Holster Makers, the Big 2 of the 1970s..........

[lawandorder]

...........It is hard for me to enjoy vintage S&Ws with out including some of the items that folks bought to go with them be it ammo, holsters or other accessories.

Chances are very good if you bought, used, or carried a S&W in the 1970s you spent some money with one of these two companies. They both produced outstanding products that are still very serviceable today.

There are many very good leather makers that are members of this fine forum, Eaglestroker, Lobo, Gregintenn, Snubbyfan,Lefty, of Bell Charter Oak,Bamabiker, and Dave Keith to name a few. I am sure that some of these Gentlemen were influenced at least to a small degree by these companies.

Plastic sucks! Long live these folks who carry on the tradition of leather holsters!

Bianchi & Safariland.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I have a few of those brands myself

I was surprised you had no shoulder holsters in your photo.

I also like Alessi, DeSantis, Don Hume, and Galco products.

When it comes to price, simplicity, and excellent retention the Glock Sport/Combat holster deserves a mention. I don't feel that it hugs the body well enough to be a true concealment holster under every circumstance, however it is fine for it's intended purpose.

 

[O2Guy]

I love me some old leather!

 

[rburg]

I thought Safariland bought out Bianchi, or part of the line. I'm still wearing a Bianchi belt. I'll wear it until I get too fat or it can't hold in the blubber.

Its not the best that concern me, it was my wasting money on the lower lines (like the S&W brand). They just never seemed to carry right. Always some little defect that made me sorry I spent money on them.

 

[Fishslayer]

Bianchi's a name I well remember even though I never owned a handgun til '08.

An LGS was having a closing doors sale & I picked up this 19L for my Ruger KP90. The package was old & yellowed but nothing wrong with the holster.

If we can get rid of The Hero of Ruby Ridge maybe I'll have a use for it someday.

I think I heard that in later years they moved production offshore?

Anyway...

 

[Texas Star]

Those brands have definitely been the standard for me, although I also like El Paso Saddlery, and they do some custom work that Bianchi and Safarland won't. In any event, the last Safariland catalog I saw had mainly synthetic police gear with complicated release systems.

I think Bianchi's No. 5BHL and the equivalent Safarilamd Model 29L are two of the best holsters yet for general use. They are not meant as concealment rigs, though.

I've had no problem with their linings, and my guns' finishes weren't worn from carrying. I do normally wear stainless guns.

For those who miss Safariland's Model 29, El Paso Saddlery has an almost duplicate version.

 

[G-Mac]

I think that I have a black, aluminum, Bianchi flashlight around here somewhere....the kind that holds 6 D-cells. Somewhat similar to the Mag-Lite.

 

[Texas Star]

I think that I have a black, aluminum, Bianchi flashlight around here somewhere....the kind that holds 6 D-cells. Somewhat similar to the Mag-Lite.

And I bought a deluxe Kel-lite from Safariland about 1980. It has a three-way switch, the only Kel-Lite I ever saw that did.

Unlike the Mag-Lite, the switch doesn't have a little rubber cover that pops off. My Mag-Lite experience hasn't been too good.

 

[Fishslayer]

I think that I have a black, aluminum, Bianchi flashlight around here somewhere....the kind that holds 6 D-cells. Somewhat similar to a nightstick.

Fixed that.

Back in the day we knew those LAPD guys didn't really need that 6 cell flashlight to see in the daytime...

 

[majick47]

Agree that Bianchi and Safariland were the major mfgs in holsters and had some great products. I have a nice selection of holsters, ammo pouches etc from that period. How about Bucheimer? In fact I have a question re one of their holsters I havn't been able to ID from any of the charts posted on S&W. Black lined holster, model # B.01.004.L.69P. If I was to take a wild guess it's for a short barreled auto in 9mm or 45. My guess it's from the 80s mfg in MD. I'll update with a photo.

 

[mtelkhntr]

What about S&W branded leather?

Years ago I bought a misc. box of "stuff" at an auction and it wasn't until years later when I picked up a 686 and remembered a holster or two in the box did I dig into it and found a S&W leather holster just made for it.

I assume they farmed out the production but the fit and finish is pretty nice.

 

[CH47gunner]

Everybody's got a box full - Old leather that is.
Most every gun store I've ever gone in has a "junk" holster box. I've made some good scores there. Couple of Bianchis, no Safariland tho.
Here's a couple of my old leather favs.

H.H.Heiser w/M66-4 & G.Lawrence w/M19-3

 

[turnerriver]

Great thread, lawandorder. I like Bianchi products as well and think they're collectible. I've been in touch recently with Red, Bianchi's head of product development way back in the day. He's working on a book on holster design and development.
Here's the young man himself on the front of his 1963 catalog.

Inside guest appearance by a natty Jeff Cooper.

Two Bianchi 9R shoulder holsters I've kept-one marked prototype and one with an interesting sticker inside.
Again, great thread-thanks for starting it.

Regards,
turnerriver

 

[turnerriver]

Agree that Bianchi and Safariland were the major mfgs in holsters and had some great products. I have a nice selection of holsters, ammo pouches etc from that period. How about Bucheimer? In fact I have a question re one of their holsters I havn't been able to ID from any of the charts posted on S&W. Black lined holster, model # B.01.004.L.69P. If I was to take a wild guess it's for a short barreled auto in 9mm or 45. My guess it's from the 80s mfg in MD. I'll update with a photo.

B01-004 should be a black Concealer model holster, size code 69 is for a S&W 469 .9 mm pistol, not sure about the L or P. per a 1985 catalog.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[cavsix]

On duty, we in SoCal used Tex Shoemaker, Safety Speed Holster, and, of course Hoyt, while they were in Costa Mesa.

 

[majick47]

Bianchi/Safariland Holsters

Turnerriver I'v been looking high and low thru the Bucheimer catalogs and couldn't find an 80s catalog. I figured it might be for a S&W auto by the size/outline but great to know now that's for a S&W 469 9mm. I have another 80s Bucheimer plain black lined Consealor for a S&W M19 2.5 with a speedloader pouch attached to the font top of the holster with a brass belt loop on it, havn't seen another like this one.

 

[joeintexas]

Yeah I gotta agree, there's just something about good leather that plastic can't compare to. I have had good luck with both Galco and Safariland. Plus I never heard anyone say how good plastic smells!

 

[Wyo]

I spent the better part of a day once with Neal Perkins, the founder of Safariland, back in the mid-'80's. This was when they were still in Monrovia, CA. Toured his factory and bought a holster for a 6 1/2" Model 29 from him. He was a fascinating guy to visit with, one of the best examples of American drive and ingenuity I ever met.

 

[hittman77]

Shown here is a Safety Speed ..... I think they were from CA.

Just south of us in St. Louis was a maker called Brauer Brothers that were very popular in these parts.

 

[CajunBass]

At one time I had several Bianchi holsters. Sold and traded them off, sometimes before I knew better, just let them go with a gun in a sale/trade.

Today, the only thing I have left from then, is a book...

"Blue Steel and Gunleather" by John Bianchi.