One of Red Nichols Bianchi designs - 111 Cyclone for a .45

[sceva]

I got this Older US made Crossdraw only Bianchi 111 for a .45 Auto for a great price. From the photos it looks to be barely used, Just a little verdigris to remove from the snap. I always like this crossdraw design; it won't be my main holster for my 1911 but there are times a crossdraw is just right. I hope it is as nice as it looks when it arrives.

 

[sceva]

Well it arrived; better than expected. This holster is practically new, I don't think it was ever used. Not bad for $42 shipped to me That is the good news. The bad new is that it does not appear to like the extended safety and won't snap. Suggestions? I may try fooling with it to see if I can stretch it but I don't want to hurt it or, heaven forbid, have the strap move the safety off. I like the extended safety on this 1911 but I guess they can cause issues with some holsters. I could leave it unsnapped but that defeats the purpose of having a strap. Per Red Nichols who designed this it is the extended safety tab causing the issue; it was made to work with a standard Colt Safety. I could try wetting and stretching but instead I am leaving it alone and moving it on to someone else that won't have this issue - It's heading for Colorado. It is a great holster but I have others that'll get more use.

I am actually surprised by this as my Bianchi 13A Scorpion has a very similar thumb break strap that snaps closed OK. I think the pistol goes in just a little deeper on the scorpion.

 

[sceva]

The Cyclone didn't work out for me but I still have these.

Main Holster is an original Lobo Gun Leather pancake





For those times that another choice is better ( long trips?) I have this Bianchi 13A Scorpion

 

[6518John]

I would write Red and ask him what to do. He has always bent over backwards to answer any question I have.

 

[Ameshawki]

Not unusual with older holster designs and pistols with newer features. I have an Alonzo for a Smith 39 that simply will not snap on my 5906.

 

[sceva]

I would write Red and ask him what to do. He has always bent over backwards to answer any question I have.

I did; he gave a suggestion that did not work. The Safety lever is the problem and since I am not changing it the holster went to a new home.

 

[Doug M.]

Not unusual with older holster designs and pistols with newer features. I have an Alonzo for a Smith 39 that simply will not snap on my 5906.

*
They are not the same and properly made holster for one should not work for the other.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Shove the UNLOADED pistol in as far as it will go, then snap it closed, leave it for a week, and it will be fine.

 

[Rat458]

Shame that didn't work for you.
I have the same for my S&W 69.
Very good holster for a production piece.

 

[sceva]

Shove the UNLOADED pistol in as far as it will go, then snap it closed, leave it for a week, and it will be fine.

That was the advise I received from Red Nichols, including rapping the muzzle end hard on the counter. It did not work. The problem is twofold; there is a heavy welt the trigger guard butts up against limiting how far it can be inserted and the strap system was designed around the standard (military style) safety lever so it's just too short to go over the wider and longer current style extended safety lever. A great holster and design for someone that has the standard safety lever.