Good second holster - Fobus Paddle Roto Right Hand Holsters - Kimber 3" & 4" KM3RP

There are reasons why you might want a holster with adjustable cant, flexibility in carry position, or a carry position that can't be satisfied with a fixed holster. Whatever your reason, if you need this feature then this is a holster to consider.

My first impression was this was a well made product, utilizing materials well suited to the intended application. As I've used this holster over the past 6 months (in rotation with an IWB holster) I've come to appreciate the construction even more. The body side of the paddle has a soft grippy material co-molded into it so with the right belt, the paddle forms a solid and stable platform. The holster is a heavy plastic with a slickness to it that resists snagging on clothing. Cant is adjusted by loosening a single #2 Phillips head screw, rotating the holster to the desired position and tightening the screw. The holster and paddle meet at a circular interface about 1.25" in diameter. The mating surfaces interlock with a gear tooth arrangement so the screw itself does not bear the burden of holding the adjustment. This arrangement standsoff the holster from the paddle by about 0.25" and this has two negative consequences.

First, while 0.25" may not seem like a lot, 30 oz of steel hanging this much further out has a considerable moment which can your weapon to bounce or flop if you are moving faster than a brisk walk. Second, because the paddle/holster interface is on a plane to allow rotation (the point of the design) this creates an area most susceptible to the flexing action described in point #1.

I use this holster with a Kimber Ultra Carry II and it slips in with a satisfying "click". Holstered and upside down, vigorous shaking does not dislodge the weapon so I'm pretty confident that my pistol will not accidentally fall out. The pistol draws cleanly and the tight contour around the trigger guard area immediately communicates proper finger placement before the trigger is exposed. There is no retention force adjustment.

I would recommend this as a good second holster or range holster but as a first or only holster it is disadvantaged by the instability created by the cant adjustment. It's comfortable to wear, has good weapon retention and has excellent tactile feedback when holstering or drawing.

Pros: Good material choices, good retention, tactile feedback
Cons: Not stable under all circumstances

This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.