Inherited an '80 CA Target Bulldog in .44spcl...have ?

[watarski]

I recently inherited a 1980 model Charter Arms Target Bulldog (4 inch) in .44 special from my great grandfather. I'm excited as this is my first wheelgun. I'm fully aware that Charter Arms doesn't have the best track record, but have also heard the earlier models were a little bit stronger. I just sent it back to Charter Arms for their "check-up". The gun had been sitting in a "junk" drawer for the past 10 years. I plan on reloading, so I wanted to make sure there were no issues.
2 questions:
- As far as reloading, is 200gr preferred for the special, or should I try out 240gr?
-Holsters...I can't find a leather belt holster for this thing anywhere. Does this model share a similar shape/size to other 4" revolvers? Would love to carry some, but most holster makers don't make for Charter Arms.

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[Slamfire]

My Charter Arms Bulldog dates from that era.

The Bulldog's from that era were sighted to POI with 240 grain bullets.

Bulldog's are painful to shoot even with factory equivalent ammunition. At the time, a load of 6.5 grs Unique with a 240 L duplicated factory velocities. This is what I got way back in 92'.

[SIZE="3"]Charter Arms Bulldog 3" Barrel				
					
250 LSWC  6.6 gr Unique little dandy R13 lot UN 331 Fed					
T ≈  75  ° F	15-Aug-92

Ave Vel =698		 	 	
Std Dev =20		 	
ES =	46		 		
Low =	670		 		
High = 	716		 	
N =	5	[/SIZE]

I'm fully aware that Charter Arms doesn't have the best track record, but have also heard the earlier models were a little bit stronger.

Two 50 round boxes of standard 240's in that pistol will remove any foolish ideas to soup up the power. The recoil is sharp in this pistol .

Still, what you heard was totally misinformed bogus information. Old models and new models are lightweight pocket pistols that were never meant to be fired with anything but factory 44 Spls. The factory 246 Lead bullet probably was under 15,000 psia, just around the 45 ACP pressure levels.

Never, ever, ever, attempt to load Elmer Keith or hot N frame 44 Special loads in one of these things.

From old gun magazines, I read that people tried, and damaged their Bulldog's.

- As far as reloading, is 200gr preferred for the special, or should I try out 240gr?

Since yours has adjustable sights, I would recommend 200 grain bullets for recoil reduction. I think the best defensive 44 Spl rounds are all 200 grain anyway.

This load is accurate and does not kick too much in my Taurus 44 Spl.

[SIZE="3"]Taurus M431  3" Barrel					
					
205 LSWC 6.0 grs Unique  thrown, Midway Brass WLP					
		T = 54 °F	11-Dec-04

Ave Vel =789.6				
Std Dev =27.18				
ES =	96.54		 		
Low = 	724.1				
High = 	820.6				
N =	30				
		Accurate, shoots point of aim 	[/SIZE]

 

[watarski]

Thank you for the quick response. I definitely won't be going above factory loads, and will most likely go with dumbed down 200gr loads for shooting at the range. I just picked up some Speer GD 200gr for defense use.

I am anxious to shoot it...I was very surprised at how light it is. I'm sure it's going to have quite the recoil

Now if I can just find a decent holster for it...

 

[gb6491]

Holsters for 4" S&W "K" frames (IE: Models 15, 19, 66) work well with the Target Bulldog; ours has ridden in one of these for years:
http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=5BHL
Regards,
Greg

 

[Drail]

I have been carrying a 3 in. Bull dog Pug since '87 and it is definitely one of the good ones. Not one failure of any kind. 200 gr. loads are all you need and anything heavier is just going to shorten the lifespan of the gun. (and the bones in your wrist) The 200 gr. Gold Dot is the PERFECT load for these guns. Holsters sized for S&W K frames, Colt Detective Specials or Ruger SP 101s will fit. Check out Tuff Products Speed Strips for carrying your reloads. A .303 Enfield stripper clip will also hold .44 Spl. rounds flat in your pocket.

 

[watarski]

Thanks Greg and Drail for the holster information. I will probably be picking up the Bianchi and Tuff Strips soon. Drail, it's good to hear someone has had good luck with this revolver.