Charter 38 spl bulldog

joe-lumber · January 6, 2014, 10:13 PM

I went to a range today with my Father's Charter Arms 38 spl Bulldog to try it out and the range man said it was nice. But he asked if it was going to be carried or shot a lot as he said the Charter Arms steel don't hold up very well. Has anyone experienced this statement or is it BS? No one or my brother have carried it at all or have shot it and it is in really good shape. Since we shoot more autos it won't be shot much.
J

Crazy88Fingers · January 6, 2014, 10:48 PM

I don't think the Bulldog comes in .38...

Either way, Charters are often considered guns that are meant to be "carried a lot, and fired little". They're very lightweight and sacrifice some frame strength for that. The gun won't explode in your hands or anything, but it will loosen up sooner than a Smith or Ruger would.

joe-lumber · January 6, 2014, 11:20 PM

The barrel says Police Bulldog and it is a 38 special but thanks for the advice.
J

Bill DeShivs · January 6, 2014, 11:32 PM

The Police Bulldog is built in the heavier .44 Bulldog frame. It should hold up well.
The standard frame Charters hold up well enough, too.

PetahW · January 7, 2014, 08:57 AM

.

A lot of the "carried more than shot" comments are likely derived from the perceived difference in recoil due to the Charter's lighter weight (compared to heavier revolvers); and the fact that they were designed as carry guns ILO a target gun.

(My new SS Pathfinder's labelled a "Target Pathfinder", when in reality it's a Trail Gun - no more, no less.

Of course, every so often, folks are encountered who seem to look down their noses at anything costing less than they paid for whatever.

.

g.willikers · January 7, 2014, 09:25 AM

This range you went to - is their main business selling guns?

lowercase · January 7, 2014, 09:37 AM

I have a Police Bulldog .38spl. Nice little 6-shooter made on the Bulldog frame, chambered for .38spl, and with a 4" barrel. Some had adjustable sights. Mine does not.

It was built sometime in the 1980s, and I picked it up for cheap at a local shop. I like classic, service-style .38 revolvers, and was happy to add a specimen by Charter Arms to my collection.

Yours should hold up just fine.

Here's a pic of my Police Bulldog:

joe-lumber · January 7, 2014, 10:03 AM

No, the range I go to is not really in the business of selling guns as they have only four in stock to sell. I think most of their business is range time.
J

Ozzieman · January 8, 2014, 03:17 PM

Nice lowercase.
I knew they made them but have never seen one. Had you laid that in front of me I would have said it’s a 44 with a long barrel.
I have the 44 and it’s been a very reliable gun and it’s still tight on lock up.
To the OP, as long as you don’t shoot +P’s in the thing it will shoot thousands of rounds with no problem. My 44 has shot close to 1000 with more than 200 factory WIN silvertips.
The original Charter Arms grips can be uncomfortable and if they are get a small set of Pachmayr’s grips.
Nice gun

http://www.pachmayr.com/home/revolver-grip-details.php

ca13860 · February 15, 2018, 10:24 AM

http://www.genitron.com/Handgun/Char...pl-P/Variant-1

Dave Chuppa · March 4, 2018, 04:48 PM

The one I had held up. When my friend needed a small gun to carry I gave it to her. She shot it well and still carries it today.

TruthTellers · March 4, 2018, 06:09 PM

The older Charter Bulldogs are great guns. I have the 5 shot .357 model and other than some bluing that's worn off and a grip frame that's a bit loose and wobbles, it's great. The timing is dead on, the lockup is tight, and it's a good size revolver that I can get a good grip with and it doesn't weigh a ton.

If it's held up for 30+ years, I expect it to hold up another 30.

I can't say the same for Charco, Charter 2000, or modern Charter revolvers though, no experience with them. That might change when the .45 Colt Bulldog comes out.

TruthTellers · March 4, 2018, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca13860

http://www.genitron.com/Handgun/Char...pl-P/Variant-1

If only they'd do the same with an 8 shot .22 Pathfinder.

Buckeye! · March 4, 2018, 06:13 PM

"Charter Steel doesn't hold up well" My gosh, that fellow is a idiot!!!!!

The 38 Bulldog is a 6 shot 38 spl ..just slightly larger than a "J" frame .. and smaller than a
"D" frame ....
I have owned Charters for over 35 years .. I have 3 as I type this ...

kymasabe · March 4, 2018, 11:29 PM

Stay away from +p and you should be fine. I've had many charter guns and lockup was tight on all of them except the only one that had seen +p ammo.

Model12Win · March 5, 2018, 03:32 AM

An oft-overlooked option. Some swoon for the new Colt Cobras, not realizing a gun that is half the cost and every bit as serviceable and offering the same size power and capacity has been around for years, the Charter Police Bulldog.

moosemike · March 6, 2018, 05:02 PM

My Dad has had one for years. He likes it.

Duster340 · March 6, 2018, 10:58 PM

Nearing 4000 rounds through my 44 Bulldog. Not a single hiccup. Never understood the logic behind the old "shoot little carry often" crap. I like to be proficient with my CCWs, and to that end I shoot them... A lot. But to each their own. There will always be critics of every brand. I've found that the vast majority of CA owners are quite happy with their lowly CA revolvers.

Be well folks

January 6, 2014, 10:13 PM	#1
joe-lumber Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2013 Posts: 257	Charter 38 spl bulldog I went to a range today with my Father's Charter Arms 38 spl Bulldog to try it out and the range man said it was nice. But he asked if it was going to be carried or shot a lot as he said the Charter Arms steel don't hold up very well. Has anyone experienced this statement or is it BS? No one or my brother have carried it at all or have shot it and it is in really good shape. Since we shoot more autos it won't be shot much. J

January 6, 2014, 11:20 PM	#3
joe-lumber Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2013 Posts: 257	Bulldog The barrel says Police Bulldog and it is a 38 special but thanks for the advice. J

January 6, 2014, 11:32 PM	#4
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	The Police Bulldog is built in the heavier .44 Bulldog frame. It should hold up well. The standard frame Charters hold up well enough, too. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

January 7, 2014, 09:25 AM	#6
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	This range you went to - is their main business selling guns? __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

January 7, 2014, 10:03 AM	#8
joe-lumber Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2013 Posts: 257	range No, the range I go to is not really in the business of selling guns as they have only four in stock to sell. I think most of their business is range time. J

January 6, 2014, 10:48 PM	#2
Crazy88Fingers Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2010 Location: WesTex Posts: 958	I don't think the Bulldog comes in .38... Either way, Charters are often considered guns that are meant to be "carried a lot, and fired little". They're very lightweight and sacrifice some frame strength for that. The gun won't explode in your hands or anything, but it will loosen up sooner than a Smith or Ruger would.

January 7, 2014, 08:57 AM	#5
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. A lot of the "carried more than shot" comments are likely derived from the perceived difference in recoil due to the Charter's lighter weight (compared to heavier revolvers); and the fact that they were designed as carry guns ILO a target gun. (My new SS Pathfinder's labelled a "Target Pathfinder", when in reality it's a Trail Gun - no more, no less. Of course, every so often, folks are encountered who seem to look down their noses at anything costing less than they paid for whatever. .

January 7, 2014, 09:37 AM	#7
lowercase Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2012 Posts: 287	I have a Police Bulldog .38spl. Nice little 6-shooter made on the Bulldog frame, chambered for .38spl, and with a 4" barrel. Some had adjustable sights. Mine does not. It was built sometime in the 1980s, and I picked it up for cheap at a local shop. I like classic, service-style .38 revolvers, and was happy to add a specimen by Charter Arms to my collection. Yours should hold up just fine. Here's a pic of my Police Bulldog:

January 8, 2014, 03:17 PM	#9
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	Nice lowercase. I knew they made them but have never seen one. Had you laid that in front of me I would have said it’s a 44 with a long barrel. I have the 44 and it’s been a very reliable gun and it’s still tight on lock up. To the OP, as long as you don’t shoot +P’s in the thing it will shoot thousands of rounds with no problem. My 44 has shot close to 1000 with more than 200 factory WIN silvertips. The original Charter Arms grips can be uncomfortable and if they are get a small set of Pachmayr’s grips. Nice gun http://www.pachmayr.com/home/revolver-grip-details.php __________________ It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe. Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.

February 15, 2018, 10:24 AM	#10
ca13860 Junior Member Join Date: January 4, 2016 Posts: 3	Charter will still make the Police Bulldog on Special Order. http://www.genitron.com/Handgun/Char...pl-P/Variant-1 Last edited by ca13860; February 17, 2018 at 09:11 PM.

March 4, 2018, 04:48 PM	#11
Dave Chuppa Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Posts: 448	The one I had held up. When my friend needed a small gun to carry I gave it to her. She shot it well and still carries it today. __________________ TWO HANDGUNS AND RELOADS, EVERY DAY ALL DAY

March 4, 2018, 06:09 PM	#12
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,888	The older Charter Bulldogs are great guns. I have the 5 shot .357 model and other than some bluing that's worn off and a grip frame that's a bit loose and wobbles, it's great. The timing is dead on, the lockup is tight, and it's a good size revolver that I can get a good grip with and it doesn't weigh a ton. If it's held up for 30+ years, I expect it to hold up another 30. I can't say the same for Charco, Charter 2000, or modern Charter revolvers though, no experience with them. That might change when the .45 Colt Bulldog comes out. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

March 4, 2018, 06:13 PM	#14
Buckeye! Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2008 Posts: 849	"Charter Steel doesn't hold up well" My gosh, that fellow is a idiot!!!!! The 38 Bulldog is a 6 shot 38 spl ..just slightly larger than a "J" frame .. and smaller than a "D" frame .... I have owned Charters for over 35 years .. I have 3 as I type this ...

March 4, 2018, 11:29 PM	#15
kymasabe Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,747	Stay away from +p and you should be fine. I've had many charter guns and lockup was tight on all of them except the only one that had seen +p ammo. __________________ God's creatures big and small, eat them one, eat them all.

March 5, 2018, 03:32 AM	#16
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	An oft-overlooked option. Some swoon for the new Colt Cobras, not realizing a gun that is half the cost and every bit as serviceable and offering the same size power and capacity has been around for years, the Charter Police Bulldog.

March 6, 2018, 05:02 PM	#17
moosemike Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2009 Location: Lebanon PA Posts: 535	My Dad has had one for years. He likes it. __________________ et cognoscetis veritatem et veritas liberabit vos

March 6, 2018, 10:58 PM	#18
Duster340 Member Join Date: December 27, 2014 Location: Illinois Posts: 92	Nearing 4000 rounds through my 44 Bulldog. Not a single hiccup. Never understood the logic behind the old "shoot little carry often" crap. I like to be proficient with my CCWs, and to that end I shoot them... A lot. But to each their own. There will always be critics of every brand. I've found that the vast majority of CA owners are quite happy with their lowly CA revolvers. Be well folks