Charter Arms Bulldog Pug

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kerreckt

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I just bought a new (for me) Charter Arms Bulldog Pug .44 special. Does anyone know how to determine the date of manufacture. I know it is one of the first generation models. I would like to know the year it was manufactured. Thanks for any help.
Right_Side_Pug.jpg
Left_Side_Pug.jpg
 
My Stratford Bulldog Pug was made in 1987. They are lightly built carry guns. Avoid any +P Buffalo Bore/Corbon heavy duty loads. Either use Winchester Sivertip or Speer/Blazer 200 gr. Gold Dot loads. They're perfect for this gun. The 200 gr. Gold Dot WILL expand to around .70 cal. from a Bulldog.
 
Long ago, I loaded mine with 320 grain homecast SWC's. Stout and with Red Dot. Don't do that. The thing didn't "fail" but was a rattler sure before its time. Sure hit hard though.
I don't think the fellow was asking about loads though.
 
Thanks everyone. I learned more about this gun. Post #2 from Certaindeaf answered my question. This gun was made in Stratford Conn. which according to the link he posted means it was made 1970-1980. I'd like to narrow it down some but it looks like that info is not out there. Thanks for all the loads advice. I handload and tend to be kind of conservative with my loads. From looking at the gun I knew I wasn't gonna be shooting any max loads. It is a good shooter for what it is. Recoil about like the .357 snubby I have. This one is going to be on my night table for welcoming unwanted visitors.
 
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Very nice. They're not "fun" guns for running a bunch of hot loads through.
They are fantastic self defense revolvers. I've been a fan of the Bulldog for over 20 years.
 
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Moxie thanks for pointing that out. I kind of overlooked that. I just got a response from Charter Arms and I am waiting to see what they have to say about the date of manufacture. I will post the info once I get it. I bought some Fiocchi 210 gr. LFP ammo for it. These are "cowboy" loads. Suppose to be about 750fps and 264 ft/lbs. Bought them mostly because I knew they wouldn't be real hot and because they were the cheapest ones that had good brass for reloading. I will order dies and a caliber kit from Dillon and do some reloads. Now that I have this I find myself looking around to buy something else in this caliber. Kind of crazy because I never really intended to buy this gun. I was having a conversation with someone telling them I was looking to buy another .357 snubby and they told me they had something I might like. They showed me this Bulldog Pug and told me they wanted $250 for it so naturally I jumped all over it. Justified it by telling myself "it's a great classic". If that hadn't worked I'm sure I would have come up with something else. All this after telling myself that I wasn't going to expand into more calibers. I am such a liar when it comes to my "self talk".
Kind of long winded today but my best to all.
 
If you want a primo gun for .44 Spl., get a 629 Mountain Gun. Will also shoot mag.
Click to expand...

They're also much larger and twice the weight.

The Bulldog is the smallest and lightest big bore snub out there. They're roughly the size of an SP101. My 2011 stainless 2-1/2" weighs just 19.6 ounces empty, 23.4 ounces loaded with 210 gr. SJHP's. My 3" 629 weighs 44.6 ounces loaded (240 gr. JHP).

The 629 is the superior range gun, but when you want to pack .44 caliber goodness in a CCW, it's just not the best option.
 
machivshooter,
I know. As I stated in earlier posts, I have a Bulldog. I've had it since 1988. The OP, kerreckt, stated in post #10 he was "looking around to buy something else in this caliber." He's getting into reloading for the .44Spl. I suggested the 629MG as a primo platform for that use.
 
Is that really a Pug? The one I carried in the 80's had a shorter snubby barrel. BTW, just at my LGS yesterday and I've got my eye on a matte black model for $409;)

LD
 
That one looks like my old bull barrel bulldog, but with an ejector rod shroud.
 
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