What I’m trying to find out is which paddle holster will fit my 9VE the closest to my body? The holster will be used for occasional concealed carry when weather/clothing permit, hiking and the range. From photos it appears that the Serpa may stick out further than the Fobus but I cant be sure.

I was ready to push the order button for the Serpa but now I'm having second thoughts. So, I hope someone has had experience with both holsters.

no help at all..I normally carry mex due to holster bulk, and most kydex stuff is even bulkier than leather....there's some outfit making a really flat concealable Glock kydex holster, and unlikely as it may be, they might make a Sigma version, and i'll check with a friend on the holster maker and will post here again if a Sigma version is available

The Serpa rides reasonably close for a paddle holster. But not as close as say a leather pancake. Fobus holsters are only suitable for range use and are not good for concealed carry.

Just curious as to why the Fobus would not be suitable for CC? Is it bulkier than the Serpa or because of the Fobus has a passive retention vs Serpa's active retention?

Considering the intended use, I pretty much narrowed it down to these two because I prefer a paddle and their price is in the range I want to spend.

Here's why Fobus is no good...

YouTube - ‪Why you don't use a kydex paddle holster‬‏

I have both for my sig 229. Looking n a mirror it appears the the Serpa sits a wee bit closer to the body. Not much diffrence but enough to notice.

Hi:
I have used Fobus paddle holsters for years for "Off Duty" and CCW. Negative problems. Occasionly I put a drop of gun oil on my finger tip and lighty lub the inside of the holster.
Fobus is light, inexpensive, and very fast on weapon draw.
I am using a Fobus belt holster at present and like it even better than the Fobus paddle holster.
Fobus in not a "Security Holster" but great for CCW and range work.

Yup, saw that video before. I’m not too concerned because It’s obvious the guy is OC when my intent is occasional CC & range use. In addition, I remember hearing that Fobus beefed up the rivets on the rig. Also, the comments have been disabled so rebuttals and any corrective action taken can't be viewed.

We tested the Fobus several years ago to see if it was suitable for off duty and/or plain clothes use. It thoroughly failed. It marred the guns finish, could be pulled off the person carrying it easily (paddle version), could be broken off or just broken during a struggle, broke when dropped, did not stand up to cold weather, etc., etc. For range use only, maybe. For airsoft guns, definitely. Other holsters in the same price range are available that are vastly superior in design and build quality; RSR, Uncle Mikes, Bladetech, Serpa and others.

Dont tell me you honestly just stick a loaded pistol down your pants without a holster

As to the Fobus holster being snapped off I think someone did something to the holster before the video, as the paddle is secured with three large rivets with a metal strip to prevent them from pulling through.

They weren't always. The particular holster used in the video is an early model Fobus that just used three rivets to attach the paddle to the holster body.

As for the Mexican carry style? I do it all the time with my 1911. It's nice and flat and fits just right.

pray tell what's the difference between pants and a holster? it's not like your holster is bullet proof...the only purpose for a holster is to secure the weapon to the body...and my days of fast roping, running and jumping with weapons is long past.....i've been shooting for over 40yrs and carrying for over 30yrs, USED my weapons during much of that time, and am interested in hearing of your expertise where "a loaded pistol down your pants" is such a horrifying experience for you...it surely must have been painful

Actually we broke several with relative ease. New style and old style. You can have 20 large rivets, but when you press them into cheap injection molded plastic you are not making the holster any stronger.

A holster is a custom fit enclosure that ensures all safety and trigger mechanisms are secure and not engaged or disengaged unintentionally while simultaneously ensuring proper and consistent placement on your person allowing for a fast and familiar presentation of the gun when needed and the ability to return to the same location when no longer needed. A pair of pants is something you use to cover the bottom half of you body and run a belt through so you can attach a holster to you.

Nice quotation....you read a lot, i see....i love armchair commandos....let me add it primarily is to secure the weapon and offer SOME protection from hostile environments...fast and familiar presentation is not limited to a holster....as i know, and you don't....and i don't work in hostile environments anymore, unless i come to a forum and resident "experts" don't like being shown their expertise is generally cribbed from reading.

Really??? What is the difference? Well the list is pretty long lets see the trigger is in no way protected, the firearm is free to move, you cant run with it..... there is no reason to carry with a pistol stuck down your pants unless your a gang banger. Anyone carrying a loaded pistol down their pants without a holster is just asking to get shot.

There is no way you can snap the new ones off without a crazy amount of force. If someone is close enough to be hanging on your holster trying to break it why wouldn't they just slide your gun out of the holster? I can rip the snaps off of name brand top of the line leather holsters as well but what does that prove.

I have seen a lot of trolls on here mtngunr, but I have never seen one so narcissistic and nescient.

Stop acting like 7th graders.

I've used both holsters for off-duty or plainclothes carry. Either are fine for what they do. I prefer the Fobus, because retention should never interfere with the ability to get the gun in hand RIGHT now.

The standard Fobus paddle hangs a bit closer than the Serpa. I cut the paddle off right below the belt-hooks, round up the corners and bottom with a sander. It makes for a fast on/fast off holster that works well even when seated in a vehicle.

This board offers some truly strange advice, I would have to severely question ones judgement who puts a loaded pistol down their pants without a holster.

The OP asked a simple question which holster fits closer to your body? I own several holsters Fobus is one of them to me the Serpa sticks out further because of the release lever.

He stated very clearly what the holster would be used for, both holsters would work great for his intended use. However like the post before I dislike the retention on the Serpa just one more thing to fail.

As far as the Fobus bashing I find it strange on a SIGMA forum see as the Sigma gets more than its far share of bashing.

The Fobus is well built there are 3 large rivets holding it together on the back you will find two raised ridges for extra strength along with a metal strip which runs the full length of the seam. The metal strip prevents the rivets from being pulled through

here is link to a LEO talking about failures with the Sepra
YouTube - ‪Blackhawk Serpa CQC FAILURE‬‏

and another link
YouTube - ‪Another Blackhawk Serpa holster failure‬‏


So what does that tell you well it tells me that plastic will break no matter what name is printed on it.

There is a huge difference between "bashing" and thoroughly testing a product and having it fail each step of the way. Even a basic $5 nylon holster will work if you never put it through its paces and see how far you can push it before it breaks. If I were to put a Sigma through the T&E process of getting it department approved and it failed every test I would report that too.

There's also a question as to the suitability for the intended usage. What's your intended use and expectations of the product?

I'm a weapon retention instructor. I've NEVER seen a paddle holster withstand a disarming attempt by someone who knows what they're doing. [BTW, prision yard security cameras have documented felons training in disarming techniques.] I've also broken/destroyed holsters that cost considerably more than either of those mentioned. However, my dislike of paddle holsters goes beyond this. YMMV.

Returning to the original question, I've used a number of holsters over the decades. I find the Fobus to be a reasonably priced belt holster suitable for range work and casual concealment. I find the Safariland 528 series much better, but it's also more expensive. I learned long ago to distrust holsters that use mechanical widgets to retain the weapon.

That’s precisely why I decided to order the Fobus. At my age I want to KISS. I recently started to carry a compact 9mm in a Don Hume concealment holster that has a thumb break. I’m convinced that’s all the complicated I want to get. In fact, I’m still practicing with it to gain confidence in using the break.

The Fobus holster rights low so unless you have a long t-shirt, CC with a fobus will be hard. However, Fobus runs closer to your body than the Serpa and the button on the serpa has been known to fail easily.

__________________
Don't look, reload and shoot!

I haven't used a Fobus holster-but if it helps the OP ill include one thoughtful reason to use a Serpa.

The Serpa has a huge amount of holster and attachment options from Blackhawk.Initially I got my Serpa for lack of any non-internet options for belt holsters-I purchased a 2 month old firearm with no aftermarket support almost..As I type this now that same holster is on a Blackhawk shoulder rig I'm wearing ,which is an option I didn't believe I needed.I'm glad for it now,and unless Fobus makes a similar feature that's a consideration you may keep in mind when deciding.

Yes they do but it's for their Roto holster, I ordered the standard. Could be something to consider down the road and that could be a whole other discussion.

Finally heard back from friend and the previous mentioned flat holster isn't made for the Sigma....you might look at Midwest Hunters Outlet which has the Galco Matrix paddle holster for around $25, uses standard screw tension adjustment for retention....

I'm going to try one of these for my 40VE-



Galco Misc. Accessories galco matrix pad s&w m&p/sigma rh b - www.MidwestHuntersOutlet.com

I have a Fobus for my Sigma. Haven't purchased a holster for my XD as of yet. Soon.

__________________
Sigma 9mm/XD 9