charter arms bulldog

[dispatch]

Can't speak to the newer ones, but I have a Bulldog Pug .44 that has been with me since the mid 80's and a Bulldog 3" from the same era that I picked up for a song a couple of years ago.
The Pug has at least 2000 rds through it- mostly .246 grain lead (which seems to me to be an adequate defense round) and a couple hundred 200 grain hollow points. I can remember one primer failure (handload) that went bang on the second strike- no other failures. Not a target gun, and it does buck (if your recoil shy, go another route) but puts the holes where I want them at 7 yds.
MY recently adopted Bulldog is like new except for some minor scratches on the finish. I've only put 200 rounds through it to date, lead 246 grain, with no gliches. It's a slick little revolver. Real purty too.
It is a poser- aren't there enough 44 special folks out there for Ruger or Smith to put out a light weight snub?
For now my Charter .44s fit boot, pocket, belt pretty well. Five .44s seem to me infinitely better than five .38's

 

[AtticusThraxx]

My Bulldog is not allowed in the house anymore. Cannot be trusted. Bad dog!

 

[32 Magnum]

Charter Arms

Here's some close-up pics (as suggested by Angus). These are ALL first generation Charter Arms Corp. pieces in NIB, As New or Excellent Used condition. Barrel address on first generation pieces will be either Bridgeport (earliest) or Stratford CONN. The later CHARCO pieces, 2nd Generation, will have Ansonia CONN barrel address - this generation didn't last long and is the source of most of the poor quality, disfunctional, discontent and bad feelings for CA revolvers. 1st Generation pieces serial up to at least 1,080,xxx. 2nd Gen. seems to start around 1,100,xxx. I don't have any of the new Charter 2000/MKS pieces for comparison, which seem to have started the serial number range at 000xxx and have a Shelton CONN barrel address. Putting together the 1st Gen. collection is draining the old gun fund fast enough, as it is.
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG0S5emwTKdSov4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG-BZ97tah9elv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG*fKms6Qqp04v4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG6WZCW0YOP2hv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG7quHiVeP2sFv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG*z7KtiOcKc-v4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG4G9riMqN*eZv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG7DEbLiPDOC-v4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG1dga9zGUwkyv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG*XD1-5Itmu0v4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG1I9rYDnnA1Zv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg

I've got more pictures of other pieces, but these are representative of what newer, unabused 1st Gen. pieces look like.

 

[TonyB]

32 mag:The one with the bobbed hammer is the one i have.....that answers a question about wether mine had a factory hammer job.I love mine and carry it daily.I have had zero problems with it...bought it used from a buddy for $200.I did replce the brips w/ the "combat grips"from CA,great for carry,but not for a day at the range.
thanks for the pix.

 

[32 Magnum]

Charter Arms

Tony,
The "bobbed hammer" was called the POCKET HAMMER by the company and was offered on several of the models. It has the same mass/weight as the standard hammer to provide enough momentum to reliably ignite the primer. I haven't shot any of my pieces extensively, but I have fired several of them and not one has given me a problem of any kind, not even the old BULLDOG .357 Magnum 6" with about 70% finish left on it. This one has obviously seen a lot of use, but still functions well, although I generally shoot .38 SPL carts through it. I find the action and trigger pull on these 1st Gen. pieces to be excellent. The cylinder lock-up is as tight as any revolver that I have ever fired - experts call it: "welded to the frame". This factor was, apparently, one of the problems that the early CAs experienced. When combined with the very narrow "flash gap" between the cylinder face and the forcing cone, (which by the way was derived from the Colt target revolvers), over extensive shooting without cleaning, the cylinder tends to bind. SD use shouldn't cause that type of problem.

 

[TonyB]

I only have maybe 200 rounds tru mine,but the guy I got it from shot it a fair amount....it locks up tight and has what I consider a good trigger.I had heard the horror stories about CA,so I made sure I checked it out thoroghly..and I was able to shoot it before I bought it.I don't plan on shooting it a ton,just because of the cost of 44spl ammo(I don't reload)..but I am confident enough in it that I carry it(alternating w/ a smith 642)...I pocket carry it w/out a problem.It was a bit heavy at 1st,compared to the 642 anyway)but I got used to it and like the idea of the big holes it will leave it whatever I may need to shoot.
I have actually had more problems w/ smith and wessons than this CA or many of the Taurus's I own.....go figure.
Oh yeah,I was also surprised at how accurate it is....not a bullseye gun,but really accurate for a snubby SD gun.

 

[darrellkansas]

Older models

Can any one tell me how to tell the difference between the Charter 2000's and the original Charter Arms ?my son got one at a gun show and we would like to know if its old or new model
Police Bulldog .38 spl. 6 shot
Stratford Conn.
Fixed front site ,adj rear
wood grips w/ a Charter Arms USA in the top middle of grip
blued

 

[GaryP]

darrellkansas,

Your son's revolver is a First Generation Charter Arms revolver.

 

[Virginian]

I had one of the early 44s for years. Cylinder bolt broke after about 30 rounds, and I sent it back to them, and when I got it back it was fine thereafter for many years. When Taurus came out with their 431 SS 44, I got one of those, sold the Charter and never looked back.
Ex-wife somehow ended up with the Taurus, which they had quit making by then, but was nice enough to trade it back to me in exchange for a like new Smith 38. Danged gun cost more the second time than it did the first !

 

[32 Magnum]

Charter Arms ID

The very first Charter Arms Corporation production began in 1964 in BRIDGEPORT CONN - earliest pieces - mostly Undercover model will have either NO address on the right side of the barrel or will have BRIDGEPORT.
Around 1970, address was changed to STRATFORD CONN - all pieces made after mid 1970 will be marked with that address on the right side of the barrel and all will have CHARTER ARMS CORP. as the first line. Around 1991, Charter Arms Corp. ceased operations. This was the end of the FIRST GENERATION.
Around early 1992, the company was re-organized under new leadership and became known as Charter Arms Company - CHARCO, and was located in ANSONIA CONN. All second generation pieces will be marked on the right side of the barrel with that name and address in two lines. This is the SECOND generation and apparently the period which caused the most damage to the Charter name and reputation.
In 2000, the company was again reorganized as CHARTER 2000 and relocated to SHELTON CONN. All pieces made during this THIRD generation will be marked with the SHELTON address. Early production of this generation seems to have been spotty and reputation still lagged. About a year and a half ago, the company re-reorganized under the direction of MKS Marketing and seems now to be if not flourishing at least it is progressing in quality and market share.
From the limited data set that I have been able to assemble so far the following serialization seems to be valid: (NOTE: model name and caliber will be stamped on left side of barrel on all pieces)
FIRST GENERATION
0001 - <4000 Bridgeport 1964 - ? CHARTER ARMS CORP. right side of barrel marking only
~4000 - <300,000 ? - ~1970 CHARTER ARMS CORP. over BRIDGEPORT CONN .marking
~300,000 - <1,080,000 - ~1970 to 1991 - CHARTER ARMS CORP. over STRATFORD CONN. marking

SECOND GENERATION
>1,100,000 - ??? 1992 - 2000? CHARCO over ANSONIA CONN- marking

THIRD GENERATION
000001 - to date 2000 - 2008 CHARTER ARMS 2000 over SHELTON CONN marking.

I would appreciate any data that owners of CA Corp. or CHARCO or Charter 2000 can supply to flesh out the data base. Serial numbers and barrel addresses are welcome as is any data detailing firm production dates associated with serial numbers. Thanks.

 

[foghornl]

I had a mid-70's ('74? '75?) Charter Bulldog .44 bought NIB. Was a decent revolver.

My only complaint was cost of ammo...more than twice what .44Mag ammo cost.

 

[GaryP]

32 Magnum:

While I can not help with the database I can help fine tune your 1ST Generation stats a little. You note 300,000 - 1,080,000 for 1970 - 1991.

I purchased my blue 3" Bulldog .44Spl in early 1980, NIB serial number 713xxx.
As I recall, I had a difficult time obtaining one because at the time the Charter Arms Bulldog .44Spl was in high demand by the LE community for use as a BUG. I ended up ordering mine from a local gun shop and waiting about a month for it to show up. I would place the manufacture date somewhere between November, 1979 - January, 1980. Hopefully this info will shed some light on where they were Serial Number wise back in the late 1979 to early 1980 time frame.

 

[32 Magnum]

CA Bulldog

Thanks, Gary. Added to data.
Jim Hauff

 

[Confederate]

I never saw a Charter Arms I would bet my miserable hide on. When I had my FFL back in the early 80s, I got a number through for several people, mostly federal agents. I can't tell you how many would shoot a box or two, then start going out of time. I ordered a stainless .44 Bulldog, but fared pretty well with it, though I never shot it much. I finally figured I was better off with a .38 and sold it. Ended up with a Rossi M88 with a 3-inch barrel, which has never failed me.

 

[GaryP]

Per Confederate:

I ordered a stainless .44 Bulldog, but fared pretty well with it, though I never shot it much. I finally figured I was better off with a .38 and sold it.

Really? What was the problem? Cost of Ammo, recoil or ?????????????
Certainly not the Bulldog as you fared pretty well with it.

I had a NIB S&W M36 that went out of time in less than 100 rounds many years back, in addition to several S&W M19s that did the same with moderate commercial rounds.

 

[jgorniak]

32 Magnum,

Bought NIB November 2007
#6925x

 

[Nasty]

New 44 Pug bought a month ago...about 300 rounds through it so far. Still in one piece, suitably accurate and no issues at all.

It's rough of course...but most all are now compared to the Pythons and Diamondbacks that were once commonplace. When compared to $1000 revolvers, it is acceptable and fills a niche not covered by other makes. I have an older S&W 696 that is usually the primary choice, but when keeping it out of sight is whats called for, fills that need.

 

[MAGNUM44]

i bought a charter arms bulldog 44 spl a couple of months ago from gander mountain charter is now owned by a new company and its new guns are fantastic and reliable and accurate i bought the black model vs the satin ss model and this new gun from this company can handle all of any 44 spcl loads with no problems at all everdently charter re organized its quality control etc and their new guns are not garbage by no means

 

[TonyB]

good to hear,but sometimes bad press and rumors are hard to overcome.I know alot of people who would never buy a Taurus just because of it's "name".And then there are guys who swear by smith and wesson no matter what and make excuses every time they have a problem.It's knid of like your favorite sprots team....Now I want to go to the range today and shoot the Dog....

 

[wcwhitey]

Worked fine for the Son of Sam!

 

[TonyB]

well if MY dog told me to kill people,I think I'd have issues too.......
BAD DOG.....
I had to settle for fondling the CA yesterday..no range time,but I am off tomorrow...yahoo

 

[nicksterdemus]

Just like your 1st two pics. 3" 44spl CA Corp Bridgeport Conn. 2772XX
CA told me it was from 1970. I was curious if David Berkowitz's Bulldog serial # is known. Wondered if mine was newer or older...
-----------------------------
I'm adding stuff I find...
http://oldguns.net/q&a3_06.htm

# 11494 - Antique Charter Arms Bulldog?
3/28/2006
Doug, Burlington, ND


Charter Arms Corp Bridge Port, Conn - Bulldog .44 Spl - .44 - 2-1/2 Inches - Blue - 298602 -
---------------
From my posting and copying your letter @ S&W forum

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/500103904/m/9791010323
I remember I bought my new 3" .44 in 1981 for $199. Serial # is 6102xx.

ken
_________
I bought mine used in August 1977 in Anchorage. Paid $120.00. It's SN is 226XXX.

 

[foghornl]

I had a mid-'70's vintage .44 Bulldog. Generally got carried a lot, shot a little...mainly because I didn't roll my own ammo back then, and .44Spl was usually more than TWICE the price of .44Mag... $16/50 vs. $35+/50 for the .44Spl

 

[nicksterdemus]

You can still buy 44mag cheaper than the spl it's just hard to find a sidearm that'll fit in your pocket that you wouldn't mind shooting in the mag...

 

[calaverasslim]

I carry a 3" CA in 44 sp. Roll my own for practice but carry loaded with CCI Blazer 200gr GDHP or the Win. 200gr STHP. Have fired well over 1K of ammo with out a problem.

Wouldn't swap for the world.


\Serial is 5414XX. Wonder when it was made. Bought it from a retired LEO, who never fired it. I got it NIB