Charter Arms Bulldog questions.

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Mikhail Konovalov

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I am considering a Charter 2000 Bulldog in .44 Special as a CCW. I have two months before I can start the process there, so I am taking full advantage of this time.

First off, and this one is geared toward owners, Is the Bulldog, with factory grips, hideable at all when worn crossdraw IWB under a patterned shirt? I tend to be on the road a lot, so I'd rather have a rig I can draw from while sitting down. Leather manufacturers and details are encouraged.

Secondly, what load would be reccomended for defence? I use Speer Gold Dots for my .45 and my 9mm, does this round perform well from a snubbie?

Other comments or information are completely welcome. I want to make the most informed decision possible, and I reckon this is the most informed place from which to seek advice.
 
I have one and it is very concealable IWB on my right hip so I guess it would be fine on the opposite side with a cross draw. I carry Speer Gold Dot 200 grain. The rubber grips are kind of sticky IWB so I have a set of Eagle Secret Service Grips.

http://www.eaglegrips.com/secretservice.htm
 
DON'T shoot it a lot. They are delicate and have been known to shake loose in as little as 500 rounds.

BUT: they're reliable when tight and are worth considering for CCW despite that. You'll simply need a 38Spl "understudy" gun to do most (bordering on "all") of your practice on.

Check for loose screws frequently and use blue locktite on any that seem troubled.
 
I was under the impression that the newer manufacture Bulldogs took care of that problem. Good to know. As for an understudy, I've got a Rossi 5 shot .38 which would probably serve that purpose well.

Regarding the Secret Service grips, are they two or three fingered on the Bulldog?
 
My best friend's Charter 2000 in .38 went out of time after about 100 rounds, horribly out of time. Like Jim said it got loose as well, the cylinder can be twisted back and forth on the horizontal plane, while closed into the frame.

Edit: his was made in 2001
 
I have had mine for a little less then a year and have run 250+ rounds through it. I have run a few cylinders full of the 200gr Gold Dots to check accuracy and point of impact. The rest were 240gr lead. I have not shot it with anything "+P" or high pressure nor do I have any intentions. The revolver doesn't show any wear or tear for the amount I have used it and I expect it won't. It has surprising accuracy for it's size.
 
This is really starting to sound like a crapshoot. Maybe I should start hunting for another .44 snubbie. Is the shaking apart problem unique to Charter?

Will a Smith blast it's self apart like that?
 
Mikail:

The best answer to your question is here:

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#44spl

That's a link to Buffalo Bore's "stout but sane" 44Spl ammo. They are NOT calling it "+P". Look at the fine print:

This Heavy .44 Special ammunition can be fired in every .44 Special or .44 Magnum gun made EXCEPT CHARTER ARMS .44 SPECIAL BULLDOG.
Click to expand...

Tim Sundles at BuffBore is an excellent ballistician. His loads do what he says they will. I would trust his opinion on this matter.
 
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