Bianchi - Manufacturer

Being part of the firearms industry usually means you have to be a manufacturer or reseller of firearms. But it’s not necessary to be a producer of guns just to be part of the industry and succeed. Some companies became well known through their products that supports firearms and its users. One of those companies known for manufacturing gun accessories is Bianchi which is known for their holsters for different pistols.

Bianchi is a California based company established in 1958. The company was founded by John Bianchi, a police offer from Southern California. Instead of the regular holsters that could hold different guns, Bianci developed holsters specific to different sizes of guns. This has practically changed the trend on how holsters are made. Instead of holsters purely for holding guns, it is now manufactured to give comfort to the users while protecting the gun. The first holsters released by Bianchi were the 5BH/5BHL and 19/19L models. When these holsters were released in the 60s it was immediately noticed because of its fixed size for the barrel. 70s brought the “breakfront holster” which is practically a type of holster that provides forward opening for easy and fast draw.

The company was also among the first adopters of holsters that requires shoulder carry. The typical design used today was patterned to the X15 holster, also designed in the 60s by Bianchi. The success of the shoulder holster has opened the doors for Bianchi in selling holsters for gun concealment purposes.

The Bianchi M12

The M12 design of Bianchi maybe their most significant for the company because of the time spent in developing this type of holster. Developed independently for four years, the M12 because the US Armed Forces choice of holster. The last holster selected by the USAF was more than 70 years earlier when the M12 was selected during the 80s. The main feature of the M12 is its nylon component which ensures that it’s lightweight as well as durable. This type of holster can also withstand varying weather conditions and temperatures. This is also the first in the firearms industry and the concept was rarely emulated because of the efficiency of the manufacturing practices of Bianchi.

Pinch Retention Device and Slide-Lock

Two additional innovations developed by Bianchi in the efforts to improve gun retention. The first innovation was the PRD or the Pinch Retention Device. It’s a small device added in the trigger. This device is integrated in holsters to ensure retention with improved control. Another innovation is the Slide-Lock mechanism. This provides more customization for the user as the lock could be configured according to the preferences of the user. These innovations will in no way decrease the ability for instinctive draw of the users. This instead helps in controlling the handgun as the holster stays in place.

AutoRetention

Bianchi is continuously coming out with new and innovative designs for safety and control. Among them is the AutoRetention holsters which automates retention of the handgun to the holster. It’s practically a small machine but it doesn’t have much additional weight to maintain the quality of the holsters.