How is the felt recoil of the Bulldog?

Mosin44az · November 7, 2017, 10:18 PM

I have been interested for some time in a Charter Arms .44 Special Bulldog and its variants (the On Duty for one). Interested in the 2-3 inch barrel versions as a possible carry gun for hiking, thinking that fat round could be a good Cougar stopper if needed.

Interested in any thoughts from those with experience with this gun, especially with regard to how the recoil is with the common hollow point loads. I am concerned a bit with its light weight--I see 21 to 23 oz.--and wonder if it's too painful for my taste.

For comparison,

I dislike Airweights but don't mind the LCR .357 when I shoot .38s through it. I don't mind a steel J Frame or Taurus 85 but get uncomfortable even with an SP 101 .357 if I shoot more than the 110 grain hollow points out of it.

Appreciate any relevant information.

the Black Spot · November 8, 2017, 12:15 AM

I think you'll be fine with normal loads. My daughter shoots mine.

CajunBass · November 8, 2017, 07:10 AM

I didn't think mine was bad at all, but I shot mostly 200 grain "cowboy" loads. I'm sure hotter rounds would kick more. Logical.

ligonierbill · November 8, 2017, 09:09 AM

I am loading 200 gr XTP and GDHP at about 875 out of mine. It's lively, but not painful. Others not familiar with the gun have fired it without complaint. Of course, it's subjective. Your results may vary.

Buckeye! · November 8, 2017, 09:37 AM

I have only used factory ammo in my Bulldogs over the years .... 180gr Hornady XTP and PMC 200 gr HP have more noticeable recoil than Federal 200 gr LSWCHP .... Years ago I ordered alot of Georgia Arms 200gr LSWC.. that also has less noticeable recoil .. ..
Recoil is not as sharp or heavy as a 357mag in a small frame steel revolver but reminds me of recoil of a 38Spl +P in my steel framed 605

David R · November 8, 2017, 10:35 AM

Factory grip did not fit my big hands. It hurt to shoot max 44 special loads.

Just fine once I put a Pachmayr grip on it.

Fits most of my J frame holsters.

David

weblance · November 8, 2017, 10:55 AM

DavidR is right. The Pachmyer grip does make a difference. That said, the recoil isnt terrible, even with the factory grip,. Its not as bad as 357 in the LCR, or +P in a S&W 638.

Buckeye! · November 8, 2017, 11:25 AM

Thats the great thing about standard pressure 44 spl .. Great results without alot of muss & fuss ..,and when housed in the Charter Bulldog it makes a great SD option !!!

Model12Win · November 8, 2017, 02:57 PM

Fun.

Serioudly, they're fun guns to shoot. The recoil is more of a push than a snap, and in a way it's satisfying.

Even with Buffalo Bore (I know, I know, but Tim Sundles personally spoke with me about that issue) loads it's not bad.

T. O'Heir · November 8, 2017, 03:34 PM

A 3" SP 101 weighs 27 ounces. A Classic 3" Bulldog weighs 20 ounces. If the felt recoil of an SP is too much the felt recoil of a Bulldog will hurt.
The recoil of a 110 grain .357 at 1300 FPS out of a 2.75 pound(~ 44 ounces) revolver is 4.1 ft-lbs. The recoil of a .44 Special 240 grain bullet at 750 FPS out of a 3 pound revolver is 4.5 ft-lbs.
"...good Cougar stopper..." Nothing will stop kitty in his tracks. Physics doesn't allow it. Worse sine kitty invariably comes from above and behind anyway. However, kitty is regularly hunted with .22's and .22 Magnum. So any of your .38 loaded revolver will do. Assuming you can recognise the threat, draw aim and fire in microseconds.

Mosin44az · November 8, 2017, 07:32 PM

Thanks for the replies. Feel good about this, overall.

ZVP · November 8, 2017, 07:37 PM

Like hitting rocks with a baseball bat !!!'

tallball · November 9, 2017, 06:56 AM

44 special is not a high-pressure cartridge. The recoil from my 44 Bulldog is no big deal at all.

Nanuk · November 9, 2017, 07:17 AM

I loaded up some loads that ended up being a tad warm, They were quite painful in my Bulldog. Standard loads, no problem.

rclark · November 9, 2017, 09:26 AM

It is subjective.... I don't feel it is bad. It isn't a .38 for sure! I shoot standard 240g SWCs out of mine. Load is a standard pressure (6.0g Unique). Still wouldn't want to shoot these all day long out of this gun. I have my heavier .44 Special Blackhawks for that purpose!

bamaranger · November 18, 2017, 02:58 AM

I had one of the original, classic type Charter .44 Bulldogs, say 25-30 yrs ago. I shot and carried the little gun a lot. On the trail, I used a pair of square butt Pach grips, for concealed carry, the round butt factory ones. For me, the Bulldog was wonderfully accurate, and it shot exactly to point of aim with its factory, fixed sights.

For SD, I shot the Federal LSWC HP load, and for GP, a reload with 250 gr Keith bullets. Foolishly, my 250 gr load was to stiff for the gun, and eventually it shot out of time. I never felt the little gun was abusive, even with the 250 gr loads.

gwpercle · November 18, 2017, 07:43 AM

I have shot my daughter's , the recoil is no big deal. It's a large bore but the lower velocity makes it quite manageable . 44 specials were used in target guns .
If you have ever shot a 1911 in 45 acp....I find the 44 special Charter Arms to be a little less in recoil. No slide moving back and forth.
I like the gun and caliber .
Gary

smee78 · November 18, 2017, 01:35 PM

While I have no personal experience with the Bulldog I do have a Rossi 720 stainless 44spl with a 3" barrel and it is a great shooter. I prefer to shoot the 200grn rounds and that is what I make up for practice, I carry the 200grn Speer Gold Dot for defense and have been impressed with the recovered bullets.

Now a 44spl that I love to carry but don't enjoy shooting very often is the S&W 296, now that is a light weight gun and even shooting the 200grn ammo is not something I want to doo all day.

tallball · November 19, 2017, 01:58 PM

Cool that you have a 720, Smee.

I have the adjustable sight one with the hammer spur, and a hammerless one with fixed sights. The former is an absolute hoot to shoot and surprisingly accurate for a 3". With the heavy steel frame the recoil is squat. I have a friend who is only around 5'6" and dislikes recoil, and even he loves to shoot that thing.

Although it doesn't bother me any, he didn't like shooting the Bulldog. So I guess there are some people that it is too light in weight for.

handlebar · December 5, 2017, 04:12 PM

I have one and with target loads it is manageable. Using Underwood 200 gr full wadcutters it is punishing. I keep mine loaded for defense with 200 gr Gold dots-very manageable.

DM357 · December 5, 2017, 04:24 PM

You're basically dealing with a .45 acp in a revolver, and people carry lightweight polymer .45s all the time. It's not anything to write home about recoil-wise. Your bigger concern is ammo choice since, last I checked, the newer Bulldogs can't handle anything too hot. Make sure if you buy from places like Underwood that you look to see what they say about particular guns for the load you're choosing.

November 7, 2017, 10:18 PM	#1
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,585	How is the felt recoil of the Bulldog? I have been interested for some time in a Charter Arms .44 Special Bulldog and its variants (the On Duty for one). Interested in the 2-3 inch barrel versions as a possible carry gun for hiking, thinking that fat round could be a good Cougar stopper if needed. Interested in any thoughts from those with experience with this gun, especially with regard to how the recoil is with the common hollow point loads. I am concerned a bit with its light weight--I see 21 to 23 oz.--and wonder if it's too painful for my taste. For comparison, I dislike Airweights but don't mind the LCR .357 when I shoot .38s through it. I don't mind a steel J Frame or Taurus 85 but get uncomfortable even with an SP 101 .357 if I shoot more than the 110 grain hollow points out of it. Appreciate any relevant information.

November 8, 2017, 07:10 AM	#3
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	I didn't think mine was bad at all, but I shot mostly 200 grain "cowboy" loads. I'm sure hotter rounds would kick more. Logical. __________________ 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)

November 8, 2017, 11:25 AM	#8
Buckeye! Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2008 Posts: 849	Thats the great thing about standard pressure 44 spl .. Great results without alot of muss & fuss ..,and when housed in the Charter Bulldog it makes a great SD option !!! Last edited by Buckeye!; November 8, 2017 at 11:30 AM.

November 8, 2017, 03:34 PM	#10
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	A 3" SP 101 weighs 27 ounces. A Classic 3" Bulldog weighs 20 ounces. If the felt recoil of an SP is too much the felt recoil of a Bulldog will hurt. The recoil of a 110 grain .357 at 1300 FPS out of a 2.75 pound(~ 44 ounces) revolver is 4.1 ft-lbs. The recoil of a .44 Special 240 grain bullet at 750 FPS out of a 3 pound revolver is 4.5 ft-lbs. "...good Cougar stopper..." Nothing will stop kitty in his tracks. Physics doesn't allow it. Worse sine kitty invariably comes from above and behind anyway. However, kitty is regularly hunted with .22's and .22 Magnum. So any of your .38 loaded revolver will do. Assuming you can recognise the threat, draw aim and fire in microseconds. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 9, 2017, 07:17 AM	#14
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	I loaded up some loads that ended up being a tad warm, They were quite painful in my Bulldog. Standard loads, no problem. __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

November 8, 2017, 12:15 AM	#2
the Black Spot Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2009 Location: arkansas Posts: 218	I think you'll be fine with normal loads. My daughter shoots mine.

November 8, 2017, 09:09 AM	#4
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,456	I am loading 200 gr XTP and GDHP at about 875 out of mine. It's lively, but not painful. Others not familiar with the gun have fired it without complaint. Of course, it's subjective. Your results may vary.

November 8, 2017, 09:37 AM	#5
Buckeye! Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2008 Posts: 849	I have only used factory ammo in my Bulldogs over the years .... 180gr Hornady XTP and PMC 200 gr HP have more noticeable recoil than Federal 200 gr LSWCHP .... Years ago I ordered alot of Georgia Arms 200gr LSWC.. that also has less noticeable recoil .. .. Recoil is not as sharp or heavy as a 357mag in a small frame steel revolver but reminds me of recoil of a 38Spl +P in my steel framed 605

November 8, 2017, 10:35 AM	#6
David R Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2015 Location: The swamps of WNY Posts: 753	Factory grip did not fit my big hands. It hurt to shoot max 44 special loads. Just fine once I put a Pachmayr grip on it. Fits most of my J frame holsters. David

November 8, 2017, 10:55 AM	#7
weblance Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Posts: 1,229	DavidR is right. The Pachmyer grip does make a difference. That said, the recoil isnt terrible, even with the factory grip,. Its not as bad as 357 in the LCR, or +P in a S&W 638.

November 8, 2017, 02:57 PM	#9
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Fun. Serioudly, they're fun guns to shoot. The recoil is more of a push than a snap, and in a way it's satisfying. Even with Buffalo Bore (I know, I know, but Tim Sundles personally spoke with me about that issue) loads it's not bad.

November 8, 2017, 07:32 PM	#11
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,585	Thanks for the replies. Feel good about this, overall.

November 8, 2017, 07:37 PM	#12
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	Like hitting rocks with a baseball bat !!!'

November 9, 2017, 06:56 AM	#13
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	44 special is not a high-pressure cartridge. The recoil from my 44 Bulldog is no big deal at all.

November 9, 2017, 09:26 AM	#15
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,622	It is subjective.... I don't feel it is bad. It isn't a .38 for sure! I shoot standard 240g SWCs out of mine. Load is a standard pressure (6.0g Unique). Still wouldn't want to shoot these all day long out of this gun. I have my heavier .44 Special Blackhawks for that purpose! __________________ 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.

November 18, 2017, 02:58 AM	#16
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,308	trail gun I had one of the original, classic type Charter .44 Bulldogs, say 25-30 yrs ago. I shot and carried the little gun a lot. On the trail, I used a pair of square butt Pach grips, for concealed carry, the round butt factory ones. For me, the Bulldog was wonderfully accurate, and it shot exactly to point of aim with its factory, fixed sights. For SD, I shot the Federal LSWC HP load, and for GP, a reload with 250 gr Keith bullets. Foolishly, my 250 gr load was to stiff for the gun, and eventually it shot out of time. I never felt the little gun was abusive, even with the 250 gr loads.

November 18, 2017, 07:43 AM	#17
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	I have shot my daughter's , the recoil is no big deal. It's a large bore but the lower velocity makes it quite manageable . 44 specials were used in target guns . If you have ever shot a 1911 in 45 acp....I find the 44 special Charter Arms to be a little less in recoil. No slide moving back and forth. I like the gun and caliber . Gary

November 18, 2017, 01:35 PM	#18
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	While I have no personal experience with the Bulldog I do have a Rossi 720 stainless 44spl with a 3" barrel and it is a great shooter. I prefer to shoot the 200grn rounds and that is what I make up for practice, I carry the 200grn Speer Gold Dot for defense and have been impressed with the recovered bullets. Now a 44spl that I love to carry but don't enjoy shooting very often is the S&W 296, now that is a light weight gun and even shooting the 200grn ammo is not something I want to doo all day. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

November 19, 2017, 01:58 PM	#19
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	Cool that you have a 720, Smee. I have the adjustable sight one with the hammer spur, and a hammerless one with fixed sights. The former is an absolute hoot to shoot and surprisingly accurate for a 3". With the heavy steel frame the recoil is squat. I have a friend who is only around 5'6" and dislikes recoil, and even he loves to shoot that thing. Although it doesn't bother me any, he didn't like shooting the Bulldog. So I guess there are some people that it is too light in weight for.

December 5, 2017, 04:12 PM	#20
handlebar Member Join Date: May 22, 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 76	I have one and with target loads it is manageable. Using Underwood 200 gr full wadcutters it is punishing. I keep mine loaded for defense with 200 gr Gold dots-very manageable.

December 5, 2017, 04:24 PM	#21
DM357 Member Join Date: November 30, 2017 Posts: 44	You're basically dealing with a .45 acp in a revolver, and people carry lightweight polymer .45s all the time. It's not anything to write home about recoil-wise. Your bigger concern is ammo choice since, last I checked, the newer Bulldogs can't handle anything too hot. Make sure if you buy from places like Underwood that you look to see what they say about particular guns for the load you're choosing.