Charter Arms Classic, .44 Special

Trooper Joe · Sep 7, 2018

My new Charter Arms Classic, .44 Special.

First time at the range. Shot this group at 15 yards with PMC 180 grn, JHP (it will be my ammo of choice.

Interesting enough, I first shot some 240 grn, lead FN, Magtech cowboy action ammo. It recoiled harder, shot about 4" high at 15 yards, and could only get about a 3" group.

I really want a S&W .44 Special in an "L" frame configuration. Someday I hope to find a model 24 although I think they were "N" frames. I do have a real nice 581 that I could get converted to a .44 Special but I hate to ruin the 581.

Just thought I would share this with you. If anyone has a line on a S&W .44 Special, lease PM me.

Trooper Joe

typetwelve · Sep 7, 2018

I love my two Charter revolvers (Bulldog and Pitbull). Funny enough though, my Bulldog shoots silly low (6"+) if I use the sights "properly".

OLDSTER · Sep 7, 2018

I am an avid S&W revolver fan like most forum members. But I also real enjoy my Charter Arms Undercover. Ya just can't beat them for the money. This is a Bridgeport ca. 1970

rockquarry · Sep 7, 2018

I've never had a Charter Arms but have been curious about them for years.
Do they hold up well to regular shooting?

Qc Pistolero · Sep 7, 2018

I've always liked their look.They really mean business!

les.b · Sep 7, 2018

Although I no longer have a Charter Arms, I have had two in the past, a .44 Bulldog and a .38 Undercover. They were both fine revolvers, and I greatly regret parting with them. I bought the Undercover in 1968, and the Bulldog a couple of years later. They were the first guns that I reloaded for, with the old Lee loader kits.

Best Regards, Les

OLDSTER · Sep 7, 2018

rockquarry said:
I've never had a Charter Arms but have been curious about them for years.
Do they hold up well to regular shooting?

I've never heard of one that didn't stand up. They're not as refined as a S&W, but tough as nails. My son has an old Bulldog that's bounced around in his ranch truck glovebox for years, and has dispatched many a critter, old fence posts, and salt blocks.

washerman · Sep 7, 2018

I have a Charter off-duty, a 357 mag target and a 6 shot police special 38. All great guns. The police special is a 20 ounce 6-shot than can be changed from D/A and S/A to D/A only very easily by changing the hammer. (about $25) Takes 1 minute....The most underrated revolver on the market. Great trigger and grip

joeintexas · Sep 7, 2018

I'm a fan of the old Charter Arms. Have an Undercover 38 spec, good revolver. Always wanted a 44 spec Bulldog.

gman51 · Sep 7, 2018

I have not once regretted buying my Charter Bulldog 44 special. It has been my main carry for several years now. Bang for the buck it is greater than expected.

I have never shot a S&W 44 so I can't compare.

Cocked & Locked · Sep 7, 2018

I've got three and like them just fine.

This .44 Bulldog I bought NIB about 20 months ago. It has become my daily carry revolver and I shoot it often. If I'm not carrying this I'm carrying a Glock 26 or 27.

.38 Undercover

.22 Pathfinder

typetwelve · Sep 7, 2018

les.b said:
Although I no longer have a Charter Arms, I have had two in the past, a .44 Bulldog and a .38 Undercover. They were both fine revolvers, and I greatly regret parting with them. I bought the Undercover in 1968, and the Bulldog a couple of years later. They were the first guns that I reloaded for, with the old Lee loader kits.

Best Regards, Les

You know...I read/hear this all the time, people regretting shedding their Charters, my father is one of them. He had a Bulldog in the 80’s, and I spent time with it back then. He sold it off and would say from time to time how he regretted getting rid of it.

There’s just something about a Charter revolver...crude, cheap, functional things that they are. A face only a mother could love, but not once has mine failed me.

rednichols · Sep 7, 2018

Cocked & Locked said:
I've got three and like them just fine.

This .44 Bulldog I bought NIB about 20 months ago. It has become my daily carry revolver and I shoot it often. If I'm not carrying this I'm carrying a Glock 26 or 27.

.38 Undercover

.22 Pathfinder

Gee, that late-model Bulldog is impressive. Imagine a baddie trying to ignore those not-one-but-five open drainpipes staring at 'em.

I carried the original Bulldog and was supremely confident in the pistol and the caliber. Wore it (legally) in a Bianchi No. 3S Pistol Pocket (of course, because I designed it) and knew the package was up to anything. Did add the then-new (!) Pachmayrs, no fun to shoot with the issue wood grips.

DWalt · Sep 8, 2018

I really know little about the newer Charters, but I had an early Charter Undercover .38 Special for awhile. I am also one of those who regrets selling it about 20 years ago. I do have an elderly lady neighbor who has one, and she has promised to sell it to me when she decides she no longer wants it. I always wanted an earlier .44 Special Bulldog "just because." Maybe someday.

BC38 · Sep 8, 2018

Hey Trooper Joe, is that "classic" a new gun built on the old style?
I kinda like the grips.

I have this original classic Bulldog circa 1973 (Bridgeport manufacture)...

Valmet · Sep 8, 2018

Big Charter Arms .44 Spl fan here. I can’t say that I have one of the Classic Type Bulldogs but have two of the more modern ones (2.5” Bulldogs) and like them. Wouldn’t pound a lot of warm handloads thru them but for the $ I think they’re fantastic.

Cocked & Locked · Sep 8, 2018

Valmet said:
Big Charter Arms .44 Spl fan here. I can’t say that I have one of the Classic Type Bulldogs but have two of the more modern ones (2.5” Bulldogs) and like them. Wouldn’t pound a lot of warm handloads thru them but for the $ I think they’re fantastic.

I agree with that!!

bulletslap · Sep 8, 2018

C&L please tell me about those bullets in your photo.

Grayfox · Sep 8, 2018

Another fan of the big puppy here. Here's my 1985 model.

And here it is with a few friends.

Cocked & Locked · Sep 8, 2018

bulletslap said:
C&L please tell me about those bullets in your photo.

These are 215 grain solid base button nose wadcutters from Matt's Bullets

These are 250 grain solid base wadcutters also from Matt's Bullets

Charter Arms Classic, .44 Special

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