American Handgunner May/June 1978

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An Over-The-CounterCombat Rig that PerformsLike a Champion"Pistolero"stitch design through the middle and forBy MIKE BARACHor those handgunners that are caughtF up in competitive combat shooting,the Bianchi leather firm is now offeringtheir new Pistolero combat rig. The outfithas been designed for optimum performanceand comes equipped with a 2'/2"suede-lined belt, newly dehigned holsterwith leg strap, and a quick-draw magazineholder. The holster is made to accommodatelarge frame Colt or Browning autos.The test rig sent to me is typical of Bianchi'squality and workmanship. All toolingand stitching is very well done.The "Pistolero" is available in eithertan or black, with a plain finish being standardin both. The outfit is attractive inboth colors, however I'm rather partial totan. Unfortunately, the basket-weave designisn't available on the rig. It doesn'tmake the outfit perform any better, butwould enhance its looks in my opinion.The rig's fully contoured belt is 2'/2"wide with suede lining on the inside toprevent slippage on the hips while drawing.For good looks, it's given a fancyadded strength it is outline-stitchedaround the edges. The right side of thebelt is indexed for holster placement andonce secured in position with the two retaining-screws,is motionless.Author found the Pistolero rig comfortable whilepracticing on his self-constructed combat course.Entire rig presents a rugged, neat appearance. Overallquality of leather, stitching and workmanship was tops.54 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE <strong>1978</strong>
The newly designed holster boasts ametal reinforced sight channel, Auto-Flexgun retainer, full leather face and lining,and last but not least a leg strap. The holsteris well designed, being very rigid forboth strength and protection as well as offeringa snag-free draw. It is angled slightlyfor increased speed in clearing the gunfrom the top of the holster. Bianchi's reinforcedmolded sight channel (metal lined)is, no doubt, a very good feature for combatshooting as the front sight is betterprotected and it also uses the channel as aguide way as the gun slides in and out ofthe holster.The Auto-Flex gun retainer is a newidea that utilizes molded surgical rubbermade much like the conventional safetystrap. The Auto-Flex is, however, a littleshorter and because it is made of rubber,stretches, applying tension that securelyholds the gun in the holster. The Auto-Flex retainer slips over the auto's cockedhammer serving as a safety. In order toiconvince myself of the safety of the gunwhile cocked with the Auto-Flex in position(over the hammer) I pushed in on the? Colt's grip-safety and forced the triggert back with a small screwdriver. The hammerwas held back by the retainer anddidn't so much as start to move. There'sThe Grip w.,,J magazine pouch holdstwo spare clips securely, yet theycan be withdrawn with little effort.no doubt in my mind of the safety theAuto-Flex offers. It likewise holds the gunvery securely in the holster, even if onewere to go as far as to perform backwardsomersaults.(There is usually some formof rigorous movement required atmatches to insure the safety of the holsterbeing used) I've been accustomed to theleather safety straps oil my other huntingand combat holsters, but the Auto-Flex isstronger due to the tension applied and inmy opinion safer than the leather type, butI must admit that I had some difficultyusing it. Naturally, it's newness had a greatThe Pistolero combat rig comes complete with holster, leg strap.belt and Grip Clip magazine holder. Author's Gold Cup is shown.Auto-Flex strap ,- of suiy,calrubber. It holds pistol in placeand blocks hammer from firing pin.deal to do with the awkwardness I experienced,but the tension does make a differencein replacing it over the hammer. Itrequires more force to stretch it over thehammer and this is where I ran into somedifficulty with it I believe that once a personhas become thoroughly familiar withthis stretch-type retainer no major handlingproblems would arise. I'm certainthat the inconvenience of becoming ac- ..customed to it through practicing would be 'outweighed by its ability to positively holdthe aim " in the holster as well as affording "protection against accidental firing.As far as leg-straps go, there's little tobe said of them other than that 1 personallyprefer to have one on any type of quickdrawrig, as it's a good feature. Having theholster remain next to the leg while drawinghelps speed and I don't know of a bet-ter way than the use of the leg-strap., . . ~The last accessory of the "Pistolero"~outfit is almost as important as the holster.Bianchi's "Clip-Grip," as it is called,enables the user to very quickly remove afresh magazine and ram it home with littlethought or effort. The "Clip-Grip" incorporatesan adjustable tension screw tohold the magazines as loosely or tightly asone desires. The magazines are separatedapproximately 3/4' by a round bushingmade of rubber. The "Clip-Grip" is notstationary and may be positioned anywhereon the belt.I've been using the Pistolero Combatrig for a good while now and other thanthe difficulty I had getting used to theAuto-Flex gun retainer, I'm very happywith the outfit's looks, styling, and over-allperformance. The rig fits me well, andthus is comfortable while running throughthe course. My Gold Cup slides in and outof the holster with some resistance but it'snothing to be greatly concerned about, asthe holster is still a bit tight from beingrather new.All in all, the "Pistolero" is a lot of rigfor the money. It's available at your localdealer or direct from Bianchi,retailing at $89.95.'$MERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE <strong>1978</strong>
Page 1 and 2:
OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE OUTSTANDIN
Page 3 and 4: Colt service.Our network of Authori
Page 5 and 6: FOUNDATION, INC.30016 S. RIVER ROAD
Page 7: efurbish an historic Canadian fort.
Page 12 and 13: happening is increased if the firin
Page 14 and 15: For quick andeasy referenceAMERICAN
Page 16 and 17: A MUST FOR THEGUNAND CARTRIDGECOLLE
Page 18 and 19: PoRk. COPTALKCOMBAT STANCES FOR POL
Page 20 and 21: ITA LOOK AT FULL-LENGTH SIZINGBy DA
Page 22 and 23: ANDGUN silhouette shooting has en-
Page 24 and 25: The OMCA Preference for an Outside
Page 26 and 27: Customized OMC below barely showsth
Page 28 and 29: Base for the new grips was made fro
Page 30 and 31: Right hand Auto-Mag grip was madefr
Page 32 and 33: The . r I. .Little Match That Could
Page 34 and 35: '0.shooting positions for each succ
Page 37 and 38: Above: This .45 Commander shows the
Page 39 and 40: My approach to curing end shake isn
Page 41 and 42: or six inch factory tube that you'r
Page 43 and 44: I use about a45' bevel on the outsi
Page 46 and 47: tandai 'd accuracy set up by Swenso
Page 48 and 49: TheTools ofHeyday ofWestern Style F
Page 50 and 51: IWhere our readers and writers tell
Page 52 and 53: HI-COMPRESSION22 CAL- PELLET FIRING
Page 56 and 57: SPEED SAFETYFOR THE BROWNING HIGH P
Page 58 and 59: IGenuine walnutstocks for allphases
Page 60 and 61: 7 .can be just as damning as a gunt
Page 62 and 63: decided to go all out for this "spe
Page 64 and 65: USE LIKE A MARKING [TOUCH ~ ~ \ L l
Page 66 and 67: (Continued from page 52)ried their
Page 68 and 69: INTRODUCTION TOSILHOUETTE SHOOTING(
Page 70 and 71: '.I .. 8 ' . . . the only magazine
Page 72: and sohot we call itWhen your 22 ha
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American Handgunner May/June 1978

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