i have always been interested in a 44spl snubby, but would prefer a S&W version over Charter arms. has anyone owned both revolvers? what would be your opinion or preference? my understanding is that S&W made a 44spl in a model 21 or a 24. either of these may be larger than a 5 shot charter. thanks for your interest and replys.
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S&W vs Charter 44spl
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i have always been interested in a 44spl snubby, but would prefer a S&W version over Charter arms. has anyone owned both revolvers? what would be your opinion or preference? my understanding is that S&W made a 44spl in a model 21 or a 24. either of these may be larger than a 5 shot charter. thanks for your interest and replys.
Spotteddog
Member
The closest S&W ever got was the 296.
Problem was, it was too large physically. The weight was almost there. At a certain point the light weight brings it's own set of problems to the table though. I seem to recall it (the 296) having an upper bullet weight limit of 200 grains, to preclude recoil caused bullet creep.
I'd buy an S&W version of the C/A Bulldog in S/S in a heartbeat for carry! But more likely two of them, with their hammer spurs mowed off.
Problem was, it was too large physically. The weight was almost there. At a certain point the light weight brings it's own set of problems to the table though. I seem to recall it (the 296) having an upper bullet weight limit of 200 grains, to preclude recoil caused bullet creep.
I'd buy an S&W version of the C/A Bulldog in S/S in a heartbeat for carry! But more likely two of them, with their hammer spurs mowed off.
David Kachel
Member
S&W vs Charter Arms...
roughly the equivalent of Kobe beef grilled to perfection over mesquite vs road kill tartare.
The S&W may be bigger, but oh brother!
roughly the equivalent of Kobe beef grilled to perfection over mesquite vs road kill tartare.
The S&W may be bigger, but oh brother!
catdad
Member
I have several Lew Horton 3 inch 44 Spl. S&W's, but in the past I have also owned one of the Charter Arms 44 Spl. Bulldog's, and would like to have another, simply because they are priced right and a good working gun, and are light to carry, I liked mine and if your on a tight budget, you"ll get your moneys worth in a good reliable carry pistol.
Don K.
Member
I love the Bulldog "concept". The gun felt great in my hand and I got my rocks off on the "power to weight" and "power to size" things you read about.
I bought 3 (1 used and 2 new) about 2 years ago and each one had a different problem. Shaved bullets, lite strikes, and jammed cylinder . . . believe me no one wants those guns to work my than I do, but I can't trust them.
All was not lost though. The Charters introduced me to the .44, and convinced me to "try" a Smith & Wesson. Now have 2-Bounty Hunter 29's, 629 4"', 629 Classic 5", a 329, and a 20" Puma lever.
Also have a 325 4" that will be traded away after 50 rounds. Not a problem with it, although blazer brass jumps crimp. (Bullet was completely out of case and powder all over my support hand. Being a new shooter, I had to think about that one for a minute before I realized what had happened.) I just want to stay with the .44's, for which I have also started reloading and casting.
I chose to stay with the Smiths. I blubber like a baby everytime someone reports their flawless Bulldog, but I wasn't lucky with them.
I bought 3 (1 used and 2 new) about 2 years ago and each one had a different problem. Shaved bullets, lite strikes, and jammed cylinder . . . believe me no one wants those guns to work my than I do, but I can't trust them.
All was not lost though. The Charters introduced me to the .44, and convinced me to "try" a Smith & Wesson. Now have 2-Bounty Hunter 29's, 629 4"', 629 Classic 5", a 329, and a 20" Puma lever.
Also have a 325 4" that will be traded away after 50 rounds. Not a problem with it, although blazer brass jumps crimp. (Bullet was completely out of case and powder all over my support hand. Being a new shooter, I had to think about that one for a minute before I realized what had happened.) I just want to stay with the .44's, for which I have also started reloading and casting.
I chose to stay with the Smiths. I blubber like a baby everytime someone reports their flawless Bulldog, but I wasn't lucky with them.
BigBoreShooter
Member
There have been many variations and incarnations of Charter Arms Bulldogs over the years. Some good and some not so good.
I was fortunate to find this one not long ago and it has a far better fit and finish than the current crop. It also shoots extremely well.
I was fortunate to find this one not long ago and it has a far better fit and finish than the current crop. It also shoots extremely well.
I have happily carried and shot and maintained an older Charter (not Charco) for many years. Developed a real fondness for the old .44 Spl. In 96 I stumbled upon one of the first S&W 696 models at a gun show in Indianapolis and had to have it. Could not walk away from that dealer's table. I did a carry trigger job on it and I love it to death. Ringed barrel and all. Carry the Bulldog on long work days and the S&W on shorter ones. I'll never sell either one. A 19 oz. .44 Spl is a joy to carry, but if I feel the need for serious range time the Smith gets real dirty. If you want a Charter look for an older one that has not been shot to death. They're getting harder and harder to find. I think a lot of guys buy them and then shoot them and then decide that's really more than they want to deal with. And sell it to the next victim. A good smith should be able resolve any problems with the new ones unless it's major bad or he just doesn't like Charters. Or if you send it back to Charter enough times I have heard they will eventually get it right. Good luck.
No contest. They are entirely different guns. The Charter is a great concealable carry piece, the first gun I carried in my belt without a holster. I also had to handload for it, because factory bullets would back out, making it a 4-shot. I used factory bullets, too, with a crimping groove, loaded them over Unique and crimped the **** out of the case mouths. Fine gun, fine ammo.
I have a 3in bulldog built in 1987 and while it is a very light gun it shoots well and is great weekend carry gun. It is not in the same class as my Model 66 K frame or my M36 J frame but still i like the gun for what it is.
Frank from jersey
Member
My first .44 was a Charter Arms Bulldog.Picked up the 24's from Smith then the 696.Then a 396.All shoot well. The only problem I had with the Bulldog was the NJ State Police came calling looking for "the Son of Sam".I told them that I wasn't but because I purchased some
Remington 246gr Lead rounds for the revolver in the tri-state area they were just "checking".
Remington 246gr Lead rounds for the revolver in the tri-state area they were just "checking".
I had an early 44 Bulldog. My purchase was also looked at during the Son of Sam killings. We had a country store with an FFL and we were called to see who bought any 44 Bulldogs we sold. That 44 and the one I own now in stainless were very good guns. Both had 3 inch barrels, were pretty accurate, and tough. I still carry mine a lot. I own a 624 and a 696 but the 44 I usually carry is the Charter Arms.
it would appear from the responses that as with some companies, some production changes may have affected certain charter bulldogs over the years. most seem to feel that the bulldog carries well. are both the model 21 and 24 "N" frames? and were they ever made with a 2 3/4 or 3" barrel?
I have one of the new ones, and have shot both 240 gr. cowboy loads, and Win. 200 gr. Silvertips in it, with no problems with bullets "pulling". It deffinitely has a kick, but nothing to be too concerned about, especially if your used to magnums. It is no bigger than a "J" Frame, and is very comforting to know you have some stopping power.
There was a 3" Lew Horton model 24-3 made in about 1985.
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
I remember during the "Son of Sam" days that there was a morbid joke going around that the reason why he didn't shoot someone every day was because after shooting a victim, he had to go home to soak his hand in Epsom salts for a few days before he could shoot anyone else. As an aside, there was a magazine article recently where the writer called the .44 Charter Bulldog his "bathroom gun". He said they had good stopping power and were cheap enough that he could afford to buy enough to stock every bathroom in his house.
Regards,
Dave
Regards,
Dave
BillCa
Member
A friend bought one of the early Bulldogs circa 1976. After about 200 rounds the gun had been battered loose. Charter replaced the gun for him, but the second one had to be replaced after about 250 rounds. This makes them a "carry much, shoot little" proposition in my mind. I'm not much impressed with them, other than their size.
The S&W Model 24 is built on the large N-frame and can be had with a short 3" barrel in the 24-3 model. These are nicely balanced and fairly soft shooters. But they're not a pocket gun. They can be concealed under a jacket using an IWB holster, however.
The discontinued S&W 696 put a 5-shot .44 Special into their medium L-Frame. Alas, it did not sell well enough for S&W to continue production. Only after being discontinued did people seem to "discover" this jewel. It's almost ideal of CCW, especially if they made one with fixed sights and a 3"-3.5" barrel.
The S&W Model 24 is built on the large N-frame and can be had with a short 3" barrel in the 24-3 model. These are nicely balanced and fairly soft shooters. But they're not a pocket gun. They can be concealed under a jacket using an IWB holster, however.
The discontinued S&W 696 put a 5-shot .44 Special into their medium L-Frame. Alas, it did not sell well enough for S&W to continue production. Only after being discontinued did people seem to "discover" this jewel. It's almost ideal of CCW, especially if they made one with fixed sights and a 3"-3.5" barrel.
Here is what I built. An early Bulldog. I removed the front sight, removed the square notch that was the rear sight, matted the half round tunnel. Added Eagle Seceret Service grip. Removed the hammer spur. Epoxy coated the gun in flat black.
Here are two more pictures that I thought should be added.
This picture shows the Packy rubber baby buggy bumper grip on the left, the stock Charter Arms grip in the middle and the Eagle Secret Service grips on the firearm. The Eagle grips were not fitted very well and needed wood removed from the back strap and refinished.
This picture shows my Simply Rugged pocket holster. Rob did a great job on this, he has my respect for carring on with Roy's Pancake Holseters.
This firearm is not "FUN" to shoot. With the small grips, light weight and a 240gr. SJHP it rocks me. My thought is this, if I ever have to use this weapon in a social shoot my body will be so pumped that the recoil will never be felt. I hope I never have to use it, but if I do I know it will get the job done!
This picture shows the Packy rubber baby buggy bumper grip on the left, the stock Charter Arms grip in the middle and the Eagle Secret Service grips on the firearm. The Eagle grips were not fitted very well and needed wood removed from the back strap and refinished.
This picture shows my Simply Rugged pocket holster. Rob did a great job on this, he has my respect for carring on with Roy's Pancake Holseters.
This firearm is not "FUN" to shoot. With the small grips, light weight and a 240gr. SJHP it rocks me. My thought is this, if I ever have to use this weapon in a social shoot my body will be so pumped that the recoil will never be felt. I hope I never have to use it, but if I do I know it will get the job done!
Spotteddog
Member
She looks deadly effective Randy!
That original front sight was about the size of some of the sails you see competing in the America's Cup?
Nice work!
That original front sight was about the size of some of the sails you see competing in the America's Cup?
Nice work!
