vanfunk
Member
For a little over 40 years, I’ve harbored a secret affection for the 3” Charter Arms Bulldog. I remember reading the gun rag articles about it in the early ‘80’s and its numerous reputations - its infamy in the Son of Sam murders, its hit or miss quality, guns shooting themselves loose or exploding, crunchy triggers, etc. Oh, and they killed at both ends. Notwithstanding the generally negative press, what’s undeniably appealing is the idea of a lightweight, almost pocketable big bore revolver.
Well, I decided that now was the time to get one. I’d been eyeing the “classic” model in the display case at my LGS for two months and came to that “what the Hell, who cares?” moment and I laid my credit card down.
What did I buy, exactly? It’s certainly a lightweight big bore snubby! Apparently it weighs 20-21 oz unloaded but it actually feels lighter. It’s actually quite nicely finished, with a glossy anodized frame, matte finished cylinder, and matte anodized aluminum trigger guard and cylinder release. The big “BULLDOG” laser-script on the side of the barrel is a bit overdone, but go big or go home, I guess. The grips are featureless wood with a dark stain, but they fit the frame well. I’d prefer more of a palm swell so I’ll see what’s out there.
The lockup is actually super tight, Colt-like, actually. The sights are state of the art, 1973. The hammer is tastefully color-case hardened and attractive. The DA pull is heavy but actually decently smooth. Hardly a Smith or a Colt, but perfectly fine at this price point. The SA is about 6.5-7lbs but surprisingly crisp, with a little overtravel. Not a target gun, but c’mon. There is some weird white residue where the barrel mates with the frame; it looks kinda like it was Elmer’s glued on and the excess wasn’t wiped away. No idea what that is.
So what is it, exactly? It’s the Bulldog I’ve always wanted. It’s EXACTLY what I wanted. I’m happy. And I’ll be even happier if it shoots to point of aim out to 15 yards. Really happy then. And I’ll carry it in my coat pocket on cold mornings out in the woods with the dogs, loaded with 240 grain LSWCs at precisely 755 fps. And I’ll feel good about it.
Well, I decided that now was the time to get one. I’d been eyeing the “classic” model in the display case at my LGS for two months and came to that “what the Hell, who cares?” moment and I laid my credit card down.
What did I buy, exactly? It’s certainly a lightweight big bore snubby! Apparently it weighs 20-21 oz unloaded but it actually feels lighter. It’s actually quite nicely finished, with a glossy anodized frame, matte finished cylinder, and matte anodized aluminum trigger guard and cylinder release. The big “BULLDOG” laser-script on the side of the barrel is a bit overdone, but go big or go home, I guess. The grips are featureless wood with a dark stain, but they fit the frame well. I’d prefer more of a palm swell so I’ll see what’s out there.
The lockup is actually super tight, Colt-like, actually. The sights are state of the art, 1973. The hammer is tastefully color-case hardened and attractive. The DA pull is heavy but actually decently smooth. Hardly a Smith or a Colt, but perfectly fine at this price point. The SA is about 6.5-7lbs but surprisingly crisp, with a little overtravel. Not a target gun, but c’mon. There is some weird white residue where the barrel mates with the frame; it looks kinda like it was Elmer’s glued on and the excess wasn’t wiped away. No idea what that is.
So what is it, exactly? It’s the Bulldog I’ve always wanted. It’s EXACTLY what I wanted. I’m happy. And I’ll be even happier if it shoots to point of aim out to 15 yards. Really happy then. And I’ll carry it in my coat pocket on cold mornings out in the woods with the dogs, loaded with 240 grain LSWCs at precisely 755 fps. And I’ll feel good about it.
. Impressive collection, Boom Vang! I’ve got plenty of Unique but no .44 bullets under 240 grains, so I have to get a bullet order together. IIRC correctly, Rim Rock offers a 180 grain hollow point with a gaping maw that would look pretty impressive on the business end of that cylinder. Loading those up to 900 fps wouldn’t seem to be too hard on the gun or the hand, and might be soft enough to expand at that velocity? They also have some hardcast 200 grain DEWCs that would be good in the ‘Dog or in my magnums. 
