agency's policy has the final word.

Does QLS change my holster's retention level?

No. The retention level of a holster is about the devices that hold the pistol in it. QLS is the mount between the holster and the belt, and that mount passes the Level I pull test. A Level III holster on QLS is still a Level III holster.

How many QLS forks and plates do I need?

One fork for each holster and one plate for each place you want to carry it. Two holsters on one belt position: two forks, one plate. One holster on a belt and a thigh rig: one fork, two plates.

What is the difference between QLS and MLS?

QLS was developed for law enforcement and locks a fork into a plate. MLS was developed for the military, attaches to MOLLE and is designed to break away at 140 lb so the wearer does not get snagged. A QLS 22 plate accepts MLS forks, so the two can be combined.

A note on law and safety

Rules on owning, carrying, storing and transporting firearms and holsters differ between countries, and many agencies specify the holster and mount their officers may use. This guide is about setting up equipment for lawful duty, sport and training use. Check the rules that apply to you. Do all fitting and dry practice with an unloaded, checked firearm or a training replica.

About the authors

This guide was written by Matúš Koleják and Braňo Hrivňák of Combat Defender in Bratislava, Slovakia. We sell Safariland holsters, QLS parts, belt loops and leg shrouds and supply police, military and security customers in Europe. We are not police officers, and we do not write agency policy.

The part numbers, compatibility and installation steps come from Safariland's QLS education page and the product descriptions in our shop. The quotes on law enforcement security are from Police Magazine. The drawbacks come from T.REX Arms and from published buyer reviews. The advice on when QLS is worth it is our own judgement. The illustrations were generated with an AI image model from our own product photos and checked by us for correct parts. They are not photographs. If something here is wrong or unclear, tell us and we will correct it.

Last reviewed: October 2026.

Sources

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