Bulldog IWB?

Cheapshooter · April 4, 2015, 12:18 AM

Has anybody found a hybrid IWB holster (Crossbreed style) that will work for a Charter Bulldog? I have not found anyone listing that type of holster for a Bulldog.
I read somewhere that one made for a Ruger SP101 will work well. Anybody have experience with this?
I know the Theis Holsters I have for three other guns are said to be hand fitted, and checked with the specific model they are ordered for.

Model12Win · April 4, 2015, 12:33 AM

I'm VERY interested in this too! I'm a new Bulldog owner, and need an IWB holster.

I looks on Crossbreed's website, and looked at the mini holster they have. I didn't see it available for ANY revolvers... not sure why that is. Seems like some untapped potential there. I really like the looks of the design, and would love one for my Bulldoggle.

Interested in what others have to say on this.

Mixed Bang · April 4, 2015, 04:54 AM

I have a 3 inch Bulldog Classic and it fits fine in my Sideguard Snap Tuck IWB (all leather).

Mixed Bang · April 4, 2015, 04:57 AM

Forgot to state the Sideguard Snap Tuck was made for my 3 1/8" Ruger SP101 in .357

psyfly · April 4, 2015, 06:12 AM

I don't have a crossbreed-style holster, but any holster I have had for a Ruger SP101 fits my Bulldog well.

Two favorites of mine:

Mernlicke IWB (marked SP101):

Classic Old West Styles OWB (marked SP101):

I suspect a crossbreed-style for the SP101 would do, as well.

Best,

will

Cheapshooter · April 4, 2015, 08:46 AM

I don't really care for the all leather IWB. I've had trouble with my first IWB all leather holster "crushing" under the belt when the gun is removed making reholstering without removing the holster, or belt very difficult if not impossible.
My concern is that the Kydex "holster" part of the hybrid design is formed to fit a particular gun, and has no flex like leather. A vicious circle, that flex also being what allows the holster to crush under pressure.
I have emailed Alien Gear asking if they have had any feedback from customers on the issue. I'll do the same with Tommy Theis who's holsters I have for three other guns, and am very pleased with.

psyfly · April 4, 2015, 09:33 AM

Re: "crush":

1) The Mernlicke is quite stiff with reinforced band at top (I suspect steel) and doesn't crush.

2) That said, re-holstering, whiile easy-peasey with the SP101, can be difficult with the Bulldog's wider cylinder. I've had to assist with the off hand but never found it necessary to remove it.

W

Cheapshooter · April 4, 2015, 10:15 AM

That metal reinforced band might be the ticket. The JMG I have (in a drawer somewhere!

) for my XD40 Sub Compact is heavy leather with a heavy leather strip reinforcing the opening.

Model12Win · April 4, 2015, 12:25 PM

I like the Crossbreed style... looks like it would be much flatter and print less than the various leather holsters I'm seeing. The Bulldog is already thick enough around the middle, I'd rather not add an extra 1/4-1/3" bulk from a thick leather holster.

I don't know why Crossbreed hates revolver shooter. Maybe I'll email them and ask them just that LOL.

Model12Win · April 4, 2015, 03:54 PM

UPDATE:

I just e-mailed the CrossBreed holster people and while they said they didn't have a holster for the Charter Bulldogs, too check back in a couple months.

Not sure if this means they'll be offering it soon, but perhaps? I will certainly get one if they do. I'd love to have one for my 2.5" Charter Bulldog.

Cheapshooter · April 4, 2015, 08:21 PM

I also got a quick response from Tommy Theis. I'm a little late posting because my system was down all day, and I didn't go out to a place with WiFi.

Quote:

there are no dummy guns for the 44 bulldog. not sure about sp101. if you want to try one I will give you a full refund if it does not work.

I may give others a little while to see what they have to say, but the Theis, which I already have three of that I am happy with, may be the way I go.

Cheapshooter · April 4, 2015, 10:03 PM

And now from Alien Gear.

Quote:

Hey Bob,

Looking at the pictures of the two, I don’t think
our holster would be a good fit for your Bulldog.

Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.

turkeestalker · April 5, 2015, 08:08 AM

This is a photo of my Shelton Conn. 44 special Bulldog in a crossbreed holster made for an SP 101 that I own not marked with a manufacturers name. I am sorry but I do not remember who the manufacturer of the holster is. The cylinder swell in the kydex is a bit small for the Bulldog's cylinder, but it actually slips right in and holds very well. I would guess that any made for an SP 101 would work just fine.

Cheapshooter · April 5, 2015, 12:37 PM

Thanks turkeestalker, just what I was looking for. With Tommy Theis' offer to take it back if it doesn't work, and my previous great experiences with him, I will be ordering a Theis IWB for a Ruger SP101.
Winnie, if you can hold on a bit I'll let you know how it works out.

Edited: reinstalled! LOL, sorry turkeestalker, don't ya just love auto correct?

Model12Win · April 7, 2015, 10:35 AM

Okay great! Hopefully it works well, I really need an IWB for my Bulldoggle when it gets back from Connecticut.

Cheapshooter · April 7, 2015, 11:38 AM

Ordered it Sunday with confirmation yesterday. They say 2-3 weeks right now. But my other ones came in about ten days, and they had made the same time estimate.

JERRYS. · April 7, 2015, 02:26 PM

I imagine if the Theis 3" sp101 holster work just as good for the bulldog, he will be getting a few more orders.

April 4, 2015, 12:18 AM	#1
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	Bulldog IWB? Has anybody found a hybrid IWB holster (Crossbreed style) that will work for a Charter Bulldog? I have not found anyone listing that type of holster for a Bulldog. I read somewhere that one made for a Ruger SP101 will work well. Anybody have experience with this? I know the Theis Holsters I have for three other guns are said to be hand fitted, and checked with the specific model they are ordered for. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

April 4, 2015, 08:46 AM	#6
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	I don't really care for the all leather IWB. I've had trouble with my first IWB all leather holster "crushing" under the belt when the gun is removed making reholstering without removing the holster, or belt very difficult if not impossible. My concern is that the Kydex "holster" part of the hybrid design is formed to fit a particular gun, and has no flex like leather. A vicious circle, that flex also being what allows the holster to crush under pressure. I have emailed Alien Gear asking if they have had any feedback from customers on the issue. I'll do the same with Tommy Theis who's holsters I have for three other guns, and am very pleased with. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

April 4, 2015, 09:33 AM	#7
psyfly Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 932	Re: "crush": 1) The Mernlicke is quite stiff with reinforced band at top (I suspect steel) and doesn't crush. 2) That said, re-holstering, whiile easy-peasey with the SP101, can be difficult with the Bulldog's wider cylinder. I've had to assist with the off hand but never found it necessary to remove it. W __________________ Show me the data

April 4, 2015, 10:15 AM	#8
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	That metal reinforced band might be the ticket. The JMG I have (in a drawer somewhere!) for my XD40 Sub Compact is heavy leather with a heavy leather strip reinforcing the opening. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

April 5, 2015, 12:37 PM	#14
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	Thanks turkeestalker, just what I was looking for. With Tommy Theis' offer to take it back if it doesn't work, and my previous great experiences with him, I will be ordering a Theis IWB for a Ruger SP101. Winnie, if you can hold on a bit I'll let you know how it works out. Edited: reinstalled! LOL, sorry turkeestalker, don't ya just love auto correct? __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING! Last edited by Cheapshooter; April 7, 2015 at 11:34 AM.

April 4, 2015, 12:33 AM	#2
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	I'm VERY interested in this too! I'm a new Bulldog owner, and need an IWB holster. I looks on Crossbreed's website, and looked at the mini holster they have. I didn't see it available for ANY revolvers... not sure why that is. Seems like some untapped potential there. I really like the looks of the design, and would love one for my Bulldoggle. Interested in what others have to say on this.

April 4, 2015, 04:54 AM	#3
Mixed Bang Junior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 6	I have a 3 inch Bulldog Classic and it fits fine in my Sideguard Snap Tuck IWB (all leather).

April 4, 2015, 04:57 AM	#4
Mixed Bang Junior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 6	Forgot to state the Sideguard Snap Tuck was made for my 3 1/8" Ruger SP101 in .357

April 4, 2015, 12:25 PM	#9
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	I like the Crossbreed style... looks like it would be much flatter and print less than the various leather holsters I'm seeing. The Bulldog is already thick enough around the middle, I'd rather not add an extra 1/4-1/3" bulk from a thick leather holster. I don't know why Crossbreed hates revolver shooter. Maybe I'll email them and ask them just that LOL.

April 4, 2015, 03:54 PM	#10
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	UPDATE: I just e-mailed the CrossBreed holster people and while they said they didn't have a holster for the Charter Bulldogs, too check back in a couple months. Not sure if this means they'll be offering it soon, but perhaps? I will certainly get one if they do. I'd love to have one for my 2.5" Charter Bulldog.

April 7, 2015, 10:35 AM	#15
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Okay great! Hopefully it works well, I really need an IWB for my Bulldoggle when it gets back from Connecticut.

April 7, 2015, 11:38 AM	#16
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	Ordered it Sunday with confirmation yesterday. They say 2-3 weeks right now. But my other ones came in about ten days, and they had made the same time estimate. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

April 7, 2015, 02:26 PM	#17
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,968	I imagine if the Theis 3" sp101 holster work just as good for the bulldog, he will be getting a few more orders.