Charter Arms made in Stratford, CT

[megatronrules]

I came across a used bulldog in stainless steel. Its marked "charter arms stratford, ct" on the barrel. Are these the charco or charter 2000 guns or were these made before that? Also if it not a charco or charter 2000 how was the quantity on the startford made guns?

I have new production bulldog I'm very fond of the above mentioned gun is on gun broker so I can't look it over before I buy. Thanks for any help.

 

[lowercase]

The Stratford guns are okay. That was Charter's second factory, and was before the Charco period. I have three guns made in the Stratford factory., and they are all still chugging right along.

This might help. Read post#5 on this linked thread:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472833

Here's my Stratford-made Bulldog:

Here's a Stratford-made "Police Bulldog", which was a 6-shooter in .38spl with a 4" barrel made on the Bulldog frame.

Here's my Stratford-made Undercover with a NOS "pocket hammer" installed. It's a factory made bobbed hammer that still gives single action capability.

 

[moxie]

My stainless Stratford Pug is about 27 years old now and just like new. Nice gun.

 

[MedWheeler]

I have two Undercover .38s. I'm at work right now, so I can't confirm, but I'm pretty sure the one from 1987 is from Stratford. It's been a great, tightly-held-together revolver, and rode BU/OD duty with me my early years in law enforcement. It has a then-optional anodized-aluminum barrel/ejector shroud, which makes it look pretty cool, too.

The other one is 21 years older, from Bridgeport, CT. That one was my dad's, and did similar duty. It shoots well, too, but its thinner, smoother stocks are a bit too slippery for my hands.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I may be mistaken but I think the Stratford guns are considered by folks to be 1st generation guns right along with the Bridgeport made ones.

The ones roll marked "CHARCO" and "CHARTER 2000" are the guns to avoid.

Bridgeport .22 Pathfinder



Stratford .38 special Undercover



Stratford .38 special Undercover with true DAO hammer

 

[megatronrules]

Thanks guys for the info I'm going to watch the auction and see how high its goes. I love my current production stainless bulldog. However its a matte stainless finish and I'd like a shinny one as well.

I own a S&W and have owned colts. From a finish stand point the charter isn't as pretty but its just as functional. It also locks up just as tight as my Smith. Accuracy is more than acceptable for this gun's intended purpose.

 

[Drail]

A "shinny" one?

 

[megatronrules]

Drail yes it appears to be nickel plated or polished stainless steel maybe.

 

[BSA1]

I've owned a couple of them over the years and carried a stainless steel one for a duty weapon. Neither one was particularly fun to shoot but I liked the big hole it made.

One loaded with shotshells would come in handy in the summer for protection against rattlers.

 

[MedWheeler]

I think Drail is saying, though the gun might be "shiny", he does not know what "shinny" means..

 

[megatronrules]

Thanks so far for the help guys. I also forgot to ask what year did charter start using shrouded barrels on the bulldog? The one I'm looking at has a shrouded barrel. It is also marked "charter arms corp. Stratford, ct".

I ask as I've read elsewhere that some of the charco made guns had barrels marked as mentioned above. I thought the charco era guns were all marked "ansonia, ct" Can anyone here confirm this?

 

[rodinal220]

Stratford Charters are GTG.

http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/CAR/car.html

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Thanks...bookmarked that link

 

[JERRY]

I'm so giddy right now, I have a 3" Bridgeport made Bulldog coming my way.