I'm thinking of buying a new Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special, in stainless steel. I love the caliber in a small revolver, and since Taurus no longer makes them it seems like a Bulldog might be my best bet. Anyone had any experience with one, or with any of the products of Charter 2000, and, if so, how is the quality? Thanks.

 

[center]The Larger Bore Snubby Alternative...[/center]

Thanks for the link. Good article. I have a couple of questions, though. Have you tried any of the guns from Charter 2000 (as opposed to the old Charter Arms -- I assume your older Bulldog was made CA and not C2000)? If so, how was the quality, and would you purchase a Bulldog today yourself? I'd love to hear Massad Ayoob's opinion on the Bulldog (I've been reading his articles since I was 17, which is 20 years now), and I even thought of emailing him (got his email link from another thread on this forum, which I am totally new to), but decided against it, since he is probably very busy and doesn't have time to answer a lot of emails. Anyhow, thanks again.

IMHO, the problem is going to be finding someone who has one. I work part time at a gunshop and have yet to even see one.

I can order a new one for $300.

 

It seems that that's exactly what you've always intended to do….

Actually I'm still researching and deciding. I'd prefer a Taurus, but they have discontinued theirs.

While this thread may be on the wayside I do have to say that the CA Bulldog in .38 special is a very nice little revolver. Given that I do have several female friends( and at least one who wants to learn how to shoot). I find that the CA Bulldog is a rather nice carrygun( not that I do any carrying in public me being in Cali).

the .44 special version is theoretically an even better weapon if you can handle the higher recoil,not to mention find ammo for it.

I don't have any experience with the current incarnation of the Bulldog. The early Charter Arms models proved to be very short-lived guns. We had several show up at classes back in the '80s, and none made it through 500 rounds without breaking down.

It was the quintessential "carry much/shoot seldom" gun. Col. Cooper called it "a brilliant concept, egregiously consummated."

That said, though, it had/has a lot going for it. The sights are surprisingly good. Accuracy is decent until it starts shooting itself loose. I know a few professionals whose opinions I deeply respect, who swear by the little thing.

I'd say, buy it. Run a couple hundred .44 Special "duty" rounds through it to make sure you can control it in full recoil. The current Winchester Silvertip .44 Special seems very promising. Pachmayr Compac grips, if you can get them for this gun, should minimize recoil without destroying the compactness of the gun entirely. Once you're confident with your ability to control it with "carry loads," .44 Russian or .44 Special "Cowboy Loads," with their light recoil, should extend the life of the gun considerably.

Let us all know how you make out with it.

Thanks. I am honored to receive a reply from a man whose work I have respected and enjoyed for many years.

A long time ago, I carried a Charter 44 Special in an ankle holster. Nice carry, but it hurt to shoot the gun.

Current 44 Special carry gun is S&W 296. Great coat pocket gun or cross draw in a Hume JIT.

Ammo carried is Winchester Silvertip or CB.

Check 'Test Bed' forum of http://www.stoppingpower.net

Use search function.

After all my research I concluded that the Bulldog is probably worth the price, but I decided on (and ordered) a new 3" Ruger SP101 .357 for $390, tax included. Thanks to all who responded.

I always wanted a Charter Arms .44 Bulldog, but always heard the quality was poor. I would love for S & W to come out with a "J" frame .44 special (scadium). I would buy it in a heart beat!!!

What do you think that would hold, three perhaps?



What does a 296 look like? I havent heard of that model before... is it an N frame, or smaller? I couldnt find it on the S&W website, so I assume that it is an obscelete model.... I wish their website had a historical section on the models they dont make anymore. They recently changed the format of their website, and I dont like the new look - getting details involves more clicking and it doesnt list frame size by the traditional letters, only "small" "large" etc..

Now, after deciding on a 3" SP 101, I am told they are currrently unavailable from wholesalers. Sigh.