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TACTICAL ELITE HOLSTERS for the GLOCK 30 [other models also available]
FOBUS USA
1300 B-3 Industrial HWY
Southampton, PA 18966
215-355-2621 [VOICE]
215-322-9223 [FAX]
When I started looking at the more modern concealment holsters, one name came up that I could not ignore - FOBUS. They are an Israeli company that has been making holsters for the Mossad for a number of years. Those guys are good. If they are using this holster, it is at least worth looking at.
FOBUS Tactical Elite holsters are made of thermoplastic which is held together with rivets. They are custom fit to an individual model of firearm, and each weighs about 2 ounces. They are considered a retention holster for two reasons.
They grip the firearm very firmly, like a glove.
They have a trigger-guard lock that "snaps" around the trigger guard. This is internal to the holster and requires no user control other than pushing the gun firmly down into the holster.
When I looked at the first holster I tested which was the GL-4 paddle holster for the GLOCK 30, I was a little concerned. I have worked with holsters and other items that are put together with rivets. That's the construction method used by FOBUS for all of the holsters I tested. In the past, my luck with riveted holster products has been less than ideal. They rarely last me more than a few months before the rivets work themselves out. Considering the price of the FOBUS holsters, that might even have been acceptable in this case. It is a real pain otherwise.
I am pleased to report that after many months of daily wear, the GL-4 paddle holster - and all of the other FOBUS products I tested - are still in shape as good as the day I received them from the factory. There are no signs that any of the rivet points are wearing out, and all of the edges are as smooth as the day they were made. The paddle has only slightly more play in it than the day I got it, but it is still perfectly serviceable. Again, this is after months of DAILY use.
All of this makes sense in the end, FOBUS supplies a 100% lifetime warranty on all of their holster products. They are obviously confident in their quality.
Drawing the weapon is done with an intentional, fast pull straight up - basically a quick snap or jerk up. This releases the trigger-guard lock and removes the firearm very smoothly. Any effort to pull the firearm out slowly or surreptitiously results in the holster holding on and riding up with the gun. Pulling from the back is futile as the grip the holster keeps on the firearm is very strong, and it does not allow the trigger-guard lock to release. I call this very good retention, while maintaining an easy draw for the wearer. I really like it. The retention on this holster has not changed from the day it was new.
The paddle itself is VERY comfortable and easy to take off when needed. I also found that at least in most areas the holster sans-firearm will not trigger metal detectors. I have never tried it in an airport but I have had occasion to enter a secured area and stored only the firearm in my locker, leaving the holster on. It didn't cause me any trouble. This is handy to know when I am using the GL-4BH Belt Holster. It has no paddle but is threaded through your belt.
The FOBUS GL-4 Paddle Holster
The FOBUS GL-4BH Belt Holster
All of the holsters I tried were configured for an FBI cant. This is what I prefer and worked very well for me. The GL-4BH was just as comfortable as the paddle model. It pulled in nice and tight. They also have both belt and paddle magazine pouches for just about every firearm you can imagine. I tried both models for the GLOCK 30 magazines and they were comfortable and easy to conceal. The same units also work for the GLOCK 21, which is my duty firearm.
The FOBUS GL-4BH Holster With The GLOCK 30
The FOBUS #6945BH Dual Magazine Belt Pouch With The GLOCK 30
The FOBUS Gl-4 Paddle Holster With The GLOCK 30
The FOBUS #6945 Dual Magazine Paddle Pouch With The GLOCK 30
The FOBUS 6945P Dual Magazine Paddle Pouch
They even have an ankle holster for the GLOCK 30 - the GL-4A. I would not normally consider the GLOCK 30 to be a weapon to carry on the ankle. It is bulkier and much heavier than the weapons I would normally consider for this application, but FOBUS had a holster for this application and I had to try it out.
The FOBUS GL-4A Ankle Holster With The GLOCK 30
I found out that it really does work. It does have a slight tendency to slide down after some running or when worn for an entire day. Then again - considering the holsters I have tried for much lighter firearms that did this after only a couple of hours, I was impressed! It was a bit heavy on my leg, but that was the GLOCK 30. The holster itself weighs almost nothing.
The fact that they make a workable ankle holster for this firearm tells me that an ankle holster from FOBUS for a much lighter firearm would be as close to perfect as you can get. Wear some boots with it and you should have no problem, even with this "heavy" firearm.
FOBUS has also released a line of holsters for law enforcement featuring handcuff/magazine and magazine/light holsters. These are designed around Stinger lights.
One of the main reasons that I really like FOBUS is that they are selling their holsters for a VERY reasonable price - most under $25 except for the GL-4A which is $40. Considering the quality and durability, I am really happy to be able to recommend them to all of our readers - not just the well-to-do ones.
If you are looking for either a daily-wear CCW holster or an on-duty concealment holster, FOBUS has a product selection for you. The quality and comfort for daily wear is superior. I wasn't sure what I would think of them, but after extended testing, they get my vote! I'm getting their paddles for my duty gun and my GLOCK 17 too.
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James Bell Jr.
Law Enforcement/Security Editor