Holster Mounting & Attachment Compatibility Guide

Already have your belt or range setup the way you like it? You may not need to change it when you purchase a DME Holster.

Most DME outside-the-waistband holsters are designed with a multi-pattern mounting interface that works with several of the most popular holster attachment systems on the market.

Depending on the holster configuration, DME OWB holsters can generally be used with mounting systems from:

• Safariland
• Blade-Tech
• G-Code
• Blackhawk

This includes many popular attachments such as the Safariland QLS and UBL systems, Blade-Tech Tek-Mount and Tek-Lok, G-Code RTI and G-Code Paddle systems, along with applicable Blackhawk mounting hardware.

One of the biggest advantages of this design is that the compatibility may already be built into a DME Holster you purchased years ago.

Your Existing DME Holster May Already Be Compatible

You may have purchased a DME Holster several years ago with one mounting system and later decide that you want to use something completely different.

For example, your holster may currently have a Safariland QLS Fork, but you decide that you would rather switch to a Blade-Tech Tek-Mount.

In many cases, you do not need to purchase another holster.

The alternate mounting holes may already be built into the back of your existing DME OWB holster.

The same can apply when changing between compatible Safariland, Blade-Tech, G-Code or Blackhawk attachment systems.

That flexibility is one of the reasons DME uses a multi-pattern mounting interface instead of building an OWB holster around only one proprietary attachment system.

If you have an older DME Holster and are not sure what it can accept, send us a clear picture of the back of the holster. If you still have your original order number, include that as well.

We can usually tell you which mounting options are already available.

DME Multi-Pattern OWB Mounting Interface

Most DME OWB holsters use a mounting pattern designed to accommodate several common attachment systems.

The exact shape of the mounting area may vary depending on the firearm, weapon light and amount of space available on the holster.

For example, some compact light-bearing holsters, including certain configurations using a Streamlight TLR-7 or TLR-8, may not have enough room for the entire lower portion of the mounting plate.

In those cases, the lower portion may be shortened while retaining the mounting holes needed for the compatible attachment systems.

The mounting interface may also be positioned somewhat differently from one holster to another because firearm dimensions, weapon lights and retention systems affect the available mounting area.

What matters is the mounting-hole pattern, not whether the outside shape of the mounting area looks exactly the same on every DME Holster.

Safariland Compatibility

Most DME OWB holsters are designed to work with common Safariland mounting components, including the QLS system and applicable UBL mounting systems.

The Safariland QLS system allows the holster to be removed from one receiver and attached to another without removing the holster hardware itself.

This can be useful if you use the same holster on:

• Different belts
• Range equipment
• Duty-style setups
• Vehicle or other compatible mounting locations

If your DME Holster already has a Safariland QLS Fork installed and you later decide to use another compatible mounting system, there is a good chance the required mounting holes are already present.

Buying Safariland Components

If you are ordering a DME Holster and want to use Safariland QLS, purchasing the QLS Fork from DME is generally the easiest option because that is the component that attaches directly to the holster.

For QLS receiver plates, UBL belt mounts, drop systems and many other Safariland accessories, you will often be better off purchasing those components directly from Safariland, Amazon or another Safariland retailer.

DME Holsters is not a Safariland dealer. If we source those additional components for you, we are generally purchasing them through the same retail channels available to you. Once additional shipping is added, it can unnecessarily increase your cost.

We would rather tell you where you can save money than sell you a part you can easily purchase elsewhere for less.

Blade-Tech Compatibility

DME Holsters is a Blade-Tech dealer, and Blade-Tech mounting systems are an important part of many of our OWB configurations.

Depending on the holster, DME mounting patterns can accommodate systems including:

• Blade-Tech Tek-Mount
• Blade-Tech Tek-Lok
• Other compatible Blade-Tech mounting hardware

If you are starting with a Blade-Tech system or converting an existing DME Holster to Blade-Tech hardware, you can purchase many of the needed components directly from DME Holsters. DME Holsters Parts page

If you are not sure which pieces you need, contact us before ordering and we can help determine the correct setup.

G-Code Compatibility

Many DME OWB holsters can also be used with popular G-Code mounting systems.

This includes applicable configurations using:

• G-Code RTI
• G-Code Paddle

If you already have a G-Code belt or mounting setup, you may be able to use your existing equipment with your DME Holster rather than replacing the entire system.

If you are converting an older DME Holster to G-Code and are unsure whether the mounting pattern is present, send us a picture of the back of the holster and we will be happy to take a look.

Blackhawk Compatibility

The multi-pattern mounting interface used on many DME OWB holsters can also accommodate applicable Blackhawk mounting systems.

Because Blackhawk offers several different mounting components and configurations, contact us if you are unsure whether the specific Blackhawk attachment you own will work with your DME Holster.

A clear picture of the attachment and the back of your holster is usually enough for us to determine compatibility.

What About Level II Retention Holsters?

If you order a new DME Holster with Level II retention, we will build the holster with the appropriate mounting interface for the attachment system selected with your order.

The mounting area may be located differently than it is on a standard OWB holster because the active-retention components require additional space.

That does not mean the holster loses mounting compatibility.

The same basic idea also applies to older DME Level II holsters. If you purchased one years ago and now want to change from one mounting system to another, there may already be compatible mounting holes built into the holster.

Send us a picture of the back and we can help determine what options are available.

Why DME Uses Multiple Mounting Patterns

Holster attachment systems change.

You may prefer one system today and decide several years from now that another system works better for your belt, range setup or equipment.

We do not think that should automatically mean replacing a perfectly good holster.

Whenever the design allows it, DME builds multiple mounting options into our OWB holsters so you have more flexibility later.

That means a DME Holster originally purchased for one mounting system may continue to be useful even if your equipment changes.

Already Have a Mounting System?

If you already own a Safariland, Blade-Tech, G-Code, Blackhawk or other attachment system, you do not need to know the exact hole pattern before contacting us.

Send us:

• A clear picture of the back of your holster
• A picture or name of the mounting system you want to use
• Your original DME order number, if available

We can usually determine whether your existing holster already supports the mounting system and what additional hardware may be needed.

Have a Holster From Another Manufacturer?

You are welcome to ask us about that too.

If you have a holster made by another manufacturer and want to know whether a Blade-Tech, Safariland, G-Code or other mounting component may work with it, send us a picture of the back of the holster.

We cannot guarantee the mounting pattern or construction of another manufacturer’s product, but we are happy to help identify the hole pattern or point you toward an attachment that may work.

IWB Belt Attachment Compatibility

DME IWB holsters are normally supplied with a 1.5-inch FOMI-style belt clip. The mounting pattern used for this clip is also compatible with some aftermarket belt attachments, including the Discreet Carry Concepts (DCC) Monoblock and other clips with similar or adjustable mounting-hole spacing.

Unlike many of our OWB holsters, we do not normally drill extra unused mounting holes in an IWB holster. We drill only the holes needed for the belt clip and cant selected when the holster is ordered.

The mounting location itself is essentially the same whether the holster is ordered at 0° or 15° cant. Changing between the two positions generally requires only one additional mounting hole. For example, a customer who originally ordered the holster at 0° can usually drill one additional hole to reposition the clip for approximately 15° cant, and the same principle can be used to return a holster from 15° to 0°.

This also gives customers some flexibility when installing an aftermarket belt clip. If the mounting-hole spacing on another clip is close but does not exactly match the existing DME holes, it may be possible to use one existing hole and drill one additional hole for the new attachment.

When adding a mounting hole, make sure the new location provides enough material around the screw and does not interfere with the trigger-guard area, retention, or another piece of mounting hardware.

If you are not sure whether a particular IWB clip will fit your DME Holster, send us a picture or the make and model of the clip. We will be happy to help determine whether it will bolt directly on or whether an additional mounting hole will be needed.

Not Sure What You Need?

Contact DME Holsters and tell us what you are trying to accomplish.

Need help with mounting compatibility?
Call DME Holsters at (520) 815-6940
email sales@dmeholsters.com
Text: (520) 815-6940
We’ll help you determine which attachment or mounting pattern will work with your holster.

If you have an existing holster or attachment, sending us a picture of the back of the holster and the mounting hardware is usually the fastest way for us to determine what will work.

Whether you are setting up your first OWB holster, changing mounting systems on a DME Holster you purchased years ago, or trying to use equipment you already own, we will be happy to help you figure out the simplest way to make it work.