Fobus: Holster of Death

[Doug.38PR]

I would post pictures posting what I am talking about, but for some reason my phone camera isn't picking up my guns anymore when I photograph them (all blurry....and it only messes up when photoing guns now :confused: ) Anyway,
I just bought a Sig Sauer P226 9mm from the gun show in Houston yesterday :cool: .
I also bought a plastic holster by Fobus in which the gun snaps into place fitting into it. I CAN'T GET THE GUN OUT!!!! The dealer told me all you have to do is give it a good jerk or snap and it pops out. The gun is solidly in the holster and I can't get it out unless I take it off the belt and work it lose in the holster.
What is the deal there? Is Fobus a bad holster design?

[Wildalaska]

Is Fobus a bad holster design?

Yep

WildjunkAlaska

[GallantAlpha]

I've never done this with a holster.:( But you might want to throw it in the oven for a few minutes (keeping an eye on it of course). Then take it out, completly wrap your gun with a clean non-tacky thin towel and slide it in the holster. Let it cool down, remove towel and see if it worked. Like I said I have not done this with holsters but I have seen it done when someone gets new skates. And they do it to get the skate to conform to the buyers foot. Which is basically what your trying to do.

If you do try it, just make sure not to over heat to the point where the plastic is tacky. That way if it doesn't work you might be able to get your money back.:)

Good Luck!

GA

[NDN-MAN]

I have never seen fobus holster without screws on it. Have you let the tension off the screws holding the gun in place? If not give it a try. It should work then the gun should come out. Then adjust the holster until you are comfortable with it. If this does not work take it back. GOOD LUCK

[Lycanthrope]

She's too tight. Plastic holsters are very fast when setup correctly.

[choochboost]

I have no problems drawing from my fobus. Its only secure enough to keep it...uh...secure. I can actually draw from it pretty easily. By the way, my fobus does not have retention screws that you can adjust. Before purchasing my fobus I asked around a lot and some guys indicated that not every fobus holster is the same. Some apparently are super tight, like yours, while others are easier to draw from like mine. One guy suggested that you try your gun in different fobus holsters before buying to make sure you like the fit. I know that sounds like a lot of work just to get a holster that should fit in the first place. If you really want to see why the fobus is the holster of death, you should check out the video floating around cyberspace of the fobus paddle holster that breaks right off the guys hip.

[GLP Standard]

Thats exactly how mine was when I got it the other day in the mail. I couldnt get my gun out at first. Had to put it on me, and jerk it as hard as I could.

Adjust the retention screw, and youll be fine. You can make as hard/as easy as you want with the retention screw.

Fobus is a very simple holster design, and its perfectly safe, making it ideal IMO for open carry.

[Lycanthrope]

Or...put your gun in a plastic bag and heat the holster until it spreads. Let her cool and see how it fares.

[L-2]

Fobus has a fine holster for the money(less than $30);
I've found a little WD-40 sprayed inside the holster can help;
I do not recommend heating the holster and I'm unaware of any retention/adjustment screws, other than the one on the "Roto" versions, which control cant;
Fobus lists the "SG21" series for the SIG P226 models. Check to be sure you have a holster in this series;
Some P226 models now have bottom rails, but the original did not. Although Fobus says its holsters fit P226's with rails, I don't know if this could be a related problem.

Let us know how it all works out.
https://secure.fobusholster.com/catalog/images/SG21.gif

[BillCA]

Heating a plastic holster can ruin it if you're not careful.

Next time, spray a cloth with Pledge furniture polish and wipe down the inside first.

You might check out Galco's M7X holster. I have these for my 1911's and Glock and they're the most comfy belt holsters I've used in years.

[Lycanthrope]

I've never ruined one while heating it with the gun IN the holster.........

It doesn't seem to be usefull for him as is.....

[tshank]

Go to your trusty drill press and drill a hole through the retention dimple. Keep enlarging hole until you get the amount of retention you desire. If not satisfied, throw the holster away and buy a good one.

[Zen900]

Any moron can buy a gun that suits to a T but darn if buying a good holster isn't a hassle. I bought 3 before I found one I liked and even then I settled.

[newworldCurmudgeon]

I had the same problem with my fobus/glock at first.....eventually it worked, with a lot of practice draws.....I also learned I do not like paddle style holsters. Here is a link to a kydex maker in Tucson, I bought a tuckable IWB from him, had a problem (I have the extended magazine release, and occasionally the mag was releasing while in the holster) brought it back and he fixed it up for me. Tension is also adjustable. They can make 'em left or right handed etc

http://buybrownholsters.com/

[Optical Serenity]

As much as I prefer Safariland and Galco, I like my Fobus every now and then for a very lightweight quick H&K holster....

[tegemu]

It may sound simplistic but have you asked Fobus?

[Double Naught Spy]

My mom had the same problem with her Fobus Paddle Holster for her Glock 26. When she claimed she could not draw her gun, I asked to try. I thought I would just pull the gun from the holster on her blet. I lifted my late 60ish mother off the ground, much to her horror and the fact that she was off balance and her pulling up of the gun, hence holster hence belt hence jeans apparently produced a very uncomfortable sensation.

I dribbled in some water and got the gun out.

WD40 sounds good, but for things like plastics, one of the best lubes you can get is Armor All. Between a little ArmorAll and me taking the gun home for a few hundred practice draws, she can use it just fine.

Since then, we have applied Armorall a couple of times. You can even put a tad on the trigger guard if the guard is plastic (as on a Glock) but do NOT apply it to the frame other other plastic parts because it will make them slick and hard to handle.

[HappyGunner]

I sure would be contacting Comp-Tac and see what they have to offer.
http://www.comp-tac.com/

[ISP2605]

Where are you finding Fobus holsters with tension screws?
I've sold a couple of hundred Fobus for Glock 22/23 and several for J frames and PPK. None of them had tension screws. Every Fobus I have ever seen were riveted.

[GLP Standard]

^Its my understanding after reading this thread and another thread and looking at a couple pictures that only the Roto holsters have retention screws. Ill take a picture of mine in a few minutes to show what it looks like with one

[ISP2605]

GLP,
Please do.
Even the rotos I've seen are riveted. The only screw I saw was the one allowing for the angle adjustment.

[GLP Standard]

Sorry, bad photos, but you get the point. My camera makes pictures look like this for some reason.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3/GLPstandard/IMG00141.jpg

Here is the rubber circle that pushes the back and front of the holster apart

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3/GLPstandard/IMG00140.jpg

and here is the screw to adjust it, right below where the trigger guard goes.

[ISP2605]

Appreciate it. Fobus must have wised up some to start including that adjustment. I had several dozen for Glock 22/23 that I had to send back. You couldn't hardly get a gun in one and if you could you couldn't get it out if it was on your pants. Way undersized. They would fit 2nd gen Glocks OK but 3rd gens were just a bit oversized somewhere. They made good on them but it was just the hassle. Thanks for the photos.

[choochboost]

Glad I didn't need a adjustable rention screw on my fobus cause it doesn't have one.

[Doug.38PR]

the holster has no screws on it. BUT I just stretched the holster apart and put something in between the back end of it to hold it that way for a few minutes and it worked. It seems to come out okay now. The holster is loose...but somewhat secure (I'm sure it won't just flop out if I jump or run :eek: )

[Brenden]

For an inexpensive,paddle holster..A Fobus is better than an Uncle Mikes..:rolleyes: IMO..:)

Hey-try rubbing a dryer sheet inside!! (seriously)

Your choice of fragrance..;)

[Vitamin G]

I just stuck my gun 95% of the way in JUST before it snapped the jaws of death shut on it. Kept it there for about 30 seconds. Seemed to stretch it out a little... Repeated about 4 times.

Can't say that it ever went back to its original tightness either, so proceed with caution...

[BigV]

Just like any holster (even leather) it needs to be broken in before it works well. Give it some time and practice drawing the gun many times. Eventually it will loosen up and work fine.

[Teufelhunden]

Send you Fobus back. Get a Blackhawk CQC.

For not a whole lot more money you'll get:
-A holster you can draw your gun from ;)
-A holster that is just as tension-adjustable as a Fobus
-A holster that has a secure yet unobtrusive active safety that becomes second nature with 5 minutes of practice.
-Option of paddle or belt attachments in one package.

I've been very pleased with my CQC; my Fobus has not been worn once since I got the Blackhawk.

-Teuf

[Optical Serenity]

I don't think the Fobus is too terrible. But then, I've never had the problem where I could not pull it out.. Perhaps get a new one?

[azurefly]

I have a Fobus for my GLOCK 27 and it works very well. There is good retention, but not too much that it's difficult to draw. A good bargain for what I paid for it (something around twenty bucks?). Plus, there's something just...right about having a GLOCK in a polymer holster. Leather would just be...wrong.

-azurefly

[Voyager AL]

I have bought them all, i think. Ended buying and USING a Covert carrier. Best, most comfortable way to carry IWB that i have ever used. Got it on e-bay. 35 dollars. its alot of money for a piece of rubber and a stainless clip, but it WORKS.

[stephen426]

My mom had the same problem with her Fobus Paddle Holster for her Glock 26. When she claimed she could not draw her gun, I asked to try. I thought I would just pull the gun from the holster on her blet. I lifted my late 60ish mother off the ground, much to her horror and the fact that she was off balance and her pulling up of the gun, hence holster hence belt hence jeans apparently produced a very uncomfortable sensation.

LMAO!!! :eek: :D

Double Naught Spy... You gave your mom a wedgie??? At sixty something, I'm sure she is about 60 years too old to find those kinds of pranks amusing! Tell her to take the holster off her belt first next time! ;) :D

[#18indycolts]

i had a fobus for a .38 spl snub, it scratched the top of the gun...gimme the soft ones anyday, like a good cousin larry's or is it uncle mikes?:D

[BreacherUp!]

I've witnessed WAY too many problems with Fobus to trust my life on them.

[solvability]

I had the same problem - same holster - same gun - got me good at an IDPA match - when I got home I heated the trigger guard area of the holster with a heat gun and popped the gun in and out several times - problem solved.

I have the fobus holsters for several pistols - the Sig was the only one that had this problem.

[kymasabe]

I had the same problem with a Fobus I was trying at the local gun shop. Couldn't draw easily so bought the Blackhawk CQC instead. Was $40 but came with belt and paddle set-up, cant-adjustable, and a tension screw to set how loose/tight holster is.

[Doug.38PR]

I have since stretched the holster with my hands. I stretced it open and then put an object inside the area where it is split open near the trigger guard to hold it open for a while. I then tried it on my belt again with the gun and it works great! It's been fine for the better part of the month now. Now Fobus is the holster of quick draw!:cool:

[TPI98]

I bought one when I got my G-23/M3... the retention snap on it BROKE OFF after about a month of moderate use. Apparently Fonus Holsters breaking isn't uncommon...

Now, it's true that the model of my old Fobus isn't the same as the one you are talking about. However, the following, IS!:

Guy I work with now is a LEO Firearms instructor... He BREAKS Fobus holsters in class (ie, has someone wearing one on the hip, with gun inside...he walk up to him and takes the gun AND holster right off by BREAKING it off the mount at the belt- both paddle AND belt attachments!)... He then hands me a video of another instructor doing the same thing... I still have that video on my 'puter... if anyone knows how I can make that video available to you all, let me know and I will.

You can bet that if the good guys know about this....

Best bet would be to go with either the Blackhawk CQC (if money is an issue)or one from Blade-tec (if money is not) if you want a "plastic" holster.

1*

[FirstFreedom]

They could make that their new slogan: "Fobus: Holster of Death!". People could take it however they pleased. But it couldn't be called a lie.

[JMag]

Any Sig deserves a better holster...

:D

[ethernectar]

...but darn if buying a good holster isn't a hassle. I bought 3 before I found one I liked and even then I settled.

+1

Try being a lefty...

;)

[Weeg]

Strange...

All of this FOBUS bashing...

I have a couple of FOBUS paddles in the gear room...

The one thing I noticed when they were new to me was they were hard to draw. That was until I called them, and they said to draw in a "snatch" fashion.

Now the gun comes out buttery smooth


:confused:

[Catbird]

I really don't have a problem with FOBUS holsters; they are what they are.

I have a few that were very tight in the beginning, but eased up sufficiently with use.

I just bought one for my new J frame snubby that's a bit tight. Just as an experiment, I may drill out the FOBUS rivet closest to the triggerguard, insert a rubber/plastic washer between the two holster halves at that point and replace the rivet with an appropriate screw and nut. Voila... a FOBUS with adjustable tension. Would I trust it for CCW? Probably, but you may not.

[Wynterbourne]

I will never, ever, EVER carry a Fobus holster again.

I can attribute one of the most frightening experiences of my life to the use of a Fobus holster. I'd practiced with the thing for months and it failed to release at a crucial moment. Had someone been a little more sober, had they been a better shot, or if I hadn't run like the devil was after me, I wouldn't be here now.