Top Part of Frame Slightly Warped in Charter Arm's Bulldog 44, is this safe? Normal?

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NewToGuns44

NewToGuns44

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So I've bought a used Charter Arm's Bulldog in 44 Special got it for cheap, maybe this is why? I'm new to gun's, seems too shoot well enough as it goes bang and doesn't completely whiff when I shoot targets although I've noticed that the top part of the frame look's as if it's been warped, is this safe or normal? I'm not sure if it's developed since I've had the gun. I've put a couple different types of round's through it myself and I've heard I've that this gun apparently doesn't take certain ammo well. Just wanted verification or maybe some input as to what has gone on here

I've attached an image of what I'm talking about

I've shot:
Hornady Critical Defense 165 Grain
Sig Sauer Hollow Points 200 Grain
and Remmington Performance Wheelgun 246 Grain
These are probably not the specific name's (forgive my newness)

Thank you and hope to learn from all of you!
 

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NewToGuns44 said:
So I've bought a used Charter Arm's Bulldog in 44 Special got it for cheap, maybe this is why? I'm new to gun's, seems too shoot well enough as it goes bang and doesn't completely whiff when I shoot targets although I've noticed that the top part of the frame look's as if it's been warped, is this safe or normal? I'm not sure if it's developed since I've had the gun. I've put a couple different types of round's through it myself and I've heard I've that this gun apparently doesn't take certain ammo well. Just wanted verification or maybe some input as to what has gone on here

I've attached an image of what I'm talking about

I've shot:
Hornady Critical Defense 165 Grain
Sig Sauer Hollow Points 200 Grain
and Remmington Performance Wheelgun 246 Grain
These are probably not the specific name's (forgive my newness)

Thank you and hope to learn from all of you!
Click to expand...
Kind of hard to tell from that pic but looks kind of like some incredibly poor work from the factory more than like anything warped. Could not hurt to have a pro look to be sure. Also could not hurt to send a pic to Charter and ask if they would send an RMA to look at it.
 
Alex Clayton said:
Kind of hard to tell from that pic but looks kind of like some incredibly poor work from the factory more than like anything warped. Could not hurt to have a pro look to be sure. Also could not hurt to send a pic to Charter and ask if they would send an RMA to look at it.
Click to expand...

Thank you for replying

I see, even in the event that it is just shoddy work would that compromise the integrity of the gun? I ask that because it does seem to function properly and if its just a cosmetic thing I am not particularly bothered by that. Feel like it would take 20 year's during this pandemic to get it looked at
 
Dan-O said:
I’d still reach out to Charter Arms. Have heard the ceo answers the phones sometimes. I’m sure they’ll treat you right.
Click to expand...

I'll definitely just go that route and be patient then, Thank's for the advice everyone!
 
NewToGuns44 said:
Attached a clearer image
Click to expand...
That pic is much better. It sure looks like just sloppy quality control at the factory. As long as the timing is good, as in its not shaving lead sure looks fine. You could find something the right diameter to use as a range rod to double check. Any signs around the forcing cone like the cylinder timing is off and shaving lead. Shot from a good solid rest are all 5 hitting to the same point? It sure looks to me like it just got past the inspectors at the plant not like its been damaged.
 
NewToGuns44,
When I open your two photos, turn my phone sideways, expand them and then look longways at the screen as if inspecting a 2x4 piece of lumber for straightness it appears the top of your top strap is normal. It appears the bottom of the top strap has been machined, buffed, ground out a bit by an over zealous worker, or that same worker didn’t properly machine the very center of the top strap making it look warped.

I would still call Charter but I would ask to send them your photos to see what the think. You may even want to use a dial or digital caliper to measure the thickness of the top strap at the front middle and rear and give those numbers to Charter. You can get cheap calipers on Amazon or at Harbor Freight if you don’t have access to one.
 
I agree with Pat Riot. The top of the straps appears to be straight and normal while the bottom of the top strap has a slight bulge in the center. I do not think that the frame has been compromised and the gun should be safe to shoot as long as there is no clearance issue with the closing of the cylinder. I suspect that this is what C.A. will tell you but will grind the slight bulge if you request it. Have you tried to find another C.A. to compare yours to?
 
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Upon waking up to all these wonderful responses it seems the general consensus is that someone just got sloppy with their work and it might have been just enough to pass an inspection. The gun does shoot fine, not shaving lead (as far as I've seen) and seemed to be on target as much as me being an amateur shooter can be as it is my first snub nose. After some thought I've decided to go with idea of investing in getting a caliper. Taking those measurement's and picture's and then give Charter Arm's a call and if they are able to verify that it is in spec (if that's the right term) and it turn's out to just be a cosmetic issue/overzealous grinding that doesn't compromise integrity. I am not particularly bothered by it. Wasn't looking for a "pretty" gun and as from my understanding is these weren't meant to be top quality level gun's to begin with (not bashing Charter Arm's). But I did do research as to make sure they weren't falling in the category of those Charter 2000's which apparently were pretty hit or miss. I was able to verify that it was manufactured by the current owner's of Charter Arm's just through some googling of how they would label them throughout the year's. Although even if they say it's alright but are willing to fix it at no cost (which apparently does happen). I wouldn't be adverse to sending it in and having that done also as apparently they have great customer service (which is nice to know).

I really appreciate all the replies and its nice to see that's there's such a wonderful community of people here that are open to answering questions in a very thorough manner, this will definitely be my go to forum for any type of questions and or educative material as everyone seems to be incredibly well versed when it comes to firearm's

Thank you all!
 
Pat called it, I was looking at the same thing across the top and it does look straight.. which is good.
As the guys have said, if it’s shooting well I think you’ll be ok.
Now the Charter is a serviceable firearm that’s been made for many years, but it isn’t the worlds strongest .44 Spl. I suggest you stay within factory ammo pressure specs and your Bulldog will serve you well. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
Riomouse911 said:
Pat called it, I was looking at the same thing across the top and it does look straight.. which is good.
As the guys have said, if it’s shooting well I think you’ll be ok.
Now the Charter is a serviceable firearm that’s been made for many years, but it isn’t the worlds strongest .44 Spl. I suggest you stay within factory ammo pressure specs and your Bulldog will serve you well. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
Click to expand...

Speaking of it not being the world's strongest .44 SPL how many round's do you think I would be able to put through it without it falling apart? I keep hearing the term shoot less, carry a lot, which seems a bit counter intuitive. But figure a valid question as I assume all gun's have a lifespan especially one of this quality
 
I think the “ carry a lot, shoot a little” title on the .44 Bulldog is geared more to the lightweight guns recoil being uncomfortable for long shooting sessions compared to an N frame Smith or similar gun, not because there are a finite number of trigger pulls before it falls apart. They’ve been making the .44 Bulldogs for decades, if they were junk they would’ve died out long ago. :)
Like any gun, if you push the power envelope you will wear the gun faster than if you stay within reasonable limits. The .44 Spl pushes a big slug at a reasonable velocity at standard pressures, so even out of a 3” barrel you’ll have plenty of potential stopping power with well placed shots.
Go out and enjoy your Bulldog without worrying about it needing attention for many years. :thumbup:
Stay safe.
 
No gun manufacturer makes a gun you are supposed to "carry a lot but shoot a little".
That would be the stupidest marketing campaign ever. And since CA takes care of their customers very well, even with guns made during previous ownership, that would be extremely costly if they were putting out a fragile product.
 
You should definitely contact Charter Arms about this -- they owe you a new gun.

Let me point out that any pressure event that would warp the frame like that would destroy the cylinder first -- are the sides blown off any chambers? Is the cylinder split down the middle? Do you even have excessive end-shake? Is the revolver out of time?

If the answer to all those questions is "no" then the gun was made that way.
 
The "Carry often shoot little" stuff is laughable. I think it should be "Shoot what you carry often". I stopped counting at 4,000 rounds out of my Dog. Guessing close to or over 5,000 now. I stick to standard load data. No need to hot rod it IMO.

Shoot the snot out of it.

Be well folks
 
Glad that Charter is doing the right thing.

With regard to shooting it, standard pressure .44 Special ammunition - especially with cast (as opposed to jacketed) bullets - is very mild stuff. Any revolver in decent condition should be able to digest many thousands of rounds of it. And, as is so often pointed out, if you can afford to shoot a gun enough to wear it out, you can afford to buy a new gun on occasion!
 
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I would request a replacement. That doesn't look good, why risk it. Just tell them it's obviously wrong and your not happy with it, they shouldn't be happy that left the factory like that either....
 
My undercover 38 (2019 model year) had a lil wobble in the cyl, shot fine timing looks good but it just bothered me a little. Sent it in- they got it Monday. Their CS is good. Super nice people. I can’t wait to get it back. If they don’t do a thing to it that’s fine. She said “send it in we’d rather know what’s going on than guess, We want you safe out there”
 
No gun manufacturer makes a gun you are supposed to "carry a lot but shoot a little".
Click to expand...
It has definitely happened. S&W did at one time. They put out a small .380ACP (SW380) with a zamak slide and actually stated that it had a design lifetime of only 2500 rounds.

https://www.breachbangclear.com/sw380-pocket-gun/
http://www.nramuseum.org/media/363985/Sep 95.pdf
"S&W estimates the service life of the SW380 at about 2,500 rounds."

I don't keep close track of guns with that kind of price point, so I can't say categorically that there are companies out there still doing that, but it wouldn't surprise me at all. There is certainly a category of gun buyers who buy a gun to carry but who don't plan to shoot it other than maybe once at the range to see how it works. I know several people like that.
 
My guess is it was a bad casting that didn't clean during machining and it got sent thru either knowingly or unknowingly. At assembly it passed the function tests and was deemed good and was shipped.

You're lucky it's not a sight issue otherwise Charter would do nothing about it.
 
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