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Bianchi X15 Shoulder Holster
- Thread starter JimH
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canoeguy
US Veteran
I had one for a 6" Model 629, I liked it but it was difficult to wear concealed. The leather harness would be exposed near your left shoulder unless you zipped up your jacket all the way. You had to wear a fairly loose fitting jacket to conceal it as well, a suit or sport jacket would never work.
It was a comfortable rig though, held the revolver securely, and could make a fairly speedy draw.
It would make a great field holster for winter use.....
It was a comfortable rig though, held the revolver securely, and could make a fairly speedy draw.
It would make a great field holster for winter use.....
Arisin Wind
Member
I like the Bianchi X15. It holds the gun securely and they are very well made. The only downside is the elastic strap. When you carry a heavy gun it tends to give too much and after awhile it looses its strength.
I had a box of "old" shoulder holsters that had the elastic strap that was worn out. I hadn't used them in years. Instead of throwing them out I made a leather harness to replace the elastic strap. I modeled it after the harness used on the Dirty Harry holster and the military shoulder holster used by pilots near the end of the Viet Nam war. I made some changes such as using a heavier leather that is 1 inch wide so the weight is spread out more. I also eliminated the leather ties using Chicago screws which allows the leather to pivot better. This also does away with the leather ties printing and makes the harness more comfortable. The end result was a very comfortable shoulder holster. The wider straps and pivot points greatly improved the carry characteristics. I've converted a couple of X-15s, a Safariland, and a few other shoulder holsters I had laying around unused for years breathing new life into them.
I had a box of "old" shoulder holsters that had the elastic strap that was worn out. I hadn't used them in years. Instead of throwing them out I made a leather harness to replace the elastic strap. I modeled it after the harness used on the Dirty Harry holster and the military shoulder holster used by pilots near the end of the Viet Nam war. I made some changes such as using a heavier leather that is 1 inch wide so the weight is spread out more. I also eliminated the leather ties using Chicago screws which allows the leather to pivot better. This also does away with the leather ties printing and makes the harness more comfortable. The end result was a very comfortable shoulder holster. The wider straps and pivot points greatly improved the carry characteristics. I've converted a couple of X-15s, a Safariland, and a few other shoulder holsters I had laying around unused for years breathing new life into them.
Vulcan Bob
Member
It make's for a good wood's/hunting holster.
dfariswheel
Member
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The X-15 is an very old model and still a good one.
However, in my opinion, the original Lawman "Dirty Harry" is possibly the best vertical shoulder holster ever made.
www.LawmanLeatherGoods.com
However, in my opinion, the original Lawman "Dirty Harry" is possibly the best vertical shoulder holster ever made.
www.LawmanLeatherGoods.com
Arisin Wind: interested in purchase for my X15
Hello,
I found your invention yesterday while searching for an answer on a way to rejuvenate my Bianchi X15 for j frame.
I realize it's been a while sine the post originated, but
Are you still making replacement straps for the worn out elastic?
Thanks,
Lamar
Hello,
I found your invention yesterday while searching for an answer on a way to rejuvenate my Bianchi X15 for j frame.
I realize it's been a while sine the post originated, but
Are you still making replacement straps for the worn out elastic?
Thanks,
Lamar
I've had a few X-15's, but never really cared for the way they were fitted to the guns. I like the Safariland 1040 better (right). I'm not fond of the Safariland 101 (left), because it relies on elastic to retain the gun instead of a spring steel insert, has no retention strap and is not very secure. The 1040 is well molded to the gun and has a cloth shoulder strap which holds up much better than the elastic on the X-15 or 101.
Once upon a time my idea of a good time was to take my 6 1/2" 29-2 and go running down through the woods hunting hogs, deer, etc. I routinely carried it in a Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster. I was not trying to cc that 29 in a business suit or a tuxedo. I was using it to carry my 29 usually while wearing a t-shirt or BDU's, etc. It worked very well. Later I found that I preferred a 4" over a 6 1/2" barrel and a cross-draw Bianchi Cyclone holster for hunting, etc. Nowadays I still find I prefer either a Cyclone or a El Paso Saddlery Tom Threepersons holster.
Larry from Bend
Member
This thread takes me back!! 30 years ago I carried a Walther PPK/S in a Bianchi X15. It worked well but (as already stated) the straps WERE difficult for me to conceal near my neck. It was a quality rig and quite secure even without any retaining strap.
I use both the Safariland and the Bianchi models mentioned by s&wchad. The Bianchi is for an 8 3/8 N frame and the Safariland for a 6.5 N frame.
I've come to the same conclusions others on this thread have. Recently I ordered a shoulder holster from the A. E. Nelson Leather Co. for a 6.5" X frame. That firearm amplifies other issues apparent with smaller framed guns. Nelsons "Untouchables" model works well for a hunting holster and I'm pleased with my decision to buy one. Pictures from their website are shown below.
A. E. Nelson Leather Co.
You may want to check out their option to the other brands mentioned. I found the "Untouchables" design to solve some of the issues common with the others. They'll custom make their leather straps to accommodate various torso fit requirements on request which is a big, big plus in my experience...
JMHO
I've come to the same conclusions others on this thread have. Recently I ordered a shoulder holster from the A. E. Nelson Leather Co. for a 6.5" X frame. That firearm amplifies other issues apparent with smaller framed guns. Nelsons "Untouchables" model works well for a hunting holster and I'm pleased with my decision to buy one. Pictures from their website are shown below.
A. E. Nelson Leather Co.
You may want to check out their option to the other brands mentioned. I found the "Untouchables" design to solve some of the issues common with the others. They'll custom make their leather straps to accommodate various torso fit requirements on request which is a big, big plus in my experience...
JMHO
Sportsterguy
Member
It's a great hunting, hiking, outdoor rig! It's the only way I've ever carried my 6" model 57 after I bought it in 84 up in Kodiak , Alaska and wore it almost everyday as the wx could be terrible. You can pack a gun up there just about anywhere and I did. Lucky guys! Still do wear it when I'm deer and hog hunting.
For a 27 YO rig it's leather has held up very well. I did have to replace the elastic strap 5 or 6 years ago from a rig I bought at a GS for 20.00. and it's still holding up well. If I have to do it again I'll go Arisins route for replacement. Also have a sprare holster from the deal. For the money you'd be hard to find a better one, especially a used model that hasn't had much use. Plenty of them around as lot's of folks don't like SH's after trying them out. Them SH's are a great way to pack when riding the motorcycle or taking long trips in the car, though I still prefer IWB for trips.
Never worried about CC with the Bianchi as I have my Commander, Springer or 2.5" 66 for that use. With a zipped up jacket the Bianchi will handle a 6" N frame for that duty if you have it properly adjusted.
I've seen em on E-Bay and at gun shows for real cheap and they are worth the money IMO. A Lawman is a very nice holster but my old Bianchi handles the same job with ease and cost WAY less. No ones going to see it if you have a jacket on so looks don't do anything for me.
My spring still has solid tension, leather and snaps are secure and it's never fell out when climbing up and down some serious mountains after sheep and mountain goats and mine doesn't have the retaining strap.
For a 27 YO rig it's leather has held up very well. I did have to replace the elastic strap 5 or 6 years ago from a rig I bought at a GS for 20.00. and it's still holding up well. If I have to do it again I'll go Arisins route for replacement. Also have a sprare holster from the deal. For the money you'd be hard to find a better one, especially a used model that hasn't had much use. Plenty of them around as lot's of folks don't like SH's after trying them out. Them SH's are a great way to pack when riding the motorcycle or taking long trips in the car, though I still prefer IWB for trips.
Never worried about CC with the Bianchi as I have my Commander, Springer or 2.5" 66 for that use. With a zipped up jacket the Bianchi will handle a 6" N frame for that duty if you have it properly adjusted.
I've seen em on E-Bay and at gun shows for real cheap and they are worth the money IMO. A Lawman is a very nice holster but my old Bianchi handles the same job with ease and cost WAY less. No ones going to see it if you have a jacket on so looks don't do anything for me.
My spring still has solid tension, leather and snaps are secure and it's never fell out when climbing up and down some serious mountains after sheep and mountain goats and mine doesn't have the retaining strap.
Arisin Wind
Member
Wow this thread goes back a ways. I haven't made the harness in awhile. I stopped when my mom got cancer. She was in the hospital 5 months. My Dad drove 35 miles every day to visit her. I'd go out to their house and mow the yard and keep things up since my Dad was at the hospital staying with Mom and at 78 wasn't doing well. Two weeks after she was released from the hospital my Dad passed away. Kind of out of the blue. He was struck by lightning a few years ago his heart was goofed from that. It finally gave out. My brother and I took care of Mom every day. Cooking, cleaning, doctor's visits. She lost her battle with cancer 10 months after Dad passed. With all that going on I just didn't have time for other things.
Yesterday I was cleaning out my workshop and found a completed harness in a bag ready to go. I thought I'd offer it on the forum as a Karma. Well, lo and behold Lamar I see your first post is about the harness. So, it's yours. PM your address to me and I'll mail it to you. Welcome to the forum.
Arisin Wind
Gosh. That's very kind of you. I sure didn't expect this. I'm so very sorry for your sorrows. I lost my dad to a brain aneurism in '82 and I'm taking care of my mom who has Alzheimer's disease. Can't decide which is worse.
May I pay your postage ? I haven't figured out PMs yet, but will send my address to you as soon as I do. Thanks, Lamar
Gosh. That's very kind of you. I sure didn't expect this. I'm so very sorry for your sorrows. I lost my dad to a brain aneurism in '82 and I'm taking care of my mom who has Alzheimer's disease. Can't decide which is worse.
May I pay your postage ? I haven't figured out PMs yet, but will send my address to you as soon as I do. Thanks, Lamar
