Holsters for 8-3/8" barrel

[Haldor]

I am looking for a decent belt holster for my Model 29 with an 8-3/8" barrel. My main choices seem to be a bandoleer style hunting holster which would be ok for a scoped pistol, but seems a bit much otherwise. A shoulder holster which I have never liked with any pistol. Or this (a Bianchi 12688 Cyclone).

I like the looks of the Bianchi, but was wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with it. It is suede lined which concerns me about damage to the pistols finish. Any other holster recommendations I should consider?

 

[borntoraisehogs]

I have owned several Bianchi and liked them a lot . The suede lining was less injurious to the finish than any other holster I have had . I have owned the 8 3/8 and love them too , but do yourself a favor , get the Bianchi if you like for standing , and riding hoss or bike ,but get a quality leather shoulder rig if you are going to actually carry that beauty even occasionally .
P.S. I keep my guns out of my holsters unless actually packing and keep my holsters in dust free containers . Dirty holster is like sand blasting .

 

[310Pilot]

In my experience, Bianchi has always made good holsters, and I sold a lot of them when I owned a gun shop a number of years ago. I haven't any experience with the current iteration of the Cyclone, but carried a 2.5" Model 66 in one of the first Cyclone's (crossdraw only) for many years, never a problem with it, or with any of my other Bianchis. The lining is meant to protect the finish of the gun, as "bare" leather will work the bluing off the barrel end, parts of the cylinder, etc., a lot faster - you only need to keep the lining clean of dirt and heavy dust.

Another practical, but far less elegant, solution is a "ballistic nylon" holster. I use one to carry my 8 3/8" Model 27 if I'm not using a shoulder rig, and it works quite well, though I wouldn't necessarily want to try drawing rapidly from it, a leather holster would be much faster.

BTW, you might want to try a leather Bianchi shoulder rig. Many years ago, I carried a 6.5" Model 29-2 every day, and I found the Bianchi X-15 shoulder rig to be the most comfortable (and most practical) way to carry it. If properly adjusted, a good shoulder rig will distribute the weight of a big gun like that, making it a relative breeze to carry. I always found belt carry of that gun to make me concerned about the possibility of having my pants automatically pulled down - a little heavy for on the belt carry in most situations. Interestingly, I haven't had that problem with the 27, but, then again, it is not a carry weapon, only used for target shooting and some woods time.

 

[BUFF]

I bought the equivalent Safariland holster for my first 8-3/8" Model 29. It was fine when standing up, other than trying to pull my pants down. But any kind of sitting, even on fallen trees and most rocks, was problematic.

I think they really call out for some kind of shoulder or chest rig.

My current 8-3/8" Model 629 is really calling out for a chop down to 5". I have found that I like my double action revolvers 6-1/2" or less.

 

[4inch357]

I use a Bianchi Accumold with mine - it only sees use as a back up hunting gun.

 

[Haldor]

Thanks for the info. If I got the Bianchi I would most likely use it cross-draw. I carry with a Beltman Horsehide belt and Perry suspenders so I think I will be able to keep my pants up. I would mostly use this holster for hunting (sitting in a tree-stand) so the cross-draw option seems reasonable. I do like cross-draw for horseback carry also.

I have been looking at the Galco Kodiak KK130H holster as well. This is a bandoleer style holster that seems to be well designed for moving cross-country. I will be honest the idea of sticking that monster up into my armpit is not even vaguely attractive. I have carried a 1911 in a shoulder holster and it was not comfortable. This is the Kodiak holster.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Go to El Paso saddelry's website and check out their 1942 anker holster. They are very reasonably priced, especialy for what you get, and the suspension points are made differently for different models of guns.

Here is a direct link to that page. Click on one of the holsters in the square next to the Tanker model, and another larger window will open up to read.

Hunting/Field Holsters

I have been using Galco, and Bianchi holsters for years. I always get the lined version, and have never had any bluing issues. I don't keep my guns in any kind of holster, they are only used for carrying when hunting. The suede lining prevents damage to the finish. Most guns damaged by holster use, are guns that ride in unlined holsters. I also have them with pigskin lining which works about like suede, without the worry of dirt getting caught in the lining.

I am not sure if you can get the Galco Phoenix in the length you want, but if you can, they are great holsters for strongside, and crossdraw use. I love mine for my 5" N frames.

 

[Haldor]

Followup.

I just found the Bianchi Ranger which will fit my pistol. Has anyone got any opinion about these?

I prefer the aesthetics of leather, but I really hate field holsters with suede linings because if one bit of grit gets embedded in the lining your gun is going to get scratched up. I don't mind a bit of holster wear, but unnecessary scratching is uncalled for.

 

[Haldor]

Go to El Paso saddelry's website and check out their 1942 anker holster.

Hunting/Field Holsters

Thanks for the link. These look to be exactly what I have been looking for.

 

[lawdog45]

I use an EL Paso Saddlery Tom Threepersons Cross Draw with a gunbelt by El Paso, Hanging the big 29 on your pant belt will have you constantly hiking up your pants. This rig works. My belt has 6 cartridge loops.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Followup.

I just found the Bianchi Ranger which will fit my pistol. Has anyone got any opinion about these?

I prefer the aesthetics of leather, but I really hate field holsters with suede linings because if one bit of grit gets embedded in the lining your gun is going to get scratched up. I don't mind a bit of holster wear, but unnecessary scratching is uncalled for.

I have the Bianchi HuSH ( Hunting Shoulder Holster) system for scoped revolvers, and it is very similar to the EPS Tanker in function, but is ballistic nylon. It has a very good shoulder harness system, with great padding for the shoulder, and distributes weight very nicely. It can also be worn as a hip holster, which does add versatility to it. The bandlolier style is very comfortable with large handguns. I bought this one many years ago when they first cam out, for my Ruger SRH, but it works great with my F/A 83 .475 when it is scoped. I tried my 8 3/8" 29-2 in it, and it will also work, though some type of spacer would need to be employed to keep the gun positioned at the bottom side of the holster. The same rig can be purchased for an unscoped revo though, so that's whet I would do if I were to buy a new one now.

 

[Sportsterguy]

In my experience, Bianchi has always made good holsters, and I sold a lot of them when I owned a gun shop a number of years ago. I haven't any experience with the current iteration of the Cyclone, but carried a 2.5" Model 66 in one of the first Cyclone's (crossdraw only) for many years, never a problem with it, or with any of my other Bianchis. The lining is meant to protect the finish of the gun, as "bare" leather will work the bluing off the barrel end, parts of the cylinder, etc., a lot faster - you only need to keep the lining clean of dirt and heavy dust.

Another practical, but far less elegant, solution is a "ballistic nylon" holster. I use one to carry my 8 3/8" Model 27 if I'm not using a shoulder rig, and it works quite well, though I wouldn't necessarily want to try drawing rapidly from it, a leather holster would be much faster.

BTW, you might want to try a leather Bianchi shoulder rig. Many years ago, I carried a 6.5" Model 29-2 every day, and I found the Bianchi X-15 shoulder rig to be the most comfortable (and most practical) way to carry it. If properly adjusted, a good shoulder rig will distribute the weight of a big gun like that, making it a relative breeze to carry. I always found belt carry of that gun to make me concerned about the possibility of having my pants automatically pulled down - a little heavy for on the belt carry in most situations. Interestingly, I haven't had that problem with the 27, but, then again, it is not a carry weapon, only used for target shooting and some woods time.

Go for the shoulder holster like pilot suggested. MUCH more comfortable and way less cumbersome than a belt rig for that hogleg. Still carry my 6" 57 in the Bianchi X-15 as he does and it's still secures the 57 very well after 26 years. Also makes carrying a backpack very doable as the shoulder rig will not get into the way of your waist straps. The belt rig will make packing one a PITA.

 

[Haldor]

Well, I got a screaming after Christmas sale on the Bianchi 12688 Cyclone so I have one on the way ($72 shipped from Optics Planet). The Bianchi Hush holster looks very interesting also, and I really like several of the other holsters as well. I'll bet I end up with at least 3 or 4 holsters before I am all done. Oh well, why should I only have a drawer full of concealed carry holsters? I will just need to use a longer drawer for the Model 29 holsters.

I really love fine leather work and that Bianchi Cyclone looks nice so I am sure I will enjoy it, even if it doesn't work out for hunting. I am a such a sucker for a nice example of leather work (or finely machined metal for that matter).