reliability of CA 44 bulldog - Page 3

shoebox1.1 · August 20, 2020, 06:56 PM

I want a bulldog. I have a new undercover in 38. From day one it had a lil play in cyl and after 500rds it seemed like maybe a little more than I liked. They said send it in.. we’d rather check it out so I did. Took 6 weeks with the flu going around but I got it back yesterday. Now as tight as my new colt KC. BANK VAULT tight and feels like they smoothed the trigger too. Overnighted it back to me with a curtesy phone call as well. I’m VERY pleased with this gun and the company. Buy with confidence!!!!

JERRYS. · August 20, 2020, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoebox1.1

I want a bulldog. I have a new undercover in 38. From day one it had a lil play in cyl and after 500rds it seemed like maybe a little more than I liked. They said send it in.. we’d rather check it out so I did. Took 6 weeks with the flu going around but I got it back yesterday. Now as tight as my new colt KC. BANK VAULT tight and feels like they smoothed the trigger too. Overnighted it back to me with a curtesy phone call as well. I’m VERY pleased with this gun and the company. Buy with confidence!!!!

fire another 500 rounds and report back on the cylinder wobble.

Buckeye! · August 20, 2020, 08:41 PM

I guess most of you wheel gun guys know that I’m
a Charter guy ... owning 9 ...

My last experience with Charter was actually the worst customer service I have ever experienced..

I purchased a brand new factory fresh Charter Bulldog ... 44spl ... when I got it home I found that the barrel was canted .. I contacted Brittany Nurse
at Charter and I then sent it in ... after 2 months of waiting ( 2 months) I emailed to check the status ...
about 8am at 4:00pm .. I got a call Brittany telling me my gun was ready ....

I received the Bulldog.. packed nice .. with a new hat !!! And a detailed hand written note explaining what was done ..
I took the gun out .. checked the barrel .. perfect
Then I opened the cylinder and noticed some of the blueing was missing at the edge of the frame ..
Then I closed the cylinder.. and it drug against the frame .. I opened it again slowly.. another drag ...

It didn’t have that problem before ... I sent it .. a very noticeable drag mark on the frame ...

I took a few pics sent to Brittany.. I figured another trip to get re-fixed ... But when I got the reply ..
It stated the technician said ... It was normal wear and tear ???
I sent a reply ... stating it is a New unfired gun .. what wear and tear ?
I took a couple more pics ... sent them
She basically said the same thing ...

I replied .. I have 8 Charters none of them drag the cylinder...
I have 10 other brands of revolvers... none of them have a cylinder that drags
I have owned Alot of revolvers over the last 40 years
none of them had a cylinder that drug the frame ...
Even RG’s !!!!

So a break down
1. 2 months
2. Inquiry about status
3. A rush job
3. Gun returned worse than when it left.
4. Communication with people , saying its normal for a new in a box handgun that after is repaired is returned with a dragging cylinder ,, Normal !!!

It seems like they “Don’t Care “

JERRYS. · August 20, 2020, 08:53 PM

Damn^^^

C.A. were never known for their fit and finish, but that's really poor looking. Newer gun with chatter marks in the barrel rifling...

shoebox1.1 · August 20, 2020, 09:00 PM

That sucks!

Buckeye! · August 20, 2020, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoebox1.1

That sucks!

I posted this on one of your threads on the other forum

Buckeye! · August 21, 2020, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoebox1.1

That sucks!

I emailed Mr Ecker ... we will see

Grizzly2 · August 21, 2020, 07:04 AM

I wonder if the tech bent the frame a little when he straightened the barrel and now the alignment is off. Did he take a shortcut and not use the right holding fixture?

I imagine right now they may be a bit on edge with everyone buying and having repairs made during these current problems. Maybe they get short handed from time to time on top of the rush. I was thinking about sending an older one in for repairs but now maybe I should wait or sell it off.

Grizzly2 · August 21, 2020, 07:07 AM

"I emailed Mr Ecker ... we will see"

That's what I was thinking you should do as I read your post.
Lets hope.

Buckeye! · August 21, 2020, 08:14 AM

1 hour after emailing Mr.Ecker directly.. I received a phone call from a technician... they are sending a label .. I was told it would be 8 weeks approximately

I sent 5 emails... I was told normal wear ( on a new unused gun )

One email to owner ..1 hour I had a phone call , label in the mail ..

1.It shouldn’t left the factory with a canted barrel
2. Shouldn’t been shipped on my dime
3. Should have been fixed in a timely manner.
4. Shipped back snail mail
5. Returned damaged ,Dragging cylinder
6.Charter denied anything was wrong with the gun , “normal for a cylinder to drag on frame”
7.I attempted to explain “its not normal “ x3
8.Forced to email owner to get new gun repaired , again from being repaired..
9.Now their is a problem with the gun , needs repair !! Eye roll
10.This time they are sending label ...( should have first time)
11.Informed 8 or more weeks to get repaired .. So it will be October.. (I bought the gun in June )

No matter how this Pans out .. Its not good ...

I hear Covid is a reason .. For their short comings

Im a Nurse in a longterm facility.. I wear Full PPE everyday.. Im tested 2 times a week for Covid .. I have had co-works sick & go home .. no pay for 2 weeks .. I have had residents test positive... in isolation and pass .. I work 10 to 14 hours a day ... as a nurse and helping in maintenance due to sick staff ... I help home school my granddaughter at night due to schools not allowing students...
Don’t make excuses
Excuses are reasons you are not doing your job

The Jury is out on Charter

lee n. field · September 2, 2020, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee n. field

Because you can afford it.

My Undercovers' transfer bars looked to me like a stamping, rather than MIM. And there very little radius between the upright and the "flag", which is where it broke, each time. Looked like metal fatigue.

And for everything I said here, a local place has a .44 Bulldog on consignment. Set up the way I'd want -- factory spurless hammer and Pachmayr Compaq stocks. Basically my ideal snubby, but somewhat oversized. Doesn't look much shot, price is very reasonable.

Do I want another Charter....?

---edit to add---

Aaaand, I went and bought it. $250 for recent production Bulldog. Seems reasonably tight, cylinder release needs adjusting, otherwise OK. I will be handloading for it. Size is actually only a hair larger than my small frame Taurus, it should be pocketable.

Grizzly2 · September 4, 2020, 12:11 AM

What else fills that little niche? Good luck finding a .44 spc Taurus. You might but right now it is hard to find anything. I still kick myself for not buying a Rossi 720 .44 special with adj sight when a lgs had one for $400. I decided it was just a bit too heavy for edc. That's another niche that is hard to fill. If I was younger and still stomping around in the woods I'd have bought it on the spot.

I like my 3" Bulldog on my belt in a holster and my ss Undercover in a pocket. I'd love to have a 2" .44 Bulldog with a front sight so they'd share the same reloads. I just get tired of trying to find snubs that shoot to poa. I've finally got two.

Algunner · November 29, 2024, 07:10 PM

I have been looking closely at the guns for a couple months now and IMO CA is making better guns than Taurus. AMSCO and Rossi are the worst. Can’t say about how they were made in the past.

JERRYS. · January 1, 2025, 03:37 PM

Charter Arms are budget guns and they are very good at showing you how budget type guns they are. They do not have the attention to detail nor workmanship of s$w ruger... sure all manufacturers can have a lemon but with C.A. you're more likely to get one a few times over.

Taurus revolvers are noticeably better than some earlier samples. They still make budget semiautos though so beware.

TruthTellers · January 2, 2025, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Algunner

I have been looking closely at the guns for a couple months now and IMO CA is making better guns than Taurus. AMSCO and Rossi are the worst. Can’t say about how they were made in the past.

I disagree. While I've been happy with my Charter Professional, I'm a bit sus of everything else they currently make, but when they're really the only game in town for a lighter weight big bore snub then they win by default.

Taurus is pretty much my go to for revolvers now, unless they just plain don't make it.

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August 20, 2020, 06:56 PM	#51
shoebox1.1 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2006 Location: mckinney tx Posts: 122	I want a bulldog. I have a new undercover in 38. From day one it had a lil play in cyl and after 500rds it seemed like maybe a little more than I liked. They said send it in.. we’d rather check it out so I did. Took 6 weeks with the flu going around but I got it back yesterday. Now as tight as my new colt KC. BANK VAULT tight and feels like they smoothed the trigger too. Overnighted it back to me with a curtesy phone call as well. I’m VERY pleased with this gun and the company. Buy with confidence!!!!

August 20, 2020, 09:00 PM	#55
shoebox1.1 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2006 Location: mckinney tx Posts: 122	That sucks!

August 21, 2020, 07:04 AM	#58
Grizzly2 Member Join Date: September 5, 2017 Posts: 88	I wonder if the tech bent the frame a little when he straightened the barrel and now the alignment is off. Did he take a shortcut and not use the right holding fixture? I imagine right now they may be a bit on edge with everyone buying and having repairs made during these current problems. Maybe they get short handed from time to time on top of the rush. I was thinking about sending an older one in for repairs but now maybe I should wait or sell it off.

August 21, 2020, 07:07 AM	#59
Grizzly2 Member Join Date: September 5, 2017 Posts: 88	"I emailed Mr Ecker ... we will see" That's what I was thinking you should do as I read your post. Lets hope.

August 21, 2020, 08:14 AM	#60
Buckeye! Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2008 Posts: 856	1 hour after emailing Mr.Ecker directly.. I received a phone call from a technician... they are sending a label .. I was told it would be 8 weeks approximately I sent 5 emails... I was told normal wear ( on a new unused gun ) One email to owner ..1 hour I had a phone call , label in the mail .. 1.It shouldn’t left the factory with a canted barrel 2. Shouldn’t been shipped on my dime 3. Should have been fixed in a timely manner. 4. Shipped back snail mail 5. Returned damaged ,Dragging cylinder 6.Charter denied anything was wrong with the gun , “normal for a cylinder to drag on frame” 7.I attempted to explain “its not normal “ x3 8.Forced to email owner to get new gun repaired , again from being repaired.. 9.Now their is a problem with the gun , needs repair !! Eye roll 10.This time they are sending label ...( should have first time) 11.Informed 8 or more weeks to get repaired .. So it will be October.. (I bought the gun in June ) No matter how this Pans out .. Its not good ... I hear Covid is a reason .. For their short comings Im a Nurse in a longterm facility.. I wear Full PPE everyday.. Im tested 2 times a week for Covid .. I have had co-works sick & go home .. no pay for 2 weeks .. I have had residents test positive... in isolation and pass .. I work 10 to 14 hours a day ... as a nurse and helping in maintenance due to sick staff ... I help home school my granddaughter at night due to schools not allowing students... Don’t make excuses Excuses are reasons you are not doing your job The Jury is out on Charter

September 4, 2020, 12:11 AM	#62
Grizzly2 Member Join Date: September 5, 2017 Posts: 88	What else fills that little niche? Good luck finding a .44 spc Taurus. You might but right now it is hard to find anything. I still kick myself for not buying a Rossi 720 .44 special with adj sight when a lgs had one for $400. I decided it was just a bit too heavy for edc. That's another niche that is hard to fill. If I was younger and still stomping around in the woods I'd have bought it on the spot. I like my 3" Bulldog on my belt in a holster and my ss Undercover in a pocket. I'd love to have a 2" .44 Bulldog with a front sight so they'd share the same reloads. I just get tired of trying to find snubs that shoot to poa. I've finally got two.

November 29, 2024, 07:10 PM	#63
Algunner Member Join Date: October 14, 2024 Posts: 47	I have been looking closely at the guns for a couple months now and IMO CA is making better guns than Taurus. AMSCO and Rossi are the worst. Can’t say about how they were made in the past.

January 1, 2025, 03:37 PM	#64
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Georgia Posts: 2,985	Charter Arms are budget guns and they are very good at showing you how budget type guns they are. They do not have the attention to detail nor workmanship of s$w ruger... sure all manufacturers can have a lemon but with C.A. you're more likely to get one a few times over. Taurus revolvers are noticeably better than some earlier samples. They still make budget semiautos though so beware.