dickydalton
Member
You need to handle "THE One" you buy, as every manufacturer can make a bad One.
Charter Arms Bulldog .44
- Thread starter GBExpat
- Start date
- Status
obiwan1
Member
I have two '70s vintage Bulldogs - one a 3" (excellent) and the other a Target Bulldog (sucks). I really wish ammo was more reasonably priced as I'd love to shoot them more. I've read mixed reviews on the new ones. If they are good qual I'd consider a 4 or 5 inch 'Dog.
This is a reply I added to the same subject on another forum.
When it comes to comparing S&W,and Rugers to the Bulldog :
You have to take the Bulldog with a realistic view. It's not a range gun. It's not a military combat piece.
If you want to compete, get something else. If you want to hunt, get something else.
Buy one shoot it to find what load works best for you. When you go to the range with your other toys, put a few cylinders full through it to stay proficient.
Go home clean it up and carry it. That's what it's for. Use like this and it could save your life, and you can still pass it on.
Not every gun has to be tank run over, thrown of the cliff, dragged trough the mud durable to save your life.
All it has to do is go bang when you need it, and put that bullet where you need it. And have enough power to get er done.
When it comes to comparing S&W,and Rugers to the Bulldog :
You have to take the Bulldog with a realistic view. It's not a range gun. It's not a military combat piece.
If you want to compete, get something else. If you want to hunt, get something else.
Buy one shoot it to find what load works best for you. When you go to the range with your other toys, put a few cylinders full through it to stay proficient.
Go home clean it up and carry it. That's what it's for. Use like this and it could save your life, and you can still pass it on.
Not every gun has to be tank run over, thrown of the cliff, dragged trough the mud durable to save your life.
All it has to do is go bang when you need it, and put that bullet where you need it. And have enough power to get er done.
the Black Spot
Member
Well said. Cheap enough to carry incase its confiscated.
35 Whelen
Member
I really, really want a 5-shot big-bore snubnose smaller than an N-frame. I've been vacillating on picking up a CA Bulldog for something like 2 years now. Some folks say they're great, some folks say they're junk and some folks are on the fence.
Until last week I'd never had a chance to handle one. Then I stopped by a LGS that I usually stay away from due to the clownish behavior of the salespeople. I found they had a brand new Bulldog in the case so I asked to handle it. My worst fears were realized:
1) Wobbly cylinder (even in lockup). Mine has a little play too. As you can by the groups above, doesn't seem to matter.
2) Horrible, gritty dual-action trigger pull. A good cleaning and shooting will cure that.
3) Hammer lock time that could be measured in heartbeats instead of milliseconds. So?
4) Very poor fitment of parts that looked very roughly cast. That might be an issue.
On the plus side, the size was a pleasantly agreeable.
Did I miss something? I really wanted to like it.
Remember: It's a lightweight, inexpensive concealed carry revolver intended to be used at ranges measured in feet, not yards. If you want better quality, you have to pay more.
35W
blueskyjaunte
Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2013
- Messages
- 115
This is the point where you'll be convinced I'm just being a troll, but...I don't buy the "better quality = more money" argument.
A brand new S&W 637 can be had for under $400 - and while not perfect, I have handled many and they are Swiss watches in comparison to the CA Bulldog I handled.
Granted, I have handled only one Bulldog. However, nobody has contradicted me. In fact, you have all basically confirmed my first impressions. Here I was hoping that I'd come across the rare "lemon".
A brand new S&W 637 can be had for under $400 - and while not perfect, I have handled many and they are Swiss watches in comparison to the CA Bulldog I handled.
Granted, I have handled only one Bulldog. However, nobody has contradicted me. In fact, you have all basically confirmed my first impressions. Here I was hoping that I'd come across the rare "lemon".
ljnowell
Member
And that's why I didn't buy a charter arms when I was looking for a snubbie 38. Not enough price difference to make up for the quality difference between it and a smith.
As far as the bulldog, yeah the next closest price 44spcl snub is much higher but I would rather do without than buy lesser quality. It's not a NEED after all, it's a want.
OP
OP
GBExpat
Member
blueskyjaunte said:
I suspect that you received few responses because most of us have only handled one or (maybe) two of the new ones (like you did) and some who posted in this thread have experience with the earlier versions.
What you really needed to form the beginning of an informed opinion on the subject was a response from some who has handled many of the new ones.
I certainly wouldn't take such non-response (or lack of FanBoy support) as any kind of "confirmation" ... but I am probably a bit more circumspect than you.
In your rush to judgement have you completely discounted the fact that multiple happy Bulldog owners have responded to this thread? ... and the paucity of "I had one once and it was crap!" responses?
I did not initially respond (although I considered it ... it would have looked much like 35 Whelen's response) because I have only handled the one and have already shared my observations regarding its Fit & Finish.
Sorry that the one that you found was a POS! I sincerely hope that that one represents only a tiny percentage of them ... but I am very happy with the one that I received.
Last edited:
I have two Charter Arms revolvers- both kind of unique in the revolver world. One is a .40S&W the other is the .44sp.
I did have some issues with the .40 that I managed to straighten out myself. No issues at all with the .44sp.
I'm happy with what I got for what I paid, and I also own a number of other revolvers, Ruger and S&W that I paid a LOT more for.
Happy with them too.
I did have some issues with the .40 that I managed to straighten out myself. No issues at all with the .44sp.
I'm happy with what I got for what I paid, and I also own a number of other revolvers, Ruger and S&W that I paid a LOT more for.
Happy with them too.
OP
OP
GBExpat
Member
35 Whelen,
I really like the look of these Keith-esque lead bullets. I was about to use the descriptor "hollow point" and something suggested to me that these may need to be referred to as HOLLOW POINTS, instead ... and when you speak the words in conversation you should say them LOUDER, y'know?
It is bullets like these that make me wish that I was a bullet caster ... or ... better yet, that someone sold these soft-cast HOLLOW POINT bullets.
I really like the look of these Keith-esque lead bullets. I was about to use the descriptor "hollow point" and something suggested to me that these may need to be referred to as HOLLOW POINTS, instead ... and when you speak the words in conversation you should say them LOUDER, y'know?
It is bullets like these that make me wish that I was a bullet caster ... or ... better yet, that someone sold these soft-cast HOLLOW POINT bullets.
obiwan1
Member
Love those hollow points. In my 4" I use WW Silver tips and in the 3" I use Glasers. They're my house guns. If I were forced to carry a revolver I'd consider carrying the 3". I think they make .44 Gold Dots. 
35 Whelen
Member
I don't know that anyone sells that particular hollowpoint, but I bet someone casts and sells a soft.44 caliber hollowpoint. In fact seems like I saw some on Gunbroker.
35W
35W
ljnowell
Member
35 Whelen,
I really like the look of these Keith-esque lead bullets. I was about to use the descriptor "hollow point" and something suggested to me that these may need to be referred to as HOLLOW POINTS, instead ... and when you speak the words in conversation you should say them LOUDER, y'know?
It is bullets like these that make me wish that I was a bullet caster ... or ... better yet, that someone sold these soft-cast HOLLOW POINT bullets.
Here is one:
http://www.mattsbullets.com/index.p...id=263&zenid=a9481541f9ec360324bb8edb63b8216f
He has a 300gr too but that's a little heavy for the special.
OP
OP
GBExpat
Member
Thanks!
Anyone here know what 20:1 alloy would translate to on the BHN scale?
Anyone here know what 20:1 alloy would translate to on the BHN scale?
35 Whelen
Member
Should be around 8.5 Bhn.Thanks!
Anyone here know what 20:1 alloy would translate to on the BHN scale?
Lucky Derby
Member
True, but that S&W is a .38 and not a .44.
The fact is no one else makes a 5 shot, big bore revolver that is this size.
Bulldogs are not the quality of a S&W, Colt or Ruger. No one claims that they are. I would love to have a Ruger SP101 in .44 Special. Not going to happen. I do own a S&W 696 .44 Spl. It is nowhere nearly as easy to carry as a Bulldog.
MachIVshooter
Member
This.
Size-wise, the Bulldog is an SP101 with a slightly fat cylinder. It carries easier than even a K-frame S&W, and I have more faith in the terminal performance of a warm .44 spl load than .357 from a 2.5" barrel.
calaverasslim
Member
I have an original Charter Arms Bulldogs from the early years. I bought it NIB from a retired cop. $200 cash. What a steal. Had a few problems at first but have since smoothed out. I carry it in a strong side holster and no one knows. Accurate and dependable.
Several times I have been offered to sell, but ugly as it is, it has found a home.
I find for plinking, hand loads of 44 Colt work great. Get almost the same velocity but a little less recoil.
Several times I have been offered to sell, but ugly as it is, it has found a home.
I find for plinking, hand loads of 44 Colt work great. Get almost the same velocity but a little less recoil.
TRX
Member
I bought one new in 1980, and carried it 40+ hours a week for several years. I never had to use it.
It was an inexpensive firearm, and the fit and finish didn't come up to Colt or Smith standards of the day, but the important bits seemed to be adequate.
Oddly, it's one of the handful of firearms I've owned that I remember buying, but I have no idea when or where I parted with it. I wouldn't mind having another.
It was an inexpensive firearm, and the fit and finish didn't come up to Colt or Smith standards of the day, but the important bits seemed to be adequate.
Oddly, it's one of the handful of firearms I've owned that I remember buying, but I have no idea when or where I parted with it. I wouldn't mind having another.
gun_with_a_view
Member
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2014
- Messages
- 471
Smith recently made a .44 Special similar in weight to the Charter Arms model, but the entire scandium alloy line of Nightguards seems to have vanished from the product line.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...72654_770653_757964_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...72654_770653_757964_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
ljnowell
Member
Thanks!
Anyone here know what 20:1 alloy would translate to on the BHN scale?
You might want to consider this, they won't last long:
http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/44-2...-Bullets-500-Count-44-200-GDHP-Pul-500-Ct.htm
Phaedrus/69
Member
Great thread! I've been wanting to pick up a Charter Arms Bulldog, too.
Lucky Derby
Member
Yes, S&W got the weight down, but it was still an L frame gun. The Charter is between J & K frame size.
Well, Taurus does. But I'd rather have a Charter than a Taurus. My LGS had both in the case when I bought mine.
The Bulldog is the same size as a Colt DS with 1/2" longer barrel. I'm using the holster I used to use for my Colt, which was for a Charter Bulldog is the first place.
Lucky Derby
Member
I seem to recall the Taurus being the same size as a S&W K frame, although it's been a long time since I've handled one. Where as the Charter was closer in size to the Colt DS.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
