Good or not so good? I'm looking for an option to my pocket holster for cooler weather and OWB looks more comfortable than IWB. I also like the retention on the 55 (at least the way it looks) but is it practical?

Mine is a newer one, so made in Mexico. Some say the older ones, made
in the USA are better, but I don't find anything wrong with this one.
About the only way you can have retention with the concealed hammer.
Very practical. Not too hard on the eyes either.

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In Omnia Paratus

Thanks! I can hardly wait for it to arrive.

Funny that you mention the Bianchi 55L. I recently bought one for my Model 640 Centennial. And I do not like it one bit. It is a newer made in Mexico product. Glad I found a deal on it and didn't pay the $60+ price that some sellers have them for.

1. As I related in the thread about mixing belt widths and holster slots, it is an epic fail in that you can only use it with a thin belt as the slots are too narrow.
2. I find it impossible to snap the retention snap back after reholstering without removing the holster, inserting the gun and wrestling with both hands to snap it closed, and then I have to put the whole rig back on. Are you kidding me ?

I have always had good results with Bianchi but this one is a serious disappointment. I hope you have better luck. As much as I detest Kydex, I bought a paddle type Kydex holster with some kind of adjustable screw retention design from Fobus.

I have one of the newer production one’s in my box of holsters. In my experience it worked fine if my 640 had the original wood grips, but was much harder to get snapped in when the gun had the Uncle Mikes grips on.

In my holster collection I also have a copy of the 55L style made by a company called “The Master” or something like that. It didn’t seem to be particular about grips. I would confirm the name but I think I gave the holster to my brother when I gave him my old 442. I believe you can still buy the holsters new on eBay.

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Wheel guns are real guns.

My Bianchi 55L is American made and my 638 has the current S&W rubber grips. No problems with the snap and the grips. My belt is
1 1/2” wide and 1/4” thick. It is nearly impossible to get my belt in the holster because of the thickness of the leather belt. Other belts with slightly less thickness work fine.