safariland mag holder breakage!

[USSS1811]

just a little heads up and not a slam on safariland, but i was putting on my spare mag the other morning and the dang paddle broke off the holder. this sucked.

i then got my other spare mag holder out and looked at it. it was on the verge of breaking in the same spot. this was a melancholy moment for me. but i guess i have gotten about 5 or 6 good years out of those mag holders.

FYI they were safariland paddle, single mag holders for sig 357/40 mags. i also use the safariland open top paddle holster for my pistol, so naturally i checked the paddle out and it was A-OK. that holster has been great.

so moral of the story is safariland paddle holster=awesome, safariland paddle mag holders=significantly less awesome.

i think i am going to switch to FOBUS paddle mag holders and paddle holster. i have used and had good experiences with the holster. any complaints out there about FOBUS??

[Eaglearm]

Not knocking any Paddle Holster products either.

However, I recently sold my paddle products and stuck with the belt loop holsters, mag pouch, and other items.

Paddle products, doesn't matter which kind you have, are ok. Yet, when I wore it for 8 hrs, it just seemed that I consistly had to keep tugging to keep it firmly seated within my pants and belt. Also, I though that if I am doing this how easy would it be for a suspect to grab my weapon and take the holster with it. Granted it would be a fight for life.

I just feel that belt looped products secure your equipment to you and less capable of slipping or becoming loose in a scuffle.

Too each their own and my .02 cent

[Eaglearm]

.........i think i am going to switch to FOBUS paddle mag holders and paddle holster. i have used and had good experiences with the holster. any complaints out there about FOBUS??

Don't do it. FOBUS holsters are not as durable as you thing. If you want a quality plastic, check out www.blade-tech.com Kydex is a much better quality product. OR Stick with leather.

Do a search on FOBUS Products with this forum, I think you'll see I'm not the only one to tell you to look elsewhere.

Good Luck. (I can not see why someone would put their $400-$700 pistol in a $20.00 holster. :o )

[Kegan30317]

OK, I like Safariland also, however..... another weak spot seems to be the retention strap on the holsters. I have had both level one and two's for a Smith and a Glock. After time, an otherwise great holster had to be replaced because the retention strap cracks where it takes a 90 degree bend over the rear end of the weapon. BTW, I think they have a one year warranty. The date code is stamped on the holster, near the logo.

[USSS1811]

the reason why i liked the FOBUS, besides the $20 price tag (see thread about cheap agents in the federal forum) is because i used one for a time period a few years ago, and i liked it a lot (due to the light weight). it seemed pretty nice, but then again, it was not my daily use holster or anything.

i personally like paddle gear for the ease of donning/doffing (nice use of vocabulary huh?). i take my stuff of one of two times during the work day and farting around with the belt is not my idea of time well spent. but that is just me. i will likely stick with the paddles for everyday wear and more heavy duty gear for SW's and the like...

anyway, thanks for the FOBUS insight, i will look into the blade-tech gear. kydex is probably a much better idea!

[ATFpoa]

To echo Eaglearm...I have seen a Fobus Holster's rivets give way and the whole thing split in half...I have used the Uncle Mikes Kydex with pretty good success (but I did switch back to leather) . I think the Uncle Mike's Kydex has paddle versions of holster and mag pouch. And it is $20. I am not a huge fan of Uncle Mikes, but this is probably the best holster they make.

[USSS1811]

the more i think about it the more i am changing my mind about the paddle. i like the way the safariland paddle locks in and after looking at the blade-tech stuff, i notice that they use a different system that looks less secure. i dont want to be running around worried that my holster is going to fly off. but i do like the kydex. perhaps the bladetech holster with the belt looks is the way to go. i believe i will still stick with paddles for my mag holders though. i like the convenience of that set up. it is especially nice to have 2 single paddles. i always have 1 spare, but then i usually throw on the 2nd spare if i am going to do interviews or heading to the "rough parts" of town. thinking of doing the mag/flashlight combo and an additional single mag...

[OUSoonerFan3]

Check out this thread over on Glock Talk regarding the Fobus

http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=341297

[USSS1811]

is that video illustrating holster breakage? that is what it looked like to me, but my video connection at work was choppy.

if that was breakage at the paddle, well then that is not good at all. would hate to be fighting to keep the holster together in addition to fighting to keep the badguy from getting control of the weapon...

actually the whole thing reminds me of why i used a safariland triple retention holster when i was a patrol cop. that was a damn fine piece of gear, the model 070/SS III i believe...

[Eaglearm]

Check out this thread over on Glock Talk regarding the Fobus

http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=341297

Point Well Made. Thank You

[OUSoonerFan3]

USSS1811....yep, the holster breaks right off. At the end of the video, it shows the guy fishing the broken paddle out of his waistband. Scary.

[methos_tj]

A guy I work with just had the same thing happen to his Safariland mag/cuff combo holster (paddle as well). I wonder if they would help you out if you gave them a call and let Safariland know what happened.

[Eaglearm]

A guy I work with just had the same thing happen to his Safariland mag/cuff combo holster (paddle as well). I wonder if they would help you out if you gave them a call and let Safariland know what happened.

Have your friend take digital pictures and you post on this forum section. It would be interesting to see.

[USSS1811]

eagle arm, i will take some pics of my stuff and post them too. it look to me like it is just due to the material being rather thin at the point where the paddle flexes (at the point below where it is attached to the holder). the one that isnt quite broken yet has a significant crease there and it looks like it would break off any minute. on the paddle pistol holster, the paddle and the area where it attaches is very robust and shows now sign of creasing or wear from flexing despite daily use for years...i guess Safariland just needs to make their paddle accessories as robust and substantial as their holsters...

perhaps i will call them and let them know...

[nwohsy]

You should contact safariland customer service. back in 1997 i purchased an 0701 holster I am now on my third, two replaced by safariland no charge. The holster body was always fine, but I experienced cracks in the laminate. on the belt loops and retension straps.