My Opinion- Charter Arms Pitbull .40 S&W Revolver

[AJMBLAZER]

Charter plans to have both 9mm/.380 and .45 ACP versions. Coming next year I believe was the word, 9mm first.

 

[Owen Sparks]

I have several .44 Bulldogs (got my first one in 1979) and would love to have one in .45ACP. If you get a .44 get the 3" barrel 'classic' model.

 

[Frank V]

Harmon Rabb
if you are considering a CA Bulldog, I just went onto the Buffalo Bore web site. They are now advertising a 200gr lead full wadcutter .44 Special at 900fps. They list the test guns for velocity & one of them in a CA Bulldog. They say on the site that this load is rated for the CA Bulldog.
A 200gr .429 full wadcutter at an honest 900fps, would be bad news for whatever it hit. I'm trying to locate some now.
I don't thing the CA guns are near as bad as some paint them to be.
Frank

 

[NMGonzo]

.40 revolver would be appealing, but a .45 acp purpose built revolver would be even better.

 

[panamaglenn]

Another Opinion- Charter Arms Pitbull .40 S&W Revolver

New to High Road.org. I have been a spectator for some time and have picked up a lot of useful information from the various forums. Thought I needed to share my Pit Bull experience. I own two Charter Arms revolvers. The first was an On Duty -12oz .38 special. It had to go back to Charter due to light strikes. One email to Dee Ecker and you get a timely reply and a UPS or FEDEX shipping slip. Two weeks later your gun is delivered back to your door. The On Duty needed a new crane and they also replaced the firing pin. Shoots fine now. After a couple of hundred rounds I am beginning to trust it. They stood behind it, payed shipping both ways, and ultimately made it right. After they announced the Pit Bull, I wanted a .40 revolver and thought I would give them another shot.....no pun. Shot it ten times and the barrel would unscrew with your fingers, cylinder lock up was....well less than desirable, the ejector would bind up, two of the five chambers were slightly misaligned with the barrel so it was shaving lead. Emailed Dee got a return shipping label and gave it to FEDEX. Ten days later, I opened the box, read the "work done" noted the decent grouping from the five test rounds, picked up the gun and proceeded to unscrew the barrel with my fingers...........I spoke with the "gunsmith" that "repaired" my gun. He stated he relieved the forcing cone, replaced the ejector, and assured me he torqued the barrel and applied locktite to the threads. I asked if the barrel had been checked after test firing the gun.........NO. I found only machine oil and a loose barrel. He stated the lock up was within tolerance...whatever that means. Tightening the barrel by hand left the blade sight angled to the left. I informed Dee of my dissatisfaction and she sent me another return label. I now have this beauty back again. The barrel is tight.....looks like the blade sight has been tweeked vertical.....grrr. Not exactly what I was expecting. She indicated the weapon might have to be replaced before I sent it back the second time. We will see what happens after a few hundred rounds. Both of these weapons were flawed and never should have left the factory. I know all manufacturers spit out a bad one now and then and apparently pvq got a good Pit Bull....I must say I am jealous. However, reality for me is both of my Charter 2000 weapons were substandard and having to return one of them twice (so far) for the same problem leads me to say I will not be purchasing another Charter 2000 revolver.

 

[Triggernosis]

panamaglenn,
Thanks for sharing your experience.
However, I recently had to return a brand new S&W revolver for repair of two different issues, neither of which was resolved. I finally sold the gun for a substantial loss.

 

[pvq]

I think its safe to say that all firearms manufacturers have their issues. My only point in starting this thread was to present a more balanced view. Seems like Charter Arms regularly takes a beating on these boards and I think, at times, it leaves an unfair impression. Judging a firearms manufacturer (or anyone for that matter) on anything less than the totality of their products is unfair.

 

[Triggernosis]

Right on, pvq!

 

[Dan-O]

I've got 4 Charter revo's. No problems whatsoever with any of them. Will be all over the 9mm C.A.R.R. (Charter Arms Rimless Revolver) when it comes out.

 

[hardknocks!]

the 2000s seem to have the most problems.
i like the older models from the 70s and 80s.
good luck
Mike

 

[Gordon]

Uh Oh ! Seems like old Gordon is gonna have to spend his $ on a a rare American 21st century product made with pride!

 

[Frank V]

I agree with PVQ!
A lot of people slam Charter Arms & some of their products may have been sub standard. I have also seen Colts, S&Ws, & Rugers, with problems. No manufacturer is exempt from problems. Charter has always been a less expensive alternative gun. That doesn't mean junk, & I think the ones I've seen lately are a good value for your money.
Frank

 

[Triggernosis]

Dan-O, how'd you get those pinned front sights?

 

[Dan-O]

I sent three of my four Charters to Magnaport to have XS Sights installed and some other custom work done.

My favorite carry piece is my .44 mag pug. Had an XS Big Dot installed. Also had the hammer mini bobbed. And the trigger and hammer jeweled and polished.

 

[Triggernosis]

Dan, what does it cost (approximately) to have XS sights installed?

Ooops, I found it on their website - looks like $115 to rework the front sight.

 

[tekarra]

While on the topic Charter revolvers, soes anyone have experience with their south paw?

 

[Kaeto]

I do and I love it. No problems with it at all. Lockup is solid, timing is perfect. It's +P rated.