New Forumer with Bianchi X2100 Phantom questions

[Cheno]

Hello! I have two quick questions about a Bianchi X2100 Phantom holster I just bought:

First question: When is the spring considered "collapsed" on these? I have included pictures, both empty and with a revolver. Personally, I think it holds the revolver well, but I don't have a lot of experience with this particular model of holster.

Second question: Is it acceptable to thread the retention strap through the trigger guard, behind the trigger? The strap is too thick to slip under the tip of the trigger and end up in FRONT of the trigger where bad things can happen. With the strap BEHIND the outside of the trigger guard, the trigger can still be moved rearward enough to have a UID, but with it INSIDE and BEHIND the trigger, it keeps the hammer from getting to the falling/firing position of a full trigger pull. The strap pulls through upon drawing with minimal drag, is what I have found, so far, but I would like to hear from more-experienced holster collecting forum members, please.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[rednichols]

The spring inside these Bianchi shoulder holsters is so powerful that as the leather aged and softened, they often turned inside the leather and the holster collapsed.

On the other hand there are many that haven't and appear on eBay often. Here's a friend's in Canada whose is as old as yours and it is as-new even today.

Also, a view of the spring removed from my own for the 1911. Mine is also like new and was purchased to measure its spring power vs other designs such as the vintage Bianchi X-15.

Your should discard your holster because the collapse cannot be corrected and no longer reliable for retention. Gunleather makers never did expect their products to last 50 years and more although Heiser made such claims for their simple products ("no man ever outlived his Heiser holster").

 

[Cheno]

Thank you for the information! Fortunately, it was a "whim buy" amd not a huge investment. I'll keep that in mind in the future for this particular model. I tend to collect a lot of these, (X15's, Bucheimer-Clarks, etc.) and some turn out better than others. Worse comes to worse, I may just keep the straps for parts.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Cheno, the gun in your photo looks oversized for that holster. What is the model of the handgun? The holster appears to be for a K frame.

 

[Cheno]

It's a Model 13-2 K frame. 4" barrel. Fits nicely into it...Cylinder lines up with holster pocket, etc. Could be the way I had it set up for the picture, perhaps? I've got the retention strap threaded behind the trigger inside the trigger guard. The holster, itself, was marked for .357/.38 Special....Here is a picture of the 13.

 

[The Norseman]

Under Wire

I have two Bianchi Shoulder Holsters. I hated
those clamp springs so much.

What I did was release the tension by
carefully cutting the the legs off and
shortening the length in the bottom
leather. A cowboy boot repairer re-sewed
bottom for a better muzzle fit.

What keeps the Revolver in place is the
Retention Strap, and how the muzzle sits
down at the bottom. So much better.

Also the Rear Sight hole is re-cut to fit
better. A semi flexible semi soft cut to
fit piece of foam (removal) is used for
4” barrels. Take it out for the 6” barrels.

The Retention Strap goes behind trigger
guard for stability.

The Best to you and your Endeavors

 

[The Norseman]

Felt Protection

Oh yeah, I cut Felt (in the shape of the
Cylinder recess), and glued in place.

I did this to protect the Revolver Cylinder
from getting scratches from the raw leather
there. I use a lint brush sheet to clean the
Felt if need be.

 

[Cheno]

Those are some good ideas! Thank you!