G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform: A Safariland Killer?
If you look around on ranges today, you’ll see a large portion of shooters carrying their firearms in Safariland holster platforms. Many of these platforms are drop-leg configurations or at least something like a low or mid-ride to get the firearm below the waistline. So, where does the G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform play in all of this?
Not sure what the G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform is? You can check it out over on their website.
If you already utilize the G-Code RTI system but are looking for the G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform, you can also go here to purchase it.
Disclaimer: I purchased the G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform with my own money. This product was not supplied to me by G-Code, they did not pay me or compensate me to speak about their product, and the opinions on this product are solely mine and my personal experience with this pistol platform.
Table of contents
What is the G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform?
The G-Code RTI is similar in functionality to the ever-popular Safariland QLS system. Both systems provide a secure locking mechanism that holds the holster onto the pistol platform while also allowing for a quick detachment and fast interchangeability between systems and platforms.
For instance, if you want to take your pistol platform (using the same holster) and switch from a drop-leg configuration to a mid-ride or to an RTI attachment on a chest rig, you can simply push in the tabs and unlatch your entire holster seamlessly.
But what exactly is the G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform? The RTI system is a trademarked system that uses a locking mechanism that moves left and right to secure and lock your holster to the platform. The entire platform itself provides more of a mid-ride and drops the firearm below the waistline, which is advantageous to many people like myself (more on this later in the article).
When looking at the entire configuration of the G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform, it’s truly a complete system where you don’t need to go out and purchase several different parts.
The G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform comes with:
- Belt mount with inner hook lining (fits belts up to 2”)
- Your choice of RTI wheel or standard mount
- Your choice of the leg strap with adaptor kit (with cobra buckle or plastic buckle) or no leg strap at all
The platform that I purchased uses the leg strap with the cobra buckle. The cobra buckle is my favorite attachment system, but yes, it comes with a much higher price tag than a cheap plastic buckle (as they say, “buy once, cry once”). The leg strap keeps the holster platform rock solid at my side and prevents it from flopping around during movement and drills at the range.
Related Article: Mantis X10 Elite: The Most Comprehensive Shooting System Ever
So, what made me purchase this specific platform? To be completely honest, it was personal preference. I’m not exactly one to conform to what everyone else is doing, plus I have some other IWB (inside-the-waistband) holsters from G-Code (like the Haley Strategic Incog) that I love and wanted to continue to support the brand.
Does using the G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform limit my ability to change holsters and firearms with most people on the range who use the Safariland QLS system? Yes, but I’m ok with that.
How can you attach the G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform? It’s simple, on any belt you want that is capable of having a firearm attached to it. This can be a sturdy leather or nylon EDC gun belt or even a dedicated battle belt configuration.
And I’m sure you want to know what colors this platform comes in. You can choose between a black, green, grey, coyote, and multicam (multicam you pay extra for due to the pattern).
Why Would You Want to Have the Firearm Below the Waistline?
Honestly, those who follow my content know I’ve been in the health and fitness industry for over 20 years. Anyone who puts on quality muscle may find themselves with some flexibility issues around their shoulders that can somewhat inhibit mobility. I’m not the biggest cat walking down the street, but I’m definitely not the smallest.
That said, when shooting at the range with an OWB (outside-the-waistband) holster riding on my belt, it forces me to lean favorably to my left side to pull the firearm up and out of the holster. This isn’t ideal as it’s added movement that takes up time — time that you may not have depending on the situation or scenario involving a threat.
Related Article: Are Online Concealed Carry Courses Actually Worth Taking?
Having the entire grip of the firearm below my belt provides me with an easy-to-reach deployment system that doesn’t force any weird torquing of my body or mobility issues. With the G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform, I can much more easily holster and unholster the firearm without any issues at all.
Another reason why you may way to go with this platform or any platform that drops your firearm below your beltline is to help clear your firearm from a plate carrier or chest rig you may be wearing. John Lovell of Warrior Poet Society does a great job of explaining the different battle belt setups in the video below that I highly recommend you check out.
Speaking of battle belt setups, I have a couple different ones, but my latest one is a dedicated pistol setup. I put the G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform on my Condor LCS Cobra Gun Belt, which sits at my right hip. On my left hip is the G Code GDM – Double Pistol Magazine Carrier. Appendix I’m carrying a KA-BAR TDI Law Enforcement Straight Edge Knife in a custom vertical sheath. Then on the small of my back on the belt I’m carrying a really cool Live the Creed Responder IFAK Tear Away Medical Pouch with a Tac Med Solutions SOF-T on the outside top of the pouch. On the inside of my IFAK I have nitrile gloves, an Israeli bandage, Celox RAPID Z-Fold Gauze, a chem light, and a NAR HyFin Vent Compact Chest Seal. I tried to keep the IFAK as low profile as possible and I’ve found this system to work the best for my needs and it’s easy access if I were ever to need it (I highly recommend this IFAK pouch from my testing).
Is This Platform Configuration Comfortable?
If you’ve never worn a leg strap before, it’s going to take some getting used to. But once you get comfortable with having a strap around your leg, you barely even notice it’s there. The grippy material that lines the strap holds tight to your pants so that the platform remains stable at all times and doesn’t shift around on you.
As mentioned earlier, if carrying OWB, I need to have something that doesn’t sit directly in line with my belt due to my shoulder mobility. It’s so much more comfortable having the firearm set up on a mid-ride platform, and it’s so much faster than the alternative (for me, at least).
I don’t have any complaints with the comfortability. I love it and actually purchased two of these platforms for the two belts I wanted to run them on.
Would I Change Anything with the Platform?
The only thing I would change or recommend to G-Code is to have the leg strap attachment allow for rotation as well as have the sides of the attachment angle downward slightly. Why? Because naturally, the strap is going to attach moving downward around the leg and butt, which would allow for a better flow and fit of the actual leg strap around the leg.
If it were a drop-leg holster where everything is lower, the current attachment would be fine, but since it rides higher than a drop-leg, it would be better to have an attachment point that rotates with your leg movement as well as having the attachment ends angle down.
Would I Recommend the G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform?
From the things I’ve mentioned in this article, it’s safe to say that you could have already assumed that I love the G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have two of them.
This platform is everything I want in a mid-ride platform, and I love the RTI system that allows me to have the GCA33-RTI Hanger on a single holster and move that holster from one platform or belt to another in a matter of seconds.
If you’re in the market for a new platform that drops your firearm below your waistline, I can’t say enough good things about the G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform.
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And as always, go out and get the proper training needed to be proficient with your firearm(s) and EDC gear. I am not an instructor or tactical ninja, and I don’t pretend to be one on the weekends. I’m simply someone who seeks knowledge, improvement, and proficiency when it comes to self-defense and the ability to protect my family and those around me. You are your own first line of defense, seek the training of a certified and experienced instructor. And if you are in the market for a new holster platform, I’d definitely recommend checking out the G-Code RTI Optimal Drop Pistol Platform.
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