Charter Arms, Yay or Nay?

Cyanide971 · March 15, 2018, 02:45 PM

Anyone have any experience with Charter Arms revolvers? Looking at the 9mm Pit Bull Model since it DOESN’T require moon clips like the 9mm Ruger LCR variant. If I do decide to pick one up, I will most likely have the hammer bobbed to effectively make it DAO, which some of you already know is my preferred trigger system and, as I’ve not seen them offer the factory DAO in that caliber.

As to why the 9mm variant, I like the idea of having a small revolver in the same chambering as the majority of my pistols, especially since I have lots of Federal HST stocked up, which consistently performs well regardless of barrel length. Concerning Ruger, definitely gonna snag a 2.25” DAO SP 101 in .357 Mag down the road as well. Love the way they balance in my hands, and every model I’ve dry-fired has had a pleasant trigger pull.

Thanks for any and all insight!

Carmady · March 15, 2018, 03:33 PM

You can buy a DAO hammer from ChArms. They're easy to swap out, search this forum for threads.

https://charterfirearms.com/collecti...-action-hammer

Cyanide971 · March 15, 2018, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carmady

You can buy a DAO hammer from ChArms. They're easy to swap out, search this forum for threads.

https://charterfirearms.com/collecti...-action-hammer

Thanks!

Carmady · March 15, 2018, 03:36 PM

Sure, here's the thread.

https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...arter+arms+dao

Charter Arms also has some good videos on their site.

Bill DeShivs · March 15, 2018, 04:29 PM

Charter builds good guns. I'm pretty sure they still offer a hammerless (concealed hammer) model.

Cyanide971 · March 15, 2018, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill DeShivs

Charter builds good guns. I'm pretty sure they still offer a hammerless (concealed hammer) model.

I believe they do, but not in 9mm.

turkeestalker · March 15, 2018, 08:17 PM

They do.
Their spring retention/ejection system intrigued me so I picked up a used Pit Bull in 40 S&W a while back.
Neat system and it does work, but the 40 is a bit snappy in such a light revolver, I might've been better off with the 9mm.
One thing I would note is that it is very easy to allow a cartridge or case to drop below the ejection 'star' if not handled carefully.
Because of that fact I don't believe their Pit Bull series is a good option for carry.
Then again, even though I religiously carry a speed strip, I don't really ever expect to have to reload my daily carry in a pinch, but who knows?
I hope to never have to draw my daily carry in self defense, much less reload it.
Anyhow, I do like the design and it is a decent revolver at it's price point.

Oh, and yes Charter will sell you a spurless hammer for I think about $25 for any of the models they sell and it is a simple swap.

ifithitu · March 15, 2018, 09:58 PM

I have the CA Bulldog .44 Special 2.5",and I really love it.

Cheapshooter · March 16, 2018, 11:14 AM

^^^
Same here. Mine is a stainless DAO with bobbed hammer. Feels great in the hand, and is surprisingly accurate.

Cyanide971 · March 16, 2018, 11:24 AM

Thanks to everyone who has so far replied. Have been looking at all of the different models Charter Arms offers, and one that has caught my attention more than the Pit Bull is the .357 DAO Mag Pug. I guess I could always get one of those and the DAO SP-101. Can’t have too many!

Josh17 · March 16, 2018, 01:26 PM

Charter Arms are good revolvers. They are reliable and good quality revolvers.
Definite yay for Charter Arms

Oldman11 · March 16, 2018, 02:02 PM

I have the pit bull 40 and have had no trouble. I would like to have the 9mm also.

JERRYS. · March 16, 2018, 04:40 PM

buy the Ruger first then the Charter.

Kvon2 · March 16, 2018, 07:21 PM

I don't mean to hijack the post and I hope the OP would be interested in the answer to this...

Those of you who own 9mm or 40 pit bulls - do they make speed strips that fit these rounds?

Buckeye! · March 16, 2018, 09:38 PM

I have 3 Charter Arms revolvers at this time .. I have owned a Charter Arms revolver for the past 30+ years ....
as for the 9mm Charter ,good choice ...

And you can order DAO hammer from Charter .. Install it in less than 5 minutes... I recently installed one ...

With the 9mm in a 2inch barrled revolver .. They useally have as high or higher velocity than a 3 inch barreled semiauto

https://goo.gl/images/rAei1Y

This is a pic of my 12oz Charter Goldfinger 38spl. That I installed a DAO hammer on.

Buckeye! · March 16, 2018, 09:42 PM

Kvon 2 ... Speed strips for a 9mm and 40 can be purchased .. When I have owned 380,9mm, 40 S&W and 45acp revovlers in the past I carried Magazines from a semi for spare ammo

Duster340 · March 16, 2018, 11:20 PM

Yay

turkeestalker · March 17, 2018, 05:28 AM

A 40 S&W uses the same speed strip as a 38 Special or 357 Magnum, and a 9mm uses the same speed strip as a 32 or a 327.
Their bases are essentially the same diameter.

tallball · March 17, 2018, 06:59 AM

I have a 44 special and a 32 magnum. They both go bang every time. I trust them for SD.

Kvon2 · March 17, 2018, 07:15 AM

@cyanide I'm constantly trying to figure out what my first carry gun will be when I move to a free state and I think you just figured it out for me!

SonOfScubaDiver · March 17, 2018, 12:51 PM

I thought about buying the 40 cal version, but I didn't like it when I looked at it. The trigger felt very gritty to me. In fact, the whole action felt gritty and not very smooth at all. Maybe this was just a bad one, but it turned me off to getting one.

However, if I were to get one, I would carry a magazine rather than a speed strip. I've watched videos of guys reloading both the 9 and 40 versions of this gun using a magazine, and it was quick and smooth. Of course, it would take some practice to get it down, but a fella could carry quite a few extra rounds that way.

1MoreFord · March 18, 2018, 09:07 PM

My father had a .357 version that was nice. Not S&W nice but a good gun. I've threatened to buy a Bulldog several times over the years but the funds were't available when the gun was.

rclark · March 18, 2018, 10:23 PM

I have a CA .44 Special Bulldog and like it for what it is intended for. For me that is concealed carry/home revolver and in the 'not shoot it a lot' category. . I have my Rugers for 'shoot a lot' . Mine, out of the box shot far right at 25Ys and a little high, so I filed the rear sight channel and now it closer vertically but still not perfect.. I can't file any further. Still, knowing where it shoots I can ding the steel at 70 yards easy enough.... And if I can do that I 'should' be able to hit a threat at less than 10-15 Yards....

BeornLS · March 20, 2018, 01:31 PM

I've owned some Charter Arms and always enjoyed them. As most say, the fit and finish isn't up to S&W or Ruger levels, but they are nice guns and I've never had any issues with them. From what I hear, Charter is pretty nice to deal with if you do have issues.

I myself have been eyeballing the .45 ACP Pit Bull. I was a little worried about crimp jump but from what I hear if you get some good ammo it'll be alright. On the 9mm version I would check out the 'approved ammo list' that Bond Arms has for their new bullpup pistol. They tested all kinds of ammo looking fo the strongest crimps due to how that gun cycles by 'pulling' the bullet out of the mag. So they've done a lot of the work for you when looking for strong crimps on 9mm.

Hmm...now I'm thinking I may need the 9mm Pit Bull!

Model12Win · March 20, 2018, 06:26 PM

Yay.

Some of the best small revolvers currently made, anywhere. Their .44 Bulldog is peerless in size/weight/power formulations. They stand behind their products 100% in the rare case you'd ever need their CS. They have really shaped up their game in recent years and are under new management. They are phenomenal defensive revolver for the price, and 100% made in the USA.

March 15, 2018, 02:45 PM	#1
Cyanide971 Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2014 Posts: 725	Charter Arms, Yay or Nay? Anyone have any experience with Charter Arms revolvers? Looking at the 9mm Pit Bull Model since it DOESN’T require moon clips like the 9mm Ruger LCR variant. If I do decide to pick one up, I will most likely have the hammer bobbed to effectively make it DAO, which some of you already know is my preferred trigger system and, as I’ve not seen them offer the factory DAO in that caliber. As to why the 9mm variant, I like the idea of having a small revolver in the same chambering as the majority of my pistols, especially since I have lots of Federal HST stocked up, which consistently performs well regardless of barrel length. Concerning Ruger, definitely gonna snag a 2.25” DAO SP 101 in .357 Mag down the road as well. Love the way they balance in my hands, and every model I’ve dry-fired has had a pleasant trigger pull. Thanks for any and all insight!

March 15, 2018, 04:29 PM	#5
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,978	Charter builds good guns. I'm pretty sure they still offer a hammerless (concealed hammer) model. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

March 15, 2018, 08:17 PM	#7
turkeestalker Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2015 Location: Cottleville, Missouri Posts: 1,115	They do. Their spring retention/ejection system intrigued me so I picked up a used Pit Bull in 40 S&W a while back. Neat system and it does work, but the 40 is a bit snappy in such a light revolver, I might've been better off with the 9mm. One thing I would note is that it is very easy to allow a cartridge or case to drop below the ejection 'star' if not handled carefully. Because of that fact I don't believe their Pit Bull series is a good option for carry. Then again, even though I religiously carry a speed strip, I don't really ever expect to have to reload my daily carry in a pinch, but who knows? I hope to never have to draw my daily carry in self defense, much less reload it. Anyhow, I do like the design and it is a decent revolver at it's price point. Oh, and yes Charter will sell you a spurless hammer for I think about $25 for any of the models they sell and it is a simple swap. __________________ Vegetarian... primitive word for lousy hunter!

March 15, 2018, 09:58 PM	#8
ifithitu Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2016 Location: Derby City KY. Posts: 243	I have the CA Bulldog .44 Special 2.5",and I really love it. __________________ USMC Vietnam Veteran,0311 Grunt. 6/68 to 7/69 Semper Fi

March 16, 2018, 11:14 AM	#9
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	^^^ Same here. Mine is a stainless DAO with bobbed hammer. Feels great in the hand, and is surprisingly accurate. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

March 15, 2018, 03:33 PM	#2
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	You can buy a DAO hammer from ChArms. They're easy to swap out, search this forum for threads. https://charterfirearms.com/collecti...-action-hammer

March 15, 2018, 03:36 PM	#4
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	Sure, here's the thread. https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...arter+arms+dao Charter Arms also has some good videos on their site.

March 16, 2018, 11:24 AM	#10
Cyanide971 Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2014 Posts: 725	Thanks to everyone who has so far replied. Have been looking at all of the different models Charter Arms offers, and one that has caught my attention more than the Pit Bull is the .357 DAO Mag Pug. I guess I could always get one of those and the DAO SP-101. Can’t have too many!

March 16, 2018, 01:26 PM	#11
Josh17 Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 196	Charter Arms are good revolvers. They are reliable and good quality revolvers. Definite yay for Charter Arms

March 16, 2018, 02:02 PM	#12
Oldman11 Member Join Date: April 28, 2016 Posts: 77	I have the pit bull 40 and have had no trouble. I would like to have the 9mm also.

March 16, 2018, 04:40 PM	#13
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,968	buy the Ruger first then the Charter.

March 16, 2018, 07:21 PM	#14
Kvon2 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2016 Posts: 757	I don't mean to hijack the post and I hope the OP would be interested in the answer to this... Those of you who own 9mm or 40 pit bulls - do they make speed strips that fit these rounds?

March 16, 2018, 09:38 PM	#15
Buckeye! Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2008 Posts: 849	I have 3 Charter Arms revolvers at this time .. I have owned a Charter Arms revolver for the past 30+ years .... as for the 9mm Charter ,good choice ... And you can order DAO hammer from Charter .. Install it in less than 5 minutes... I recently installed one ... With the 9mm in a 2inch barrled revolver .. They useally have as high or higher velocity than a 3 inch barreled semiauto https://goo.gl/images/rAei1Y This is a pic of my 12oz Charter Goldfinger 38spl. That I installed a DAO hammer on. Last edited by Buckeye!; March 16, 2018 at 09:49 PM.

March 16, 2018, 09:42 PM	#16
Buckeye! Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2008 Posts: 849	Kvon 2 ... Speed strips for a 9mm and 40 can be purchased .. When I have owned 380,9mm, 40 S&W and 45acp revovlers in the past I carried Magazines from a semi for spare ammo

March 16, 2018, 11:20 PM	#17
Duster340 Member Join Date: December 27, 2014 Location: Illinois Posts: 92	Yay

March 17, 2018, 05:28 AM	#18
turkeestalker Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2015 Location: Cottleville, Missouri Posts: 1,115	A 40 S&W uses the same speed strip as a 38 Special or 357 Magnum, and a 9mm uses the same speed strip as a 32 or a 327. Their bases are essentially the same diameter. __________________ Vegetarian... primitive word for lousy hunter!

March 17, 2018, 06:59 AM	#19
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	I have a 44 special and a 32 magnum. They both go bang every time. I trust them for SD.

March 17, 2018, 07:15 AM	#20
Kvon2 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2016 Posts: 757	@cyanide I'm constantly trying to figure out what my first carry gun will be when I move to a free state and I think you just figured it out for me!

March 17, 2018, 12:51 PM	#21
SonOfScubaDiver Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2017 Posts: 391	I thought about buying the 40 cal version, but I didn't like it when I looked at it. The trigger felt very gritty to me. In fact, the whole action felt gritty and not very smooth at all. Maybe this was just a bad one, but it turned me off to getting one. However, if I were to get one, I would carry a magazine rather than a speed strip. I've watched videos of guys reloading both the 9 and 40 versions of this gun using a magazine, and it was quick and smooth. Of course, it would take some practice to get it down, but a fella could carry quite a few extra rounds that way.

March 18, 2018, 09:07 PM	#22
1MoreFord Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2014 Location: Arkansas Posts: 244	My father had a .357 version that was nice. Not S&W nice but a good gun. I've threatened to buy a Bulldog several times over the years but the funds were't available when the gun was.

March 18, 2018, 10:23 PM	#23
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,618	I have a CA .44 Special Bulldog and like it for what it is intended for. For me that is concealed carry/home revolver and in the 'not shoot it a lot' category. . I have my Rugers for 'shoot a lot' . Mine, out of the box shot far right at 25Ys and a little high, so I filed the rear sight channel and now it closer vertically but still not perfect.. I can't file any further. Still, knowing where it shoots I can ding the steel at 70 yards easy enough.... And if I can do that I 'should' be able to hit a threat at less than 10-15 Yards.... __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

March 20, 2018, 01:31 PM	#24
BeornLS Member Join Date: October 26, 2005 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 52	I've owned some Charter Arms and always enjoyed them. As most say, the fit and finish isn't up to S&W or Ruger levels, but they are nice guns and I've never had any issues with them. From what I hear, Charter is pretty nice to deal with if you do have issues. I myself have been eyeballing the .45 ACP Pit Bull. I was a little worried about crimp jump but from what I hear if you get some good ammo it'll be alright. On the 9mm version I would check out the 'approved ammo list' that Bond Arms has for their new bullpup pistol. They tested all kinds of ammo looking fo the strongest crimps due to how that gun cycles by 'pulling' the bullet out of the mag. So they've done a lot of the work for you when looking for strong crimps on 9mm. Hmm...now I'm thinking I may need the 9mm Pit Bull!

March 20, 2018, 06:26 PM	#25
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Yay. Some of the best small revolvers currently made, anywhere. Their .44 Bulldog is peerless in size/weight/power formulations. They stand behind their products 100% in the rare case you'd ever need their CS. They have really shaped up their game in recent years and are under new management. They are phenomenal defensive revolver for the price, and 100% made in the USA.

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