Charter Arms

6807 Views 15 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Steelman, Feb 19, 2009

Indy Man

Discussion Starter · Oct 10, 2008

What are some of the opinions here on the 38 special Charter Arms Revolvers?

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

Abouttime

· #2 · Oct 10, 2008

I have an original 20 plus year old model.
It does not like plus ammo at all.
With the exposed extrator rod not very good for pocket carry.
I carry a new Taurus UL until I can get a couple of hundred rounds thru my LCP
Maybe the new ones are better.
Just my opinion.
Abouttime

AZ Outlaws

· #3 · Oct 10, 2008

I've been looking at the Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Spl for winter carry, but I'm going to have to wait a little while longer. I took my little red '94 racing Honda in for the dreaded 90,000 mile timing belt, water pump, belts and hoses change this morning and that aint't cheap. Anyway, back to the topic at hand....

I owned a late 1970's model which lacked build quality. After a few rounds the cylinder would get pretty loose. But, like the LCP it was an up front and personal gun made for self defense, not a range gun. It served it's purpose well. I wish I still had it but, along with a Ruger Mark I Standard and a Ruger .357 Security Six stainless with a 6" bbl, they all got lost during a divorce back in the late '80's.

Fast forward to today... the Bulldog PUG seems to be the new and improved version, getting good reviews. Our moderator here, Ooben, posted THIS... reply#3. Also check out this REVIEW from GunBlast.

LOL... if anyone wants to contribute OR better yet, pay my repair bill on the Honda, I'll be more than happy to run out 'today' and buy a Bulldog PUG, go to the range and report back with a review (with pictures of course) by the close of business today.... ;D

8)

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Ooben

· #4 · Oct 10, 2008

I do like my Bulldog, but I did have problems right off the bat. The cylinder release plunger fell out before I even had shot the thing, was not very happy about that. The Charter Arms people were very good to deal with, on par with Ruger. I have about a 1000 rounds through mine and the cylinder lock up is still better than my wife's 1963 Colt Cobra 38spl. And it's not like I shoot weenie loads, I'm launching a 240gr SWC at around 980fps, quite a handfull in that light of a revolver. The cylinder seems loose with the hammer down, but it locks up tight when it should. Here's a thread that shows my Bulldog a little better,

http://elsiepeaforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=44.0

Mike

jocko

· #5 · Oct 12, 2008

we sold hundreds of the 38 charters back in my gun business days. never had any issued from them, tha tI can remember. IMO a nice gun...

Indy Man

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 13, 2008

Thanks jocko, good to hear a positive feed back, I have seen some reasonably priced.

Sassi

· #7 · Oct 13, 2008

I have one cicrca 1970 that works great. The only issue for me is that mine seems to show a lot of holster wear.

Snubbie K

· #8 · Jan 4, 2009

Ooben said:
I do like my Bulldog, .......... Here's a thread that shows my Bulldog a little better,

http://elsiepeaforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=44.0

Mike

Mike (Ooben) -

I'm really liking that Bulldog of yours. Anything else you could tell me about the 44spl for carry would be appreciated. What do you carry in the Bulldog?
etc. etc.

I'm seriously considerring the .44 in this particular thread for purchase and occasional carry.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=408061&highlight=629+carry

Do you think I could carry a 3" 626 under a sport coat with a really thoughtfully selected holster? Know anyone who carries a short n frame under a sportcoat? etc.

Ooben

· #9 · Jan 4, 2009

Hey Snubbie, I really like the Bulldog for it's versatility, no need to worry about bullet shape or profile, having enough oomph to cycle the slide, ect. ect. I carry different loads depending on what the day's mission is.....

The round to the left is a Blazer 200gr Gold Dot that I use when carrying concealed, it's good for around 800fps according to my Chrony Alpha. The one next to it is what I call my "Thumper Load", 240gr SWC with a bunch of Unique behind it, good for 980fps and a sore hand if you shoot it much. I'm sure it would take a whitetail if I did my part......The next one is a 200gr flat point that I load up to shoot the same POI as the more expensive Gold Dots. I like to practice with a load similar to what I carry.
The next round is a fun one, it's a shotshell that has about 150grs of #9 shot with a little Unique behind it, does a good number on all the Idaho Rattler's I seem to find when camping. Now the most fun round of all has to be the last one. I use the Blazer aluminum cases to make an indoor practice round of paraffin and primers. I drill out the primer flash hole to keep the primer from setting back. I use a bread pan that I stole from the wifey to melt the paraffin in. Set the cases in the wax with the primer up so it fills the case about 3/4 of the way and let cool (maybe I should be posting this in the recipe section?

) Prime the cases after you break them from the wax and you have a round that is perfect for practicing presentation from holsters, point shooting, taking care of the neighboors cat (in a nonlethal manner).
Speaking of holsters, I use a Gould and Goodrich pancake made for a j-framed Smith. I had to adjust the length of the thumb break, but a t-shirt will cover this combo......
I think that just about covers it, my fingers are getting tired...
Regards,
Mike

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jocko

· #10 · Jan 4, 2009

I sold hundreds of them back in my gun dealing days. IMO a damn good, well made gun.. Tjhe undercover 38 was our biggest seller by far..

AND who says a wheel gun never gives any issues???????????

Ooben

· #11 · Jan 4, 2009

Not me, that's for sure! Mine broke before I even got to shoot it

but Charter people are as good as Ruger people for taking care of problems

I just like the fact that I can shoot anything from wax bullets to full house SWCs without changing recoil springs, using shock buffers, yada yada yada. And besides, I like to see things go around in circles when I pull the trigger ;D
Mike

jocko

· #12 · Jan 4, 2009

Ooben said:
Not me, that's for sure! Mine broke before I even got to shoot it but Charter people are as good as Ruger people for taking care of problems I just like the fact that I can shoot anything from wax bullets to full house SWCs without changing recoil springs, using shock buffers, yada yada yada. And besides, I like to see things go around in circles when I pull the trigger ;D
Mike

short story here. 30 years ago I sent in for my customer a charter undercover to get some warranty work done on it. We never received it back and after much hassling with charter then with no questions asked sent us a new undercover with no statement as to where, what or anything. My customer being a cop said I think I will enter that lost gun into NCIS just for comfort. about 5 years or so later we get a call from the FBI wanting to know about this gun. I asked what was going on, they said it was used in a murder in NY and they traced it back to me being the seller of the gun etc. When I told them the entire story, they send an area agent to interview me and this cop who originally owned the lost charter.

come to find out, IT WAS STOLEN INSIDE OF CHARTERS FACTORY and sold on the streets. Charter never wanted to own up to this to us, nor did they report it up the food chain either. Things can happen....

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Snubbie K

· #13 · Jan 4, 2009

Mike,

From the photo it looks like that OWB pancake carries with the cylinder of the gun just above your belt. That would lessen the printing and make for more comfort. It's something I'm considering when looking at holsters for the n frame if I get it.

Is that the case?

Also, it looks like the 200 gr. Gold Dots are the way to go. That Blazer round seems to be a very popular one in 44 spl. circles. Double Tap looks good as well. If I go with a 44 mag. capable gun, I'll probably still only shoot 44 spl. from it. Although the Speer 44 Mag. for short barrel stuff looks very good in a mag. 44. Should give around 950 or so from a snub barrel.

Matching 200 gr. flat points to match the gr. weight of the Gold Dots seems the way to go. A little cheaper than Gold Dots as well.

Ooben

· #14 · Jan 5, 2009

Yep, everything except about an inch of the barrel is above the belt. That makes it very comfortable to sit in a car with it, don't even know it's there. I don't think you can go wrong using 44 spl in a magnum, a magnum is definitely overkill for self defense in my opinion (no pun intended

)
Mike

Ooben

· #15 · Jan 5, 2009

jocko said:
short story here. 30 years ago I sent in for my customer a charter undercover to get some warranty work done on it. We never received it back and after much hassling with charter then with no questions asked sent us a new undercover with no statement as to where, what or anything. My customer being a cop said I think I will enter that lost gun into NCIS just for comfort. about 5 years or so later we get a call from the FBI wanting to know about this gun. I asked what was going on, they said it was used in a murder in NY and they traced it back to me being the seller of the gun etc. When I told them the entire story, they send an area agent to interview me and this cop who originally owned the lost charter.

come to find out, IT WAS STOLEN INSIDE OF CHARTERS FACTORY and sold on the streets. Charter never wanted to own up to this to us, nor did they report it up the food chain either. Things can happen....

Jeez jocko, that kind of story is what nightmares are made of, good thing the customer was LEO....
Mike

Steelman

· #16 · Feb 19, 2009

Looks like this is an older thread but for what it's worth, I have a Bulldog Pug circa 1988. I love it. Not cheap to shoot and I put the Charter Arms Rubber grip on it, it came with the Walnut. Much nicer!
As to defence Ammo, Winchester Silvertips are a good load and my favorite is Hornady xtp. Same bullet Corbon used for years and 1000 fps.
I think I paid around $19 for 20 last summer and bought 4 boxes as they only make them once a year I think.
Their .380 is a good load as well and $18 for 25.

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