Bought a Charter Arms Bulldog 44spl... how do you feel about them?

Here's a pic of the 6" BULLDOG TRACKER - 1st Generation.

Bulldog

32 The one I shot was a 4", with the bull dog grips, that fit my hand about perfect. I really like the 38 snubs too, you can carry them in your shirt pocket.

Gee, he bought it June 5th with no report on how it shot. I can only imagine it was no better then the one I bought 5 years ago.

I've owned two of them. One of the tapered barrel 3" ones when they first came out and several years later a stainless Bulldog Pug. Both before the days of Charco, and the company's downfall.

The two I had tended to dis-assemble themselves with continued shooting. The 2-1/2" Pug was very disappointing in terms of performance (lost way too much velocity in the short barrel). After frustrating myself for months with each one they were sold or traded off.

Kind of a shame because Charter had a really great idea but didn't execute it well. Good enough for some but think of how well a really quality five shot 44 Special of that size would have sold. Oh well...

Dave

They hold up fine to a moderate amount of shooting and carry well but you can wear them out. The average gun owner will never put more than a few hundred rounds through one and they are marketed to the average gun owner, not the competitive shooter. I have several and put 50 rounds through one about once a year just to for familiarity. My general revolver practice is with a Ruger or Smith and Wesson. I carry a Charter often though simply because there is nothing else as light that packs as much punch.

Its been years since I had one. But Federal used to offer a 44special, with a lead semi-wadcutter, hollow point. Moderate recoil, and my Bulldog really liked it. Was more accurate than the Silvertips, but not as fast. Good thump to it, but I can't remember what the bullet weighed. If I remember right Federal brought it out just for the Bulldog.

I have 2 and like them very much. Mine are the new models. They are all stainless steel guns-the 'blued' gun is a stainless gun with a black coating. They are excellent carry guns for IWB; very light and compact. But, what do I know, I also own 4 Taurus .44's and a Rossi, and am a big fan of them all. Good luck with your new gun.

I have three of the discontinued Rossi's and think that they are a little sturdier and should stand up to more shooting than the Bulldog but then they are also a little heavier to carry. The Taurus is even heavier and will probably outlast the other 5 shot .44's if you do a lot of shooting with it.

I prefer the Bulldog for carry because of it's lighter weight. I have several of them also.

Federal has again begun marketing the 200 gr. LSWC-HP ammo. The SPORTSMANS GUIDE carries it, on occasion. Price is around $1 a pop.

I really like the Speer 200 grain Gold Dot.

I really like the 38 snubs too, you can carry them in your shirt pocket.

Click to expand...

I never carry my underwear in my shirt pocket...the wife won't let me.

I see that Charter is coming out with the Bulldog Classic in "Hi-luster blue". Wood grips, a 3" tapered barrel and exposed ejector rod. I haven't handled any of their newer guns in the last couple of years, but I may have to get me one of these.

rdrancher, glad you got it, I was afraid I was the only one, again.

Will check out the Bulldog classic. thats how it was meant to be.

32magnum, found me my old load, I'm back in retro business!

The three inch barrel is much better. It gives you a longer sight radius, a little less muzzel blast and more velocity. The .44 Special is slow enough as is and any little bit helps. That extra inch of barrel might be critical in getting hollow points to open up. I have had five of these and NEVER bought anything except the 3" version for that reason.

One of my favorites.

It seems like a good package but you will notice that the CA Bulldog is consistently the exception when it comes to higher-pressure loadings. Buffalo Bore's self-defense loads mention the Bulldog as the lone exception (among modern revolvers) for their +P loads.

Brian Pearce answered a question about Bulldogs in an issue of Handloader magazine, and basically said that there's nothing necessarially wrong with the gun, but that the problem in terms of safety is that a)CA never offered samples for pressure testing and b) measured tolerances on commercial Bulldogs were highly variable (for example, the depth of the cylinder stop notches)

I'd say enjoy your Bulldog within safe limits

I think the 38 snub is like, 19ozs. The bulldog is only a couple more than that.
So say 20 or 21, would you want to hot rod that? Would not be pleasant to shoot. If you don't think you can resist, get a thunder ranch S&W. It's a N-frame , you can horse it up some without, premature disintegration.

Think of it as a carry much/shoot not so much, choice. With factory loads you'll be fine.

Ok, WhiteCoyote, I have a NIB stainless BD on the way this week. I ordered one of the old bobbed hammers for it and might get a set of the compact pachmyers. BUT, where did you get the colored front sight??? That's a GREAT looking BD!!!!!

Dave

My problem with the "carry a lot, shoot a little" idea is that one should be very proficient with one's carry gun. Shooting a Bulldog enough to become "very proficient" will probably ruin it. Seems like a problem to me!

Just sayin',
Dave

I own two. Bulldog and Bulldog Pug. 1980's made in Hartford Conn. Both shoot every time and are not unmanagable recoil wise. I don't know about the newer ones, but I love these two.

I haven't read about them or owned one. I'd give them a try though... Nothing like a little hand cannon to complete the collection.

They take the same Pachmayr compact, combat grip, as the 38 snub.Its the one with the small scallop for the little finger at the front, bottom of grip. It covers the back strap and helps a bunch with recoil, and just being big enough to get a hold of.

I bought a NIB Charter Undercover (not the lite version) in 2009 and it's absolute crap!

The cylinder wobbles when open & travels too far when you close it.

I sent it back right after I got it cuz there was too much BC gap & it was spitting bits of lead.
When I got it back it looked like a 5 yr old had taken the crane to a grinder.
I sent an email expressing my displeasure & was ignored.
I will never again buy from them & will continue to warn others.

I would very strongly caution you and others do not buy from Charter Arms.

Charter Arms 44 special

Only owned the "Pug" for close to 30 years, carries easy, IWB and Yes it "Barks" with heavy reloads. Convenient, capable,
Common Sense, it works fine for me & is frequently used, But not With Super Heavy Loads that belong in a Ruger.
Enjoy it.
Jim