It’s not unusual to see something old come back in style, updated with modern touches. This is exactly what you get with the Bianchi Shenandoah holster. It combines the elegant look of leather with the durable and form-fitting benefits of polymer.
In times past, leather was not just the premium option for quality holsters; it was one of the few options. The craftsmanship of a leather holster was measured by the quality of the hide and the precision of the stitching. A premium leather holster molded to the body over time and looked better as it aged. It developed a unique patina that made it stand out as a high-end handgun holster.
Then came the modern era. Polymer and Kydex transformed the holster industry. These hard, molded synthetic holsters did offer a distinct advantage. They provided an exact fit and came with various levels of retention for added security. They did not stretch, warp, or absorb moisture from sweat or rain. Polymer holsters maintain their shape indefinitely. Because the holster retains its shape, you can re-holster your handgun easily, without needing to force the top of the holster open.
Even though polymer holsters became the go-to holster for duty, many still appreciate the benefits of a quality leather holster. So why not have both?
Today, we are looking at the Bianchi Shenandoah concealment holster that can be worn inside and outside the waistband.
Bianchi Shenandoah: The best of both worlds
The Bianchi Shenandoah uses a hybrid construction to focus on the best qualities of both leather and polymer. On the exterior, Bianchi uses premium full-grain leather. This leather gives it that classic, high-end appearance. For those who appreciate quality leather holsters, you can see the craftsmanship in not just the leather on this holster, but the stitching as well. Underneath the leather exterior is an injection-molded polymer core.
This interior polymer structure retains the holster’s shape, even when the gun is drawn. It is engineered to fit your specific firearm model, so make sure you specify which model when ordering. I ordered mine for an M&P Shield 2.0, and it fits perfectly.
When you holster your handgun, you will hear a distinct “click.” This is caused by a mechanical retention device built into the holster. It is not a locking device like you would see on a duty holster, but a polymer wedge system that puts pressure on the gun when holstered. When holstered, the trigger guard wedges between two “paddle” shaped pieces that cover the trigger guard.
As you push the handgun into the holster, you can feel some pressure before it suddenly falls into place as you hear that click.
The Shenandoah uses an open muzzle design, so any dirt or debris that gets into your holster will free-fall out. It is also compatible with optics, so you can use it with or without an optic mounted to your handgun.
Adjustable Passive retention
Holsters that have passive retention are designed to keep the gun from falling out while walking, running, and performing normal daily activities.
They are often made to carry the gun up against your side, or inside your waistband, but the gun can be pulled from the holster without manually releasing a locking device. This is why they do not carry a retention level.
When I use a concealment holster with passive retention, I want the retention to be strong enough to keep the gun from falling out of the holster should I end up on the ground or needing to run.
How strong is the passive retention?
To test the passive retention on the Shenandoah, I turned it upside down and shook it up and down. The gun remained in the holster until I was using just about all my strength. At this point, the gun fell from the holster as the force of the downward motion and the weight of the gun overpowered the retention device.
That is about the right amount of retention for this type of holster. If the retention was any stronger, it would be too hard to draw from the holster. As it is now, I can easily draw the gun from the holster, but it will not fall out without significant downward force.
But don’t worry, if you want the retention to be lighter or stronger, it is adjustable. There are two screws on the back of the holster. Simply adjust them to the desired retention. Just keep in mind that if you get them too tight, the handgun can become hard to draw.
Bianchi Shenandoah Specifications
- Holster Type: Hybrid inside-the-waistband (IWB) and outside-the-waistband (OWB) multi-use design
- Exterior Material: Premium full-grain leather for classic aesthetics and comfort
- Interior Material: Rigid, injection-molded polymer core for shape retention and secure firearm fit
- Retention Type: Adjustable retention device with an audible click to confirm the firearm is locked in place
- Attachment Hardware: Included robust belt clips for IWB carry and interchangeable belt loops for OWB configuration
- Optics Compatibility: Cut specifically to accommodate modern red dot / optical sights
- Sight Channel: Clear, integrated channel designed to prevent front sight snagging and support suppressor-height sights
- Muzzle Design: Open-muzzle profile to allow debris/moisture passage and accommodate extended or threaded barrels
Seamlessly Switching Between IWB and OWB
Most holsters are designed to be carried either inside or outside the waist. The Shenandoah holster does both, which is cool. For some of my medium-sized handguns, I end up buying two holsters so I can choose between IWB or OWB carry. Being able to use one holster for both saves a lot of money and just makes things a little simpler.
In the package, you get everything you need to switch between both configurations easily. It comes with IWB belt clips already attached that snap over the outside of your belt as you place the gun inside your waistband. They keep the holster tucked tightly inside your pants for good concealment. The smooth leather exterior is comfortable against your body as well.
If you prefer to carry OWB, the conversion process is simple and fast. You swap out the IWB clips for the OWB belt loops. All you need is a Philips screwdriver. There are three screws on each clip, so take them out and screw on the belt loops, and you’re ready to go.
I tend to carry IWB during the summer months and switch to OWB in the winter because my jacket will conceal the firearm. OWB is the most comfortable, so as long as I can conceal it, that’s how I like to carry.
You can’t go wrong with leather and polymer
For less than $100, this is a great deal for a quality holster. It’s leather and polymer, and it works for inside and outside the waist carry. It comes with a small wrench for adjusting the retention screws and a small rubber “push pad” that can be attached in seconds. This push pad goes on the back of the holster, near the bottom, and pushes the button of the holster away from your side. This causes the top of the holster to move even closer to your side, making it more concealable.
Transitioning the holster from IWB to OWB only takes a few minutes, and the high-quality leather looks great on the holster. This is a perfect holster for those who want the leather look and the benefits of a polymer molded holster at the same time.
