Bianchi 5BHL Thumbsnap Holster - Ruger Sp101 3-Inch (Tan)

Long story short, if you’re left handed and you want a field carry holster for a 3” SP101, it’s either this or you contact a custom holster maker.No, I’m not going to tell you this is as good as a custom made holster; but for a gun I rarely carry, and even more rarely carry afield, it fits the bill, and the gun, just fine. Thumb snap provides good retention, and reholstering isn’t horrible, but you are going to have to spend practice some practice time learning to re-engage the thumb break while the holster’s on your hip. Given the exposed trigger, though, I’m quite happy the thumb break is as tight across the hammer as it is, since you don’t have to worry about getting a branch or a vine in the trigger guard with it snapped in while you’re hiking along.

I purchased this for a 3" S&W J frame and the fit is perfect. Other reviews have mentioned that the thumbsnap needed to be stretched to fit and I did not find that to be the case. This is a size 3 on the Bianchi size chart and fits a 3" J frame perfectly. While the holster fit on the firearm is perfect, the belt slot is very snug and is going to require some stretching and break-in. I tried it using a 1 1/2" belt of fairly normal thickness and it took a lot of effort to squeeze the belt through the belt slot.The holster is made in Mexico and shows very good craftsmanship as is typical of Bianchi products and Mexican leather goods in general. The main disappointment is in the holster lining. This is a Bianchi model 5BHL, which means that it is supposed to be suede lined. If the lining is suede, then it is the most coarse suede that I have ever seen. This is the only thing that keeps me from giving this holster 5 stars. The firearm that the holster will be used with is stainless steel, so blue wear is not an issue. However, it is certainly not the luxurious lining that I have seen in Bianchi holsters of the past.

Typical fit and finish you would expect from a Bianchi. I purchased an almost identical holster years ago for $100. Difference one made in USA this one made in Mexico and $50. Quality appears to be the same, very very good. Shipped fast. Couple of days to Texas. This holster was listed as for the Ruger sp101 but the pics are for a j frame Smith in 3”. The smith fits perfectly. No stretching, no forcing. Snug and perfect.If you have a j frame 3 inch this holster is for you. Mine is a 60-15.

The holster fits my Ruger SP101 like a glove, and though the strap was tight after leaving it snapped for a while it now fits pretty well. It takes a while for the leather to stretch around the top of the hammer. I anticipate that it will continue to stretch and close easier with continued use. My only comment regarding something that was of a bit of a surprise is that the gun cants forward quite a lot more than I would have anticipated. It is not really a problem...I just had not anticipated it.

This holster was 100% quality and a good dollar value but I returned the first one as it was to tight to snap. Without taking the holster off my belt and messing with it, the snap just would not reach for my Ruger SP101. I also have a 2 1/4" barrel, and this is made for a 3" gun.I am exchanging it for a 2nd one that hopefully will have the leather go over the gun and make the snap without killing my fingers. If it does snap, I'd give this product a 5 star. If it does not again snap without a fight, I'd it is a zero star.

I have packed my 3 inch 101 for years in a Bianchi nylon open-ended slide holster.. The problem is that I hike the high desert of Utah and every time I sit down I risk ramming the muzzle into dirt or rocks. There are plenty of leather holsters with closed ends for the shorter barrel, but I have had trouble finding such a holster for the 3 inch model. This 5BHL holster appears to be the perfect solution. The craftsmanship is excellent. I especially like the double stitching on the belt loop and the fact that the loop is molded to make it easier to get on and off the belt. I wear mine on a 1 1/4 inch standard jeans belt, and the holster rides high and comfortably tight to the body. I was somewhat concerned about the holster being lined when I ordered. I wanted a compact holster, and Amazon did not carry the unlined model of the Bianchi. But the lining is thin, and the holster is solid and compact.Here's the only problem. The thumb-break strap rides right on the tip of the hammer spur. Getting the strap snapped over the gun the first time is a challenge. I struggled and finally succeeded by liberally lubricating the holster with swear words. I'm at a loss why Bianchi does not notch or scallop the strap to dodge the hammer spur. I considered notching it myself, but I would have had to cut through some of the liner stitching. Having finally snapped the strap, I left the gun in the holster for a week, and the strap now snaps, barely. I suspect the hammer spur may wear a hole in the lining in time (as in a "long" time).I'm delighted I found this holster. All in all, it is a fine holster for a great price.

I received my tan Bianchi 5BHL holster today and I couldn't be happier. It fits my 3" barreled Ruger SP101 perfectly, the leather is absolutely beautiful and the craftsmanship is great. I especially like the nice, snug fit. You'll need to work the thumb-break flap a bit to stretch it just a hair for the SP101, but if you've owned anything made of leather before you'll know this is no big deal--the leather stretches easily if the holster is snapped open and closed a few times or if left snapped closed for a while. A firearm being snug in a holster is SO much better than if it were loose. I would buy the 5BHL again and recommend it highly to anyone who wants a beautiful example of nice holster workmanship.