Back in October of 1968, I was a 19 year old at a college here in Pa. when Bullitt came out. Second only to the car was McQueen's upside down shoulder holster that I fell in love with after I got the gun itch. I actually had a Bianchi 9R for awhile and it was extremely comfortable. I sold the gun I carried in it and was looking for one for my 686 Plus-an L Frame. None of the major holster makers made one. I know Nevada Gun Leather makes one, but I was stumbling around the internet and found Vega Holsters. Located in Italy, they made one. I ordered it last Sunday and it arrived here on Thursday-from Italy. Cost was under $70.00 and they charged me $10 to ship. It is a great holster--very comfortable with my 686+. Check them out at Vega Holster shop for firearms

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jj

Nice find!--- Thanks

I have a 9R I got in the mid 70s for my Model 60 and I have put a lot of miles on it. I really like the holster as its very comfortable and extremely concealable. The only draw back is it requires the small factory wood. (But I can live with that)

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Very nice!

I'm going to check them out. Had a R9 and really liked it but sold it for some reason.... Oh well.

I like this idea, is the retention just friction, or is it grabbing the back of the trigger guard? Are you saying the rubber grips pictured are no good? I would like to keep my Hogue Bantams.

The elastic over the top strap holds the gun into the holster by forcing the trigger guard into the pocket. Not real hard to get out, but putting it in, you have to shove the top strap into the elastic, then shoving the trigger guard back in. Not as hard as it sounds. I forgot to add in my original post, that they had these in stock.

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jj

And it is an excellent idea, when holstering a revolver with a hammer, to keep your thumb on the back of the hammer, lest it catch on the elastic and you find yourself running around with a cocked .357 pointed at your armpit.

Ask me how I learned that.

I got a lot of mileage out of mine, before and after the lesson.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

For $80 delivered it looks pretty good. I have a Bianchi 9R for a J-frame and it is a very well designed rig, although I haven't used it in a looong time. I may have to dig it out and reacquaint myself with it. The upside down rigs certainly fill a niche.

MB

Can't beat it for sitting in a car.

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jj

I have an old Safariland 19. Holster is great and it was comfortable with my M-19 2 1/2" Need to get the elastic replaced. OK for off duty but it puts the gun in a position that's easier for the person in front of you to access. Same with cross draw. On duty not in uniform always had a pancake just behind my right hip. Easy for me but not for the other guy.

Had a similar holster for my Model 60 circa 1977 and was wearing it in Pierce Street Annex in Fort Lauderdale when the gun came out of the holster, cartwheeled several feet across the floor when it landed, and then slid over the floor edge to another level a couple feet lower. Was a rather embarrassing moment whilst I retrieved it and reholstered before resuming my conversation with a rather lovely young lady. No harm, no foul, however.

Be safe.

PS: I now have an upside down shoulder rig that I use exclusively whilst driving for trips of several hours...or more.

This looks like a nicely made holster. I have been considering such a style to carry a 642. But I wonder, and as mentioned in post #2, that with the Bianchi model the standard wood stocks are required. I have read elsewhere that the rubber grips will not allow the trigger guard to fully seat in the holster (Bianchi), possibly compromising retention.

OP - you have rubbers on your gun - do they cause any interference? And - thanks for passing this info along.

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Tony

Be aware that a modern version of what is the old Colt holster by Wolfram circa 1960, or even a used Berns-Martin or Bianchi, should be able to pass the "snap test".

We had to develop a test at Bianchi in order to predict that our designs and our production would cure the growing awareness that short revolvers were falling from the elasticised holsters. And just last year an old Bianchi 209, purchased be a client of mine, still passed that test.

The test: unloaded revolver in the holster, seated as best you know how. Holding the rig over a bed with one hand clutching the centre of the leather harness, lift and then snap the holster hard towards the bed's surface. If the revolver becomes unseated, even if it doesn't fall to the bed: throw the rig away. If it stays fully seated, it's a keeper!

On used holsters it's both the elastic, and the springs, that become overstretched. On new holsters its makers who don't understand why there is a leather spacer near the muzzle of a Berns-Martin, and a screw post assembly on a Bianchi: it's a fulcrum that forces the revolver to exit the spring opening rather than simply pivoting inside the holster to clear the trigger guard pocket.

On the 209 this was accomplished by sculpting the holster seam near the ejector rod a la Safariland. You all don't necessarily need to know the science; just make sure your holsters will pass the test.

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The Holstorian

Thanks Red, had a Bianchi 9R but it would shift to the rear when I went to draw it. Didn't keep it. Guess I bought it for the coolness factor.

My favorite Bianchi rig was the Chapman holster for the Gov't 45, loved that rig.

It's one of my own favourites of my designs. The second prototype became the final version, all accomplished in just a couple of days. Ray was right there to give it his seal of approval. All the holsters made for his own use were black basket weave and we didn't make any others in that finish.

The Chapman came about because crusty old Col. Cooper, at my meet with him at the formation of IPSC in '76 at Columbia, sent me over to Ray rather than be bothered with it himself. Old animosities with John went too deep. Ironically that led to our relationship with Ray turning into the Bianchi Cup series -- it was Ray's idea, not John's -- which event Jeff called the Balkanising of pistol shooting styles.

The 9R is drawn horizontally across the chest, as with the BM, and so won't slip back under the armpit when drawing.

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The Holstorian

Viceunit

The rubber grips on my 686+ in no way interfere with the seating of the gun. It actually snaps into position. The day may come when it doesn't, but I think that day is far off. I did rednichols' holster test and the gun never moved. Hope this helps.

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jj

rednichols, did you design this one? My favorite for the J frame S&W's.

Yes indeed the 209 pictured, and the moulded version called the 208, are my designs; as are the 9Rs with the twin belt loops and hammer spur guard. Though these designs rely heavily on those who came before me, neverteless they are vastly improved in form, fit and function over both the original 9 and the original 9R. Not least because the 209 carries the revolver at 45deg vs the 90 deg angle of the earlier designs.

The original 9R (in its first catalogue appearance without post and screw) is a clear example of why a holster must be configured not to merely work, but to work 'for the right reasons'. It was a significant lesson learnt for me because being part of the earliest 9R's development, it became obvious that while it did work, the guns were falling out, too. Adding the post screw forced it to work for the right reasons: that is, the gun couldn't fall out, too.

That lesson has informed all my designs since.

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The Holstorian

I own two of these. The 5BH/5BHL, Shadow 8L, X 15/2000/2100, and Askins Avenger are other favorites of mine. I own several of these model, except the AA. I gave it and my .40 S&W BHP to my son a few years ago.

Buford57: I learned from my LEO friends that unless it's a stiff or reinforced mouthed belt holster, the safest thing to do is to remove the holster, then holster the piece, and then remount the holster. I know, it takes a bit more time, and you lose the "cool" factor, but it is safer.

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FYI - My Bianchi 9R holsters will easily accommodate any of my J-frames that are equipped with CT Laser Grips.

Regards,

Dave

I have a Bianchi shoulder holster (9 or 9R ?) for a 3" heavy bbl J-frame that does not pass the snap test. Have tried to find someone to replace the elastic but have been told it would be impractical to do so.

Has anyone successfully replaced the elastic? Or do I take Red's advice and "throw the rig away"?






Thanks, Russ

I've been following this thread with some interest mainly because I thought shoulder rigs were a thing of the past, i.e. Dirty Harry and Miami Vice. With absolutely no experience with them my impression is/was that they are:

1. Uncomfortable.
2. Impossible to conceal unless you always have a jacket or coat on, and even then a slight breeze exposes you to everyone unless you're buttoned or zipped, which seems to negate a swift draw.
3. Difficult to draw from quickly no matter what outer garment you're wearing.
4. Dangerous since the muzzle of the weapon is either pointing at you or some poor unsuspecting soul behind you.
5. How in the world do you quickly and safely draw a weapon that's hanging upside down in your armpit??

I'm not being critical, to each his own (unless I'm standing behind you). What am I missing here?

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Too many S&W's to mention...

I used to wear a shoulder rig before our agency banned them over concerns about sweeping the firing line when drawing during qualification. Not enough time in the day to have everyone shoot individually, apparently. We weren't particularly worried about concealment back then, since our typical attire included those "armed plainclothes federal officer or armed retired guy masquerading as a photographer" khaki vests. I wouldn't wear one now for the reasons outlined by AZ_M&P, and more simply because I don't dress like that since I've retired. When I did wear a shoulder rig, though, it was exclusively the Bianchi Scorpio system. Loved the versatility . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I had the same concern when I bought mine but found drawing to be fast and easy with the right cover garment. A pull-over sweatshirt (winter) or buttoned but untucked light weight shirt allows the user to reach under and draw without exposing the rig . . . whether standing or seated.

The hazzard I found was seated in a folding chair . . . the butt can get hooked under the back panel of the chair and involuntarily unholster (don't ask me how I know that).

Re-holstering requires two hands . . . one to hold & squeeze the holster and the other to re-insert the revolver.

Russ

Makes me want to watch it again now, it's been over 20 years probly. The things I remember most: #1 the car, #2 the babe, #3 the Winchester mdl 12? being assembled by the bad guys in the beginning, #4 McQ's upside down shoulder rig & tight sweaters. The tight sweater thing sounds a bit light in the loafers, NOT that there is anything wrong with that, just that I could not pull it off, or just about anything else McQ could.

I find mine very comfortable and reasonably quick to draw from.
Yes it does demand some sort of outer covering to hide it! A sweatshirt will do it at least with a small gun! I carried mine (9R with 2'' Jay frame) in a garage for many years and even working on cars on the lift with both arm up in like a surrender position, the holstered gun rides high enough that even with a Eisenhower type jacket no one sees it. A position like I describe is very common working on cars that are over your head! It hangs high and with no attachment to a belt like many holsters have its well hidden. I also wore it under just a vest when out on my motorcycle, and rest assured in my state if a cop even though you had a gun you were soon going to be doing a roadside chat!

It’s very easy to draw from, I’m a rather fluffy built person and all you do to get at the gun is sort of hunch you left (off side arm/shoulder) to the right and with your right (strong side hand )reach left and the handle is easy to reach.In a car it’s a very easy reach when behind the wheel!

FWIW you can also (or at least I can) reach the gun with your off hand if necessary and draw it. It’s a bit clumsy but totally doable if circumstances so dictate.

Yes to the fact that holster gun is pointing into your upper shoulder but you should know what you are doing and you should know that your weapon is a 100% safe till you pull the trigger. FWIW most guns carried concealed if it went off accidentally in its carried location or draw will impact your body somewhere. (Obviously a horizontal holster is a possible danger to someone behind you) If it’s a safe gun and you know what you’re doing (well practiced) it’s as safe as things can be under the circumstances.

Everything in life is a gamble, knowing the odds can/will go a long way in keep you and other people safe!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

I'm realising that when we tested the 9Rs, for example, the snap test is done violently, and we kept trying until we were sure the revolver wouldn't come out. There's a good reason that the original 9 elastic style, once made by every major company, is no more: bad science. And in addition, trigger shoes that were common then, were an enemy, with the width outside the guard able to catch on the holster mouth and cycle DA triggers.

Replacing the elastic: I have a supply of the brown, heavy duty elastic that is identical to that used in the 209. Several forum members have used it successfully; a shoe repair shop will have what's called a patch machine to sew it into position - these sew in any direction whilst inside the article.

A pm to me will get you a sufficient length at no charge. My bronze status was a thank you from such a forum member.

Just rethinking these 50 year old issues, reminds why a modern maker merely copying an old design is a trap because they're unaware of old flaws. And new users can't warn them!

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The Holstorian

Now how cool is it to have the designer of so many classic and practical holsters as an active and generous member of this forum ?
Red, I hope we get to meet one day although I'll happily settle for following you around on this forum. You really are a treasure and a pleasure to have here.
Very respectfully,
John Witty
turnerriver

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turnerriver

#1. Not uncomfortable at all as the rig spreads the weight.

#2. Yes, you need a cover garment or a loose fitting shoe.

#3. Some styles are but the Bianchi 209 in my photo positions the butt of the revolver for a quick grab. The X15/2000/2100 designs, prior to the addition of the thumbsnap, were O.K., not blinding fast, but with practice a guy could draw well enough if the rig was properly adjusted to the wearer.

#4. Guns are dangerous, but a gun at rest is simply at rest, until some human starts handling it. One has to be aware at all times, and be cautious.

#5. Grasp the butt of the gun, pull it up to allow the trigger guard to clear the holster and pull out in a sweeping motion.

Shoulder holsters are a great way to carry a large, heavy, long barrel handgun like my N frames or 1006. Less cumbersome for me when I owned Jeeps and climbed in and out of them or on and off my four wheeler. I also wore them while canoeing, hiking, and fishing.

Here is one of my Bianchi 2100 shoulder holsters with my S&W 629-5 in it. I also have a near identically made Triple K and a Safariland for 4" N frames, and a 2100 for 6"-6.5" barrel N frames.

Let me add to Colby Bruce's response that I found I could draw almost as well with my left hand, which came in hand once or twice when my right was otherwise occupied. Try drawing with your off hand from anything else while seated in a car and send me the make and model if it works so I can order one. I suppose a left hand holster worn butt forward on the right would be close if the seatbelt didn't interfere.

As I learned the (semi) hard way - it helps to be smarter than the holster.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Indeed drawing with the left hand is a feature touted by Boothroyd in his original letters to Fleming, in selling the notion of Bond adopting the Berns-Martin triple draw holster. Very unfortunately, to my knowledge, although Fleming's original letters survived and are in private hands, the original pics accompanying Boothroyd's first letter did not, though he refers to them throughout his letter to illustrate his points. Fleming's article on the topic in Sports Illustrated, of which I've an original copy, replicates the letters but not the pics.

It is interesting to me that he even suggested that Bond wear the shoulder holster as a belt holster, but also upside down as a cross draw (BM itself only suggested a right hand forward draw holster with the grip up, on the belt).

Can you imagine the Bond we know now, going to the trouble to put the harness on, and then take it off to slip a belt through, then remove it from the belt and put it on the harness? The films' use of a non-BM shoulder holster illustrated just how convenient it was for Bond to have a small, lightweight shoulder holster that was suited to every dress code (no belt on a tuxedo) that was well-suited to a man in a hurry.

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The Holstorian

I used one to carry a S&W Model 29 4" until I leaned over a counter far enough for the counter top to push on the grip tip and the revolver fell out onto the floor