BIANCHI CLASSIC HOLSTERS

crazyphil · Mar 13, 2016

Here are 4 holsters by Bianchi that I consider classics. If Red
sees this thread I hope He ads to my descriptions. He may have
designed some of them.
Left to Right:
BIANCHI
#1
LARGE SA
Bianchi called this version of the Tom Threepersons the #1 Lawman. A previous owner added the lower snap. I'm not sure
why. Shown with a SAA replica.

BIANCHI 111 Cyclone. The superb design allows this holster
to be worn strong side or crossdraw. Shown with my Model 27 S&W.

BIANCHI #5 Black Widow. The belt slots front and rear pulls
the holster up tight against the body, and with the high ride,
makes a great concealment holster if you want retention on
your concealment holster.

BIANCHI 5B.. Several years ago I read an article that said in
the 70s FBI Agents were issued S&W Model 10s with 2" barrels.
And they were issued hip holsters with thumb snaps and belts
to carry the holsters. Holsters and belts were provided by John
Bianchi. I asked John and he said it was the Model 5B high-ride thumb snap model and it has been in continuous production
for 40 years. It is shown here with my S&W Model 10 with the
2" barrel.

Ebeemer83 · Mar 13, 2016

I am searching for a leather hip holster for the S&W 460 XVR 3.5" barrel model. Does Bianchi, Galco or another company offer a product? I have seen Galco offer this for 460V 5" barrel and the S&W 500 4" barrel but not sure if these will work since the 460 XVR 3.5" has a different cylinder. Thank you.

crazyphil · Mar 13, 2016

I don't know the answer to your question, but I'll bet someone will be
along with an answer before long.

Protected One · Mar 13, 2016

There's another Bianchi that belongs on that list:
The Bianchi #8 Shadow. Made for the Chiefs Special

bronco45 · Mar 13, 2016

I've used all 5 designs that have been shown! Been using Bianchi since 1973 when I bought my first 5B. Still use the Black Widow and the #8 Shadow today along with a 3S Pistol Pocket!

27 Man · Mar 13, 2016

I have more Bianchi holsters than any other brand. I always dig through the used holster boxes at gun shows looking for them.

K-framer · Mar 13, 2016

Yep. The 111 Cyclone is the holster I prefer, when carrying my 3" K-frames (model 64-3). Works better for me than any others I've tried....and a lot cheaper than a comparable custom holster.

rednichols · Mar 14, 2016

The #1 is before my time and of course is a dead ringer for his mentor Wally Wolfram's version; we'll never know who was first. The early #1s had no safety strap, then a hammer thong, then the strap as reality caught up.

The #111 he and I did together, though I'll take credit for it not being a tilted #5BH.

The #5 replaced an earlier #5 that was quite different, and was created specifically to offset the claims that the pancake by Baker was a completely new concept.

The #5BH that you show is just that: a #5BH not a #5B; so it's true that the #5B dates from about 1964, and the #5BH (H for high ride) from about 1975.

The #3 'name' was transferred to an entirely new holster -- the #3S -- and the #4 ditto: the Askins Avenger. The #6 remained the quick-n-easy clip holster, the #7 transferred from a cock-n-draw design to the auto version of our pancake, etc.; the #8 became the revolver version of the pancake; the #9 stayed an upside downer and became the #9R; etc.

The numbers for holster only ran to 19, including 15 (the X-15); and became pouches, etc., at #20.

crazyphil · Mar 14, 2016

BIANCHI'S 9R HOLSTER

Here is the Bianchi 9R that Red mentioned. It is a descendent of
the Berns-Martin Lightning. A holster that Skeeter Skelton said
was "the only way to carry a snub nosed revolver".
It is an upside-down shoulder holster using cylinder recesses and
a spring for retention. Later models (than mine) had belt slots
so the harness could be removed and the holster worn on the
belt.
Mine is stamped for 2.5" .357 magnum, but my Colt's Agent,
shown in the holster, doesn't know. You could buy a 9R in 1968
for $14.

jack the toad · Mar 14, 2016

My favorite Bianchi holster is/was the 111 Cyclone but haven't tried one of the foreign (Mexico) made ones. Not saying there's anything wrong with them and I think Mexico is capable of turning out some good leather products.

rednichols · Mar 14, 2016

jack the toad said:
My favorite Bianchi holster is/was the 111 Cyclone but haven't tried one of the foreign (Mexico) made ones. Not saying there's anything wrong with them and I think Mexico is capable of turning out some good leather products.

The images I've seen, of their Mexican production, suggest that the company no longer understands the boning concept. Their new factory people would've been capable of learning it well, and executing it well -- I've trained local in Mexican maquiladoras myself -- but if they're either not trained well, or over the years a lack of supervision has led to sub-standard results? Well, these are both plausible.

Black_Sheep · Mar 14, 2016

55L "Lightnin"

100 "Professional"

3S "Pistol Pocket"

jack the toad · Mar 15, 2016

rednichols said:
The images I've seen, of their Mexican production, suggest that the company no longer understands the boning concept. Their new factory people would've been capable of learning it well, and executing it well -- I've trained local in Mexican maquiladoras myself -- but if they're either not trained well, or over the years a lack of supervision has led to sub-standard results? Well, these are both plausible.

Although I've not had one to compare, your statement reflects my buddies sentiment. He purchased a new (foreign) Cyclone and comparing it to his older US made, stated pretty much the exact thing you said. Along with that he wouldn't buy any more and in fact has bought from Lobo (right before Ray retired) for his most recent purchase.

crazyphil · Mar 15, 2016

Protected One: I used to have a #8 Shadow. Back when I was even
dumber than I am now I decided it didn't need the retention strap so
I cut it off. Ruined the holster of course. But I agree it is one of John's
classics.

BIANCHI CLASSIC HOLSTERS

crazyphil

US Veteran

Attachments

Ebeemer83

crazyphil

US Veteran

Protected One

Member

Attachments

bronco45

Member

27 Man

Member

K-framer

Member

rednichols

Member

crazyphil

US Veteran

Attachments

jack the toad

Member

rednichols

Member

Black_Sheep

Member

jack the toad

Member

crazyphil

US Veteran

Similar threads

Latest posts