I recently posted a thread on how I am enjoying my .38 snubbie. I work armed at a bank and love the little snubbie, it's light weight, rides nice and high in a Blackhawk holster and I now carry it most of the time. I at one time owned a CharterArms Bulldog in .44 special. I would love to get one again. I would like some input on pricing and if CharterArms is still the same quality as they once were.
Price on .44 special
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loadedround
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Go to a web site like "Gunbroker" and check out the asking and bidding prices on the Charter Bulldog 44. Great little gun, I've fired one several times but never owned one.
earplug
Member
Alloy N frame S&W
You might consider the various alloy S&W models chambered in 45 ACP and 44 MAG.
There priced very reasonable on the used gun market and are built better then the Charter Arms revolvers. My Charter shot loose in short order.
S&W Factory warranty is better etc.
You might consider the various alloy S&W models chambered in 45 ACP and 44 MAG.
There priced very reasonable on the used gun market and are built better then the Charter Arms revolvers. My Charter shot loose in short order.
S&W Factory warranty is better etc.
onebadcaballero
Member
$300-400 seems the going rate for a new one. I would look at the bulldog 44 classic with the 3" barrel.
One_Jackal
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I found a stainless steel model for $341. It's a Charter 2000. When Charter was in the dark years everyone ran from anything labeled Charter 2000. Charter is back under the management team that made good pistols. Have they had time to straighten out the 2000 line? I don't know.
lowercase
Member
They run $365 for both the stainless and "blued" (more of a matte black) models at my local gun shop. I'd avoid the black finish because it looks like it isn't very durable. The stainless is just fine.
Bud's online has them for $341.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_203/products_id/38055/Charter+Bulldog+44+SS
I have the Mag Pug which is the same frame as the .44 Bulldog. Aside from having to file down the front sight, it has been okay. Have had it for a few months and have run about 500 rounds through it without problem.
Bud's online has them for $341.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_203/products_id/38055/Charter+Bulldog+44+SS
I have the Mag Pug which is the same frame as the .44 Bulldog. Aside from having to file down the front sight, it has been okay. Have had it for a few months and have run about 500 rounds through it without problem.
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lobo9er
Member
I had a mag pug, its like someone there mis measured the front sight and no one bothered to fix it. I had mine rebarreled same thing front post to high. traded it away. other issues too but not until after it was "worked on" by charter 2000 themselves. it was very comfortable to shoot, I loved the grip design. Just my .02 if I can save you same aggravasion its worth it 
Also guns shops in mint shape will give $125 max for trade. so its like throwing 150 bucks minimum out the window if/when you finally just want to get rid of it.
Also guns shops in mint shape will give $125 max for trade. so its like throwing 150 bucks minimum out the window if/when you finally just want to get rid of it.MICHAEL T
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Ammo is going out of sight Cost more than 44 mag ammo If you can find any .
I love my Charter Arms but hate feeding it.
I love my Charter Arms but hate feeding it.
One_Jackal
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Even if you were willing to settle with a .357 mag they are ported unless you want a DAO. Someone needs to tell charter porting is for shotguns, not pistols with a 2" barrel.
lobo9er
Member
THe MAG PUG I had had porting as they all do and it was loud, more so than its sp101 replacement. In the group that I hunt with one guy has a nice slug gun that is ported and I would say its louder than any other 12 gauge in the field.
Thats all personal stuff which I understand. To each his own.
The history of Charter Arms has been all over chart as far as quality control goes. They have made some very good revolvers ( I have one) and some unbelievably poor ones. While I have not worked on or examined any of the current production I am hearing very good reports about the company making things right if you do happen to get a funky one. If considering buying one take someone to the store with you who KNOWS how to check out a revolver. Otherwise it's pretty much a crap shoot. If you buy one DO NOT shoot ANY of the +P high velocity ammo being offered by Buffalo Bore or Corbon, etc. These guns are lightly built for carry use and will not stand up to very much abuse. A standard .44 Spl. load with a 200 gr. bullet @ 800 to 900 fps. is all you really need and will not beat the gun to an early death. You must also get into the habit of checking all of the screws frequently because they will loosen up from recoil. Clean, degrease and Loc tite them. The Charter is a great concept but does have limitations on ammo.
lobo9er
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drail has made very valid points (unfortunatly) and I agree. (unfortunatly)
lowercase
Member
I may grab one of the stainless Bulldogs with the 2.5" barrel.
The price of the ammo is really the only thing keeping me away, but I would like a small .44.
The Mag Pug has those darn ports, and is not in the same class as the SP101, but the Bulldog doesn't have the ports, and the SP101 doesn't come in .44 sp.
I will say this for the Charter. It is lightweight, and I like the ergonomics. I think it looks cool, too. Especially with some aftermarket grips.
The price of the ammo is really the only thing keeping me away, but I would like a small .44.
The Mag Pug has those darn ports, and is not in the same class as the SP101, but the Bulldog doesn't have the ports, and the SP101 doesn't come in .44 sp.
I will say this for the Charter. It is lightweight, and I like the ergonomics. I think it looks cool, too. Especially with some aftermarket grips.
lobo9er
Member
I would agree whole heartly if I didn't own one. If you get one and it shoots poa than rock with it.
A .44 Spl. Bulldog is a truly great concept. I have read that the man who designed it used to work for Bill Ruger and left to start up Charter Arms after failing to convince Ruger to produce his design. It is interesting to compare the Charter to Ruger's police revolver line when cops still carried wheelguns. Using a solid frame with the internal parts coming out of the bottom instead of cutting a frame for a sideplate is exactly the direction Ruger went about the time Charter Arms started selling guns. Using aluminum for the grip sub frame and barrel shroud. Definitely thinking outside the box of that time. If only Ruger would develop a 5 shot .44 Spl. snub revolver. An enlarged SP frame would make a great platform for the .44 Spl. with sane loads.
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Dlowe167
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I love my Charter Arms .44 special Bulldog Pug. Best cheap snubb nose $379. Well worth it. Only regret is not getting the crimson trace grip. Its $100 if u get it with it,if not they are $200. Buy it with the grip,use the savings for trigger job!
Pachmayr Compac grips are a perfect match for the Bulldog. The Bulldog is NOT pleasant to shoot with the original wood grips. At least, not for more than a cylinder or more.
The Pachmayrs really tame it.
I prefer the old ones, because I like the 3" tapered barrel. I'd really like to find another 2.75" bull barreled Bulldog, like I had in the early 1990s. I deeply regret having to sell it.
The Pachmayrs really tame it.
I prefer the old ones, because I like the 3" tapered barrel. I'd really like to find another 2.75" bull barreled Bulldog, like I had in the early 1990s. I deeply regret having to sell it.
MachIVshooter
Member
Eh, I'd say treat it like a K-frame S&W .357. It's OK to use the hot stuff on a limited basis, but constant use of very heavy loads will batter the guns.
I carry 210 gr. JHP's loaded to 985 FPS as chronographed from the 2.5" Bulldog Pug. I have put probably 100 of those through it, but generally practive with lighter loads to save wear and tear on both the gun and my hand (a 20 ounce gun with those 210 gr. loads is quite snappy)
The N-frame is MUCH larger than a Bulldog; The CA is smaller than a K-frame. Basically, they're SP-101 sized with a 1/10" larger cylinder (lighter weight than the SP, though).
lowercase
Member
Here's a better pic of the Mag Pug. Front sight fled down and zeroed in for 158-grain bullets.
In the pic, the Pug is loaded with 158 grain Gold Dot .357s.
In the pic, the Pug is loaded with 158 grain Gold Dot .357s.
CajunBass
Member
If the price of ammo gets you. Reload it. You don't even need a big setup. Get a simple little "Lee Loader" and plastic mallet (or a hunk of 2x4) and have at it Sure it's slow, but I doubt you're going to be using it keep a race gun going.
I used a Lee Loader for years. Back then they cost about $10.00. Today I think they're about $50.00. That's the price of one box of factory 44 Special at my LGS. You might want to get a few other small inexpensive tools to go with it, but you can get it all for less than $100.00. Powder, bullets and primers and you're in business.
And it's fun.
Ok. I'll have to edit this. Apparently Lee doesn't make a "Lee-Loader" in 44 Special anymore, and I'm not sure if you could use the 44 Mag kit to do Specials or not. So instead of a Lee-Loader, get a Lee hand press, and a set of Lee dies for 44 Special. A little more than the Lee-Loader kit, but not much. You can use the powder dipper that comes with the dies for power to get you started. The same small hand tools (auto-prime, primer pocket cleaner, chamfer tool, case trimmer) will work. You'd still be in the $100.00 range.
I used a Lee Loader for years. Back then they cost about $10.00. Today I think they're about $50.00. That's the price of one box of factory 44 Special at my LGS. You might want to get a few other small inexpensive tools to go with it, but you can get it all for less than $100.00. Powder, bullets and primers and you're in business.
And it's fun.
Ok. I'll have to edit this. Apparently Lee doesn't make a "Lee-Loader" in 44 Special anymore, and I'm not sure if you could use the 44 Mag kit to do Specials or not. So instead of a Lee-Loader, get a Lee hand press, and a set of Lee dies for 44 Special. A little more than the Lee-Loader kit, but not much. You can use the powder dipper that comes with the dies for power to get you started. The same small hand tools (auto-prime, primer pocket cleaner, chamfer tool, case trimmer) will work. You'd still be in the $100.00 range.
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I am a 44 Special addict. My Taurus 441 spent a year at Don Williams' place and came back as a 3" RB. Shoots much better than I can. Yes, it is a little loose, nature of the Taurus I guess. I think the Taurus or the Rossi would be a better gun than the Charter, but they are heavier.
Reloading is the way to go. The 44 Special is the ballistic twin of the 45 ACP. Mild loads in a 44 Special revolver will be very accurate and have more than sufficient terminal ballistics for defensive work.
Reloading is the way to go. The 44 Special is the ballistic twin of the 45 ACP. Mild loads in a 44 Special revolver will be very accurate and have more than sufficient terminal ballistics for defensive work.
ArkieVol
Member
I have bought, shot and sold a new Charter Bulldog 44. There is a reason the price is low...so is the quality.
I would not bet my life on a Charter.
I would not bet my life on a Charter.
I've owned and carried Charter Bulldogs since 1991. All have worked as intended.
I'd like to have another Taurus 431.
I honestly can't imagine not having one.
I load plinking loads consisting of a .433 round ball sized to .431 and a light powder charge. It allows me to shoot a lot with minimal wear and expense.
I'd like to have another Taurus 431.
I honestly can't imagine not having one.
I load plinking loads consisting of a .433 round ball sized to .431 and a light powder charge. It allows me to shoot a lot with minimal wear and expense.
Second hand one in top shape should be $250 or less regardless of vintage.
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