needknees
02-06-2008, 02:20 PM
Bianchi Shadow II for Glock 26
Another holster I picked up on a whim. I found it on sale and wanted to try an OWB holster for the G26 because it's so short... so I got it. Construction seems decent, the leather boning isn't as heavy as nicer holsters, but then again this didn't cost anywhere near what a "nice" leather holster runs so who cares. The pistol slides in reasonably easily but it did take some breaking in to be able to hook the thumb break. The holster has two front cuts for your belt so you can run it straight drop or FBI cant.
Holster front
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_034.sized.jpg
Holster back
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_035.sized.jpg
OPEN WIDE
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_036.sized.jpg
G26 secured in holster
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_037.sized.jpg
Another view
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_038.sized.jpg
Side profile, concealed
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_043.sized.jpg
Side, arms up over my head
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_044.sized.jpg
Ass shot
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_045.sized.jpg
Side profile, uncovered
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_047.sized.jpg
Rear view, uncovered
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_048.sized.jpg
Top view
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_049.sized.jpg
Alternate top view
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_050.sized.jpg
Holster make and model
Bianchi Shadow II
Price
Found it on closeout for $30 bucks. They usually go for ~$50.
Holster construction
8/10
Decent leather, decent boning, decent thumbstrap construction and one hell of a snap. ...Decent. Bianchi has always made pretty nice stuff at a reasonable price. The finish on the leather isn't fantastic but it's a concealment holster, who gives a shit. I would have preferred black but this one was cheap.
Gun fit
10/10
It's size specific but it certainly does fit that particular size well. It was a huge bitch to get the thumbbreak fastened at first, but after the holster has broken in a bit it's not bad. I would rather have something in slide style so I could use it with the G23 but it does fit the sub-compact Glocks perfectly.
Gun retention
10/10.
It's a thumb break holster. That gun isn't coming out unless you want it to. This is my first thumb break holster and I don't really care for it. It's an added step to the draw process and the holster is so stiff sometimes it takes a huge pull to clear the top strap. I'd rather have an open top holster but at least I know for sure my pistol is secure. I just need to practice with it more.
Holster attachment (or holster retention)
10/10
I like how Bianchi gives you options on how to carry the holster, but would prefer something with a fixed FBI cant and a bit of material taken off the bottom and front of the holster because I never carry straight drop. It's a slotted pancake type holster - it's not going anywhere.
Comfort
7/10, but getting better.
Not bad. It bothered me at first because of how the holster dug into my side, but the more I wear it the more comfortable it gets. I like how short it is - you don't really notice it at all while sitting.
Stability
8/10
Very stable. This is also getting better as the holster breaks in and conforms to my belt and side.
Concealability
7/10
I'm not used to carrying with an OWB holster so this is just personal preference. I'm definitely more conscious when carrying with this holster, but as the above pictures showed it's just fine with a big enough tee shirt. I've been using a sweatshirt while carrying with this holster and because of the elastic, it rides up a bit and stays *right* at the bottom of the holster. I need to find a better concealment garment to use with this holster and it'd be fine.
Overall
8.5/10
Another holster I picked up on a whim. I found it on sale and wanted to try an OWB holster for the G26 because it's so short... so I got it. Construction seems decent, the leather boning isn't as heavy as nicer holsters, but then again this didn't cost anywhere near what a "nice" leather holster runs so who cares. The pistol slides in reasonably easily but it did take some breaking in to be able to hook the thumb break. The holster has two front cuts for your belt so you can run it straight drop or FBI cant.
Holster front
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_034.sized.jpg
Holster back
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_035.sized.jpg
OPEN WIDE
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_036.sized.jpg
G26 secured in holster
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_037.sized.jpg
Another view
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_038.sized.jpg
Side profile, concealed
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_043.sized.jpg
Side, arms up over my head
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_044.sized.jpg
Ass shot
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_045.sized.jpg
Side profile, uncovered
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_047.sized.jpg
Rear view, uncovered
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_048.sized.jpg
Top view
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_049.sized.jpg
Alternate top view
http://230grain.com/images/rsrh/02_05_2008_050.sized.jpg
Holster make and model
Bianchi Shadow II
Price
Found it on closeout for $30 bucks. They usually go for ~$50.
Holster construction
8/10
Decent leather, decent boning, decent thumbstrap construction and one hell of a snap. ...Decent. Bianchi has always made pretty nice stuff at a reasonable price. The finish on the leather isn't fantastic but it's a concealment holster, who gives a shit. I would have preferred black but this one was cheap.
Gun fit
10/10
It's size specific but it certainly does fit that particular size well. It was a huge bitch to get the thumbbreak fastened at first, but after the holster has broken in a bit it's not bad. I would rather have something in slide style so I could use it with the G23 but it does fit the sub-compact Glocks perfectly.
Gun retention
10/10.
It's a thumb break holster. That gun isn't coming out unless you want it to. This is my first thumb break holster and I don't really care for it. It's an added step to the draw process and the holster is so stiff sometimes it takes a huge pull to clear the top strap. I'd rather have an open top holster but at least I know for sure my pistol is secure. I just need to practice with it more.
Holster attachment (or holster retention)
10/10
I like how Bianchi gives you options on how to carry the holster, but would prefer something with a fixed FBI cant and a bit of material taken off the bottom and front of the holster because I never carry straight drop. It's a slotted pancake type holster - it's not going anywhere.
Comfort
7/10, but getting better.
Not bad. It bothered me at first because of how the holster dug into my side, but the more I wear it the more comfortable it gets. I like how short it is - you don't really notice it at all while sitting.
Stability
8/10
Very stable. This is also getting better as the holster breaks in and conforms to my belt and side.
Concealability
7/10
I'm not used to carrying with an OWB holster so this is just personal preference. I'm definitely more conscious when carrying with this holster, but as the above pictures showed it's just fine with a big enough tee shirt. I've been using a sweatshirt while carrying with this holster and because of the elastic, it rides up a bit and stays *right* at the bottom of the holster. I need to find a better concealment garment to use with this holster and it'd be fine.
Overall
8.5/10