The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Gear and Accessories

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old July 14, 2004, 08:41 PM   #1
jekla
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 18, 2004
Posts: 136
"plastic" holsters

anybody have experience using those "plastic" holsters by fobus or safariland or any other brand? im considering buying one but am concerned that it might scratch the finish of the gun? also with the fobus holsters how is the gun retained in the holster?
jekla is offline  
Old July 14, 2004, 09:45 PM   #2
Sarge
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 12, 2002
Location: MO
Posts: 5,453
I am sending back...

a Fobus roto-paddle for a XD which is about the worst-thought out and executed peice of work I have seen in awhile. Holster is too tight- and I mean that it takes a hard yank to get the gun out, while holding the holster in your off hand- off the belt. It's impossible on the belt, and since the holster isn't relieved at the rear of the trigger guard, drawing the gun with a "firing grip" results in barking the knuckle of the middle finger of the shooting hand.

I had a Fobus standard paddle for a SIG 220, which served well for three years. Maybe I just got a lemon this time, but the next one I buy will be the Blackhawk CQC.
__________________
People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.
Sarge is offline  
Old July 14, 2004, 10:02 PM   #3
CarlosDJackal
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 25, 2004
Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 109
I use a Sidearmor IWB for my Glock 23 everyday. I highly recommend it.
CarlosDJackal is offline  
Old July 15, 2004, 07:05 AM   #4
jekla
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 18, 2004
Posts: 136
i plan to get a holster for my p99. i was kind of hoping a tactical or thigh holster. somebody in the forum suggested those by high speed gear. seem ok so are they better than the safariland or fobus? what about the scratching of finish with regards to plastic holsters?
jekla is offline  
Old July 15, 2004, 01:53 PM   #5
JohnK
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 12, 2001
Location: Duvall, Wa
Posts: 552
I have one of the Kydex holsters from Uncle Mikes for a Sig 220. It's been a good holster, no retention problems yet still easy to draw. Only about $15 at SportCo too.

I wish someone would make them for revolvers other than the ~$75 versions from Side Armor, and for more models.
__________________
John

http://www.handloads.com
Molan Labe!
JohnK is offline  
Old July 15, 2004, 08:58 PM   #6
Don Gwinn
Staff Emeritus
 
Join Date: March 9, 2000
Location: Virden, IL
Posts: 5,917
G-Codes are great stuff. They predate the roto-thingy FOBUS holsters and do a lot better job with the concept.
www.tacticalholsters.com
__________________
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don Gwinn: Chicago Gun Rights Examiner
Don Gwinn is offline  
Old July 17, 2004, 04:02 PM   #7
AK103K
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 1, 2001
Posts: 10,223
jekla,
It doesnt matter what the holster is made of, if you use it a lot, it will wear your guns finish. You might as well get used to that fact. If its a worry for you, I wouldnt carry something you dont want scratched or beat up. I've used a Blade Tech IWB for about 10 years now and its worked very well. The Commander in the pic was originally blued and was rusted from being carried in a leather Galco IWB that got wet and stayed that way. The gun didnt stand a chance. I had it hard chromed and got the Blade Tech. No more rust. The black streaks on the slide are actually polished chrome and are bright. They are wear marks from the holster. That is about 10 years of daily use.
AK103K is offline  
Old July 23, 2004, 06:27 PM   #8
YosemiteSam357
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 8, 2002
Location: Oregon, USA
Posts: 231
Quote:
johnk
I wish someone would make them for revolvers other than the ~$75 versions from Side Armor, and for more models.
Uncle Mikes has Kydex paddles for J-frame size revolvers (ignore the picture, look at the text description). I've seen these in a local store. I could have sworn I saw a larger revolver (Ruger GP100?) wearing one at a local meet, but they don't show up on their web page. (Of course, given that their web site shows a Glock 36 in all their Kydex holsters, I gotta imagine that they're not up on the latest web technologies... )

I really prefer leather, as it feels better on my hip. But you do have to take care not to let moisture stay in it, care for the leather, don't leave it in the holster, etc, etc.

-- Sam
YosemiteSam357 is offline  
Old August 18, 2004, 10:06 AM   #9
MADISON
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 1, 2000
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Posts: 2,678
"Plastic Holsters"

For at least 20 + years Neal Perkins of Safariland make plastic holsters out of Dash board material. Very good ones at that...
Yes I have 2 Fobus holsters for my Glock. I love them. A trick I have found is to coat the inside of any holster with WD-40 [Silicone] to protect the gun and make draw easier.
MADISON is offline  
Old August 18, 2004, 04:22 PM   #10
boing
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 24, 1998
Location: WNC
Posts: 1,072
Fobus products are dimensionally inconsistent. One holster might fit your gun perfectly, while another of the same model will not. I use Fobus mag carriers with good results, but I was able to try a few in order to find ones that fit my mags correctly. All the holsters I tried left the gun loose to jiggle around, even though it was "clicked" into place and the retention was OK.

I don't have too much confidence in the strength of the paddle on the plastic stuff I've seen, where the weight of the gun or mags isn't retained by the belt at all, as they are with IWB. I've only ever heard of one breaking, but then I don't get out much.

BTW, when talking "plastic", I assume that to mean the cheaper injection molded stuff, as opposed to Kydex formed from sheets (also plastic, but different). Last week I started carrying my Glock 19 in a Pro Undercover from Comp-Tac, and so far it's been excellent in every way.
boing is offline  
Old August 18, 2004, 04:46 PM   #11
JerryM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 4, 1999
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 1,889
I am a little surprised that so many here like the Fobus Paddle. I also do, but most of the time there is a large percentage of people who trash them.

I have several and have for at least 4 years. One of mine for the 1911 has been drawn from at least 7000 times in that time. I shoot about 800 rounds per month so that is not as hard as it seems.

I also have paddles from Uncle Mike and Galco, a leather one. Both place the gun too high for stability and too high to draw from under my shirt well. I much prefer the Fobus.

I agree that some fit and some don't.
While it is not my favorite for carry, I have carried one a lot, and it is a good range holster.

The Kydex holsters have an advantage of being cut our at the front which makes the draw faster.

I have Fobus paddle holsters for J-Frame, Kel Tec P32, Glock, and 1911. I do not regret any of the buys.
They don't compare with a fine Sparks or Del Fatti leather, but they are fine holsters for much work.

I have a friend who is a LEO, and he mentioned that they might break. I have not had such a problem when he grabbed mine, but I would not wear one if I were a LEO for duty.
Some have said that their instructor grabbed theirs and it either came off or broke. I wonder what they were doing while he was grabbing and tugging?

Get one and see how you like it.

Jerry
__________________
Ecclesiastes 12:13  ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
JerryM is offline  
Old August 18, 2004, 06:25 PM   #12
Barry in IN
Member
 
Join Date: October 14, 1999
Location: Indiana-west central
Posts: 99
I've had some Fobus that fit terrible (1911, HiPower), others that were fine (Glock, Beretta), and some in between (Sig) .

They can scratch your gun easier than leather, due to he grit that gathers in any holster. In leather, it can be "squished" into the leather in stead of the gun. In Kydex, or whatever synthetic, it doesn't have as much of a chance to get out of the way.
Barry in IN is offline  
Old October 1, 2004, 03:19 AM   #13
Amegatek
Member
 
Join Date: October 5, 2002
Location: Orient, OH.
Posts: 76
Another vote for the G-Code holsters. I got mine with both the 15* forward (FBI) cant paddle and the "Comfort Carry" IWB attachment. With the paddle attachment, the holster rides high on the belt. With a loose fitting cover garment, my G19 disappears OWB at 3:00. The IWB attachment is usable, but IMO, I like the OWB mode better. However, I did just order a Blackhawk CQC SERPA and a Comp-Tac CTAC though. I want lots of carry options. I also have a fanny pack I purchased from my CCW instructor. I got my G-Code holster at Gunner's Alley.
__________________
"Gun control is hitting your target."
Sig P320C (.45 ACP)
Sig P220 Carry (.45 ACP)
Springfield Armory XDE (9mm & .45 ACP)

Last edited by Amegatek; October 3, 2004 at 12:13 AM.
Amegatek is offline  
Old October 1, 2004, 12:51 PM   #14
pbass
Member
 
Join Date: September 23, 2004
Location: Virginia
Posts: 65
Kydex is surprisingly fast if you're used to leather. It protects the gun from your perspiration. Retention is super, as it never loses its shape. Thinness aids in concealability. Some things, like thumb push-offs, are much easier to do in Kydex than leather. I like my FIST pocket and J-hook tuckable. Have a Kytac pocket job coming. Try some, you can never have too many holsters!
pbass is offline  
Old October 2, 2004, 10:55 PM   #15
strider72
Member
 
Join Date: September 26, 2002
Location: Northeast AL
Posts: 48
I have a Fobus Rotopaddle,3 Paddles and the safety button holster that they make. All 5 work fine with my Glock 19 and my Witness..but I don't like the Rotopaddle model. Doesn't carry as well as the others. Going to mount it with their universal mount in my Jeep Cherokee. Also have a Desantis Nitewatch, Glock Sport/Combat Holster,and a Galco Matrix beltslide I bought today. I love them all. I had a Wells Made Kydex IWB but it was on my G19 when it was stolen. I ordered a Blade-Tech Universal IWB last weekend but haven't received it yet. I like the Galco Matrix better than my Fobus' holsters.
strider72 is offline  
Old October 3, 2004, 01:18 PM   #16
JerryM
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 4, 1999
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 1,889
strider72,
Regarding the Galco Matrix, does it lay as tight against the body as a leather pancake? It appears to be make with that in mind, but I have never seen one.

I like kydex as it is faster than leather, and usually the muzzle clears the holster about the middle of the belt level. How about the Matrix?
Thanks,
Jerry
__________________
Ecclesiastes 12:13  ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
JerryM is offline  
Old October 10, 2004, 07:29 AM   #17
BHP9
Member
 
Join Date: May 19, 2004
Posts: 76
I purchased a Fobus for my 4" L-frame, and love it.

At first I thought that it would never give up the gun , until a friend told me that you will have to snatch it from the holster, it's not a smooth draw. Once I did this, no problems.

Apparently they all have to be snatched.

BHP9
BHP9 is offline  
Old October 10, 2004, 07:41 PM   #18
strider72
Member
 
Join Date: September 26, 2002
Location: Northeast AL
Posts: 48
The Matrix carries like a dream. I would rather have it than a leather pancake style holster. I have received my Blade-Tech IWB and from trying both it and the Matrix, prefer the Matrix.
strider72 is offline  
Old October 10, 2004, 07:53 PM   #19
strider72
Member
 
Join Date: September 26, 2002
Location: Northeast AL
Posts: 48
I have received my Blade-Tech IWB and carried it some. As such I have to say my Matrix carries more comfortably but the Blade-Tech draws easier. The retention on the Matrix is stout. But an IWB is rough on my body compared to an OWB. But I believe Clint Smith of Thunderanch said that it was more a comfort to carry than it was comfortable.

Last edited by strider72; October 10, 2004 at 07:54 PM. Reason: Misspelled.
strider72 is offline  
Old October 27, 2004, 10:21 PM   #20
Pistol Packin' Momma
Junior Member
 
Join Date: October 27, 2004
Location: North of Houston outside of Tomball
Posts: 1
Kydex holsters

Comp-tac made mine for the Springfield XD-9, 4" and it works VERY well! I couldn't be more pleased AND they are one of the few that have holsters for the XDs so far.

It's a Houston area company (NOT a huge conglomerate, etc.) and their holster specialist guy will talk to you so that he can help you determine, for your uses and even body shape, which specific holster would be best for you!

They make LOTS of holsters for local IDPA shooters (ONE of which is newly Beretta-sponsored). I recommend them, for SURE! Check out Comp-tac.com
Pistol Packin' Momma is offline  
Old October 28, 2004, 07:21 PM   #21
Penman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 9, 2002
Posts: 242
I wouldn't use a Fobus for serious carry. Invest in a quality plastic holster such as a Sidearmor for plastic or Sparks for leather. Both of these companies will be happy to answer any questions you may have about finish wear, etc.
__________________
"It is not down in any map, true places never are." Herman Melville, in "Moby Dick"
Penman is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:25 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.10261 seconds with 8 queries