Bianchi 9R

[Dark Knight]

Wanted to try an upside down shoulder holster for my 649 Bodyguard and found a deal on one. Got a like new one from an estate sale for $25.00. It comes with an extra holster marked for "S&W 357". I'm hoping that one will fit my 2 inch model 12.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Nice!

How do you like it?

 

[Dark Knight]

I bought it online. They received the money today. Should have it by Friday. The guy had a bunch of new never used holsters and not one over $25 dollars. Most of it was sold by the time I found the add. I wish I would have found it sooner, would have loved to pick up the Alessi Officers holster they had. I'm just glad the 9R was left, been looking for one for awhile.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

If you don't like it, let me know! Every time I find one on fleaBay, it goes for way too much money.

 

[ironhead7544]

The 9R is excellent. Great concealment.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

This is one of my favorite shoulder holsters because I can actually draw weak handed from it if necessary. The draw won't be fast, or pretty, but it can be done.

Here's some information from a gentleman who worked at the Bianchi plant years ago:

"all the holster designs in the 9 series were called Special Agent: Bianchi called its first elastic-retention upside-down shoulder holster the Model #9; the Model #9R with simple spring and internal recesses followed it; and the Model 9R2 that added the dual belt slots and the hammer spur guard completed the series. The latter is the best of the series for retention; the harness itself was essentially unchanged over the series."

As I recall, he explained that the Model 9 holsters (also called the "Bianchi Lightnin" came in different sizes to accommodate 2.0 to 3.0 inch barreled revolvers. I have a couple of 9R1 and 9R2 holsters that will accomodate 2.0 inch barreled J-frames, Colt Detective Specials, and a 2.5 inch barreled S&W K-frame Model 66.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Dark Knight]

Thanks for the info. Can't wait to give it a try. I was getting it for my 649 but the extra holster for the k frame 357 will let me use the the airweight model 12 also. I think the guns weigh about the same but the k frame gives me an extra shot.

 

[gkitch]

I believe that the 9R Agent was a continuation of a Bern Martin holster after Bianchi bought them up. The Berns martin was the holster for the book version of James Bond, BTW.
Great shoulder holster for a small revolver. Ignore the belt slots though...useless in this capacity.

 

[koz5614]

I bought an old 9R1 for my 940 and really dig it. I paid more than $25 though. You stole that thing. I like the J frame version so much, that I just bought a 9R2 from a forum member for my 66-1. Enjoy it.

 

[Dark Knight]

Received the holster today, it looks brand new. It's an extremely cool design and seems very comfortable in the little time I've played with it. Makes me wonder why they seem to have fallen out of favor.