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Post by bradshaw on Apr 21, 2024 8:18:35 GMT -5
A friend, who often packs a S&W M-696 L frame 5-shot .44 Special, asked whether I have any dope on the Charter Arms Bulldog .45 ACP with ring-spring extractor. As my experience is limited to the early Bulldog in .44 Special (with wrap around wood grips which stung the base of my thumb), told him I’d have to asked around....
David Bradshaw
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Post by AxeHandle on Apr 21, 2024 8:26:36 GMT -5
Stumbled upon one on the used shelf a few years back.. Being used meant I could take it to the range and shoot it. I shot it and bought it. System looks a bit fragile but seems to work well. S&W did a like system on a 9mm revolver years back. They discontinued it.
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Post by AxeHandle on Apr 21, 2024 8:26:51 GMT -5
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Post by AxeHandle on Apr 21, 2024 8:27:06 GMT -5
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Post by AxeHandle on Apr 21, 2024 8:27:25 GMT -5
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Post by AxeHandle on Apr 21, 2024 8:27:38 GMT -5
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Post by AxeHandle on Apr 21, 2024 8:27:56 GMT -5
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Post by AxeHandle on Apr 21, 2024 8:28:23 GMT -5
5 shots at 15 feet...  |
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Post by AxeHandle on Apr 21, 2024 9:11:38 GMT -5
Here is another look at the cylinder. Look hard and you'll see the little springs inside the cylinder body that drive the extractor tabs.  |
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Post by revolvercranker on Apr 21, 2024 9:36:36 GMT -5
The S&S extraction system was entirely different then the Charter Arms. Because of the system they used it was the most expensive revolver, at the time, for them to make, mainly because of the berilium copper fingers. One of the most costly features of this system is the extractor star which cost a bunch to make I’m told. Above the firingpin is another stift. This feels the thicness of the 9mm case and have effect on the impact of the firingpin at the primer.
The Charter Arms extractor system looks quite novel and I'd like to know how well it works on the various different 9mm cases and rim thicknesses. I've heard the Smith had quite reliable extraction. Ruger gave it try and the extraction wasn't quite satisfactory given the wide variety of 9mm ammo with rim thicknesses being all over the place.
It appears you shot a pretty decent target with the Charter Arms 45acp.
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Post by AxeHandle on Apr 21, 2024 10:18:01 GMT -5
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Post by revolvercranker on Apr 21, 2024 10:41:04 GMT -5
S&W did their homework on this revolver. It costs a lot to make too as I noted. The basic idea was to get into a NATO contract. Most of the revolvers were exported, thus the reason to find parts (especially the extractor system) alone the revolvers. It's funny how many praise the 9mm cylinder for the Ruger 357 Magnum Blackhawks, but condone the 9mm revolver saying it's kind of waste when you can have a 38 Special revolver which is close the 9mm in a revolver. Personally I think it was a good idea and I applaud S&W and others that attempt it. |
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Post by AxeHandle on Apr 21, 2024 10:50:05 GMT -5
Looks like they overcomplicated what CA made simple. My CA 45 ACP revolver works well but does look fragile. I have current production 9mm S&W Revolvers. Nothing like a nice moon clip for simplicity.
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Post by revolvercranker on Apr 21, 2024 11:04:39 GMT -5
Looks like they overcomplicated what CA made simple. My CA 45 ACP revolver works well but does look fragile. I have current production 9mm S&W Revolvers. Nothing like a nice moon clip for simplicity. Yes, I tend to agree with you. CA's idea is novel, I like it. Take into consideration that CH is not an expensive firearm. They've been around a long time, that's a good sign. I didn't know they made that 45acp and I really like it. |
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Post by bradshaw on Apr 21, 2024 11:24:02 GMT -5
Stan.... thanks for your photos. My imagined image of the Charter Arms ACP extractor pictures a round wire spring, pushed in by the bullet nose as the chambers are charged, to snap into the extractor groove.... Rimless case headspaced against a thin, square step to exit hole (throat). Your Bulldog .45 ACP extractor looks complex.
Handled the S&W 9mm revolver in the factory as the model was about to be released.
Outside the U.S., the 9mm Luger was much more widely distributed than any American handgun round. Sturm, Ruger and S&W responded to foreign requests for service revolvers chamber the 9mm. The S&W system struck me as serious and complex, with sharp little teeth to hook the rimless rim. I don’t recall a a provision for half-moon or moon clips in these revolvers.
David Bradshaw
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