This may be an easy answer that I just can’t find the answer to, but can anyone tell me the difference between the Bianchi Cross Draw 127 vs the Cross Draw 128 holsters? Everything I read interchanges these two models as the same fit. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Difference Between Bianchi CD-127 vs CD-128
- Thread starter mtice
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rednichols
Member
I'm confused too! And I handled the preproduction of these models that were a JB design.
Here is the 1974 catalog page for the CD series; notice there is no 127 listed; instead the 128 for the 5" autos:
And yet a prior price list shows the 127 as being for the 5" autos. 'Somehow', in the creation of the narrower, shorter 126 for the 4" autos like the SW M39 and the Commander, the 127 became the 128. I think
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The 5" auto was also for the 4" DA revolvers so is wider than w/b necessary for the autos; while the 126 was narrowed as being for autos only.
Here is the 1974 catalog page for the CD series; notice there is no 127 listed; instead the 128 for the 5" autos:
And yet a prior price list shows the 127 as being for the 5" autos. 'Somehow', in the creation of the narrower, shorter 126 for the 4" autos like the SW M39 and the Commander, the 127 became the 128. I think
.The 5" auto was also for the 4" DA revolvers so is wider than w/b necessary for the autos; while the 126 was narrowed as being for autos only.
jframejoey
Member
123s are some of my favorite holsters
rednichols
Member
I'm fascinated by this conundrum; I've gone to the trouble to locate side-by-side images of both the 127 and the 128, and I'm reminded of a line from The Big Bang Theory tv show:
Amy: That would be my boyfriend. Happier playing his dopey Star Trek game with his friends than hanging out with me
Penny: Wars.
Amy: What?
Penny: Star Wars. They get all cranky when you mix the two up.
Amy: What's the difference?
Penny: There is absolutely no difference!
Same with the CD 127 and 128 -- 'there is absolutely no difference!
Amy: That would be my boyfriend. Happier playing his dopey Star Trek game with his friends than hanging out with me
Penny: Wars.
Amy: What?
Penny: Star Wars. They get all cranky when you mix the two up.
Amy: What's the difference?
Penny: There is absolutely no difference!
Same with the CD 127 and 128 -- 'there is absolutely no difference!
I own several CD-x holsters. To make a long story less long, CD-127 is intended for 4-5 inch revolver barrels and semiautomatics, CD-128 is intended for 6-inch revolver barrels. I have confirmed that there is a little wiggle room on barrel lengths. One last thing, holstering is unusual. You do not push or shove vertically into a pouch. Enter the muzzle vertically until you feel resistance, then twist the barrel axially to spread the clamshell while pushing, holstering the gun. The basic configuration is identical. Overall length available for barrel is different.
I believe if you search carefully on this sub-forum, you will find images of old John Bianchi catalog pages including the CD-x series.
If you are unable to find any, email me for them.
Hope this helps.
I believe if you search carefully on this sub-forum, you will find images of old John Bianchi catalog pages including the CD-x series.
If you are unable to find any, email me for them.
Hope this helps.
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rednichols
Member
How fun! We're beginning to get to the nexus of the 127-128 mixup that appears to include the 129. We already know that at least one version of the 128 is identical to the 127 (my early post) and in this later appearance of the series (the first I have in my files but by far not the earliest appearance of the series) the 128's distinction from the early 129 has been blurred, too:
So Napthali is not completely right; nor is he completely wrong! There are TWO CD128 sizes it seems; notice the scale of the above 128 shows a larger size than in my earlier side-by-side image of the 127/128.
1976 catalog page
I just today scanned the 1976/77 catalog. The 127 is listed but not pictured. Page 21 attached.
Simplified:
123 = 2 inch small revolver
124 = 3 inch auto or revolver
125 = 2-3 inch med revolver
126 = 4 inch auto
127 = 5 inch auto or 4 inch revolver
128 = 5-6 inch revolver
129 = 6.5-7.5 inch auto or revolver
130 = 8-9.5 inch auto or revolver
Having seen X-15 springs sprung by the insertion of a revolver in an auto holster, I'd hope a holster marked with one of the codes for revolver or auto would be made for one or the other.
It's difficult to see a single 127 fitting a 4 inch N frame and 1911.
Added picture of the cover.
PS. I forgot that I have #126. Marked Med Auto as I recall, it fits only the S&W Model 39. A friend ordered it for his Browning, but Bianchi sent this holster. Neither a Browning HP nor a Colt Commander will fit inside it. By design or by accident, I cannot say.
.
I just today scanned the 1976/77 catalog. The 127 is listed but not pictured. Page 21 attached.
Simplified:
123 = 2 inch small revolver
124 = 3 inch auto or revolver
125 = 2-3 inch med revolver
126 = 4 inch auto
127 = 5 inch auto or 4 inch revolver
128 = 5-6 inch revolver
129 = 6.5-7.5 inch auto or revolver
130 = 8-9.5 inch auto or revolver
Having seen X-15 springs sprung by the insertion of a revolver in an auto holster, I'd hope a holster marked with one of the codes for revolver or auto would be made for one or the other.
It's difficult to see a single 127 fitting a 4 inch N frame and 1911.
Added picture of the cover.
PS. I forgot that I have #126. Marked Med Auto as I recall, it fits only the S&W Model 39. A friend ordered it for his Browning, but Bianchi sent this holster. Neither a Browning HP nor a Colt Commander will fit inside it. By design or by accident, I cannot say.
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