Any one carry a Charter Arms Bulldog?

[CTI1USNRET]

Anyone and everyone can yap about how this brand or that model is superior to the Charter Arms ...

What is really irritating is when someone totally disregards the satisfaction and enjoyment of a choice someone made. Gun nazis can't stop themselves from criticizing others' choices.

I love to read a post by someone who is totally over-the-moon happy with a gun he just bought. I don't care what gun it is.

I like the Bulldog 44. I had one in the 80's. I remember my satisfaction with it and definitely felt I was carrying enough gun.

Since then, bullet technology has improved and there are more choices: more hard cast weights, Hornady XTP, Speer Gold Dot, Barnes XPB, etc.

 

[SIAD MP]

Thanks Duster, The holster and grips are from their shop on the Charter Arms web page. Good price and great quality. The holster is top notch and has an elasatstic insert to add tension. It even fits K frame snubbies. It is perfect for a 2 1/2 inch barrel. Went out shooting with the Daughter and her hubby Saturday. Bulldog made me proud by shooting 15 rounds into a ragged hole off hand at 7 yards. Really getting to like this package.

 

[Duster340]

Thanks for the info SIAD MP. Much appreciated, gonna visit their site tonight. I know what you mean about the Bulldog, makes me proud every time I take it to the range. Folks can't believe the little fella shoots so darn well. Both my brother and brother in-law were believers after handling mine. Both are now in the process of tracking one down for themselves.

Thanks again.

 

[TexasArmed]

I wished I had a prettier Charter Arms Bulldog, mine is quite old
made in Stratford, CT. Every time I think about only carrying
one gun, something in the back of my mind reminds me, that
waiting lists for criminals to get into prison is as long as those
for veterans, the more they turn loose and the more that comes
across our borders I just cave in and strap it on along with my
S&W 38 Special 642-1. I also wished that the CA 44 Special
I carry every day, were stainless steel.

I believe I have carried my CA 44 Special so much that the blue
is wearing off of it. Do they re blue these guns?

 

[eb07]

I wished I had a prettier Charter Arms Bulldog, mine is quite old
made in Stratford, CT. Every time I think about only carrying
one gun, something in the back of my mind reminds me, that
waiting lists for criminals to get into prison is as long as those
for veterans, the more they turn loose and the more that comes
across our borders I just cave in and strap it on along with my
S&W 38 Special 642-1. I also wished that the CA 44 Special
I carry every day, were stainless steel.

I believe I have carried my CA 44 Special so much that the blue
is wearing off of it. Do they re blue these guns?

I would just roll with it, it adds character.

 

[Rule 303]

I live by the Theory that Everybody should carry what they like and makes them happy. Kinda like what is the best car or pickup question.

Me, I like my 696s or my 3 inch, RB 625 if I want to carry a smaller revolver of larger caliber.

But to each his own.

Rule 303

 

[SIAD MP]

Just got back from a walk with my two favorite dogs. My CA .44 Bulldog and my American Pit Bull terrier. Not sure why I carry, the .44. People give the Pit a wide berth and she is the sweetest, gentlest dog I have ever known. Oh well people are scared of guns too!

 

[WNiles22]

I've carried one for years as part of my ccw, and on the job as a taxi driver on the night shift. I've always felt in an up close and personal situation, those .44s would get the job done. Never had a problem with any that I've owned.

 

[John R]

Buddy of mine carries one, he's had it for 30 years or more.
Great little carry gun.
He carried it as a hide away while on duty, and as a CCW off duty.
He cut the barrel down as short as he could, and bobbed the hammer spur.
I'd buy one if I ever find a nice and clean one that hasn't been butchered.

 

[jack the toad]

I have an early Stratford used 3" that I bought earlier this year. I like it but seldom carry it. I have no issues in carrying it and for the $200 I have in it, I like it.

 

[TexasArmed]

I have an early Stratford used 3" that I bought earlier this year. I like it but seldom carry it. I have no issues in carrying it and for the $200 I have in it, I like it.

Mine is one made in Stratford, CT, but with barrel length of 2 and 1/2 inches. Its action is not as smooth as my S&W642-1 but it fits in my J Frame Holster. I have about $350 tied up
in mine. There is something about the weight and the feel of
a 44 Special I like, but I have a rule, I never sell a revolver.
I get attached to them.

 

[ironhead7544]

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 ejector rod is shrouded on the Target Bulldog. Had the 44 Special and the 357 Magnum. Nice trail guns.

 

[Rick_A]

Do not own but a neighbor has one of the UC Lites and it shoots just fine. The trigger is not the smoothest but the pull weight is reasonable

They're not the prettiest guns out there but they tend to work.

I'm deliberating whether to get a Bulldog 44, a Police Undercover 6-shot 38 spl, or just go with a S&W 649.

I like the size and weight of the steel framed Charters.

 

[Rick_A]

For those waiting for the Pit Bull 45acp, it's supposed to be out at around the December time frame. According to the company rep it is currently in testing. The frame/cylinder are a redesigned size, with a 2mm wider cylinder and 2mm taller frame.

I thought the 44's were a perfect size. That might make it just a little too big.

 

[cmort666]

I've never owned or carried one, but when I lived in Chicago in the '70s, I knew a guy who had one. I shot it a few times. Recoil was pretty stiff, but it seemed like a decent gun.

I'd like to have something similar. I've heard that QC can be hit or miss, but I'd carry one if I could found one in good shape. It probably wouldn't be too bad with the 200gr. Gold Dots I use in my 4" 29-2.

 

[smokey04]

I have owned 4 or 5 since they first came on the market.The first one was "quality challenged". I dumped it pretty quickly. The others were O.K.,the only thing to fit the bill. I still have one semi retired. I cut the barrel at 17/8" put small grips on it and clandestinely slipped in it my windbreaker pocket for traffic stops! Knowing that .44 will punch through car windows and windshields is a great comfort.I will admit it is not much fun to shoot though!!!
I was the NCOIC of the Ft. Bliss,Tx. Military Police Traffic Division. In El Paso the "cool" thing for Mexican Nationals was to steal a car after mid night drive it west and south through Ft. Bliss and be in Mexico before the E.P.D. could react. Consequently a traffic stop after mid night stood a high possibility of being a stolen car.Now, you can walk up to a car with your hand in your jacket pocket without raising too much attention. If that hand just happens to be wrapped around a little cannon it is mighty comforting! My B.Bulldog[read Illegitimate Bulldog] looks very much like busers' above and with the short barrel fits in any 2" J frame holster. Nick

 

[Watchdog]

The people running S&W are stupid. They still haven't made a P3AT sized .380 either.

And this makes them stupid because...?

 

[dogngun]

Bulldogs...

Many years ago, I had one of the old CA Bulldog revolvers, with the 3" barrel, and I had no love for it, especially when the front sight came off...
About 2 years ago, I found a NEW version, with the 2.5" barrel, made in Shelton-barrel, shroud and front sight all made in 1 piece...a VERY big improvement IMO. CA seems to have improved their process for boring the barrels, because the new CA revolvers are very accurate, and I find the DA trigger has smoothed up a lot with use.
I have the plain jane basic black .44 Spl Bulldog, and I like it so much I just bought a second one yesterday...should have it next Wednesday. I like shooting CCI Blazer JHP's in mine, and it seems to like them, too..they group well, and it's a light bullet, easy to shoot for my almost 70 year old body.

I sent my older by a few years Bulldog back to Charter because it had too much cylinder rotation - side to side...I shipped it via post office, marked the box "Finished Machine Parts" as instructed, on January the 10th...Just got it back today, January the 18th. They replaced the crane, test fired it, returned it Fed Ex, did not charge me a penny, even for shipping it back. Locks up tight as the new one now.
HIGHLY recommended!

 

[5point5sixGUY]

I don't carry mine, but I have two of them. One from the 80's and one a few years old that is still unfired, both in .44spl with bobbed hammers. Love the Bulldog!

 

[BC38]

I bought this 1973 vintage Bridgeport specimen for the princely sum of $185 OTD earlier this year. Couldn't be happier with it. Not even close the S&W quality, but it punches BIG holes right where I point it, and I can CCW it as easily as one of my J-frames - even in the same holsters. What's not to like?

 

[Gripgrabber]

I bought a new one about a month ago. Everything is ok on mine, it's my new trail gun. I reload and mostly shoot 4spl in my 44mags. I got tired of looking for a 694,and most going for 1200+. The bulldog replaced my governor for woods carry, because of weight and size.

 

[triaxle]

I wanted one since the Charter arms magna port backpacker days .I just picked up an old stainless 3 inch in the black and gold box ,got a few speed loaders and a older Bianchi holster for a 3 in J frame works perfect for this gun . Also some PMC 180 gr hp ammo 25 rd boxes are 19.00 around here and some 50 rd 210 cowboy ammo for 30. Iam good to go .

 

[twtalbot]

I have one. The stacky, Colt-like DA trigger pull was corrected by a Wolff spring and I'm in the process of finding out how much of the front sight needs to be filed down to get the point of impact near the point of aim. It actually groups quite well, just extremely low. I like everything else about this gun as a utilitarian carry piece.

 

[njr]

I got the 3 incher off GunBroker for too much money at about $550. Then I got a two and a half incher which carries much better from Cabela's for about $400 maybe less than that. I carrythe 2.5 inches iwb and in pocket and the kel-tec p-32 on the ankle. The bulldog is for mugging defense and for shooting through barriers. I carry the buffalo bore 200 grain hardcast wadcutter manstoppers in them with a side of gold dots hp.

Shot this 8 1/2 x 11 the other day at about 15 feet single action semi rapid fire for about a 3 inch group.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[dogngun]

Just so you know, I contacted Charter's Customer Service online at their website...ALL of their Shelton - marked guns will be repaired free. Other - earlier - guns will cost you $45 plus parts. I told them I bought the Bulldog used, and they tell me it's under warrantee, and no charge for me...
Takes 2 to 3 weeks usually to complete and return. Email them first!
FWIW, even though the barrel bore is not aligned with the cylinder bore on mine, I just bought a second one brand new for about $370. They wholesale for about $265...Try Buds Guns online for a better price than what you guys have been paying.

 

[Nasty Ned]

R

Those of you that say the 696 pulls your pants down should try a shoulder holster for that and the Charter as well.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

I finally got a 44 Spl Bulldog last year. After years of seeing them and always curious about how it remained the only true 44 Spl small frame revolver on the market, I decided to take a chance. I was never interested in the looks of the older ones and from what I understand Charter had updated all the flaws it had with the sights, barrel, and ejector rod over the years. The newest production Bulldog's are in my opinion a better gun than they were 25-30 years ago. Made in the USA and you get a lifetime no-questions-asked warranty. Everyone I've talk to who has dealt with their warranty/service dept has given me a positive view on the company.

It's been 6 months since I have owned, carried, and shot mine and so far I really like it. It's put together very well and everything locks up tight. This is a working man's gun... nothing fancy about it. The matte bead finish is nice. I normally hate rubber grips but the ones it came with feel good and serve it's purpose. The internals are a lot like a Ruger and the trigger sort of feels like one too. For a small gun it's pretty accurate and feels as light as my J frames. I also found it shares the same size holsters for a Colt Detective Special and Ruger SP101. I've really come to like it but if S&W ever releases a similar product to their lineup the Bulldog would most likely get replaced.

 

[Diesel Kilgore]

I have one. The stacky, Colt-like DA trigger pull was corrected by a Wolff spring and I'm in the process of finding out how much of the front sight needs to be filed down to get the point of impact near the point of aim. It actually groups quite well, just extremely low. I like everything else about this gun as a utilitarian carry piece.

I have read that they shoot more to POA with heavier and slower loads. 200-240 gr/750 fps. Cowboy loads basically. But ymmv...

It's funny, I was just lurking through this thread the other day and it got resurrected.

I've very much been in the market for a Bulldog. It would be a great woods gun and would go well with my Marlin 94 in 44 Mag. I can reload the Special and pretty much have a modern 44-40 ballistics combo. ~1200 fps/700 foe out of the 1894 and ~800 fps/350 foe from the Bulldog. Hardcast swc or even a soft lswchp would make me comfortable against anything where i'm located.

Buds Gun Shop is the best prices I've found, they dsrned near ship everything for free and have their layaway option for the Bulldog.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I had one of the early ones and liked it a lot. Carried it with Winchester Silvertips (200 grain?), and it was accurate enough for government work. It went away in a complicated swap that left me with a 3 inch Colt Detective Special and an Argentine Army Colt .45 1927. The Bulldog and Detective Special used the same holster.

I'd buy another 3 inch unshrouded one if it wasn't too much.

My brother bought a Charter Arms Undercover .38 and carried it in the Air Force for years, including missions to Vietnam. For his birthday a number of years back, I had a gunsmith clean it up and parkerize it for him. He doesn't carry it anymore, but he sure is proud of it. It survived two bailouts and a crash landing during the war.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I bought this one NIB a year ago this month (Jan 2016)

I like it so much that I've carried it daily since.