My Primary Carry Revolver is an old 3 inch Charter Arms Bulldog in 44 special.I was just wondering if any one else carries these nice light 44 specials?I know there are better choices as I have plenty of other carry guns but I just like the light revolver in the 44 caliber.
Any one carry a Charter Arms Bulldog?
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Two Guns,
I ahve owned two (2) over the years, last one was back in 1989.
It is a fine concept and I would buy another one if the situation were right.
Back in those days, I traded, swapped, sold, and such like crazy.
Nothing wrong with the guns I had, just would get on a tear and trade it for something else I didn't have.
I ahve owned two (2) over the years, last one was back in 1989.
It is a fine concept and I would buy another one if the situation were right.
Back in those days, I traded, swapped, sold, and such like crazy.
Nothing wrong with the guns I had, just would get on a tear and trade it for something else I didn't have.
Catshooter
Member
They are nice little revolvers. Isn't it amazing that Smith can't compete with little ol' Charter Arms?
And no, I don't consider that the 696 competes. It don't.
Cat
And no, I don't consider that the 696 competes. It don't.
Cat
GatorFarmer
Member
I had a customized one not too long ago. Bobbed hammer, slicked up, new springs, etc. It was engraved "Terminator" or something like that. I swapped it even for a minty old SB Model 36 and was happy with the deal. My wife liked it, but I was never quite sold on the concept. I've had two of the Charter .44s over the years. The other was a pug. I still have one of the Rossi 720s that I'll probably trade off.
Even in custom format, the erratic QC of Charter over the years left me a bit uneasy. I also found them to be a bit snappish. My wife liked the Charter .44s a lot though and yelled at me for swapping them off.
.44 Special ammo has unfortunately become increasingly hard to find and expensive. I always liked the Blazer JHPs though.
Even in custom format, the erratic QC of Charter over the years left me a bit uneasy. I also found them to be a bit snappish. My wife liked the Charter .44s a lot though and yelled at me for swapping them off.
.44 Special ammo has unfortunately become increasingly hard to find and expensive. I always liked the Blazer JHPs though.
sheriffoconee
Member
I have a .44 "Target" (very optimistic name I might add) that I have had for a while....it is my 5 shot "disposable" truck type gun, as the thumb latch no longer opens the cylinder, I I have to insert a thin tool under the end of the extractor rod to pull it open...
I keep it loaded at all times, figuring that 5 quick 44 200 grn GD's might get me out of a jam sometimes....then again, I don't have any emotional investment in it....
I (draw big red heart here) my 696 no dash.....
I keep it loaded at all times, figuring that 5 quick 44 200 grn GD's might get me out of a jam sometimes....then again, I don't have any emotional investment in it....
I (draw big red heart here) my 696 no dash.....
Grog
Member
I found a box of Blazer 44spl Gold Dot HPs in my stash, had six shots fired (must have got them to let my friend try them since I've never owned a 44 of any sort). I am keeping them just in case I find a good deal on a Bulldog, I'll already have ammo for it 
canoe on the yukon
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I don't mean to be rude to those who like them but I'm not enthused about them.
I bought one of the first one's in the early 70's,kept it for a short while and sold it.The quality was terrible in my opinion.I have examined many since and have never been impressed.The concept has merit but the actual product did not do justice to it.In my opinion,it's a good idea that's badly executed.
I bought one of the first one's in the early 70's,kept it for a short while and sold it.The quality was terrible in my opinion.I have examined many since and have never been impressed.The concept has merit but the actual product did not do justice to it.In my opinion,it's a good idea that's badly executed.
My PD issued me one years ago. I carried it as a BUG for a number of years.
They made me give it back when I retired.
They made me give it back when I retired.
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dot6
Member
I really like my S&W 696, but finally quit trying to use it for a CCW and went with an old Flat Latch Centennial. That little Centennial is a whole lot more "comfortable" to carry than the 696, but not as "comforting". Then I bought an older model BullDog and still carry it to this day. It's a lot lighter and smaller than the S&W "L" frame, but is much more reassuring than a .38. I'm very happy with the .44 BullDog. Still wish I could carry that nice 696 comfortably, though.
Yes, my dad has one of the older 3" models and I used to have a 2 1/2" pug. Both are/were very accurate and I never had any problems with them. Had to tighten the cylinder latch screw on a regular basis, but carried that pug for several years - good for what it is (light and powerful). Sadly, my pug was stolen from the trunk of my wife's car; I'll never valet park again.
My preferred carry firearm is a .44 Bulldog. Unfortunately I have been through several of them due to people offering more than I can refuse for them. Between Bulldog's I carry either a Beretta Tomcat or a S&W Combat Masterpiece.
whitecoyote
Member
Here is a Charter Arms Bulldog Pug. Customized by Mag-Na-Port. 
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I carry a 696 frequently. A good IWB and belt make all the difference in the world with this gun. I also carry SIGs but have gone more and more to revolvers in the last few years (like I started out) I owned a Bulldog back in the 70s and really liked the concept. I suppose that is where I became so fond of the .44 Special cartridge. However, mine kept falling apart on me so I got away from Charter. When my 696 seems to get too heavy I just carry my 396 Night Guard for awhile. I keep going back to the 696 tho' -- just something about it.
Not meaning to drift the thread, but what holster do you carry your Bulldog in?
wyo-man
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smith&wesson can't compete with charter arms...hmmm...interesting if unlikely concept!
Catshooter
Member
smith&wesson can't compete with charter arms...hmmm...interesting if unlikely concept!
Don't get me wrong, I too see quite a difference between Smith and Charter, with of course the nod going to Smith.
However, Charter has been building a 19 ounce .44 for decades. Smith hasn't. I can't imagaine that Smith can't, but they aren't. So I guess I should re-phrase what I said to "Smith won't compete."
Pity, too, as I would love to own several.
Cat
sheriffoconee
Member
This.....quoted for truth....as much as I like the concept, I wish Smith would do it, cause they would do it much better
flop-shank
US Veteran
The people running S&W are stupid. They still haven't made a P3AT sized .380 either.
ColbyBruce
Member
My brother carries one, upper left in the photo. He had no problems from it until last fall when it suddenly quit working. It would not cock. The factory repaired it for around $125.00 including shipping. He loves it. He also loves his S&W #36, AMT Back-Up .45 a.c.p., Beretta .25 a.c.p. The S&W #469 he traded back to me for a S&W #908. I had a few of the Bulldog .44 specials when they first came out but sold them to buy a Detonics .45 a.c.p. My CA's worked fine but I always preferred S&W revolvers over all others.
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I also have several CA Bulldogs and one is fancied-up and marked "Terminator" as mentioned in an earlier posting. The gun has a bobbed hammer, jeweled trigger and hammer and polished cylinder, etc.. It was made by Personal Protection Systems around 1982/83 and who I believe is now out of business. If anybody has any info about the gun, like how many where made, etc., I would appreciate the response.
Catshooter
Member
Exactly, sheriff, exactly so! As much as I like the Charter, I would much prefer a Smith.
No one in the world could convince me that Smith is incapable of matching a Bulldog (for size & weight). They just won't. *sigh*
It's a very, very rare corporation that doesn't suffer horribly from the"If it's not invented here then it's not worthy of us" syndrome.
Sad, isn't it? I've read that Charter is and has been for a while running at their full capacity, making and selling 750 revolvers a week. If they can sell 'em, why couldn't Smith? They could, obviously. Oh well.
Cat
sheriffoconee
Member
I quoted myself here, cause I fixed my "thumb latch won't open my cylinder" issue with my CA Bulldog. The thumb latch pushes a screw into the cylinder pin to release the cylinder for opening. The screw was screwed in so far that it would no longer push the pin out. Took the screw out, a dab of blue loctite, and screwed it back in flush with the recoil shield....works perfectly now.
I STILL think Smith could do a better job with the concept....
ColbyBruce
Member
I had a Bulldog back in the 80's. Nice and light, accurate, but their "unbreakable copper beryllium firing pin" wasn't, it turned out. Sure, they fixed it on their dime, but that and the not-so-good fit turned me off and I sold it.
It is an excellent concept and if someone would turn out a better quality product along the same lines it would sell.
It is an excellent concept and if someone would turn out a better quality product along the same lines it would sell.
ColbyBruce
Member
"but their "unbreakable copper beryllium firing pin" wasn't"
Thats the truth, I broke two of those myself. I have owned about seven CA handguns in all over the years. None of them stayed around long.
Thats the truth, I broke two of those myself. I have owned about seven CA handguns in all over the years. None of them stayed around long.
I have owned a couple of the old Bulldogs before and traded them off. The only Charter that I have held on to is my old Bridgeport Undercover. I guess I'll keep it for many more years, it looks so bad that no one else would want it. I would like to find an early Bulldog now. A lot of power in a small and light package.
I'm really surprised that there hasn't been a lot of Charter Arms bashing going on here. That's usually the case when CA is brought up. The ones that I have owned have all been fine, not the prettiest but the price was always better than the pretty guns.
Here is my old Undercover that has been around the block a time or two.
I'm really surprised that there hasn't been a lot of Charter Arms bashing going on here. That's usually the case when CA is brought up. The ones that I have owned have all been fine, not the prettiest but the price was always better than the pretty guns.
Here is my old Undercover that has been around the block a time or two.
Kilibreaux
Member
I have one nestled into the glovebox of my car at this moment, and when needed I drop it into a front pocket...absolutely. That IS the strong suit of the CA .44 Bulldog! Tremendous blasting power in a light, compact revolver that is EASY to carry concealed!
sac-gunslinger
Member
I had one back in the day when I had to own everything I could get my hands on and try carrying (c'mon, admit it, we have all gone through that phase). It always worked, never broke, but I never felt the love for one and finally sold it.
Vulcan Bob
Member
I'm a big fan of the Bulldog, however I never could get used to its DA trigger pull. Bought one of the originals, got rid of it, tried another one about ten years later, got rid of it, and two years ago tried one of the new stainless Pug's, got rid of it. Now this is frustrating as I really like the little beasties if only I could tolerate their DA trigger pulls. I'm afraid my trigger finger is just used to the S&W's for double action work. Now this is not a slam against the Bulldog, it seems to be a personal problem!
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