Charter Arms 5-Shot Bulldog (.44 SPL) and Mag Pug (.38 SPL/.357 Mag) 4.2" Bbl. Target.

My experience with a Target Bulldog 1970s vintage is that it sucked. The barrel shroud is held on by a single screw in the bottom of the barrel shroud applying pressure to the barrel its self. Not a very secure method. Also the adjustable sight was free floating in its channel with no mechanism to lock its settings. I need to shim it in place with matches (without the phosphorus tip) and don't adjust them at all. I still have it and it shoots reasonably well. Fast forward to NRA convention 2019 Indy. I took a look at the new production Bulldogs of all flavors. Seems well made and solid. I'd consider buying one if I were in the market for a light .44. By the way it's closer to a Colt D frame gun than a J frame Smith. My 3" Bulldog fits well in a Colt Detective Special 3" configured holster. By the way I LIKE the 3" original model 1970s vintage Bulldog. It's my concealed carry revolver of choice.

You do not show a Mag Pug, as you mentioned. You showed a Target Bulldog.
I have a Mag Pug, which is useless. Even the factory was unable to permanently correct the problem, which is a mainspring weakening over time. I got an "increased power" mainspring from Wolff, which certainly made a heavier action, but is still not reliable. (I notice that there are few other revolvers which require heavier springs, versus weaker springs.) This thing is just sitting locked away, waiting for any local turn-in programs, since I would feel guilty about selling it to anyone else. This is after about 300 rounds, which I can relate to, since few others who purchase a lower-priced DA revolver would have shot it so many times over a short period. It was replaced by a SP101, which has ten times as many rounds through it by now. By the way, the gun also came with sights which shot about 6" low at 25 feet, which I corrected by machining.
I reply to this thread mainly because you specifically mention Mag Pug. I myself would never purchase another CA.

There is no removeable shroud anymore. All new manufactured guns for years have had one piece barrels

for a gun with a bbl. that long I'd like more than 5 shots.

I have one in 45 Colt (5 shot) it's my farm gun loaded with a couple of shots bells and mild loads. It has a surprisingly lite trigger pull, both single and double action.

Garandimal said:

Charter Arms 5-Shot Bulldog (.44 SPL) and Mag Pug (.38 SPL/.357 Mag) 4.2" Bbl. Target.

Came across these on a quest for an HD/SD Revolver for a friend (separate thread).

- Mag Pug (.38 SPL/.357 Mag) - 250/535 lb-ft of Energy: Baby/Pappa Bear.
- Bulldog (.44 SPL) - 340 lb-ft of Energy: Momma Bear.

Same small (J?) frame and ~ 23 oz. both.

One-piece stainless frame.

Adjustable sights.

Street Price $350-400 (in sane times)

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Would consider the Bulldog .44 SPL ideal.

Anyone have any experience on these?

TIA




GR

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I have 6 Charters. The handle in my avatar refers to the two Charter Boomers I carry on Baramis at 2 and 8. My advice is:

Buy a Charter only if you want some unusual configuration that no one else makes. Or if you have many revolvers already and are looking for novelty.

I have Boomers because they are the only small, lightweight .44 Special made. I have Professionals because they are the only small, lightweight, readily-available 7-shot 32 magnum.

Charter makes an extra-small, extra-light 6-shot 32 magnum that normally sells for around 285, the Undercoverette. Who else is doing that?

Charter has top-notch customer service, which you will certainly be using if you buy multiple Charter revolvers.

Mag Pug: too many other small 357 options out there.

Target Bulldog: cool gun and I want one. But don’t expect to shoot 20,000s round through it.

If you can get what you’re looking for in a Smith or Ruger, do that instead. The gap in quality between those revolvers and a Charter is very wide. You will notice right away.

Get a Charter for the novelty factor; get anything else for a lifetime of service.

magyars4 said:

I have one in 45 Colt (5 shot) it's my farm gun loaded with a couple of shots bells and mild loads. It has a surprisingly lite trigger pull, both single and double action.

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Didn’t see this before I commented.

This member’s gun is what Charter is all about for me: if you want a lightweight 45 Colt snub nose, or some other unusual configuration that no ine manufactures, Charter has a knack for reading your mind and coming out with it the following year.

I spent months wishing Taurus would bring back the 450. Then a year later, Charter starts selling their equivalent, the 45 Colt XL.

This has happened with me several times. I feel like Nick Eckers and I are the only ones who truly get it.

My blued Target Bulldog was purchased in the 70's in excellent (used) condition for about $60. All I have ever needed to do to it is tighten & glue with locktite the screw that holds the extractor rod because it kept unscrewing during shooting sessions. However once I did that nothing else went wrong with it. I've carried it with confidence for SD on the trails & on many hunts & at the range it's as accurate as many more expensive revolvers I own. It's not a S&W, Ruger or Colt but still a very serviceable firearm that was purchased for a very reasonable price. .

I own a older Charter 357 Target ... light and powerful... being that is is a older model it has a a aluminum barrel shroud .. It a great woods carry ,, or carry while doing chores ... I load it with Federal
158gr LSWCHP 38 +P
And like @pairof44sp , I have a passel of Charters
Eight by my last count ...