[TonyB]

OK,so I'm buying a Bulldog from a friend,and plan on carrying it..what ammo should I use?I'm hearing the 200 gr gold dots are good.

[GaryP]

I carry my 3" Bulldog loaded with Georgia Arms 200gr Gold Dot HP's most of the time, but occassionally I go with Winchester 200gr Silvertips or I will Alternate every other round with these. Due to the 200gr bullet recoil is not bad in the light weight Bulldog. Both of these rounds are designed to give adequate expansion out of a 3" barrel. The GA round is rated at 850 fps, I am not sure about the Winchester Silvertip. In any event I never use ammo that exceeds 1000 fps as my 1980 Bulldog was not designed for +P ammo. Modern ammo design technology produces good expansion out of a 3" barrel with FPS ratings under 1000 fps.


:evil:

[Tom Servo]

I carry the Georgia Arms 200gr Gold Dots, and they're great ammo. Recoil is punchy but not excessive, and they burn very clean.

It's an accurate round, and against wet phonebooks, the wound channel is the same size as a 230gr .45ACP, though the .44 penetrates about 2" further.

This is out of a 3" bbl S&W 696.

[Stainz]

Another vote for the GA Arms 200gr GDJHP. They make 805 fps from my 296 - and 840 fps from my 696, just like the similar ballistics 200gr GDJHP Blazers, which uses the same Speer #4427 bullet. The ammo's are also similarly priced these days, making the Starline brass cased GA Arms ammo the better buy for us reloaders. Of course, the fact that an Al cased Blazer round burst in my 696 a few years back help swayed me towards the brass as well - especially in the Ti cylindered 296.

Speer insists that the #4427 is fully effective at 800 fps, too.

Stainz

[TonyB]

thanks guys.....I shot some hot hand loads that the guy made up for it and I swear they were almost magnums.....I also shot some fed. gold dots and they were way more tolerable in the recoil dept.I think I'll go with them.Now to order some speedloaders.....

[moxie]

I've used 200 gr. Speer GDHP Blazers for years in the Bulldog Pug. Perfect.

[strangelittleman]

check out some of the Cor-bon 165gr. at 1050 fps/404fpe, or the Federal SWC-LHP 200gr. at 870fps/336fpe. The Federal is very accurate and mild in the report & recoil dept, think of it as a super-size, .44cal version of the old .38spl. "FBI load".....good stuff!!

[MICHAEL T]

I have the 200 Gold dot blazer or the Silver tips in my Bulldog. I wouldn't go to hot in the C .A . It won't take it and neither will your hand.

[TonyB]

Yeah,I had heard that about the bulldog and the hot loads.I plan to use cowboy loads for practice....the guy who made up the hot loads is giving me a bunch with the gun,and I'll use them sparingly.The gold dots or sliver tips are so expensive that I'll use them for carry and maybe a box or 2 to see how the hit.
one cool think is that it fits in my k frame holster,so I don't need to get another one..more money for ammo;)

[JERRY]

at times it sickens me to hear about a good, properly made C.A. bulldog .44spl.

i tried them twice and got lemons both times even after a few trips back to the factory....

im glad somebody has a good one. the guns were a great idea from a company that rarely got it right in my book.

[TonyB]

yeah,although I've only fired 100 rounds thru it ,it locks up tight and is very accurate.....I can even hit w/ double taps.
what problems did yours have,just so I can keep an eye out for them.

[JERRY]

mine "got loose", as in lost timing shaved bullets against the forcing cone after about 200 rounds, developed excessive side rotational play in the cylinder, the very thin cylinder stop (shark fin style) wore down quickly allowing the cylinder to be manually rotated passed it. this happened on both of my C.A. .44spl bulldogs.

i did however own a 3" pathfinder .22lr that was top grade in my book.

[TonyB]

Jerry:if and when you sent the BD back to CA,did they fix it?I was wondering about their customer service.

[jgorniak]

I just picked up a new Bulldog last week. Took it out Friday for the first time, wondering if everything was going to click.

I couldn't even load 5 rounds into the cylinder. Correction: I could load 5, but I couldn't close the cylinder. The last round would not seat all the way down. I thought I might have had some bad Blazers, but I discovered that it was the same chamber that wouldn't seat each time. I ended up shooting my 4 shot Bulldog with surprising (for me) accuracy (Blazer 200gr GDHPs) .

When I got it home on the bench, I found a burr on the ejector that was partially blocking the bad chamber. I was able to snap it off with needle-nose pliers and polish it. I guess I could have tested the Charter Arms lifetime warranty, but I'd like to put off something like that for as long as possible.

[TonyB]

you guys got me nervous....since I already gave the guy 1/2 the money.So I'm out side doing my leaves,when I hear the guy shooting(he's my neighbor)so I go flying over there and shoot my .45 and ask to shoot the BD again.....so I shoot it and check it out AGAIN....it passes the revolver check out,and is accurate as heck.We go inside after and I'm still checking it out..I'll be damned if I can find anything wrong w/ it.maybe we just got lucky.anyway,I'm getting it on my permit this week and look forward to carrying it,and shooting it...sorry for all you guys troubles.
maybe I'm just blessed,I've had lots of "cheaper guns"and have had little or no problmes.although I DID have to send my smith and wesson back after 400 rounds.But i've had Taurus's,and a Rossi that were and are great.Oh,yeah I had a Dan Wesson that sucked.Sometimes you get your money's worth,sometimes you get a good value,and sometimes you get ripped off,I guess.

[JERRY]

there are a few c.a. bulldogs out there that made it to the good pile inspite of the q.c.....though ive never seen one.....

i will confess that the c.a. pathfinder i had was a good gun as well as an old 5 shot snubby .38spl a friend of mine has....

maybe the bulldogs of different periods were made better or worse....depending.....

[GaryP]

Jerry which period were your BD's from?

The old Charter Arms Corp. began production of the BD .44Spl in 1973 and went bankrupt in 1992. No production for several years between numbers 1 & 2 and again between 2 & 3. Somewhere around here I have the dates for the different Charter companies but I could not find them at this time.

I purchased the CA Bulldog I presently own NIB back in 1980 and have not had one problem with it.
I have put 2000+ rounds down range with it over the years, mostly 246gr RNL during the early years, but for the past 8 years or so it has been 200gr HP ammo. I have owned several used Charco era Bulldogs and one used Charter 2000 over the past 4 or five years but did not care for them. They are no longer with me. I carry my 3" these days in CCW role because it is reliable, light and a descent caliber. The Charco era guns really destroyed the public's confidence in Charter to the point I doubt they will ever recover. Perceptions are everything in todays world. At one time the Charter Arms Bulldog .44 was one of the most popular LEO BUGS around! When I purchased this one just about every LEO I knew had one. From what I am hearing about the new ones marketed by MKS it does not look good for the present Charter Arms but time will tell. It is sad because these new Bulldogs have the potential to be the best of the breed given today's technology if CA will do their part. There definitely is a niche out there for them to fill in the SD market but no one is going to buy substandard goods especially when it comes to self defense. My experience with CA has convinced me beyond a shadow of Doubt that the 1st generation Bulldogs (Stratford, Conn) are better built guns, at least as things stand now.


------------- Bulldog .44spl only as far as ratings & comments --------------

1. 1st Generation BD .44: Charter Arms Corp., Stratford, Conn. on barrel
........... A. Fit & Finish very good
............B. Not +P rated
............C. Front sight shooting loose was an issue
............D. Broken firing pins were common until CA changed to Beryllium-Copper firing pins
............E. Functionality good to very good
............F. Qualty control good
............G. Quality good

2. Charco era: Charco on barrel
............A. Cylinder binding common
............B. Fit & Finish poor to fair
............C. Quality control poor
............D. Functionality poor to fair
............E. Quality poor to fair
............F. Timing issues

3. Charter 2000: Charter 2000 on barrel
............A. +P rated; steady diet not recommended
............B. Quality control fair to good
............C. Fit & Finish Fair
............D. Functionality fair to good
............E. Quality fair to good
............F. Timing issues

4. Charter Arms (2005) second time with this name. Relationship with MKS Supply
............A. Quality control issues
............B. +P rated; steady diet not recommended
............C. Jury still out but not looking good



:evil:

[TonyB]

so if mine says Stanford Conn...is it definately 1st gen?It has bobbed hammer,but I think the front sight is part of the barrel,I don't see how it would get loose.I wonder if CA can date it?

[shep854]

I have a Taurus 445, 2in blue. It's really a sweet gun. With the 200gr GDHPs, it stings, so I would only run one cylinder-full at a time. I'm looking into getting custom grips, hoping that will make the warm loads more comfortable to shoot.

[bpisler]

I use the Winchester 200gr silver
tips in my 1st generation charter
arms bulldog.They are quite a bit
more accurate than the gold dots
and federals.

[TonyB]

well<i emailed CA to find a born on date..they said circa 1983-84,so I guess it's a 1st gen.
I've been fondling it all night(the gun that is)and hope to get to the range this week.the fit and finish has held up for a 20 year old gun.locks up pretty tight.I really like the size for carry,it's like a k frame.I ordered 2 speedloaders for it yesterday and need to pick up some SD ammo this week.so far I'm happy w/ my $200 carry gun.as always I like to put at least 200 rounds through anything I plan to carry.But barring any weird happenings,I'll start carrying it asap.

[GaryP]

Tony B says

so if mine says Stanford Conn...is it definately 1st gen?It has bobbed hammer,

The key is in the company name in front of STRATFORD, CONN. Also the 1st generation Bulldogs had 3" barrels and did not have bobbed hammers as far as I know. What text is imprinted on the right side of your Bulldog's barrel with the gun pointed down range? If it is not CHARTER ARMS CORP., STRATFORD, CONN. it is not a 1st generation Bulldog .44 SPL.

Several years ago I Emailed Charter when they were Charter 2000 inquiring about MFG dates by serial number and they replied that serial number/mfgdte info was not available on older Charter revolvers. :(

Later,

:evil:

[GaryP]

Tony,

I posted right behind you so I did not see your last response. What are the first 3 numbers in your serial number as in 123xxx. I purchased mine in early 1980 NIB. WE should be close, but the Company name is the Key.


:evil:

[Walkalong]

My Bulldog.

Purchased it around earlt to mid 80's. Shoots great. Much more accurate than I expected. I bought it for a snake gun to shoot rat shot in, but it is very accurate. Recoil is stout at 21 (I think) ounces. Pachmyars helped.

Serial # 1009XXX. "CHARTER ARMS CORP_STRATFORD, CONN." on the barrel.

Cylinder rotates backwards, like a Colt.:evil:

Full Wadcutters will cut a nice neat .44 hole a long way in a bad guy. No real need for JHP's.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=49085&d=1165685350

[GaryP]

Walkalong,

Your ser # sounds about right for a mid 1980's Bulldog. Mine is 713xxx and was purchased very early in 1980 so it is possible it was made in 1979. Back in the late 1970's thru the late 1980's Charter Arms was selling all the Bulldog .44's they could make. They had sold over 500,000 bulldogs by the early 1980's. I was thinking the first Charter Arms Corp went Bankrupt in the mid 1980's but finally found the info here on the web -- it was 1992. Then came Charco, later Charter 2000 and now Charter Arms Corp again.

When I purchased my Bulldog back in 1980 I also orded a Charter Arms series 400 holster directly from Charter which is made of leather with a shiney black finish and has the Charter Arms USA emblem stamped on the back and towards the bottom has a 400 then directly below that a 3" stamped on it. They also marketed a series 300 holster for the smaller Charter revolvers. The holsters are relatively rare as they did not sell many of these. Mine has never been used as I did not like it, mainly because the leather is hard and I was afraid it would scratch the finish on my gun.

That's a nice 1st Generation Bulldog .44 you have there! :)

Later,

:evil:

[TonyB]

Yeah it is Stratford(I left my bi-focals at work)..the seriel # is 828XXX....the hammer may have been either replced or done by a smith...it is bobbed,but has tiny serrations so it can be cocked.It also has the full Pacmeyrs,I'm gonna get the shorter ones from CA though.
thanks for all the help....I feel a Bulldog Club thread coming on(or maybe this IS one);)

[TonyB]

Walkalong:aside from the hammer,that's exactly my BD.Glad a few of us got good ones.