Giving serious consideration to a Boomer

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Monster Zero

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I think I might get a Charter Arms Boomer. I've about got myself talked into it for front pocket carry as I go about my day, especially on my job working outdoors. In the heat.

I want to be sure to get it right this time though, so I have two questions for those in the know:

I sweat profusely doing what I do outside. Stainless or Nitrile finish?

Also I'm sure that I walk several miles per day at work. Is that cylinder going to wear a hole in my leg, or should I consider a Glock model 42 with the Glock tenifer finish, which is probably my second choice?

The Charter is my first choice for tactical reasons but I don't want another handgun that's going to rust. I also don't want one that's going to be uncomfortable in my front pocket while I'm out walking from dawn to dusk.

So talk me into or out of it before I run out and buy a Glock.

(Please note I'm not posting a poll because I'm not counting votes, I'm more interested in information. TIA)
 
Monster Zero said:
I think I might get a Charter Arms Boomer. I've about got myself talked into it for front pocket carry as I go about my day, especially on my job working outdoors. In the heat.

I want to be sure to get it right this time though, so I have two questions for those in the know:

I sweat profusely doing what I do outside. Stainless or Nitrile finish?

Also I'm sure that I walk several miles per day at work. Is that cylinder going to wear a hole in my leg, or should I consider a Glock model 42 with the Glock tenifer finish, which is probably my second choice?

The Charter is my first choice for tactical reasons but I don't want another handgun that's going to rust. I also don't want one that's going to be uncomfortable in my front pocket while I'm out walking from dawn to dusk.

So talk me into or out of it before I run out and buy a Glock.

(Please note I'm not posting a poll because I'm not counting votes, I'm more interested in information. TIA)
Click to expand...
I'm thinking stainless will be fine. I have been carrying a J frame in my front pocket for at least 12 years and I never bothers me when walking although I don't walk as much as you. I forget the gun is there in the holster. I use a Mika pocket holster and it work very well for me.
 
I have a Bulldog classic and like it very much. My next will probably be the Boomer. I think the nitrite finish is applied over the SS so it may be a little better in your circumstances. I have found customer service at Charter Arms to be excellent so give them a call and ask the source.
 
I like my Bulldog but that's a big cylinder for pocket carry.
A friend has a G43, nice pistol. Of the two I would pick the Glock for pocket carry.
You may want to look at the Ruger LC9s with stainless slide. Wish it had been available when I bough mine.
It's a very comfortable gun to carry, slim with rounded edges and a good trigger.
 
The main thing is to get a good pocket holster. If you sweat a lot the material is important. I've been carrying a Ruger LCR. It's a revolver and I don't even notice it. I'm retired but I ride a bike and try to walk as much as I can, probably not as much as you but I have a decent pocket holster and a small revolver is not a problem.
 
I carried a Glock 26 for over a decade daily under a suit jacket in hot, sweaty NYC. No rust whatsoever. Having carried a revolver previous to the Glock, I found the Glock also carried flatter, and printed less.

Hold one second, I'm slipping into my flame suit. Having owned one Charter Arms, not exactly a great scientific sampling, I would choose a Glock for reliability if my life depended on it any day over a Charter Arms product. Returning the Charter Arms product twice to the factory did nothing to improve it's reliability.
 
Monster Zero

I think the Blacknitride finish Charter Arms offers would add to the surface hardness of the gun and should be as durable and rust resistant as the stainless steel models. Numerous makers have pocket holsters available so that shouldn't be a problem finding one for the Boomer.

Have to agree with drunkenpoacher in that the Boomer does have a rather large cylinder (plus you might also have to go with smaller grips), in terms of having effective concealment in your front pocket. My choice in pocket carry revolvers is a S&W Model 638 in a DeSantis Nemesis holster. Very comfortable and concealable with this set-up.
 
I'm curious what kind of accuracy one could reasonably expect given there aren't sights. A crimson trace, as mentioned by Jack, would be almost a must have.
 
drunkenpoacher

I think with the belly gun sights on the Boomer (which is to say no sights at all), you, Jack B, and Steady D are spot on (no pun intended), with your Crimson Trace grips recommendation.
 
I'm not a fan of porting on carry pieces. Firing from close quarters retention position(s) can be unpleasant.
still better than a glock though :p
+1 on the LC9s, if you decide to go semi auto.
 
You can't beat a small auto for pocket carry, I dearly love my Charter Arms Bulldogs, however when I carry them CCW, it is under a shirt or jacket in a holster made for such a gun. Like was already mentioned even the Boomer has quite a large cylinder, and myself I hate having anything dig into my leg. JMHO
 
mustachio said:
I recently got a Boomer and it shoots great. The porting is over rated, not too much louder and not too much muzzle flash. I have the CT grips and it is accurate to about 8-10 yards. It is much more concealable than the Bulldog, which I traded for the Boomer.
View attachment 794850
Click to expand...

That Crimson Trace is a great solution for a sightless gun. :cool:

What's the inner tube piece around the "on" button for?
 
Glock 42 is a great little gun. Or a S&W 642.

I’d only get the Boomer as a novelty. YMMV.

We have two G42s and one 642. The Glocks get carried and shot more.
 
Charter bulldogs are pretty crude and too big for a pocket if you ask me.
 
I have a Bulldog and like it. I carry it sometimes.

However, for EDC the Ruger LCR is far more convenient. I have the 38 special model. It is so lightweight and slim that I barely notice it. Its trigger is FAR better than the trigger on my Bulldog. I prefer 44 to 38, but the LCR is so light and easy to carry that it's my favorite CC handgun of the seven or so that I own and use.
 
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