Charter Bulldog Question

shafter · January 11, 2013, 01:45 PM

I was looking at a Charter Arms Bulldog today and I wanted to buy it but I have a question before I do. The cylinder has a decent amount of wobble to it, however, when I cock the hammer and lower it back down with the trigger still depressed the lockup is quite solid. Does this sound ok or is it something to stay away from? There was no endshake that I could detect.

Thanks

Nasty · January 11, 2013, 02:14 PM

Lockup is critical when the hammer falls.

Beyond that is a luxury.

psyfly · January 11, 2013, 02:54 PM

Yup. That's the way they were made to work.

If it's a Bridgeport or Stratford model, go for it.

W

Ozzieman · January 11, 2013, 06:14 PM

I have one myself and after over 500 rounds of factory it’s still tight with the hammer down and trigger fully pulled.
One of the best articles on checking out a firearm was placed on TFL. I suggest you read it, it’s a wealth of information.
Just wish I was smart enough to have written it.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57816

lowercase · January 12, 2013, 06:39 AM

I have an older Stratford 3" model (Son of Sam special) currently on layaway. It looks barely used, but does have a little bit of wobble, even in "full lockup". Not too crazy about the wobble, but I don't think it's a huge problem (I sure HOPE it's not a huge problem!).

The gun doesn't have any endshake.

My main carry piece is a current production 2.5 stainless .44 Bulldog that locks up like a bank vault. I also have 3 vintage Charters (2 Undercovers and 1 Police Bulldog .38) that lock up solid.

Hoping to hear from some of the other vintage Bulldog owners out there on if a little side to side wobble at lockup is okay. I've seen where vintage Bulldog owners will say that their guns are a little loose (sometimes from trying to "hotrod" the loads), but they still shoot okay.

Ozzieman · January 12, 2013, 08:27 AM

End shake, mine is also a Stanford with the 3 inch and bobbed hammer.
With the cylinder out there is some end shake but it’s the crane that moves at the attachment to the frame. When it’s locked into the frame there is a small amount of play.
I shoot mostly lead and since it doesn’t shave lead I don’t worry about it. Let’s face it, it’s not an N frame S&W built in the 60’s.
Just make sure the screw at the front of the frame that holds the crane to the frame is tight. Check that it doesn’t move but don’t crank on it with a screwdriver.
I have an undercover 38 I purchased for my mother back in the early 80’s. It hasn’t had more than 30 rounds through it. With the cylinder out of the gun the amount of movement is the same as my Bulldog but locked up in the frame with trigger pulled and hammer down there’s no discernible movement of the cylinder.

shafter · January 12, 2013, 11:47 AM

Thanks for the information. I'm still on the fence about it since it isn't something I need right away.

January 11, 2013, 01:45 PM	#1
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	Charter Bulldog Question I was looking at a Charter Arms Bulldog today and I wanted to buy it but I have a question before I do. The cylinder has a decent amount of wobble to it, however, when I cock the hammer and lower it back down with the trigger still depressed the lockup is quite solid. Does this sound ok or is it something to stay away from? There was no endshake that I could detect. Thanks

January 11, 2013, 02:14 PM	#2
Nasty Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Posts: 323	Lockup is critical when the hammer falls. Beyond that is a luxury. __________________ Above is based on the opinion of a 20 year Small Arms Marksmanship and Training Unit USAF instructor with more than 30 years in competitive shooting sports. Your mileage may vary.

January 11, 2013, 02:54 PM	#3
psyfly Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 932	Yup. That's the way they were made to work. If it's a Bridgeport or Stratford model, go for it. W __________________ Show me the data

January 11, 2013, 06:14 PM	#4
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	I have one myself and after over 500 rounds of factory it’s still tight with the hammer down and trigger fully pulled. One of the best articles on checking out a firearm was placed on TFL. I suggest you read it, it’s a wealth of information. Just wish I was smart enough to have written it. http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57816 __________________ 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.

January 12, 2013, 08:27 AM	#6
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	End shake, mine is also a Stanford with the 3 inch and bobbed hammer. With the cylinder out there is some end shake but it’s the crane that moves at the attachment to the frame. When it’s locked into the frame there is a small amount of play. I shoot mostly lead and since it doesn’t shave lead I don’t worry about it. Let’s face it, it’s not an N frame S&W built in the 60’s. Just make sure the screw at the front of the frame that holds the crane to the frame is tight. Check that it doesn’t move but don’t crank on it with a screwdriver. I have an undercover 38 I purchased for my mother back in the early 80’s. It hasn’t had more than 30 rounds through it. With the cylinder out of the gun the amount of movement is the same as my Bulldog but locked up in the frame with trigger pulled and hammer down there’s no discernible movement of the cylinder. __________________ 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.

January 12, 2013, 06:39 AM	#5
lowercase Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2012 Posts: 287	I have an older Stratford 3" model (Son of Sam special) currently on layaway. It looks barely used, but does have a little bit of wobble, even in "full lockup". Not too crazy about the wobble, but I don't think it's a huge problem (I sure HOPE it's not a huge problem!). The gun doesn't have any endshake. My main carry piece is a current production 2.5 stainless .44 Bulldog that locks up like a bank vault. I also have 3 vintage Charters (2 Undercovers and 1 Police Bulldog .38) that lock up solid. Hoping to hear from some of the other vintage Bulldog owners out there on if a little side to side wobble at lockup is okay. I've seen where vintage Bulldog owners will say that their guns are a little loose (sometimes from trying to "hotrod" the loads), but they still shoot okay.

January 12, 2013, 11:47 AM	#7
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	Thanks for the information. I'm still on the fence about it since it isn't something I need right away.

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