paulg
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,420
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Post by paulg on May 12, 2012 19:16:45 GMT -5
I took the Bulldog for a walk Monday and came home dissapointed. After firing just 5 rounds of Winchester Silvertips the cylinder hung up on two chambers! I cleaned it making sure nothing stood in the way of functionality and fired it again with the same result. I stopped by the shop where I bought it and they took it out back fired 10 rounds double action as fast as he could and all seemed well until I tried to operate the gun in single action, again binding on two chambers. So I made a call to Charter Arms and talked to a nice woman who informed me that I could send the gun to them, they'll fix the problem and have it back to me in 7-10 days. She was very polite and was very reassuring. It's my luck, the first gun I buy brand new has issues. Oh well such is life. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and hopefully my part of the gun universe will once again be in balance. Meanwhile I'll just carry my Model 29. Thanks for letting me whine.
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Post by steveb on May 13, 2012 7:29:42 GMT -5
Just remember, its not a high volume gun, and I'd skip the Keith loads ! For factory rolled carry ammo, Hornady custom line has 180 XTP's in 'em, and Speer Blazer has 200gr gold dot bullets. Both good bullets in this bore, at these velocities. The Bulldog is a comfortable weight in a good holster, or just tucked into a back pocket, while doing yard work, etc.. I wish Speer still made the 225gr 3/4 jacketed HP. That was a wonderful .44spec bullet ! Also I'm liking the Penn 185gr DEWC over 6gr of Unique. steve b
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paulg
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,420
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Post by paulg on May 13, 2012 9:28:54 GMT -5
I keep hearing these aren't high volume guns but I see time after time where folks have thousands of rounds through them without any issues. I almost picked up a box of the Hornady 180's but the reported muzzle velocity is 1000 fps. Seems a little hot for this revolver versus the 200gr Winchester Silvertip at a reported 900 fps. Besides I like heavy and slow vs. light and fast. This revolver seems to be very well made, no it ain't a Smith or Colt but I knew that when I bought it. It's purpose is to punch big holes in whatever evil decides to make it's presence known while it's in my possession.
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hammer
.30 Stingray
Posts: 233
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Post by hammer on May 13, 2012 12:00:01 GMT -5
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Have had a Charter Arms 44 Special Bulldog since the year they were introduced. In my family there are now five of them.
The limitation on what loads to carry is defined not by what the gun will handle but by what you can handle in self-defense mode fire.
In that sense, I compare it to the Star PD 45 ACP which is lightweight for its caliber.
For the Bulldog, I carry 240 SWC at 850 fps duplicating the 45 ACP load.
Should do as well as the GI 45.
.
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paulg
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,420
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Post by paulg on May 13, 2012 18:04:56 GMT -5
Ok I been carrying this Bulldog in my hip pocket for a solid 24 hr and all I can say is you guys that carry them that way must have some tuff hind quarters! I know Clint Smith says carrying should be comforting not comfortable. Well all I have to say about that is I'll be glad when my Silver Dollar arrives!!
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Post by Lee Martin on May 14, 2012 10:37:53 GMT -5
Glad you got one. A nice Bulldog load is 5.0 - 5.5 of Green Dot with a 250 grain Keith. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time"
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Post by theoldredneck on May 14, 2012 11:12:22 GMT -5
I have one of the older bulldogs I cut the barrel to 2"and resoldered the front sight. Reshaped the front sight a little and crowned the barrel back like factory. The gun has had a lot of ammo run through it over the years and still shoots great. Easy to carry in pocket or holster. Have total confidence in the old gun.
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dmize
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 2,825
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Post by dmize on May 16, 2012 11:29:20 GMT -5
Only works in fast DA mode? Maybe its a Ed McGivern tribute model?? ;D ;D
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paulg
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,420
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Post by paulg on May 16, 2012 13:03:13 GMT -5
Only works in fast DA mode? Maybe its a Ed McGivern tribute model?? ;D ;D Now that's an angle I hadn't considered Daryll . The same nice woman from Charters Arms called me this morning and told me she sent a shipping label for return shipment. I don't know how all this will shake out but Charter has certainly been a pleasure to work with. But then again most firearms and related companies I have dealt with have been pleasurable experiences.
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Post by Frank V on May 21, 2012 16:56:52 GMT -5
A really fun load in the Bulldog .44 Special is a good 245 lead bullet over 4grs of Trailboss. It's not a barn burning load, but will shoot accurately, is easy on you & the gun, & you WON'T get a double charge. I like it. Frank
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Post by reflex264 on Jun 19, 2012 7:45:58 GMT -5
I have some older Charters that have had a bunch of lead sent down the barrel. Thousands on one of them. No problems. My new model Target Bulldog had some issues that were resolved very quickly by Charter. Love the little guns. reflex264
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Post by Boge Quinn on Jun 19, 2012 9:08:54 GMT -5
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Post by Lee Martin on Jun 19, 2012 9:27:04 GMT -5
I'll be on the lookout for those Boge. I prefer the old 3-inch "Son Of Sam" version. My dad gave me one for Xmas in 1984, but those Classics look very well done. -Lee www.singleactions.com"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time"
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Post by bighink66 on Jun 20, 2012 8:20:00 GMT -5
Do the 5" Target models exist?
I can't seem to find one anywhere on the net or real life. The 5" seems like it might fit my various needs the best. Hunting, target, trail, and fishing. Light, but should be a little heavier and handle 240 grains at 900-950 fps in the recoil department better.
Anyone able to comment on the target model? Sights?
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Post by reflex264 on Jun 20, 2012 13:23:01 GMT -5
I love my new model target. Sights are a weak link. I talked to them about the 5" model and some had already been shipped. reflex264
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