Charter Arms Bulldog (44 special)

Thats the truth on the pachmayr.
Love that holster CL!

Too bad about that bullet.

Slamfire said:

After a number of years of shooting Bullseye I have determined that my greatest source of inaccuracy is due to my flinch. And as the match goes on, the flinch gets worse. My Bulldog is a light pistol and I can say, yes around 20 rounds, and I am flinching. People need to shoot a 20 ounce 44 Special to appreciate the recoil. It is a lot worse than in an N frame.

I used 240 grain bullets and Unique.

View attachment 857159

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I owned one years ago, I really liked it

Mine has the 2.5-inch barrel, but it's still a shooter. Bought it second hand and barely used.

Crazy Horse said:

Hello,

I purchased a Charter Arms Bulldog classic with the 3 inch barrel. I have found a good shooting load using 200gr hard cast L-RNFP bullets using Bullseye powder. Recoil is now tamed (along with adding a pachmayr grips.

The issue I'm having is the firearm shooting 5 inches right of target. The CA Bulldog has fixed sights and this is the first firearm I've purchased with fixed sights that doesn't hit at the point of aim. I have a Taurus 905-9mm and a Taurus 85-38+p that both have fixed sights and shoot excellent at 7 yards.

Any recommendations (aside from using Kentucky windage) on how to adjust fixed sights? Does CA help with such issues?

TIA

JLM

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Hello Crazy Horse:
My CA Professional 32 was also shooting way low. I designed and 3d printed an "add on" rear sight. My 32 can now thread a needle. (See pictures)

Crazy Horse said:

Interesting. Is it adjustable?

I have learned to compensate. If CA would have put an adjustable rear sight, I'm sure it would garner more buyers. It is nice, light, and really the only one of it's kind. The only other 44 special still produced is by Ruger, who everyone knows builds tanks. Every other maker is making 44 Mag instead while still being able to shoot 44 special. This is great if your out in the woods, but not so much for plinking.

I do have a Taurus Tracker 44, which is awesome. It is rated for 44 Mag, but I have only shot 44 special rounds through it. The rear sight is adjustable and I like it.

I really want to like the CA, but sadly it requires significantly more compensation than every other firearm I have. So, I'll still keep it because I love the 44 special round, but it won't do duty by the bedside.

I thought about the CA in .32, but with prices skyrocketing and inventory dwindling I'll wait until the crisis is over.

THX

CH

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Rear sight is not adjustable. I 3d print the rear sight and deepen the bottom of the "V" with a round file. I do a temporary attachment and test fire / finesse / and test fire again until the sight is spot on. Once I am happy with the results, I epoxy it on for good.

Charter Arms puts out lots of subpar guns with plenty of quality control issues, and they know it. That is the reason they cost what they do yet are still American made.

Their angle is that they hope most customers never even notice, and most don’t, because most never shoot guns like the .44 Bulldog enough to discover the issues or are otherwise just plainly ignorant.

The good news is that if a more discerning consumer does notice any issues, their customer service and turnaround times for work are simply outstanding. You will often hear tons of first hand stories about how good Charter Arms customer service is. That’s because so many have resorted to using it. This includes me, twice, for a new Bulldog about 5 years ago. The gun was back in hand in ONE WEEK free of charge for all work after I sent it in both times.

It is because of this reason I wouldn’t hesitate to buy from them again, despite knowing in full how lousy of a product that might show up. This company is an anomaly in the industry and frankly their unconventional business model is quite effective.

Crazy Horse said:

I got the Bulldog classic and was wondering if the new Bulldog was any heavier to make for less felt recoil. It certainly looks heavier, I guess they weigh the same. Still love the gun, just wish they would add some weight so it wouldn't recoil as hard. That would definitely make for more accurate shot groups when at the range and firing 50+ rounds.

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I don’t have a Classic Bulldog to weigh .. but I do have a new model with a 2.5 inch barrel...
The only differences
Classic has a 3inch barrel vs the 2.5 inch barrel
Classic has no under lug on the barrel ...
If I was guessing the Classic should weigh a ounce less

Crazy Horse said:

I cannot tell the difference between one ounce, but I will say it is one of the lightest revolvers I have. Even my tauri (us) are heavier.

Still when you look at something that light and see the diameter at the end of the barrel, you're like wow. That's a big round.

CH

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A idea about the size of a Charter Boomer vs
a S&W 642 & a LCR357

Yes Mr. Newtons rules still apply. My Bulldog wears pachys. I shoot 200 grain bullets with either unique or trail boss depending on the application.

Crazy Horse said:

Hello,

I purchased a Charter Arms Bulldog classic with the 3 inch barrel. I have found a good shooting load using 200gr hard cast L-RNFP bullets using Bullseye powder. Recoil is now tamed (along with adding a pachmayr grips.

The issue I'm having is the firearm shooting 5 inches right of target. The CA Bulldog has fixed sights and this is the first firearm I've purchased with fixed sights that doesn't hit at the point of aim. I have a Taurus 905-9mm and a Taurus 85-38+p that both have fixed sights and shoot excellent at 7 yards.

Any recommendations (aside from using Kentucky windage) on how to adjust fixed sights? Does CA help with such issues?

TIA

JLM

Click to expand...

Had the same problem with my 32 Professional. The barrels are threaded/screwed into the body. Yours was over-tightened slightly past center. Your front sight is off to the left. Place the barrel in a vice protected from scratching with rags. It takes a bit of effort, but you can grip the body and slightly untwist the barrel so that the front sight is top dead center. If sight is dead center, your shots will be also.

I bought a 44 Bulldog in March. Experienced lockup problems so I contacted the company and sent it back for service.
According to link they sent me. They have not even inspected the gun yet, although they received it on April 5th!

Hockey7711 said:

I bought a 44 Bulldog in March. Experienced lockup problems so I contacted the company and sent it back for service.
According to link they sent me. They have not even inspected the gun yet, although they received it on April 5th!

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[email protected]

The owners email ....
email him

Thanks,
I was actually thinking of calling him.
I'll email him first.

He got the wheels moving quick for me ....
I just hope the delay is not because of sickness,
Its a small company

I got this update today because I asked what is going on:
"As of right now your gun still has to be looked at and repaired by our technician. Our repair time right now is anywhere from 30 to 60 days."
They have already had it for a month...is it worth emailing the owner?

Hockey7711 said:

I got this update today because I asked what is going on:
"As of right now your gun still has to be looked at and repaired by our technician. Our repair time right now is anywhere from 30 to 60 days."
They have already had it for a month...is it worth emailing the owner?

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They probably are having the same problem as we are having here .. nobody is wanting to work ...they are home drawing unemployment...

I would let it ride another week or two. I have one back there now too. It's in their system, so it just has to work it's way through the system.

OK, what was wrong with yours?

Hockey7711 said:

I bought a 44 Bulldog in March. Experienced lockup problems so I contacted the company and sent it back for service.
According to link they sent me. They have not even inspected the gun yet, although they received it on April 5th!

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A while back this year or last on their facebook page Charter said they're at about 8 weeks turnaround time on repairs. Just guessing that's part of the current craziness. Back a few years ago when I had a couple undercovers, turnaround was about 2 weeks.