This Dog Followed Me Home Today

T

TX_RGR

New member
New (to me) .44 Special Bulldog from the original Charter Arms. I know I overpaid for it, but it was like they were saying on the auction site, sometimes you pay market value, sometimes what it's worth to you. Since they are no longer made, and this fit perfectly what I was looking for, I went for it. I put it through the procedure mentioned in the sticky above and it passed with flying colors. Seems as if it has been shot very little. In lockup it wouldn't budge, and almost no clearance between barrel and cylinder. Hammer and cylinder have no wobble. Now to get this to the range...
 
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The only issue with them is the recoil. I like the early Charter Arms. Bulldogs simply have too little grip for my comfort. As a CCW, they are pretty neat and with regards to HD, Mag-Safe 44s make them a good option. As far as a range weapon, they are too painful for long term sessions. Nice design and execution overall though.
 
a friend of had one loaded with some of Elmer Keiths memorial loads. it is without a doubt the worst kicking handgun I have ever shot. after shooting it the 444 TC was a piece of cake in comparison
 
I agree the grips are small. I am guessing to have them larger might take away some of the concealed carry appeal they were going for. I am a little apprehensive though about recoil when I do finally touch one off. No gentle loads for me. It's CCI Speer GDHP or Grizzly 260 Flat Nose. Neither is going to be that smooth I am guessing. As for the Keith Loads and the Bulldog, all I can say is, you got that right! I added the pic I took at the top of the thread in case anyone is interested.

TX
 
Grizzly 260 flat nose!? I would strongly suggest that you not. I am not positive that the CA Bulldog will KB but, I wouldn't push the frame beyond what it was designed for. 200 gr standard 44 Special. The CAs are not designed for modern defensive loads. Be aware.
 
Thanks for the heads up

Thanks for the concern, Sir William. I was concerned myself, so I wrote Grizzly and asked. Mike Rintoul over there told me neither should be a problem in my CA. It's pushing about 800 fps which is the same as the CCI GDHP, albeit with a heavier bullet (by 60 gr.). I was wondering actually how much more recoil I could expect from the Grizzly vs. the CCI. Anyone have any ideas on that?

Almost forgot to tell you: The guys at gunblast (among others) were shooting some pretty hot loads through the newer CA Bulldog. You can read about it here:

http://www.gunblast.com/Cassill_Bulldog.htm

I realize that doesn't make it wise or safe, just seemed topical.

TX
 
The CA Bulldog 44 that you posted a pic of is not a Charter Arms 2000 Bulldog Pug in stainless steel. I still suggest that 200 gr standard pressure 44 Specials are the safe load for a CA Bulldog of the frame/type that your pic shows. The older CA Bulldog is NOT the same frame and design as the newer and stronger Charter Arms 2000 Bulldog Pug 44. It is just my opinion.
 
It's not!? :eek: j/k :p Yeah I don't believe I said it was, but if the owner of the ammo company says it's okay to shoot through mine, you gotta give that some creedence, right? Besides, from what I've read, it's the newer ones that are more prone to shooting loose. And mine does have a steel frame, btw. Though you are correct, it is not a newer Charter 2000.

Here's a range report with an older, weaker, Charter Arms Bulldog Pug ;) :

http://www.levergun.com/articles/44_Special_Bulldog.htm
 
I have read that. It confirms that the 200 gr factory loads were/are best. I like 200 gr Federal myself and the Glaser or Mag-Safe for HD. If you completely read the article, there is a footnote that mentions the recoil causing bloodshed. That is my experience. Hot loads will cause the thumblatch to rip through your hand in full house recoil. I simply don't find that a pleasant experience. I still suggest factory 200 gr 44 Special loads for durability and your own comfort. Yes, I disagree with gun writers quite often.
 
Just so folks new to this line of pistols don't get confused:

The basic design for the Bulldog is the same. The only difference between old and new is a heavier barrel shroud and rubber grips. The difference in weight is 3 oz. The difference in strength is 0. If you read the whole article, you'll see that the author talked of firing to SAAMI max pressures (hundreds of rounds at 1050 fps w/240 gr. bullets) due to the strength of the (old) Bulldog. I just want to make sure that's clear because originally you were mentioning kaboom as a possibility and that doesn't make sense. I appreciate the concern for my safety, I just don't want to start any misinformation on the net. There's so much already.

As for the barrel latch, I don't have anything to worry about, since I'm a lefty. If I were not, I believe I would have to figure something out.

I saw it was mentioned by one writer that he bled from the thumb latch and got blisters from rubber grips sticking to his skin, but these were more from the design of the weapon than actual recoil. But to be honest, I am not surprised the guy got a few blisters if he was firing basically a Keith Load through that little revolver (hundreds even). What I am suggesting is much lighter by comparison. I am sure it will kick, and I don't plan on doing heavy work at the range with this gun, mainly so I can keep it tight a while.

Btw, I am not ready to declare the 200 gr. "best" at this point. Expansion is always at the expense of penetration, and lighter bullets lack the punch of the larger variety. I plan on doing my own tests with the hps and the flat points to see which I like better. One thing for sure is the heavy flat is going to penetrate. At 800 fps I am not sure you can expect a hp to expand reliably every time. That's why I am considering the heavy lead. It's certain.
 
Call the ammo guy back and ask him to put in writing that his ammo won't hurt you pistol and he will replace if does. .
 
You think I have cause to worry, Mike? Actually, he did put it in writing, although no offer to replace the pistol was made. I dunno. I read about all these guys shooting 250 gr. Keith bullets at over 1000 fps, and I gotta think that this milder load should be okay in very limited use. My intention was to go through a few at the range, test fire a couple into wet phone books, then use for carry only, unless I find the Gold Dots to perform better, in which case, they would just be a last ditch hunting load should I find myself in the wilderness. That should be okay, don't you think?
 
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