Charter Arms Bulldog .44 special, pics added

Electraclyde

Electraclyde

Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2007
Messages
651
Reaction score
586
Location
Michigan
Have wanted a dedicated .44 special revolver for several years. Not willing to pay the high prices for the few used S&W models, tired of waiting for Smith to re-introduce a new one, do NOT like the latest from Ruger. Walked into LGS yesterday and they had just taken in a bulldog. Bought it for $200.00 Not the quality of S&W or Ruger, but should work well for a car gun. It also came with box and all original papers. Now to load up some ammo and see how it shoots.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20191014_180126863.jpg
    IMG_20191014_180126863.jpg
    92.6 KB · Views: 376
  • IMG_20191014_180216326.jpg
    IMG_20191014_180216326.jpg
    166.6 KB · Views: 258
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Congrats on the find. I think that's what I paid a few years ago for an early 70's 3" BD. Post pics and range report when you get the chance.
ETA:
Is yours a Bridgeport or Stratford marked gun?
 
Last edited:
We are Charter Arms fans and have been for years. This is my early Bridgeport Undercover; both my sons have carried Bulldogs for years in their ranch truck glove boxes, and their ranch hand has carried a .41Mag Pug on his hip for a long time. Charter Arms has their own market niche with loyal followers. They don't pretend to compete with Colt or S&W. CA offers a solid, dependable, economically priced revolver. BTW, I have ordered their new .32 H&R Magnum Professional. So congrats on your purchase; you'll enjoy it for a long time.:)

 
Last edited:
Mine has many rounds through it and is EDC from time to time. More often that not. It is a great reloaders cartridge as long as you keep it below 15,500 the Bulldog will give you a lifetime of service.

Get some good gun oil on the crane and trigger area and run about 1000 snap cap trigger pulls through it and it will be smooth as butter.




Here is a treasure trove of 44 info:

Index of /44_Special_Articles

The Brian Pearce article on handloads is a godsend and gives you the perfect reference to keep your handloads below 15,500 and keep your Bulldog working. I suggest you download all of the articles for permanent reference like I did. I prefer the 200 gr out of this gun and carry with 200gr gold dots. I save the 240's for my model 29. I like to cast and harden my own 200gr practice rounds.




Here is my little Bulldog one handed vs some handloads running at the high end of that 15,500 PSI. Enjoy it, I know I do.

Charter Recoil Demonstration - YouTube

I encourage you not to let it spend it's eternity in a glove box or center console and give daily carry a try, my guess is you fall in love with it like I have. Mine is well worn and has given me years of reliability

 
Last edited:
I’ve got a newer production Bulldog I bought new a few years ago. For $200 I’d have bought it and have a spare. I bought a set of Herretts here on the recommendation of another member. I think he still has a set or to on the accessories board here. Haven’t shot with them yet but they look nice.
WTS: Herrett's NOS Shooting Ace and Shooting Star grips- PRICES REDUCED
 
Last edited:
Great deal for two bills. I carried one years ago when I was into backpacking up in Maine. Loaded it with HC SWC 240's at about 900 fps. A load you shoot sparingly out of these light weight guns. 200's at about 750 fps are a lot more pleasant.

Larry
 
Yes, $200 is a good price for a Bulldog. I have a very early Bridgeport example. The only problem is that its light weight makes recoil excessive. I handload my own very light .44 Special loads using 180 grain lead bullets and also have a pair or oversize Pachmayr presentation grips on it. It helps a lot. Sort of historic also - was used by the "Son of Sam" killer.
 
Last edited:
Quality and reliability vary greatly. Mine was a good one. I also put Herrett's on mine and it reduced felt recoil immensely. Carried Glaser in it and HPs==don't remember which. Good pocket carry.
 
I'd buy Bulldogs all day long for $200. A brace of them in a Bell Charter Oak New York Reload holster would be a badass rig.

I think CA builds a heck of a gun for the money.
 

Attachments

  • bell charter oaks new york reload 2.jpg
    bell charter oaks new york reload 2.jpg
    16 KB · Views: 107
  • bell charter oaks new york reload 1.jpg
    bell charter oaks new york reload 1.jpg
    27.7 KB · Views: 109
BearBio said:
Quality and reliability vary greatly. Mine was a good one...
Click to expand...

They’ve changed hands a few times, but I think they’re back on track now. I bought a new Bulldog Classic .44 a few years ago (always wanted one) and it is a nice little revolver. They even sent me some wood grips for it without being asked (they must appreciate blued steel and walnut as much as I do).
 
I have a newer Target Bulldog 4" . My son got his first handgun killed deer with it two years ago with my home rolled Skeeter loads . When my dad died in 2017 I got his old Bridgeport 3" which I gave to my youngest son. My only issue with the Target was the polymer grip frame and the rubber grips it came with . I bought a aluminum frame off ebay and added a set of wood grips from a late model Undercover , issue fixed for about $60 .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
**SOLD** Charter Arms Target Bulldog For Sale-Bulldog 2.5"
Replies
4
Views
1K
CMYSIX
C
B
Charter Arms or S&W 32 Magnum
2
Replies
21
Views
1K
Martyk
M
S
Charter Arms Bulldog/44 Special...Thoughts?
2 3
Replies
45
Views
5K
SGT ROCK 11B
SGT ROCK 11B
G
Hamburg NY Gun Show and Bulldog question
Replies
14
Views
5K
GypsmJim
GypsmJim
6string
IHMSA Revolvers, anyone?
Replies
8
Views
572
Crookedcreek
C

Latest posts

Back
Top