Dumb Question - 250 Watt MH - Replacing the bulb

[Coleus]

well I can't remmber if the 250W will snap, try to turn upside down and see if it fall out (but a pillow or something soft under so you don't break the bulb if all out) :-)

I think i experienced the same with my maristar fixture. the metal plate just hold on to the bulbs

[jostafew]

The sockets on my 250w DE fixture are very stiff too, takes quite a bit of pressure to seat the bulb. Obviously check to make sure that the metal contacts aren't mangled somehow and interfering with the bulb seating, but if everything looks OK then gently but firmly shove that baby in!

[phar]

Problem solved. It turns out, it just took a lot more elbow grease. They were extremely stiff. Saving up for a pair of Radeon's now...
Thanks for your help.
Patrick