Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special

bookman

New member
Picked up an old charter arms bulldog .44 special with a bobed hammer and thinking about makeing this my carry gun,what would be the best load for this gun?and also I am haveing a hard time finding leather for it.
 
You don't mention what condition the revolver is in, but I would have a competent smith check it out before you stake your life on it. As for ammunition, Winchester still makes the .44 Special in the silvertip round. This one would be a good choice. Regarding holsters, other than contacting someone such as Mitch Rosen to make one for you, try a stocking Bianchi dealer that has a lot of stuff on hand. Among the many models, there is probably something for Bulldog. Kramer leather may be also worth a look.
 
I've had two. The first was a stainless that Frank Glenn bobbed the hammer on, tuned, and shortened to a two-inch barrel in '84. I still have it. I also had a standard blue for a couple of months about the same time. I've also handled and shot about a dozen more. I think it's a great idea with a mediocre execution. I love the big hole in the end. I’m less impressed with the durability and design. The service life seems to be about equal to an aluminum frame five shot S&W shooting an exclusive diet of +P. The stainless guns seem to be of higher quality than the blued. My stainless has approximately 5,000 rounds through it and is at least two thirds worn out. I don’t carry it much anymore.
For holsters I’ve used holsters made for Colt Detective Special series revolvers and for Smith and Wesson J frames. Sometimes one will fit, sometimes another. HKS makes (or made) speedloaders. The heavily boned holsters are the least adaptable and the Renegade ankle holsters are the most easily adapted.
Most of the custom stock makers list Charter as one of there standard items. The Bulldog uses the same grip frame as the other Charter revolvers.
When I carry it now I carry either Glasers (lots of flash and blast) or Cor-Bon. I have also carried the Federal SWCHP (lead) and back when I was foolish my own hand loads (255SWC @725fps chronographed). Any of them has recoil on the level with a 158SWC+P out of a j-frame. The hand loads were safe, just very uncomfortable and stupid to carry. Custom stocks or even Pachmayr rubber birdshead stocks help a lot in controlling the little bugger.
All of these comments apply to guns made by Charter Arms. I haven’t shot the reincarnations such as CHARCO and whatever other names were used, though they seemed of equal quality.
I have a lot of affection for the guns. My stainless was the first gun that I had any real custom work done on and it turned out exactly the way I wanted it to. :)
Feel free to e-mail me with any questions.
 
I would have the gun checked out. After that I would not use too much heavy ammo. Charter Arms revolvers are not the strongest guns around, so be careful with not uing too much +P's or too hot ammo.
 
I had a Bulldog that I carried for backup. I liked that gun. Charter 2000 is producing the Bulldog again. As for a holster you might try www.ironoakholsters.com They can make a nice holster for your .44.

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***Torpedo***
Life is great if you can survive it!
 
I carried one for several years.
I cut down 44 magnum brass to 44 special length because the magnum brass is stronger. I then loaded some good 180 grain hollow points. I worked my way up the loading chart until my hand was stinging from the recoil.

I never had to use it on a bear but that was what I carried it for. I figured I could shoot with one hand and climb a tree with the other.
I never doubted but what it would do the job on 2 OR 4-legged critters.

This was not my for-fun gun. I did not worry about wearing it out because I didn't shoot it all that much. Just enough to stay proficient.
 
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