Comparing Bianchi models 27 and 2800?

Naphtali · Mar 12, 2017

SP101 in 2800?

This has been an informative and interesting thread for me. I am considering buying a Bianchi 2800 holster to hold a Ruger SP101 4.2-inch barrel. While I have essentially no doubt of its ability to handle slightly longer 4.2-inch barrel, the SP101 is smaller than the "K" frame Smith & Wesson for which it was designed. Its cylinder's diameter is approximately 1.34 inches while "K" frame's cylinder diameter is 1.446 inches.

Does its cylinder pocket plus spring retention allow the holster to maintain snug control of the SP101?

akviper · Mar 13, 2017

I was issued a B27 on my second job. It was marked for a Colt and my 66 literally swam in it. When I sat in any chair with arms the front strap would usually release and when I would stand up the revolver would partially or completely fall out. It wasn't really a fault of the holster but the result of a department too cheap to buy appropriate holsters when they purchased new guns. After a few close calls, I started wearing my beloved K frame sized Hoyt. Back in the 70s the Hoyts were made by the Hoyt family on Whidby island in Washington state. It took three to four months to receive your holster.

I always thought the 2800 was as good as the Hoyt but it arrived a few years before the mass exodus to auto pistols. I still have five or six Hoyts in my holster box but they seldom get used since 98% of the time I carry an auto pistol now.

The good old days of steel six shooters and real basketweave leather are long gone. I feel nostalgic but reality intervenes.

rednichols · Mar 13, 2017

Naphtali said:
This has been an informative and interesting thread for me. I am considering buying a Bianchi 2800 holster to hold a Ruger SP101 4.2-inch barrel. While I have essentially no doubt of its ability to handle slightly longer 4.2-inch barrel, the SP101 is smaller than the "K" frame Smith & Wesson for which it was designed. Its cylinder's diameter is approximately 1.34 inches while "K" frame's cylinder diameter is 1.446 inches.

Does its cylinder pocket plus spring retention allow the holster to maintain snug control of the SP101?

It's nice that a 'like' directed me back to this thread 'cause otherwise . . .. The Rugers are unsuited to any of the cylinder pocket holsters for two reasons: the large rounded recoil shields prevent the pockets from gripping the cylinder for retention and the holster front doesn't close, advertising that fact; and the release latch is IN the recoil shield so the spring loaded holster is actively working to defeat the latch. The growing popularity of the Rugers for PDs pushed all us makers over to the type exemplified by the 350 Hurricane, which retains only by the back of the guard. All this applies to the 9R, too, and is why the 209 reintroduced the original #9 grip method by the guard.

Naphtali · Mar 13, 2017

Thank you for saving me from my own acquisitiveness.

Am I correct that the semibreak-front Model 350 for "K" frame will prove satisfactory as holster for Ruger SP101 with 4.2 inch barrel? If the 350 is not a satisfactory holster, in the universe of strong-side break-front holsters, what holsters would do the job?

rednichols said:
It's nice that a 'like' directed me back to this thread 'cause otherwise . . .. The Rugers are unsuited to any of the cylinder pocket holsters for two reasons: the large rounded recoil shields prevent the pockets from gripping the cylinder for retention and the holster front doesn't close, advertising that fact; and the release latch is IN the recoil shield so the spring loaded holster is actively working to defeat the latch. The growing popularity of the Rugers for PDs pushed all us makers over to the type exemplified by the 350 Hurricane, which retains only by the back of the guard. All this applies to the 9R, too, and is why the 209 reintroduced the original #9 grip method by the guard.

rednichols · Mar 14, 2017

Naphtali said:
Thank you for saving me from my own acquisitiveness.

Am I correct that the semibreak-front Model 350 for "K" frame will prove satisfactory as holster for Ruger SP101 with 4.2 inch barrel? If the 350 is not a satisfactory holster, in the universe of strong-side break-front holsters, what holsters would do the job?

The 350 was built for the 6-shot revolvers and the SP101 was developed to compete with the smaller Chiefs Special and Colt Detective. So: no on the 350 with the SP101. Unaware of any uniform forward-draw holsters suited to it, either.

crazyphil · Mar 14, 2017

I doubt you will find a ready made front break holster for a Ruger SP101 with
4+ inch barrel. I suggest you look at Rusty Sherrick's web page.
C. Rusty Sherrick Custom Leather Works - Custom Concealment Holsters
He makes an (almost) exact copy of the Berns-Martin Universal Speed
Scabbard, on which Bianchi's 27 & 2800 were based.
Being a custom maker he can probably make what you are trying
to get.

As I recall, we have been down this road before, a year or so ago
You are left handed, even more reason to think custom maker.

Naphtali · Jul 31, 2017

Red:

The holster-leather books you recommended I read, Packing Iron: Gunleather of the Frontier West and Blue Steel and Gunleather, I just picked up at the post office. I'm looking forward to several days of enjoyment during education.

rednichols · Jul 31, 2017

Naphtali said:
Red:

The holster-leather books you recommended I read, Packing Iron: Gunleather of the Frontier West and Blue Steel and Gunleather, I just picked up at the post office. I'm looking forward to several days of enjoyment during education.

Fun test: in P.I., find the only Threepersons holster in it (outside of the similar 1950s fast draw holsters) despite its coverage well into the 20th century

. There is only one and it's not called out as such. Hint: very obscure maker.

Comparing Bianchi models 27 and 2800?

Naphtali

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