32 H&R fans rejoice

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On the Charter's being light weight, over the years I've had a revelation on the revolver and these was a time I thought that a revolver was better than a semi auto in a variety of aspects and thought that getting 8 rds of .357 in a Redhawk or N Frame size revolver was the best way to go. Then when I pick one up and shoot it or try to carry it, I find them way too heavy.

Now, I just got a 6 inch .357 Bulldog two weeks ago and the thing is as light as a feather, even with it being a 5 shot, it's infinitely more practical for any carry role vs a larger, heavier revolver like the 7 shot GP100 or 686+ or any of the 8 shot .357's out there.

To my knowledge, Charter has never made a revolver that weighs more than 25 ounces. Outside of the LCR, Ruger's have been called tanks and just about weigh as much. There's a time and a place for that when you're shooting big bore magnums, but for .357 and .32 and snubs that are all steel... I don't see the need.

So in the past few months my experience with Charter me believing they're now the 3rd best revolver maker in the US behind Ruger and Smith in what they offer, probably the best in terms of price and value.

I have a older 1978ish Charter Arms Bulldog 357mag target 4 inch barreled in layaway, just like the one pictured ....
By the way it feels , maybe 22 -23 oz at the most ... The barrel shroud is alumium over a steel barrel
image.jpeg
 
I picked one of these up recently - no problems with the finish or lock-up. It does shoot a bit low but I assume that can be corrected with a bit of practice.

Was a bit surprised by how big it was - not unmanageable or anything, but larger than I expected. My first thought after shooting it was how cool it would be if Charter made a 4 in bbl version that held 9 or 10 rounds of .32 H&R Mag in the cylinder.
 
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AntiFuddAction said:
Was a bit surprised by how big it was - not unmanageable or anything, but larger than I expected. My first instinct when after it was thinking about how cool it would be if Charter made a 4 in bbl version that held 9 or 10 rounds of .32 H&R Mag in the cylinder.
I too have thought about Charter making a large frame, but for stuff like .44 Mag or Ruger/Thompson Center only .45 Colt.

I'll still take the one piece frame, but I'd want more weight to reduce recoil, so they'd have to put that weight in either the grip frame, cylinder, or barrel, otherwise, they'd end up making a huge revolver.
 
I too have thought about Charter making a large frame, but for stuff like .44 Mag or Ruger/Thompson Center only .45 Co
I'll still take the one piece frame, but I'd want more weight to reduce recoil, so they'd have to put that weight in either the grip frame, cylinder, or barrel, otherwise, they'd end up making a huge revolver.

Fair, a large frame revolver could also put them firmly out of the budget space that they're occupying very well at the moment.
 
Fair, a large frame revolver could also put them firmly out of the budget space that they're occupying very well at the moment.
Who else makes a double action .44 Mag for $600 or less? Taurus?

Nah, I think Charter could find a spot in the market for such a revolver. Not only for big bores, but they would also have a very large frame to make a 6 or 7 shot .357 that would be something around 30 oz.

I've seen people float the idea (myself in support) of Ruger coming out with a larger frame LCR that can hold 6 rounds of .357 and call it the LSR (Lightweight Service Revolver) but be lighter in weight. With this very large Charter frame that's all metal, why bother with a polymer LSR at all?
 
Who else makes a double action .44 Mag for $600 or less? Taurus?

Nah, I think Charter could find a spot in the market for such a revolver. Not only for big bores, but they would also have a very large frame to make a 6 or 7 shot .357 that would be something around 30 oz.

I've seen people float the idea (myself in support) of Ruger coming out with a larger frame LCR that can hold 6 rounds of .357 and call it the LSR (Lightweight Service Revolver) but be lighter in weight. With this very large Charter frame that's all metal, why bother with a polymer LSR at all?

Would you people PLEASE quit distracting Ruger with more ideas! I want a 3" .327 LCRx!
 
I picked one of these up recently - no problems with the finish or lock-up. It does shoot a bit low but I assume that can be corrected with a bit of practice.

Was a bit surprised by how big it was - not unmanageable or anything, but larger than I expected. My first thought after shooting it was how cool it would be if Charter made a 4 in bbl version that held 9 or 10 rounds of .32 H&R Mag in the cylinder.

The Professional is built on Charters Bulldog frame .. Which is their "Mid-Frame " same as the 44spl , 357mag ,9mm ,380acp , 40 S&W and 6 shot 38spl
The XL frame handles the 45acp,
45 Colt & 41 Mag
So they have the frame to increase the capacity of the 32 H&R
 
Mine is on order. $355 w/ free shipping and the $25 rebate works out to $330 for my first current production, Shelton, CT Charter revolver. Can't think of a better model to try than Charter's first ever 7 shot revolver in a caliber I'm already set up to reload for. Other than the .44 and .45 Bulldog, there's not much else Charter makes that interests me.

Of course an 8 shot Pathfinder on the Aluminum frame would tickle my fancy tho.
 
I have a older 1978ish Charter Arms Bulldog 357mag target 4 inch barreled in layaway, just like the one pictured ....
By the way it feels , maybe 22 -23 oz at the most ... The barrel shroud is alumium over a steel barrel
View attachment 851834

Owned one of these in 1977 while living in Alabama, with Federal 125 JHP's it was a handful and the shroud kept working loose, still a lot of power in a not so large package.
 
Owned one of these in 1977 while living in Alabama, with Federal 125 JHP's it was a handful and the shroud kept working loose, still a lot of power in a not so large package.

I read about the shrouds ... Im planning on limited 357 Mag rounds especially those Federal 125gr 357mag rounds .. Those are thumpers
 
Am still searching for some detailed hands-on evaluations/reviews on the Charter Arms Professional. They seem to be far and few other than some brief comments here.

Anyone have any links to any detailed consumer experiences?
 
Am still searching for some detailed hands-on evaluations/reviews on the Charter Arms Professional. They seem to be far and few other than some brief comments here.
If you'll be patient, I can get a more detailed evaluation posted sometime Saturday night.
 
6F3895F5-2AE4-4888-9970-91EF5E66D7CD.jpeg Newbie here, joined after shadowing the forum for years gleaning helpful comments.

Picked up a “Professional” a couple of weeks ago and offer the following observations: walnut grips look nice but miss the mark for us (too slick for wife, too small for me; grip panels mismatched with 1/8” offset at top of backstrap); top of crane is exposed stainless...filed for fitment; gun weighed 22.0 oz. empty as advertised (3.1 oz. heavier than our 2 1/2” Bulldog [#64420]); and trigger pulls (Lyman digital, 10-pull average) DA = 9 lb. 9.1oz., SA = 2 lb. 11.6 oz.

Gun is potential nightstand HD gun for recoil-sensitive wife. Swapped grips for Crimson Trace LG-325. Sights corresponded fairly well with lasergrips. Off to the range and put 50 rounds downrange using gun’s sights. Surprised it’s ~ 5 1/8” low at 7 yards (about twice that of our Bulldog). The center Caldwell target was NOT my aim point...that’s where shots landed using NRA target’s bullseye. Other owners noted low hits, and our sample is no different. Gun ran fine with assorted .32 S&W Long (PPU, Fiocchi, Georgia Arms and Reed’s A&R) and .32 H&R (Georgia Arms 100g and Reed’s A&R125g). Recoil is mild...not bad for about half the weight of our GP100 (#1748).

I talked with Charter Arms about cosmetic issues before shooting it, and Donna asked me to email them after the range trip. Their customer service has a solid reputation, so I’ll give them another chance to earn some brownie points.
 
Thanks for the range report.

Seems like one I may have to see before I buy rather than just ordering one, which means a big delay or possibly never for me.

Wonder what they regulated the sights to at the factory?
 
I don't understand why everyone is getting low POI, I guess Charter is using too tall a front sight. Dunno how they intend to fix this as those sights don't look like they're easily removable.
 
I don't understand why everyone is getting low POI, I guess Charter is using too tall a front sight. Dunno how they intend to fix this as those sights don't look like they're easily removable.

They'll grind them down to POI=POA. A simple fix is to file it down, or just adjust your aim. I went with adjusting my aim, but I intend to eventually file the front sight a little at a time until it hits where I aim, and repaint the top of the sight with florescent orange.
 
I like seeing more of the front sight for point of impact. It makes it easier and faster for my eyes to pick up the front sight.
 
My Charter Arms Professional came back from the factory and the point of impact rose only 1” and is still 5” or 6” low at 4 yards. I checked it with my laser bore sight. For you folks that have one, look online at the promo pictures and you will see a slightly tapered top rib on the barrel that meets up to the frame with the typical step up. The models they are shipping have that top rib with no taper and it is a good bit taller than the frame. I wrote with these questions and have heard nothing. They did communicate promptly when I returned it for “repair”. They do have excellent customer service but this is either an engineering problem or a production issue. I’ve been in manufacturing nearly 45 years, cost cutting is the number one concern these days, anything to claim a dimes worth of savings!
ADC15A58-4EF7-4939-83BF-5120B1830819.jpeg
7EE17957-26BD-4555-91F4-390E13281C99.jpeg

I’m traveling this weekend and forgot these images were on my ipad.....
 
Mine is coming back Monday. I really have no use for a gun that shoots so low at such short distances. If they can’t rectify that problem I’ll be quite disappointed.
 
@SteadyD
Only thing I can imagine the problem being is the front sight .. that style is new for them ... I'd be surprised if they wouldn't fix it for you .. Id hold'em to the task !!!
 
In the old days, didn't S&W regulate their fixed sight 38 specials for a 25 yard zero? Is it possible it is zero'd ar 25? Has anyone tried it at 25 yards to see? Or can they?
 
In the old days, didn't S&W regulate their fixed sight 38 specials for a 25 yard zero? Is it possible it is zero'd ar 25? Has anyone tried it at 25 yards to see? Or can they?
If a gun shoots 5 inches low at 7 yards, it'll shoot low at 25 yards. The only solution I can think, if Charter doesn't fix this issue, is to remove the fiber optic sight and file down the front sight until it hits to POA. That or use laser grips.

I'm seriously wondering if I should finalize the transfer today when I go to pick it up or have my FFL send it back to the seller. Problem is, it seems like the seller won't give a full refund and instead give "store credit" for a future purchase.

I don't understand how the management would make a gun that shoots so low and know it shoots low. Not very... professional if you ask me.
 
My Charter Arms Professional came back from the factory and the point of impact rose only 1” and is still 5” or 6” low at 4 yards. I checked it with my laser bore sight. For you folks that have one, look online at the promo pictures and you will see a slightly tapered top rib on the barrel that meets up to the frame with the typical step up. The models they are shipping have that top rib with no taper and it is a good bit taller than the frame. I wrote with these questions and have heard nothing. They did communicate promptly when I returned it for “repair”. They do have excellent customer service but this is either an engineering problem or a production issue. I’ve been in manufacturing nearly 45 years, cost cutting is the number one concern these days, anything to claim a dimes worth of savings!
View attachment 853230
View attachment 853229

I’m traveling this weekend and forgot these images were on my ipad.....
Now that I see the pics and read your comment, you have a bad shroud. There's too much material on the top of the shroud and its raising the front sight too high causing the POA to be higher than the POI.

Well, now that I and all of us know what the issue is, we can spam Charter to let them know what they need to do to fix it. :D
 
I'm not a fan of the fiber front sights so, it making that go away and replacing it with a std sight did the trick I would be fine. I know fiber is all the range but if that is the issue it could be an easy fix. That said, they should know this is an issue.
 
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