Charter Arms Bulldog 44

[CZU]

I have been wanting one of these for sometime. After I sold my Taurus 431 I still had 4-5 hundred rds of 44 special so it was nice that this one popped up the other day. It's a Bridgeport and I figure probably 1st-2nd year production. I don't think the grips are original, will be looking for the target grips. I have those on my 6" Pathfinder and they feel good in the hand The print ad is from a 1974 Gun Digest.

 

[murphydog]

Depending on how warm your .44 Special loads are, you may appreciate those rubber grips. A lot. Enjoy!

 

[JohnK]

I bought a 2" years ago. Wanted a "big" bore, and read that the factory loads were anemic.

WRONG !

That thing HURT !

A friend lusted after it, and I gave it to him...……………..

 

[jimmyj]

I have one like yours.
The recoil in terrible. The last time I fired it I loaded 180 grain RN cast lead bullets which tamed the recoil down some, but it is still more than I can handle.

Jimmy (aka Wimp Man)

 

[steveno]

I shot one of these revolvers with some of Elmer's memorial loads and I can tell you it is the worst recoiling handgun I have ever shot. that includes a XP-100 in 308 Winchester

 

[eb07]

Own and carry one all the time. Shoot it a lot.

Recoil? Easy Peasy. My airweight j frame with 135gr +p recoils as much 240's are stout but I carry and train with 200's



[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlxLMuXphj4[/ame]

 

[typetwelve]

I don't have the classic model, I have the more modern stainless one and I really like it.

It can definitely be a handful, that's for sure. If I want to take it out for target work, I load up some mild loads and it really makes it far more pleasant to shoot.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

I really like the .44 special for SD and it is my EDC. I shoot 240gr
Hornady JHP bullets in my S&W 4 inch. These are close to 980 ft./sec.
and the recoil is fine. Of course I am talking about a heavier gun
than the Charter.

 

[18robert]

i ended up with 3 of these a couple months ago. i use to carry one for backup as a lake havasu cop in my boot. so, i shot these three with cowboy loads. total 15 rounds, sold all three at the next gun show. guess i'm real old now........

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

Made famous by the Son of Sam

 

[reccpd101]

I own a couple from way back. Magnaport helps a lot but they do kill on both ends.

 

[CajunBass]

I've owned a couple over the years, and I don't think they're THAT bad, but neoprene grips are a must (The factory ones are inexpensive, and good). The wood ones will beat my hand to death.

 

[DWalt]

I found a pair of Pachmayr Presentation rubber grips for mine on eBay. They make it far more pleasant to shoot. I use only very light .44 Special handloads.

 

[ME94]

Here's mine recoil isn't to bad with standard loads. I do not shoot it much be because it does not seem to be to tough, but it is a tack driver.

 

[Grayfox]

The .44 Special is one of my favorite cartridges. Every .44 lover should own a bulldog at least once in their life. Great little gun.
I picked this one up a few years ago LNIB. It had the original grips plus a set of Pacmyer compacts. I shot it with the wood grips once. That was enough for me. You will learn to appreciate rubber.

 

[Dump1567]

My local shop had a used 2017 produced hammerless that I picked-up for around $330 OTD. I've always wanted one just because I like the "little Big Bore" concept.

I promptly took it out to shoot and hated the horrible trigger pull. The grips were too small for my large hands affecting my trigger control. I put some Pach's on to see if it helps. Just need to go shoot it again.

I also order some Underwood Gold Dot ammo. Seems to be a great SD choice.

I also have a 5 shot ported Taurus .41 Mag. It has a much better trigger.

 

[Jessie]

I don't mind the wood grips. Of course, I don't shoot it all the time either.
Sticking to standard loads helps.
I bought one of the first ones and had it's hammer bobbed later. They've been so inexpensive I bought a second one for the field. It's a stainless.
Great little gun if kept within its limits with a great cartridge and very easy to carry in a Lobo enhanced pancake.

 

[MOONDAWG]

To me .44 spl Charter Arms Bulldog has more comfortable recoil than any 12-16 oz. .38 spl. revolver loaded with +P's or even standard factory 158 grainers.

 

[typetwelve]

To me .44 spl Charter Arms Bulldog has more comfortable recoil than any 12-16 oz. .38 spl. revolver loaded with +P's or even standard factory 158 grainers.

You're not kidding. I've owned a 14.something oz 637 and a Bodyguard 38. Federal 38E +P ammo is a serious hand stinger with those fellas, never did like shooting them.

 

[mk70ss]

I love mine and carried it every day for two years until I bought a new SA Hellcat. Recoil wasn't too bad with Winchester Silver Tips.