Charter Arms Classic, .44 Special

Trooper Joe · September 7, 2018, 03:12 PM

My new Charter Arms Classic, .44 Special.

First time at the range. Shot this group at 15 yards with PMC 180 grn, JHP (it will be my ammo of choice.

Interesting enough, I first shot some 240 grn, lead FN, Magtech cowboy action ammo. It recoiled harder, shot about 4" high at 15 yards, and could only get about a 3" group.

I really want a S&W .44 Special in an "L" frame configuration. Someday I hope to find a model 24 although I think they were "N" frames. I do have a real nice 581 that I could get converted to a .44 Special but I hate to ruin the 581.

Just thought I would share this with you. If anyone has a line on a S&W .44 Special, lease PM me.

Trooper Joe

Dave T · September 7, 2018, 04:04 PM

That's a clean looking CA. Those stocks are certainly an improvement on the ones that came on the early version I bought back when they first came out. Congrats!

Dave

Model12Win · September 7, 2018, 04:41 PM

The .44 will pick a man up off his feet and knock him down! Very similar power to the big .45 Colt's automatic. Start out as big as a 9mm expanded. A 9 might expand but a .44 will never shrink! There's no replacement for displacement! All else being the same, bigger bullets tend to work better.

Congrats!!

Ben Dover · September 7, 2018, 04:47 PM

Model 12.

Surely you don't actually believe that????

NO handgun will knock a man down.

mk70ss · September 7, 2018, 04:51 PM

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. If a bullet would knock a man down, the recoil of the gun being fired would also have to knock the shooter down. Physics don’t lie.

mk70ss · September 7, 2018, 04:52 PM

Love your new Charter Arms however, I keep thinking that would make a great trail gun when we ride our mules.

Chainsaw. · September 7, 2018, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Dover

Model 12.

Surely you don't actually believe that????

NO handgun will knock a man down.

Let me swing a 10" X frame at ya! Kidding.

Nice looking piece. Hows fit and finish?? Trigger?

jglsprings · September 7, 2018, 10:53 PM

@TrooperJoe - look at the S&W Model 69 - it's L frame and shoots 44 Special. I loved mine.

Not as outrageously priced as the 696...

CajunBass · September 8, 2018, 07:01 AM

I've got one of the original ones. I just got it a week or so ago, so I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. The grips on the OP's look like they might be better, but the best grips I've seen on a Charger Arms revolver are the neoprene ones they put on most of their new guns. I probably won't bother to get any for my old Bulldog, but I'm not figuring to shoot it a lot.

I'd second the Model 69 for someone who wants an "L-frame" sized 44 Special, plus you can fire 44 Magnums also if you ever want to/need to.

That's the 4.2" barrel, but they make a shorter one now...2 1/2? 2 3/4"? Something like that.

turkeestalker · September 8, 2018, 07:37 AM

Quote:

NO handgun will knock a man down.

Maybe not, but I did see a Freedom Arms .454 knock a woman on her bum once.... of course the weight of the revolver alone was about to pull her over forward just prior to her pulling the trigger!

Carmady · September 8, 2018, 07:47 AM

PSI might affect the knock down factor.

The force received by the shooter is taken by a much larger area than the "equal amount of force" received by the shootee.

tallball · September 8, 2018, 08:48 AM

I'm curious, do those "classic" ones have a steel frame, or aluminum?

I have a shrouded hammer model that's a few years old and has an aluminum frame. I like it for a carry piece in my coat pocket in the winter. Big fat bullets like that give me the warm fuzzies when I'm carrying them for SD.

CajunBass · September 8, 2018, 12:27 PM

The one I have has a steel frame.

Charters web-site says the Classic Bulldog has a carbon steel frame.

amd6547 · September 8, 2018, 07:20 PM

That Charter looks nice. I owned both a stainless old model, and a Target Bulldog (4” barrel, adjustable sights) at one time. They were both great revolvers, and accurate.
If I were buying a 44spl today, it would be a Ruger GP100. I love my 3” 357 GP.

Buckeye! · September 9, 2018, 10:03 AM

I have a Charter Arms 44spl .. If I was looking for another 44Spl it would be a 4 inch barreled S&W M69 ... which is a GREAT 5 shot 44Mag ... S&W stepped up built a 44mag on a L frame .. a stout 44mag .. and a sweet 44spl..

T. O'Heir · September 9, 2018, 11:40 AM

"...44 will pick a man up off his feet and knock him down..." Rubbish. Physics doesn't allow that.
The Boss at the shop used an original 2" ,19 ounce, CA Bulldog with 240 grain bullets. Cast, as I recall. No idea what load. He did work up a 260 load that cracked the factory grips though.
"...line on a S&W .44 Special..." Lots of 'em on the assorted auction sites. A 24 runs about $1695 on Gunbroker. There's a 3", M696 on Guns International right now at $1,050.00. And, of course, you can shoot Specials out of any .44 Mag. Agreed that it ain't the same thing.

Buckeye! · September 9, 2018, 08:16 PM

https://www.underwoodammo.com/produc...=7865931628601

I contacted Underwood about this ammo , and use in a Charter .. They said it's good to go ..

the Black Spot · September 15, 2018, 11:59 AM

The old school charter bulldogs originally came with, iirc, wood grips a little smaller than the target grips in the pic above.
The pachmayr presentations are nice if you use it for a range gun, but so are those wood target grips! ..

RC20 · September 15, 2018, 03:07 PM

Got a Target 44 B Dog when they first came out and still have it.

Not a daily shooter, a lot like the Star PD 45 commander type, but good for what they are for.

ifithitu · September 16, 2018, 06:26 PM

I have a CA Bulldog .44 Spl.2.5"

**Mike Irwin** · September 17, 2018, 06:41 AM

Charter just recently released a slightly enlarged version of the Bulldog in .45 Long Colt. Tamara Keel just reviewed it for Shooting Illustrated...

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/...xl-in-45-colt/

That one has me interested.

44caliberkid · September 18, 2018, 06:35 AM

Nice purchase, I'm sure you'll love it. I've had my Bulldog since 1976. Twice I have had to sell all my firearms because we needed the cash for other purposes, but I always kept "Bully" and my Browning Auto 5.

September 7, 2018, 03:12 PM	#1
Trooper Joe Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 222	Charter Arms Classic, .44 Special My new Charter Arms Classic, .44 Special. First time at the range. Shot this group at 15 yards with PMC 180 grn, JHP (it will be my ammo of choice. Interesting enough, I first shot some 240 grn, lead FN, Magtech cowboy action ammo. It recoiled harder, shot about 4" high at 15 yards, and could only get about a 3" group. I really want a S&W .44 Special in an "L" frame configuration. Someday I hope to find a model 24 although I think they were "N" frames. I do have a real nice 581 that I could get converted to a .44 Special but I hate to ruin the 581. Just thought I would share this with you. If anyone has a line on a S&W .44 Special, lease PM me. Trooper Joe

September 7, 2018, 04:04 PM	#2
Dave T Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2000 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 1,456	That's a clean looking CA. Those stocks are certainly an improvement on the ones that came on the early version I bought back when they first came out. Congrats! Dave __________________ RSVN '69-'71 PCSD Ret

September 7, 2018, 04:47 PM	#4
Ben Dover Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2013 Location: High up in the Rocky Moun Posts: 665	Model 12. Surely you don't actually believe that???? NO handgun will knock a man down. __________________ The soldier's pack is not so heavy a burden as the prisoner's chains. Dwight Eisenhower It is very important what a man stands for. But it is far more important what a man refuses to stand for.

September 7, 2018, 04:51 PM	#5
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. If a bullet would knock a man down, the recoil of the gun being fired would also have to knock the shooter down. Physics don’t lie. __________________ Say when.....

September 7, 2018, 04:52 PM	#6
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	Love your new Charter Arms however, I keep thinking that would make a great trail gun when we ride our mules. __________________ Say when.....

September 7, 2018, 04:41 PM	#3
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	The .44 will pick a man up off his feet and knock him down! Very similar power to the big .45 Colt's automatic. Start out as big as a 9mm expanded. A 9 might expand but a .44 will never shrink! There's no replacement for displacement! All else being the same, bigger bullets tend to work better. Congrats!!

September 7, 2018, 10:53 PM	#8
jglsprings Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Posts: 1,827	@TrooperJoe - look at the S&W Model 69 - it's L frame and shoots 44 Special. I loved mine. Not as outrageously priced as the 696... __________________ Let's eat Grandma. Let's eat, Grandma. Commas save lives...

September 8, 2018, 07:01 AM	#9
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	I've got one of the original ones. I just got it a week or so ago, so I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. The grips on the OP's look like they might be better, but the best grips I've seen on a Charger Arms revolver are the neoprene ones they put on most of their new guns. I probably won't bother to get any for my old Bulldog, but I'm not figuring to shoot it a lot. I'd second the Model 69 for someone who wants an "L-frame" sized 44 Special, plus you can fire 44 Magnums also if you ever want to/need to. That's the 4.2" barrel, but they make a shorter one now...2 1/2? 2 3/4"? Something like that. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

September 8, 2018, 07:47 AM	#11
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	PSI might affect the knock down factor. The force received by the shooter is taken by a much larger area than the "equal amount of force" received by the shootee.

September 8, 2018, 08:48 AM	#12
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	I'm curious, do those "classic" ones have a steel frame, or aluminum? I have a shrouded hammer model that's a few years old and has an aluminum frame. I like it for a carry piece in my coat pocket in the winter. Big fat bullets like that give me the warm fuzzies when I'm carrying them for SD.

September 8, 2018, 12:27 PM	#13
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	The one I have has a steel frame. Charters web-site says the Classic Bulldog has a carbon steel frame. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

September 8, 2018, 07:20 PM	#14
amd6547 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 2,313	That Charter looks nice. I owned both a stainless old model, and a Target Bulldog (4” barrel, adjustable sights) at one time. They were both great revolvers, and accurate. If I were buying a 44spl today, it would be a Ruger GP100. I love my 3” 357 GP. __________________ The past is gone...the future may never happen. Be Here Now.

September 9, 2018, 10:03 AM	#15
Buckeye! Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2008 Posts: 849	I have a Charter Arms 44spl .. If I was looking for another 44Spl it would be a 4 inch barreled S&W M69 ... which is a GREAT 5 shot 44Mag ... S&W stepped up built a 44mag on a L frame .. a stout 44mag .. and a sweet 44spl..

September 9, 2018, 11:40 AM	#16
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...44 will pick a man up off his feet and knock him down..." Rubbish. Physics doesn't allow that. The Boss at the shop used an original 2" ,19 ounce, CA Bulldog with 240 grain bullets. Cast, as I recall. No idea what load. He did work up a 260 load that cracked the factory grips though. "...line on a S&W .44 Special..." Lots of 'em on the assorted auction sites. A 24 runs about $1695 on Gunbroker. There's a 3", M696 on Guns International right now at $1,050.00. And, of course, you can shoot Specials out of any .44 Mag. Agreed that it ain't the same thing. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

September 9, 2018, 08:16 PM	#17
Buckeye! Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2008 Posts: 849	https://www.underwoodammo.com/produc...=7865931628601 I contacted Underwood about this ammo , and use in a Charter .. They said it's good to go ..

September 15, 2018, 11:59 AM	#18
the Black Spot Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2009 Location: arkansas Posts: 218	The old school charter bulldogs originally came with, iirc, wood grips a little smaller than the target grips in the pic above. The pachmayr presentations are nice if you use it for a range gun, but so are those wood target grips! ..

September 15, 2018, 03:07 PM	#19
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Got a Target 44 B Dog when they first came out and still have it. Not a daily shooter, a lot like the Star PD 45 commander type, but good for what they are for. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

September 16, 2018, 06:26 PM	#20
ifithitu Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2016 Location: Derby City KY. Posts: 243	I have a CA Bulldog .44 Spl.2.5" __________________ USMC Vietnam Veteran,0311 Grunt. 6/68 to 7/69 Semper Fi

September 17, 2018, 06:41 AM	#21
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	Charter just recently released a slightly enlarged version of the Bulldog in .45 Long Colt. Tamara Keel just reviewed it for Shooting Illustrated... https://www.shootingillustrated.com/...xl-in-45-colt/ That one has me interested. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 18, 2018, 06:35 AM	#22
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,098	Nice purchase, I'm sure you'll love it. I've had my Bulldog since 1976. Twice I have had to sell all my firearms because we needed the cash for other purposes, but I always kept "Bully" and my Browning Auto 5.