Sheepdog689
03-30-2012, 18:46
I just bought a new G-38 and wanted to get a Fobus paddle holster for it. I off duty carry my G-19 in a Fobus paddle, actually in a model for the G-26, which I liked. (Note past tense....keep reading)
Fobus does not make a paddle holster for the 38, only for the 37. The 38 fits in it but the holster extends past the end of the muzzle by an inch...I wasn't happy with that.
So, my search began. Thanks to the search button here on GT I learned about Serpa, Comp-Tac and a couple other brands. I took a chance and ordered a Comp-Tac paddle holster as they make them model specific. It arrived by mail yesterday and all I can say is WOW, I'm impressed.
The Comp-Tac is made of much thicker Kydex than the Fobus....if the Fobus is even Kydex, it may just be some generic plastic. The Comp-Tac is made of a single piece of Kydex that's folded and molded into shape. Simpler design with less things to break or malfunction. The Fobus is multiple pieces riveted together and I'm sure everyone has seen the YouTube video of the guy having a pistol in a Fobus holster ripped off his belt. Not saying it won't happen with the Comp-Tac, but I think it would be more difficult. The Comp-Tac rides higher on the belt than the Fobus which to me equates to better concealment and less chance of hitting the muzzle on a chair when you sit down. (I couldn't figure out how to take photos of myself wearing the holster so you'll have to settle for still life shots below.)
When inserting the pistol into the Comp-Tac it seats with a definite "click" so you know it's in place. The Fobus just slides in and stays there. The Comp-Tac can be adjusted for fit with the allen wrench that comes with the holster.
Overall the Comp-Tac is much more comfortable to wear. I like how it rides higher on the belt, how it's made of thicker material and how it's not riveted together. The only thing that I can find in favor of the Fobus holster at this point is price, it's about 1/2 the cost of the Comp-Tac, but this is really a case of getting what you pay for. The Comp-Tac is a quality holster and they will be getting future business from me when I am in need of another holster.
Fobus holster on the left Comp-Tac on the right:
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/TeikasDad/IMG_5007.jpg
Rear view of the paddles. The Fobus has a red rubber insert and has a much longer paddle than the Comp-Tac. The Comp-Tac has a much wider paddle.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/TeikasDad/IMG_5010.jpg
Rear view (Fobus on the left) showing how the holster on the Fobus is riveted to the paddle while the Comp-Tac is a solid piece of Kydex that's folded over. Nothing to break off on the Comp-Tac. The other big thing that I found is that the rounded top of the Comp-Tac is much more comfortable riding against my side. The top of the Fobus is higher and sharper and digs into my side when I sit with the holster on.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/TeikasDad/IMG_5009.jpg
Top view - Fobus on the left
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/TeikasDad/IMG_5008.jpg
Front view - Fobus on the left
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/TeikasDad/IMG_5017.jpg
The Fobus (on left) is held in place by two small wedges on the paddle, one in front and one behind the holster. To keep the paddle from sliding front to rear there's the red rubber piece on the back of the paddle (in photo above) to give the paddle some friction. The Comp-Tac has two "ears" that bend forward on the paddle to keep the holster on the belt and two velcro (the hard half of the velcro) dots that provide friction to keep the paddle from moving fore or aft on the belt.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/TeikasDad/IMG_5016.jpg
Fobus does not make a paddle holster for the 38, only for the 37. The 38 fits in it but the holster extends past the end of the muzzle by an inch...I wasn't happy with that.
So, my search began. Thanks to the search button here on GT I learned about Serpa, Comp-Tac and a couple other brands. I took a chance and ordered a Comp-Tac paddle holster as they make them model specific. It arrived by mail yesterday and all I can say is WOW, I'm impressed.
The Comp-Tac is made of much thicker Kydex than the Fobus....if the Fobus is even Kydex, it may just be some generic plastic. The Comp-Tac is made of a single piece of Kydex that's folded and molded into shape. Simpler design with less things to break or malfunction. The Fobus is multiple pieces riveted together and I'm sure everyone has seen the YouTube video of the guy having a pistol in a Fobus holster ripped off his belt. Not saying it won't happen with the Comp-Tac, but I think it would be more difficult. The Comp-Tac rides higher on the belt than the Fobus which to me equates to better concealment and less chance of hitting the muzzle on a chair when you sit down. (I couldn't figure out how to take photos of myself wearing the holster so you'll have to settle for still life shots below.)
When inserting the pistol into the Comp-Tac it seats with a definite "click" so you know it's in place. The Fobus just slides in and stays there. The Comp-Tac can be adjusted for fit with the allen wrench that comes with the holster.
Overall the Comp-Tac is much more comfortable to wear. I like how it rides higher on the belt, how it's made of thicker material and how it's not riveted together. The only thing that I can find in favor of the Fobus holster at this point is price, it's about 1/2 the cost of the Comp-Tac, but this is really a case of getting what you pay for. The Comp-Tac is a quality holster and they will be getting future business from me when I am in need of another holster.
Fobus holster on the left Comp-Tac on the right:
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/TeikasDad/IMG_5007.jpg
Rear view of the paddles. The Fobus has a red rubber insert and has a much longer paddle than the Comp-Tac. The Comp-Tac has a much wider paddle.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/TeikasDad/IMG_5010.jpg
Rear view (Fobus on the left) showing how the holster on the Fobus is riveted to the paddle while the Comp-Tac is a solid piece of Kydex that's folded over. Nothing to break off on the Comp-Tac. The other big thing that I found is that the rounded top of the Comp-Tac is much more comfortable riding against my side. The top of the Fobus is higher and sharper and digs into my side when I sit with the holster on.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/TeikasDad/IMG_5009.jpg
Top view - Fobus on the left
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/TeikasDad/IMG_5008.jpg
Front view - Fobus on the left
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/TeikasDad/IMG_5017.jpg
The Fobus (on left) is held in place by two small wedges on the paddle, one in front and one behind the holster. To keep the paddle from sliding front to rear there's the red rubber piece on the back of the paddle (in photo above) to give the paddle some friction. The Comp-Tac has two "ears" that bend forward on the paddle to keep the holster on the belt and two velcro (the hard half of the velcro) dots that provide friction to keep the paddle from moving fore or aft on the belt.
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h156/TeikasDad/IMG_5016.jpg