.44 Special as a CCW?
- Thread starter JaxNovice
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MikePGS
Member
Theres a pretty good .44 special thread going on in the revolver forum currently: http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=141727
I've considered one before myself, but I've read a lot of mixed things about the charter arms in particular, so you definitely would want to use Jim Watson's revolver checkout guide (stickied in the revolver forum) before making a commitment.
I've considered one before myself, but I've read a lot of mixed things about the charter arms in particular, so you definitely would want to use Jim Watson's revolver checkout guide (stickied in the revolver forum) before making a commitment.
B.D. Turner
Member
I have and liked it. If your only going to have five shots why not make five big holes. I believe this is the same type of gun the son of sam used.
MikePGS
Member
That is absolutely correct. He even went so far as to travel out of state to purchase more rounds out of fear of being caught. But, I digress...
philbo
Member
A 44 is hard to beat. I have owned and carried the 3 inch Charter, and currently have both a S&W 396 and Taurus 445 titanium. Nearly identical to 45 acp in terms of bullet weight and speed, and several manufacturers offer hollow-point SD rounds. But, it is more expensive to shoot than a 38/357 and that's is it's only downside... which is why I reload for it.
I really liked the Charter I owned, but it was one of the older models that predated the Charco era, those tended to have spotty quality and could either be fine or border on junk. The most recent models seem to have improved. At $200, I'd probably pick it up and take a chance.
I really liked the Charter I owned, but it was one of the older models that predated the Charco era, those tended to have spotty quality and could either be fine or border on junk. The most recent models seem to have improved. At $200, I'd probably pick it up and take a chance.
Byron Quick
Moderator In Memoriam
Jim March
The Charter Arms Target Bulldog in .357 is the most accurate revolver I have ever shot. When new. It's frame didn't hold up well and it's loose now. I had one in .44 Special but didn't keep it long. Nothing wrong with it just traded it along the way.
Tamara keeps a S&W .44special in her purse. It's backup for whatever she's got on her hip
Used to be a Delta Elite but she sold that without telling me it was for sale.
MikePGS
Member
:Chuckles: Sorry about that. I don't know why I said Watson instead of March. Isn't that a guy from my work?
wheelgunslinger
Member
Yeah, 44 spl is fine for self defense or ccw.
Charter isn't your only option for a 44 either. But, if you think it's a good deal and it passes the Jim exam, jump on it.
Charter isn't your only option for a 44 either. But, if you think it's a good deal and it passes the Jim exam, jump on it.
I have a now discontinued Taurus model 445, which is a 5-shot .44 Special made on a frame slightly larger then an S&W "K". Barrel length is 2", and the revolver is made from blued high-carbon steel with an unported barrel.
The overall quality is better then that of a Charter Arms, and it has given me no grief of any kind.
While it is a bit large and heavy for pocket carry it can be done, and there is no problem with carrying it in a a coat pocket or IWB holster.
The advantage of the .44 Special, as well as .45 ACP, in a snubby revolver is that the bullet makes a big hole without having to depend on expansion to do it. Thus the slug can be driven at relatively slow velocity with low recoil that offers controlability.
Unfortunately, high-quality .44 Special snubbies are hard to find. When one finds one they should not be slow in jumping to get it.
The overall quality is better then that of a Charter Arms, and it has given me no grief of any kind.
While it is a bit large and heavy for pocket carry it can be done, and there is no problem with carrying it in a a coat pocket or IWB holster.
The advantage of the .44 Special, as well as .45 ACP, in a snubby revolver is that the bullet makes a big hole without having to depend on expansion to do it. Thus the slug can be driven at relatively slow velocity with low recoil that offers controlability.
Unfortunately, high-quality .44 Special snubbies are hard to find. When one finds one they should not be slow in jumping to get it.
Deanimator
Member
I plan to CCW my 4" S&W Model 29-2 this winter. I just need to buy an appropriate holster, which I've already pretty well picked out. As long as I can wear a sweatshirt or sweater, I'll be fine. The only problem is that the heat in the office can vary between 45deg and 80deg, largely at random. I suppose I can always put the gun in my desk drawer if I have to take my sweatshirt (and maybe my shirt!) off.
PRM
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Colt Custom Bisley 44 Special
Yep - I take one with me quite frequently.
Custom built .44 Colt Bisley by Dave Chicoine www.oldwestgunsmith.com
Pre-ban ivory grips by Jerry Meachum
Yep - I take one with me quite frequently.
Custom built .44 Colt Bisley by Dave Chicoine www.oldwestgunsmith.com
Pre-ban ivory grips by Jerry Meachum
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wnycollector
Member
My step dad carried a 1st gen charter .44 back in the 70's. He carried EVERY day since he was the lucky guy who had to make the daily bank deposit! I remember him saying he liked the revolver...but his also didnt shoot it alot (maybe a 50 rounds every few months).
As some of the other posters have noted...its hard to go wrong for $200. If you dont like it you can always use it in a trade!
As some of the other posters have noted...its hard to go wrong for $200. If you dont like it you can always use it in a trade!
BADUNAME37
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- Aug 10, 2008
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- 4,434
Well, I guess with all the extra clothing, I can start packing my 500 Magnum 4" barrel.
I've got a nice S&W Gene Desantis holster that keeps it up high and can either be on my strong side, or on the front of the other side for when inside a motor vehicle!
I've got a nice S&W Gene Desantis holster that keeps it up high and can either be on my strong side, or on the front of the other side for when inside a motor vehicle!
From JaxNovice:
I don't . Would it be a good choice? If you can and will carry it concealed, yes. I can't (too big) and probably wouldn't (too heavy).
Having said that, I spent some time looking for a S&W 696 for home defense before giving up and getting something else.
One of the gun writers has several Charter .44s to keep in different rooms. Before I read that and considered the layout of my house, the idea had never occurred to me.
I don't . Would it be a good choice? If you can and will carry it concealed, yes. I can't (too big) and probably wouldn't (too heavy).
Having said that, I spent some time looking for a S&W 696 for home defense before giving up and getting something else.
One of the gun writers has several Charter .44s to keep in different rooms. Before I read that and considered the layout of my house, the idea had never occurred to me.
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lloveless
Member
I have a Charter 2000 bulldog in .44 spcl. I enjoy it. The major problem with carrying is finding a holster and reloaders. You have to make the strips and the speedloaders are bulky.
lloveless
lloveless
I have one of the newer Bulldogs, and don't find it to be any more cumbersome to pack than a 642. It's a little rough, but the trigger is nice for what it is, and the accuracy has so far been superb for a snub. I'd give it a shot for 200 bones.
jjohnson
Member
Oh, yes!
Yep, I too have one of those Son of Sam specials, and it WILL do the job. I've had mine for over 20 years, and although Charter Arms has been kinda up and down with quality, it's a pretty good deal AND oh, yes, the .44 special packs a wallop. I feel more comfortable with only (haha) 5 rounds of .44 special than say, six .38 specials in a snubbie.
I also have a Taurus 4-inch 5 shooter, and same deal there - what, you think you need SIX shots with your .44?
One thing, though - recoil can be unpleasant when you put that much power in something that light - I put Pachmayr grips on both of mine, and it was well worth the investment. I like 'em both.
If you steer clear of the 'Cowboy' loads and get something like 200-grain hollowpoints, you're headed in the right direction. You can get the high tech big bucks self defense ammo, but I think you'd be well served by the big brand hollowpoints. I carry 200-grain Winchester Silvertips for CCW.
Yep, I too have one of those Son of Sam specials, and it WILL do the job. I've had mine for over 20 years, and although Charter Arms has been kinda up and down with quality, it's a pretty good deal AND oh, yes, the .44 special packs a wallop. I feel more comfortable with only (haha) 5 rounds of .44 special than say, six .38 specials in a snubbie.
I also have a Taurus 4-inch 5 shooter, and same deal there - what, you think you need SIX shots with your .44?
One thing, though - recoil can be unpleasant when you put that much power in something that light - I put Pachmayr grips on both of mine, and it was well worth the investment. I like 'em both.
If you steer clear of the 'Cowboy' loads and get something like 200-grain hollowpoints, you're headed in the right direction. You can get the high tech big bucks self defense ammo, but I think you'd be well served by the big brand hollowpoints. I carry 200-grain Winchester Silvertips for CCW.
Hank Dodge
Member
I've got a Smith 696 that is great. I load Keith 250 grainers over 7.5 grains of Unique for a comfortable and functional load. Great personal defense weapon. It points extremely well and is built solid. I love the .44 special and have a number of guns chambered for it.
MICHAEL T
Member
The charter arms isn't much larger than a S&W J frame and weights around 20 oz. I can pocket carry about as well as my J frame and packs a bigger punch IWB you forget its their.
I use silver tips in mine
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
I bought those -- at over $1 PER SHOT -- from a local shop when I got my 4" 629 and started to carry it.
When, several months later, I took the time to chrono the loading I nearly fell over. Those super-duper man-stoppers were only doing 725-750 fps out of my gun! The .45ACP 230 gr. JHPs I was used to carrying were 200 fps faster with a heavier bullet!
I was thoroughly disgusted. Great, I've got a heavier gun that's slower to reload and only holds six, but at least the rounds are WAAAAY *LESS* powerful than those in my 8+1 1911!
I now only carry some of my own making that do considerably better than that, but I'm still quite annoyed at what a rip-off I bought into with the Win. factory loads.
-Sam
Charter Arms quality in it various incarnations over the years has had more up-n-downs that a roller-coaster.
I had a mid-70's vintage .44Spl Bulldog that I bought new. Seemed to be a decent shooter, only knock was the cost of .44Spl ammo..more than twice the price of .44Mag.
MKS Supply now owns Charter Arms, same parent company of (GASP!) Hi-Point. If needed, customer service should be excellent.
Yeah, same as earlier posts suggested, run the Jim March Revolver Checkout. If it passes, for $200, toss down the cash and run.
I had a mid-70's vintage .44Spl Bulldog that I bought new. Seemed to be a decent shooter, only knock was the cost of .44Spl ammo..more than twice the price of .44Mag.
MKS Supply now owns Charter Arms, same parent company of (GASP!) Hi-Point. If needed, customer service should be excellent.
Yeah, same as earlier posts suggested, run the Jim March Revolver Checkout. If it passes, for $200, toss down the cash and run.
Commander Crusty
Member
I always wanted a Charter Arms Bulldog. It just felt like a Trusty Companion type of firearm. Now I carry a plain old J-frame .38 and it is my Trusted Companion.
I have an old Charter Arms 3" .44 Spl.. It is surprisingly accurate. It is small and light and got carried some years ago. I would not expect it to hold up to a lot of shooting with heavy loads. It just isn't built that stoutly, but it shoots very well and would serve for CCW just fine.
I was fortunate to find a great deal on a 696-1 and it is very, very nice.
Top Target
I was fortunate to find a great deal on a 696-1 and it is very, very nice.
Top Target
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