Bianchi or Galco Holster

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Hi All

After 4 months plus I just got delivery on my Ruger GP100 - 4 inch.

I'm looking for a comfortable holster that I can carry for hours while in the field hiking.

I'm leaning toward a Bianchi Thumbsnap 5BHL.
I'm also considering the Galco Dual Position Phoenix and the Wheelgunner Belt Holster.

I would appreciate all comments on the above, and other suggestions that y'all may have.

Thanks much.
 
Holsters are a very, very... did I mention very, personal thing.

The Bianchi 5BHL is a very nice, lined rig. The Galco Phoenix DP is as nice, if not a bit nicer as the 5BHL, with the advantage of cross-draw positioning.
The Wheelgunner is an unlined holster who's claim to fame is "universality"... kinda handy if you ever wake up one morning and discover that you're left handed. :p

The Triple K model 440 "Lightning Two-way" is available unlined or lined and allows strong or cross-draw. Basket weave is optional if you like that sort of thing.
There are a boatload of custom makers... you can research them to your hearts content, but none will dramatically improve on the holsters listed for quality and functionality.

Cheers,
C
 
I don't think they are personal in any way. Try them both and see what ya like. I do recommend handling them both, pictures are not worth 1000 words!
 
comn-cents said:
I don't think they are personal in any way. Try them both and see what ya like.
Click to expand...

I agree with the second sentence in the above paragraph, but when combined with the first sentence, it sounds somewhat contradictory.

Personal choice or preference is not a deciding factor in the purchase of a holster?
Not trying to start an argument here, but I'm very curious. If you have the time, could you spend a bit of it in elaboration of the above comment? Thank you.

Cheers,
C
 
I would suggest checking out/comparing any product you are thinking about buying.
Well, I guess I was contradicting your veryveryveryveryveryveryvery statement:p
 
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I much prefer to order real quality, and wait to get it. Accordingly, most of my holsters are Sparks, Brommeland, and Nossar.

When I have bought lesser quality I am never satisfied and end up going for the best with a drawer full of poor quality holsters.

I would not buy either Bianchi or Galco.

Jerry
 
Both Bianchi and Galco make fine holsters. Pick the one you like the best and give it a try. As mentioned, holsters are very personal and what works for me might not work for you. It really is trial and error.

No matter what holster you go with, make sure that you are supporting it with a good leather gun belt. Even a Milt Sparks holster will suck if you are supporting it with a dress belt from Sears. A belt really is the most important part of your CCW rig.
 
Bianchi 5BHL is my standard go-to holster, whenever I don't want to wait to order something from El Paso Saddlery.
 
Well I realize this is a couple days old, but you did mention you were going to continue researching:

For my part, I like both of the Galco choices better than the Bianchi choice, judging from the product photos. Both Galco choices cover at least part of the trigger area, while the Bianchi does not.

The Wheelgunner uses a thong rather than an audible snapping thumb break.

The phoenix has a thumb break, but doesn't quite seem to fully cover that trigger and guard. One of the Mass Producers I didn't see on your list was Blackhawk. They have a Multi-position that I liked the design/fit of in their sample photos... fully covered trigger, thumb break. I don't think they make a Serpa retention holster for revolvers.

And sure, this is one in a million type of stuff, but do you want to draw that short straw? There's a Detroit Police officer in the news right now being investigated because his weapon went off and shot and killed a young woman at a fish fry he was hosting. According to the news reports he didn't even touch the gun. She touched his waist and may have fired the weapon herself through an accident while it was in the holster.

The last point to make is - Looking at a couple of the "custom" holster makers, I don't see one in the style you have preferred, but it might be worth checking out. Even more so if you want to carry concealed, IWB are much more concealable than scabbard or pancake.
 
I must side with Creeper...holsters are a VERY personal issue. That is one reason why there are so many different styels and choices. There are some guys that will carry in no other mode than IWB. Myself, IWB has never been a prefered way for me to carry. All of my holsters have thumb breaks...some people wouldn't dream of carrying with a thumb break. Leather/kydex, FBI cant/no cant, tuckable/loop-over...these are all personal choices. I think holsters can be as personal as the choice of weapon itslef.
 
Bianchi UM84R black nylon holster...

Did you look at the practical Bianchi-intl UM84R model?
I had a black UM84R & used it often on armed security details.
It has a flap & can be converted to wear different ways. It fits 1.75" to 2.25" belts.
One minor point is that the UM84R's metal hooks may dig into your side(gut).
You may not have this problem.

The holster is based on the US military's M12 nylon holster which has been in use since the mid-1980s. Prices vary depending on color, style. NatchezSS.com is where I purchased my holster.

www.bianchi-intl.com
 
Holster Options

I ordered a custom kydex holster from L.A.G. Tactical and have nothing but good things to say about it. They have very competitive prices and a much faster turn around than some of the other custom holster makers. The ordering process was cool too, I emailed with the owners of the company to make sure that the holster I would receive was built exactly to my specifications! They also provide two sets of belt loops to allow both open and concealed carry which is a really cool feature! Check out their website for some pics, www.lagtactical.com
 
Thank you all so much for the great advice.

I wound up buying a Bianchi 111 Cyclone; it has a crossdraw option, thumb snap, suede lined, and nice leather. I love it.

Thanks again to all my 2nd amendment Brethren.
 
This is toGP100man

For some reason I do not have the necessary box to quote you.

At any rate, I agree with you about the belt. I'm researching them now.
What belt do you use for your GP100?
Thanks.
 
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