Charter Arms .44 Bulldog

This thread cost me, I just put money down on a new stainless 44bulldog. Made some calls and found one, put money on it over the phone. Haven't seen it yet, was wondering how the quality is on these new ca guns. Any input would be appreciated.

Congrats on your purchase CWH44300. I'll give you my candid first impressions of a new model Bulldog. I have a Bulldog that was born in February 2014. Like you, I also bought it sight unseen. When I first opened the box, I was pretty impressed with the overall appearance, fit & finish. I will say, the DA trigger was not as "silky" out of the box as some other new revolvers I have owned. However, I got it home, cleaned it up (lots of excess oil to be cleaned off it). After a few times cocking and dry firing the pull smoothed out nicely. The single action pull is VERY light and crisp. After cleaning the barrel, an inspection of the rifling showed that while it was sharp, the bore did not seem to be as "polished" and shiny as my other handguns (Ruger, S&W & Browning). If figured OK, let's see how it shoots.

Went to the range with a box of PMC 180 gr JHP and two boxes of handloads (Unique and Blue Dot pushing 240 gr PFP).

To say I was impressed would be an understatement! This little snubby functioned flawlessly, was accurate beyond my belief (The photo in my earlier post was the second 5 shot group ever fired from my new Bulldog...Yes I pulled a shot :( ) . It's very manageable when rapid firing. I burned through that first 150 rounds in short order wishing I had brought more with me!

I have only gotten to run about 550 rounds of varying types through this Bulldog and I'm more than happy with the purchase. It is my Summer CCW and a joy to carry.

On a related note, my brother and brother in-law have both decided to buy Bulldogs after shooting and handling mine.

Hope this helps.

Be well and enjoy your new Bulldog.
 
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I have owned maybe 3 or 4 of the early pencil barrel Stratford models and now have a Pug built in Shelton, Conn. I honestly don't see or feel any difference in the build quality between them.
If anything, the Pug is a bit tighter gun.

I can vouch for the Shelton made models as well.

From what most owners claim, it seems that the older/original models and newer Shelton made Bulldogs are fine quality revolvers.

I've no personal experience with them, but Bulldogs manufactured by Charco & Charter 2000 are sometimes said to be hit or miss.
 
My Charter experiences

I bought 2 that were newish production. Both functioned flawlessly, but there was definitely a difference between them in fit. One went to a very well known 'smith who indicated he could not do much with it, as the internals just don't have the quality build. This was after dissassembly, so he wasn't just guessing. He did recrown the barrel which was way off concentricity. So, while they were fine functionally, they were far from perfect.
Eventually I sold them both, and bought a Mag-na-port Backpacker which is an older Bulldog with cut off barrel, ports, bobbed hammer and action work, as well as harchrome finish. This little guy is very slick, and as good as a snubby gets in smoothness and accuracy.
A mixed bag, but I still believe CA guns are a terrific value.
 
I remember the 3" models with the tapered barrel...wish now I had bought one! One day they WILL BE a collectors item!

I have my eye on one right now. It's a Stratford gun, too. Only problem is I don't get paid until Monday...it might not be around by then.
 
At one time I seemed to be tripping over used Bulldogs in the Vegas gunstores, and even the occasional Rossi 720. I bet if I actually went looking for one they would be like hen's teeth.
 
I owned one of the early made Bulldogs. Was really a decent shooter with 240gr/246gr lead bullets. Mine had the 'beryllium' copper firingpin and the factory wood grips.

Only issues I had with mine was keeping the thumb-latch button tight and the grips would crack at the back from recoil(glued them a couple times)...

Speaking of recoil..I thought it wasn't too painful to shoot a few rounds. Was more painful to shoot a lot of rounds though! Rubber grips versus factory wood would have probably fixed that issue
 
44spl. sweetness

After I consolidated ammo to 9mm, 22LR, 7.62X39 and 12GA., I thought I was done. I realized that I needed another revolver, other than the M&P 547 9mm. The only choice for me was 44spl.. Soft shooting compare to 357 and 44mag. Being a practical person, I chose the CA 44spl.. I have not regretted the choice. With $300 being the sweet spot for me when buying pistols, it was a no brainer. The hunt was on. 1st came the 3" Bridgeport CONN. $275. Then came a surprise. A Rossi 720c for $295. Final another 3" CA Bulldog Stratford CONN. $295. This one I had shorten to 2.5", front sight tweaked and duracoated. I put CA compact boot grips on it(FYI, all grips made by charter arms will fit any of their revolvers). It is part of my pocket carry rotation. It is shot(25rds.) DA every two/three weeks. The flames have left their mark on the duracoated cylinder :). It is my favorite :). All these revolvers have great DA triggers. SA is good also, but DA works just as well for me(see Mozambique Drill with last three rounds on target. I rest the revolver on bench. Face backwards and turn and pickup revolver and fire within 2 to 3 second DA) Money out to 15yds. I don't reload, so I stocked up on some PMC 180gr.(range ammo) when it was 21.00 a box. My personal choice is Copper Only Projectiles (C.O.P.) Ammunition 44 Special 200 Grain Solid Copper Hollow Point #: COP44SP200 and Prograde 180gr. XTP - Defense Grade. Both shoot to POA out of all my 44spl.'s. Here is some chrono. data.

Copper Only Projectiles (C.O.P.) 200gr. HP
Temp: 80 degree
Hum: 50% - Elevation 650 -750ft above sea level
Sunny
Chrono’d 6-15-12 from 3” CA 44 spl.
5rds. @ 10ft.

High – 901fps
Low - 844fps
Avg. – 872fps

Muzzle Energy: 338 ft-lb


Chrono’d 2-9-14 from 2.5” CA 44 spl.
Temp: 60 degree
Hum: 50% - Elevation 650 -750ft above sea level
Sunny
5rds. @ 10ft.

High - 855fps
Low - 825fps
Avg. – 836fps

Muzzle Energy: 310 ft-lb


44 Spl. CCI Blazer 200gr. 50rds.
Bonded GDHP Ammo 920fps [3556]
Chrono’d 6-8-12 from 3” CA 44 spl.
5rds. @ 10ft.

High – 887fps
Low - 851fps
Avg - 870fps

Muzzle energy: 336 ft-lb


44 Spl. Prograde 180gr. XTP - Defense Grade
Chrono'd 2-14-14 from 2.5" CA 44spl.
Temp: 84 degree
Hum: 50% - Elevation 650 -750ft above sea level
Sunny
5rds. @ 10ft.

High – 899fps
Low - 876fps
Avg - 883fps

Muzzle energy: 311 ft-lb


**Loctite locations tips– older CA 44spl.
The center "pin" that releases the cylinder when one pushes the thumb piece forward is actually a screw. It WILL eventually back up if you don't Loctite it in place. When it does, pushing on the thumb piece will not release the cylinder. The back of the screw is visible with the hammer cocked, so here's what you do: First, cock the hammer and make sure the screw is screwed forward enough to engage the cylinder locking pin. It has a slot in it, on the breech face side. You'll want it to be flush with the breech face when the cylinder is open. Then, put a drop of Loctite 290 (green, wicking) on a toothpick and touch it to the back of the screw. Loctite the crane screw.

FYI, I came across some nice wooden grips for CA revolvers being made out of Thailand.
jaruwan.p | eBay
 

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The Bulldog is just a GREAT carry gun! It can be carried any way a J-frame can be, with considerably more delivered power!
 
Yes the Charter Arms Bulldog 44 Special fits in my Galco Paddle Holster, holds five rounds. I carry a second handgun the Smith & Wesson 642-1, which I carry in a good pocket holster.
 
I have my eye on one right now. It's a Stratford gun, too. Only problem is I don't get paid until Monday...it might not be around by then.

Mine CA 44 Special Bulldog was made in Stratford Ct.
But then I never sell a gun. But I likes to window shop a lot
at gun shops. I keep looking for a good S&W 696=6 which
is also a 44 Special. One of these days I will get lucky and find
a good deal on one of those.
 
Years ago I grabbed the wrong box of .44 Spl. rounds when going to the range.
They were the Hornady 200 gr. XTP loaded with 7.5 gr. of Unique. They were loaded for my S&W 629, not the Bulldog.
I tried only a few out of the Bulldog...

What a hand full!!! :eek:
 
Last year I bought a CA Bulldog marked Personal Protection Systems, Trapper Gun, 44spl Terminator. It has a bobbed hammer, jeweled trigger and smooth action. Great carry gun and must have been built for the CA followers.I carry it often and alternate with my S&W 386pd.
 
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