Any one carry a Charter Arms Bulldog?

[steelslaver]

I have one and had another. Both are OK for what they are. I love the big bore in a small light package. I shoot it enough to keep good with it. I use fairly mild loads. With big bullets speed isn't needed. I did have the failure to open problem on the current gun but made a tiny shim washer to fix it. With the non shrouded ejector guns like mine you can open by pulling ejector forward. I also have a Taurus 431 which is pretty much a fix sight copy of a 696. Mine is well made and smooth, but heavy. The Bulldog can go in my pants or jacket pocket and not have my pants falling down.

I would love an alloy L frame with a 3" barrel, but I want it in 45ACP with moon clips. That would be so perfect. Small, light, big bullet, quick reloading and lots of ammo choices.

 

[TexasArmed]

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!

Well my Charter Arms 44 Bulldog has an external hammer so
I carry it in a Galco Paddle Holster. My hammerless S&W 642-1 38 stainless steel airweight I carry in a pocket holster in my pocket.

 

[diyj98]

This.....quoted for truth....as much as I like the concept, I wish Smith would do it, cause they would do it much better

I'd love to replace my Bulldog with a comparable S&W, but for now the Charter is really the only option.

 

[BubbaBlades]

I replaced my sometimes carried S&W 296 with a .44 C/A Bulldog (bought used with a nice action) because the Bulldog was a better size for me to conceal carry.
Based on my favorable impression of the Bulldog, I bought a C/A .40 PitBull (not that smooth of an action).
I put some .40 snapcaps in the PitBull to try and smooth out the action. After a few minutes, I broke the "flag" off of the transfer bar on the PitBull and discovered that the gun would not fire with a broken transfer bar.
C/A's customer service was great, however, I retired BOTH of my C/As from conceal carry use due to this design feature.

Mark

 

[hotrod150]

I owned two Charter Arms revolvers back in the mid-1980's, a blue 38 Undercover and a stainless 22 Pathfinder. While they were a good value & OK for "truck gun" use, they just weren't up to S&W standards. What with all the different guns/calibers available now, I think that ship has sailed, but it's a shame S&W didn't get on it back in the day & produce a similar but higher-quality small-frame 5 shot 44 snubby-- they'd have sold a bunch of them.

 

[shouldazagged]

I owned two Charter Arms revolvers back in the mid-1980's, a blue 38 Undercover and a stainless 22 Pathfinder. While they were a good value & OK for "truck gun" use, they just weren't up to S&W standards. What with all the different guns/calibers available now, I think that ship has sailed, but it's a shame they didn't get on it back in the day & produce a similar but S&W-quality small-frame 5 shot 44 snubby-- they'd have sold a bunch of them.

To make them "up to S&W standards" would have jacked up the price a lot. One of the things many people have found appealing about the CA guns, especially the Bulldog, is that they're relatively inexpensive revolvers that work.

Everybody I know personally who owned one of the older Bulldogs says essentially the same thing: "Yeah, fit and finish aren't all that great, but they always shoot and they make great big holes."

So I guess the question becomes, when will S&W come back to a .44 Special snubby? I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Nemo288]

The closest Smith has come IMHO is the 396/396NG. The are a little larger than the 'Dog.
If you had to use one in anger, which would you rather they confiscate?
I carry the Bulldog. It's accurate enough (especially with a Crimson Trace grip).
Yeah the build quality is one notch above crud (maybe) but I trust it to not blow up in my hand (barely).
I use a Mernickle holster for it.
Open carry, there is no question, the 396 wins.

BTW both the 696 and 396 fit well in the holsters that were made for the 3" 24 and 624.
The 396 won't necessarily fit in a 696 holster because of the high front sight.

===
Nemo

 

[M E Morrison]

I have a 4" target model that I bought about 1978. It's on my short list for daily carry & it has never failed me. Once for grins & giggles I shot it at an IHMSA silhouette match. I got laughed at a lot, until I knocked over the first ram at 200 meters. That's accurate enough for me.

 

[ralph7]

I just traded for this pug last weekend. Bought a Barami hip grip at the same time because I love them for everyday carry.
I wear my 442 and the Bulldog at about 5:00 and they tuck well and are very comfortable, especially the J frame Smith.

The pug is now my truck gun, hopefully a coating of Eezox and the stainless steel will keep down corrosion, which is fierce, lying on the carpet behind my truck console. Every other gun I have had there, has rusted to some degree.

 

[sipowicz]

Old school cool...

 

[whitecoyote]

 

[hotrod150]

....... One of the things many people have found appealing about the CA guns, especially the Bulldog, is that they're relatively inexpensive revolvers that work. Everybody I know personally who owned one of the older Bulldogs says essentially the same thing: "Yeah, fit and finish aren't all that great, but they always shoot and they make great big holes.".......

The fit & finish issues I could have lived with. But as I recall, while the single-action trigger wasn't too bad the double-action trigger on both my Charter revolvers was terrible. Pretty hard to hit the target when you need to use two fingers to pull the trigger. Never had a try at tuning either one of them up so don't know if they can be easily improved or not.

 

[Backlighting]

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!

+1
Couldn't agree more.

 

[MOONDAWG]

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?...

When I worked Homicide in the early 1980's I carried one, because being a dyed in the wool "Cooperite" no one made a 19 oz. .45 ACP revolver.

About the only commerical round available then was the 246 gr. RNL, so I loaded a Sierra 210 gr. JHP behind a moderate dose of Unique over CCI primers.

Today the only Charter Arms I still carry is their fairly newly release CARR Pit Bull in 9mm. Due to it's patented star extractor (similar to the defunct S&W M-547) it does not require moon clips for extraction. It's also great for those days with this old fart doesn't feel like "stooping over & picking up" brass.

 

[Jessie]

I see you had yours bobbed,as did I, and ported. Is that a satin hard chrome job on it? Looks good.

 

[whitecoyote]

I see you had yours bobbed,as did I, and ported. Is that a satin hard chrome job on it? Looks good.

Yes hard chrome finish. Barrel is 1.75". Trigger is silkey smooth.
Mag-Na-Port did all the work.

 

[eb07]

As a result of this thread I went out and bought a new one, here is my review: The Charter Arms Bulldog 44 Special | The Desert's Edge

I am very happy with it and plan to carry it more often as a winter revolver.

It is now added to my small revolver collection:

 

[eb07]

I took it out today with the new Combat grips.

Summed up from my updated writeup:

I took it out for an extended range session with the new Charter Combat Grips and it wasn't as bad as I had expected. Emptying a cylinder full of the 200gr Speer Gold Dots with one hand was controllable and accurate. The 240 and 225gr loads were a bit more and you could feel the backstrap in your hand. But nothing like my little 357 with full house loads. I definitely will use the Pachmayr's for extended range sessions and for desert carry, and keep the Combat Grips on for concealed carry. Here is a video demonstration of recoil:

You can feel it but it is manageable. I won't be doing any extended range sessions with them.

 

[zeke]

Before current set up, carried a Taurus 445 ul with custom loaded 200 gn gdhps. Found some older smaller grips for it, and got a Theis hybrid holster for it. Light enough, but needed heavier fall/winter shirt to conceal it as effectively as 45 xds.

Find it comforting to carry a larger bore.

Just checked and Theis makes a holster for the 44 bulldog, however might put a hurting on good finished revolver.

 

[Duster340]

Yes. Love my Bulldog. It's my primary warm weather, bumming around in the woods, hiking, fishing with the kids carry piece.

Yep, I pulled that one shot LOL

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

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.

It's an excellent choice, in my opinion. Back in the 1980s that was my daily concealed carry handgun. I have been sorry ever since I sold it. Light, reliable, compact, and packs a big punch. What's not to like?

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

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

I've been asking that question for years. Why couldn't S&W make the Model 13 (three inch/round butt) in a five shot .44 Special if Charter Arms can make a smaller framed gun in one? And I agree with you about the 696.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

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....

With the Bulldog you have two choices for opening the cylinder, i.e., pull out the ejector rod or use the latch. Did you try the ejector rod?

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

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.

The best were the ones made in the 1980s. Mine was flawless in manufacture. Only small issue was that one of the cross pins that holds the innards together would gradually work its way out to one side after fifty or so rounds fired. You just had to keep an eye on it and push it back from time to time. Small price to pay for such a nifty little powerhouse.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

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.

What were you thinking valet parking a car with a gun in it??

 

[BearBio]

I had one and carried it for a while in preference to a 649. Nothing against it but just never fell in love. Traded it off for something else. My Lew Smith 44 spl was too big for pocket carry. Went back to the 649 for a while then (now) a Commander in 38 super.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

I believe it was either ASP or DEVEL that fitted a Ruger Speed Six with a five shot cylinder and rebored the barrel to .44 special. That discontinued Ruger frame was slightly smaller than a S&W K frame.

I have both a Speed Six in the configuration you illustrate and an S&W Model 13 in the same configuration, and it seems to me that the Ruger frame is larger.

 

[Cal44]

The M296 is a similar concept -- 5 shot 44 special DAO and light.

Good luck finding one, though.

 

[Cal44]

.44 Special ammo has unfortunately become increasingly hard to find and expensive. I always liked the Blazer JHPs though.

Well, probably should consider mail order.

Right now ammoseek.com shows 9 places with Gold Dot 44 special ammo in stock.

So it's not really had to find, but you are sure right about expensive.

If you live in one of the states that doesn't allow mail order, you probably should move.

Even the People's republic of California allows mail order in most counties.

 

[LaVistaBill]

Charter Bulldog

I've had a number of Charter .38 snubbies over the years and tested a few more for gun articles. Sometimes the QC leaves something to be desired I'll agree, but for the most part they have been dependable, with sufficient practical accuracy. Recently I saw one of the .44 Bulldog "Classics" for sale and snapped it up. I always liked the original .44 Bulldog so I went for it. It came with rubber grips, but I fixed that. At a recent short range session I shot the Bulldog with 3 .44 Special loads. I did the chronograph thing and Remington 246 RNL gave 633 FPS; Black Hills 210 gr. LFP "Cowboy" ammo did 680 FPS and Federal 200 gr. LSWCHP loads clocked 772 FPS (that's what I keep in it). Some fast DA shooting with the Black Hills load at 10 yards gave the results you can see in the photo. I carry my Bulldog in a strong-side, pancake-style, belt holster.