Trouble with Charter Arms Target Bulldog

R

RF4guy

Inactive
I have an older model Target Bulldog. It was in great shape when I bought it and shot great far a while. Then I started having trouble opening the cylinder. I clean all of my guns after I shoot them. Any ideas what might be causing the cylinder to get stuck closed?
 
I think the cylender has nylon washers that set the spacing, if they are worn it could be them causeing the binding or maybe some wear or damage to the crane, I would call Charter their custumer service is supposed to be second to none
*cant find the parts diagram i was looking for,sorry*
 
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Most of the time when this happens on a Charter Arms revolver, it is because the cylinder release mechanism uses a tiny screw to push forward and unlock the ejector rod so that the cylinder can swing out.

During shooting, the screw may screw further in, and you will have trouble opening the cylinder. If this tiny screw isn't sitting flush with the recoil shield, you WILL have problems opening the cylinder.

Check to see if the little screw is flush with the recoil shield. You may have to back the screw out a little so that it will sit flush.

If the screw is moving like I described, you can adjust the screw to sit flush, then cock the revolver. You should be able to look inside the revolver and see the threads of the screw in question. You can use a toothpick to apply some blue Loctite and keep that screw from moving.

Hope this helps.

BTW, does your Target Bulldog have a shrouded ejector rod? If not, just pull the end of the ejector rod and you will be able to open the cylinder.
 
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Thanks gentlemen. This is one of the older Charter Arms guns, and I really like it. Its a little frustrating, but I'll take your suggestions and see if it works out.
 
Lowercase.............thank you.
My CA Pit Bull has been difficult to open since the day that I got it. After reading this thread this morning, I looked a the small screw that you mentioned and sure enough it was low. A couple of turns with a small screwdriver and a dab of Locktite and my gun works better than new.

Mark
 
I will second that Thank you lowercase. I backed that screw out to be flush with the recoil shield and it immediately fixed the problem.
 
BubbaBlades, and RF4guy,

Glad I could be of assistance. I hope you enjoy your Charter Arms revolvers.

I have a small collection of Charters ,and really like them. :)


charters.jpg
 
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desired

Is the Target Bulldog in question top center in your pic? I always thought the older "target" models had adjustable sights.

Fact is, I have never even seen a .44 Target Bulldog, till now.....possibly.

I shot a 3" std older Bulldog out of time, ruined it, with loads a tad heavy, back in the early 80's. The thing would shoot and I considered it an ideal heavy woods trail pistol. Wish I still had it (in time) or better, a Target model.

Does Taurus not still make a .44 spl DA?

S&W's 5 shot .44 on the L-Frame was nice, but too dang heavy for what I wanted. Never saw one those either.
 
Is the Target Bulldog in question top center in your pic? I always thought the older "target" models had adjustable sights.
Click to expand...

That one is a "Police Undercover", a 6-shot 4" .38spl. I think you could get that one with adjustable sights back in the day. The current equivalent is called a "Police Undercover" and is a 6-shot .38spl snub built on the Bulldog frame.

And yes, you are correct. Anything called "target" has adjustable sights.

I just checked out Taurus' current lineup, and didn't see a DA .44spl. I think they discontinued it.
 
for those in the know, C.A. use to use a frame stud to keep the cylinder in place when open. this frame stud is absent on new production guns. what are they using now instead? ive handle on at gander mountain and was able to almost take the cylinder off the crane pin. theres a kid called peidmonte on youtube that shows how he did this with a little .22 C.A.
 
I just checked out Taurus' current lineup, and didn't see a DA .44spl. I think they discontinued it.

Yes they did a couple of years ago. Not too sure when but it was the 445. It’s a little smaller but a good deal heavier.
I wish Ruger would take one of the 100’s or 101’s and make the same type in 44
 
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FWIW, the current Charter Arms company will repair any of their revolvers, no matter what age or who owned the company when your gun was made. Go to their company web page, look for the contact email info and tell them the SN, type of gun and the problem and they will get back to you shortly.

I did this when I got my 2 CA revolvers, I was so impressed, I emailed them to let them know, and got email back from the CEO and owner of the company, who said he passed that good work to his employees.

The NEWER and current versions of Charter Arms revolvers are re-designed, VERY solid and very accurate. I have the .44 Bulldog, and a .38 Off Duty hammerless, and have had no problems at all with either of them.
 
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