Bianchi X15 vs 2100 Phantom Shoulder Holster

[jmclfrsh]

This might be a question for Red, but I thought I'd throw it out there so he could educate us a little on these two Bianchi products.

Besides the thumb break that secures the weapon inside the holster on the 2100, which I might prefer over the the strap, are there any other differences?

And why was the 2100 produced, when the X15 was already in production, had a great reputation and was well established?

 

[rednichols]

The X2100 did not originally have a thumb snap.

It was created because the X15 spring creates what customers considered to be objectionable 1. muzzle drag (because they don't lift to draw, they drag it out through the opening); and 2. wear and tear to the leather inside that opening because of the dragging. Guns are sharp!

So the X2100 spring is completely different from the X15's. The latter spring is a simple U, doubled into a parallel U with the 'bight' at the muzzle end of the pistol. So it can only open just so far before it resists; and overdoing that will weaken the spring. The former spring, is a true torsion spring: the 'bight' is back behind and then above the front sight and is so far from the bending 'moment', that it releases the muzzle much more easily and doesn't get weaker.

Initially we also thought it would solve the problem of the springs 'falling over'; but when one looks through eBay auctions you'll see that both can have 'collapsed' springs: one edge of the holster opening is substantially overlaid the other and this can't be fixed even by replacing the spring.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Great info, Red, thank you. I have seen a lot of shoulder holsters with the condition you described, now I will know what to call them.

 

[jmclfrsh]

Thank you Red, very much appreciated.

I like knowing about the collapsed spring now, too, just like 6GUNSONLY. That is great to know as I’m actively pursuing vintage Bianchis right now for my 6” and 8 3/8” 629s, 29 and 57.

 

[jmclfrsh]

Thanks to your info, Red, I passed on two I was looking at as they had collapsed springs.

I jumped on this one I passed up because it would need a harness - and it is practically new!

 

[ColbyBruce]

The X2100 also had a recess for the cylinder to sit in.

 

[ColbyBruce]

X2000 & X2100 holsters with the over lap Red describes. Still very serviceable holsters. I bought the X2000 in 1980.

 

[Laketime]

Not to mention the suede lining

 

[ColbyBruce]

A thumb strap X15 in VGC

 

[ColbyBruce]

A Triple K copy of a Bianchi X2000

 

[ColbyBruce]

The Bianchi 209; I don’t believe a finer shoulder harness for a S&W Chief’s Special will ever exist.

 

[jmclfrsh]

So which one proved more popular overall: the 2100 or the X15?

Also, ColbyBruce, how do you like the thumb break on the 2100?

 

[ColbyBruce]

I do not honestly know, Red likely does have sales and popularity figures. My guess would be the X15, as it handled both semi-autos and revolvers.

I did not like the thumb snaps; the straps were removable if one chose to do so. I have a few others that my son took when he took his guns.

 

[jmclfrsh]

I sniped this X15 in the last 45 seconds tonight for $47.00.

Been watching it for almost a week.

 

[Arisin Wind]

I do not honestly know, Red likely does have sales and popularity figures. My guess would be the X15, as it handled both semi-autos and revolvers.

The X2000 and x2100 also were made for semi-autos.

 

[rednichols]

So which one proved more popular overall: the 2100 or the X15?

Also, ColbyBruce, how do you like the thumb break on the 2100?

The X15, which was cheaper and a multi-fit. Remember some of this is determined by which one the dealer chose to stock and the X15 being multi-fit made it an easy choice. Nevertheless the X2000/X2100 was hugely popular in its day. And copied by many, in an era when we didn't know about product configuration trademarks (the distinctive appearance is itself a trademark and a property right).

 

[lowgun]

Are all three models now out of production? Any idea of current value?