FOBUS: How well do they conceal anyways?

[Teufelhunden]

Another seeking to drink from the fountain of knowledge that is THR...

Picked up my Springfield XD40 today and immediately went to the range-- wow! There are too many good things to say about this weapon here, so I'll save it for a range report in the semi-auto forum.

Regardless, now that I've got my new piece, I've got to find a decent holster, but unfortunately, Christmas laid out much of my cash. FOBUS looks like they make a decent product for the money, and I've seen them used as open carry range holsters, but can anyone tell me how well they conceal? I'm obviously not hoping to get away with a weapon this size under a t-shirt like I can with my Taurus PT-140 in FIST Kydex, but rather it will be stashed underneath an untucked button-down shirt or a similar garment. Jim Murnak (FIST) makes an outstanding product, but FOBUS' $22.99 is hard to beat if they work...

So aside from the other benefits and praise I've heard about FOBUS, can they hide?

-Teuf

 

[Moondancer]

Roto (Paddle)

No. Sticks out WAY too far from belt for me. I've tried MOB, 4:00, 3:00, 2:00, 10:00, all with various angles. Not good enough for me. FWIW, the Blade-Tech paddle I have does a better job than the Fobus, probably because Fobus is the Roto version, but neither come even remotely close to my Milt Sparks #60 TK.

 

[enfwago]

I agree. I bought the roto holster for my glock thinking the different angles may come in handy depending on how I wanted to carry. I put it on and even with a baggy shirt, it looked like I had a growth coming out of my waist. It sticks way to far out for me.

 

[jayhway]

I'd agree that the roto holster does stick out somewhat. But I'd suggest that you just get the standard holster. The roto sticks out about and inch more than the standard holster.

 

[PUMC_TomG]

Not a thing wrong IMHO with either the normal paddle or the belt slide.

The roto does stick out more.

That said I carry in a Fobus Paddle now... but I'm about to buy a Galco or a Sidearmor... can't decide between cow or Kydex.

 

[bpisler]

All of my glocks (19,26.30) would hide well under a untucked button up shirt in my fobus paddle holster.The holsters seem durable as well,mine is 20 months old and has held up reral well.

 

[enfwago]

From what I hear, Sidearmor is the way to go for Kydex. Everyone keeps saying that their customer service is top notch. Plus you can buy different accessories for them and have a couple of different holster configurations.

 

[Teufelhunden]

enfwago, thanks for that heads up--I hadn't realized that Sidearmor was producing them for the XD already...

FOBUS folks, does the belt slide version tuck everything in tighter tha nthe paddle, or is the difference academic?

Thanks again,
-Teuf

 

[enfwago]

No problem. Right now though all I see on their website for XD holsters is the IWB.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Try Uncle Mike Kydex they sell for around $15.00.

 

[9mmepiphany]

belt vs paddle

it is academic...maybe a bit tighter and higher, but not enough to make a difference

i'm using a fobus paddle for my smith J-frame or glock 19 under a t-shirt. under a draped button-up shirt (or sweatshirt or sweater) i can hide my sig 220 or beretta 92/96

 

[Bainx]

Hey Kahr....

I want to try Uncle Mikes but they don't make for lefties.
I have called them and they drop the hint that they will be making them soon.

 

[hksw]

"I put it on and even with a baggy shirt, it looked like I had a growth coming out of my waist."

Cripes, I've had that problem WITHOUT a FOBUS since college.

 

[Onslaught]

Yep, the Roto-Paddle is a "range-only" holster. I can conceal a Walther P99 in a regular Fobus Paddle, but I couldn't even hide a Glock 27 in the stupid Roto-Holster.

It's like they took a standard Fobus paddle, seperated it in two, then stuck the "roto" mechanism between them, rather than building the two-piece roto thingie into the holster and paddle themselves. So it's "holster - roto female - roto male - paddle". Four seperate pieces of plastic.

For less than $20, you can't beat the Fobus holsters. They even make a few in left handed too...

 

[Soap]

I was carrying a G19 in a Fobus paddle over the summer...it didn't conceal very easily. The butt of the gun and the rear of the slide stuck out waaaay too far for my liking. The Fobus was about $25. I purchased a Milt Sparks SSII for my 1911 for $60. The difference in quality and concealment definitely justifies the higher price. I would just carry the PT-140 and brown bag it for a month. Voila!

Tom- Chris will tell you Kydex, I prefer leather. You should try our setups sometime to see which one you want before you lay down your little green friends.

 

[Teufelhunden]

Thanks much folks! It looks like I'll stick with what I know and go Sidearmor or FIST...although another range holster never hurt anyone either...


-Teuf

 

[Eamonn Wright]

I have a Fobus paddle for my Kimber Custom Carry compact. It conceals fairly well, however it has rubbed the finish completeley off the trigger guard. I blame Kimber & Fobus I guess. Poor durability on the Kimber, but the Fobus also fits the gun kind of poorly. Rattles around too much.

 

[Smoke]

I read this post the other day. So I decided to experiment.

I have a Fobus paddle (Non-roto). I have used it only for range carry, on occasion. I've never much cared for it, mainly because I just like leather.

I took the Fobus and used it to carry my Springfield Champion as my CCW.

After two full days of carrying this way I have come to the conclusion that the Fobus is not a good Concealed Carry Holster.

The gun rattles a bit. It stays close enought to the body for me, but hangs too low. Also my jacket would occasionally ride up enough to reveal the bottom of the holster.

I'll still use it on the range if I need to put a holster on quickly or use it as a loaner. Thats my $0.02

 

[Sisco]

Never used on, so I gotta ask: Are kydex holsters hard on blued guns?

 

[Moondancer]

Car Holster

Although I quickly, VERY quickly disabused myself of the thought the Roto-Holster could ever be a good concealment holster, I have found an excellent usage for it.

I spend quite a bit of time in a car between work and home (3 1/2 hours ) and have had problems with how comfortable my concealment holsters are over extended periods in a car seat.

I have experimented with various angles on the Roto- and have at last found what is great for the car trips. It's about 1/2 again more angle than the FBI cant which makes it too much for standing carry, but it exactly fits the spot on the seat that it hits. Both gun butt and end of barrel JUST touch the seat back. I can easily obtain a full firing grip. The paddle doesn't dig into my hip (too much ) like my Blade-Tech Kydex will after about 45 minutes seated and since it's somewhat more flexible than the Kydex it will shift some with me.

So... after thinking I'd wasted by money on it, I've come to the conclusion that for this dedicated purpose, the money was well spend.

 

[Khornet]

Plain Fobus paddle

with a G22. Started carrying it in the fall here in NH, so I've always had a polar fleece or jacket on. But with just the fleece on, it seems well concealed to me. Tested it on some shooting buddies, hung around with them for a few hours, then pulled up the fleece. They were amazed. Never suspected it was there.

I"M very aware of it though, constantly thinking about how I'm moving and whether I'll expose myself. But most folks around here would never think I was carrying. That said, when I couldn't find a lefty fobus for my Ruger P90, I wound up with a Don Hume belt slide in leather....and it conceals that blocky P90 better then the Fobus does with the slimmer G22. Just tucks it in closer to my side.

 

[AngryBassets]

Fobus

I have paddle Fobus for my Glock 23 and my PPK. Both conceal well.

Be wary if you buy one for j-frame; it was too tight on my aluminum/titanium 337PD but fit my mdl 37 just fine.

You can't beat the price.

 

[Navy joe]

Stay away from the Roto. The rotating piece is stuck to the rest of the holster with just a single screw and if you snag the gun on something the holster will break off right around the screw. I found out by getting into my car and having the gun catch on the seat. With a loud pop I found myself sitting there with a loaded gun pointed at my head. Hmmm... So much for their "combat tested" line. To their credit they replaced it, it is a range only piece.

 

[David S]

i got the standard paddle holster for my walther P99 and under a semilong baggy shirt it hides well................ i am looking into a IWB for the walther.........Kydex is sort of noisy when drawing.
i am looking into some good leather now as a replacement

 

[bandit-horse]

I was looking into Fobus as well and got a lot of info here. Best holster, hands down is the Crossbreed IWB. Don't know why I was even looking. The holster is extremely concealable under a tee shirt even. The holster is also very comfortable to wear all day long. They have a web site as well as advertisments in Am handgunner mag. In addition, the company is wonderful to work with. I bought mine on E-bay last year and wear it in all weather with all type clothing. You will be more than satisfied.