Charter Arms Classic 1st Gen Bulldog

[@roadking681]

Nice piece of nostalgia, great gun with lots of proven history. I have the new stainless hammerless bulldog and will be purchasing their remake of your bulldog that CA now offers which is identical to your original and it even comes with the wood grips. Thanks for sharing a great historical video, stay safe.

[@crankygunreviews]

I'm after a vintage blued model. Haven't found one locally ever- I have had two new manufacture ones, and I'm keeping my current one

[@ClassicGunReviews]

The first gen ones are excellently made. They're even more scarcer now than ever I haven't seen one in years. Probably the only option now is buy on one of the auction sites like gunbroker. There's usually always a few for sale.

[@davidabney7700]

Sir, a well done video on the first model Charter Arms Bulldog Revolver! You got its history, the production date, and the biggest reason they were, and still are, popular, that being a small frame, 5-shot snubby, chambered in a meaningful caliber (.44 Spl.). I got my first Bulldog .44 in 1974. We had "waiting list" at local gun stores for gun buyers wanting Bulldogs back then. Law Enforcement got bumped up to the front of the line, so I got mine early. I kid you not, there has NEVER been a firearm here in west-central Georgia that has commanded that much interest before, or after, the 1973 introduction of the Charter Arms Bulldog .44 in this area. I added a couple of more Bulldog .44's in different barrel lengths and productions years, retired from LE in 2016, and still packing a Bulldog for self defense and travel insurance! Thanks again for a well done video on a great American firearm!

[@ClassicGunReviews]

Hello, thank you for nice comments! I had fun doing this video, I love the bulldog. I got my 1st one in 1981.. I had a beautiful stainless one years ago I foolishly let go to buy something else. Nice older ones are harder to find so I'm holding on to this one. I didn't know they were such a hit in Georgia back then.... I was in the military, stationed in TX in 73 and Biloxi by 74 and didn't know about the gun until 78 when I was living near NYC. Thanks for watching and I'm glad you liked the video!

[@Quasar222]

I have the new classic bulldog. I bought it a couple of years ago and it's excellent.

[@ClassicGunReviews]

That's great to hear! I haven't shot one of the new classics, but handled one in a store and it seemed really nice. Thanks for watching and the comment!

[@skiphinson8620]

Fantastic video. As you know I have a Bridgeport Bulldog. I do have the old “no medallion” Pachmayr Compacs on mine and they fit fantastic.

[@red9man2130]

hi glad to see you again been following your channel for years. Congratulations on your Bulldog. this will sound crazy but I would try to find wadcutters to carry in it. I doubt anyone makes tehm Buffalo Bore might. Yep I recall the Son of Sam I remember when those first hit the Market they were quite something. I,m Glad Charter brought out the original Bulldog .44 again. Now ya got me wanting one.

[@ClassicGunReviews]

Thanks Redman! Yes, wadcutters work surprisingly well for defense from what I hear. I actually like the tiger strip one they make now, and I the Gold inlay of the Bulldog one with engraving is really cool. Take care and thanks for watching all these years!

[@dangerman007]

Mine was made in 1983. I am really impressed with how well this gun shoots. I collect Smith & Wesson revolvers so I had low expectations. One trip to the range and both me and my buddy give it 2 thumbs up. Very accurate and the recoil is not too bad with the original wood grips. It's very comfortable to carry because it's so light and very easy to conceal. The extra thump of the .44 special gives a nice feeling of security.

[@ClassicGunReviews]

Congrats on finding a 1983 vintage one, I believe from the early eighties to late 80's Charter made the best quality and finish revolvers that they produced at Charter. All the reasons you mentioned are exactly why I like these so much.

[@13BravoBiggunsM110SP]

​​​​@@ClassicGunReviews I agree 💯, like the Stratford Conn made one's, have an undercover Stratford Conn one, carried in 1980s when I was in law enforcement for a back up and pocket carry holster or ankle holster and a little Jennings j-22 in a spare handcuff case sometimes a raven 25 acp, still have them and carry them, and they are still 💯 excellent for back up , to my other options 🤠 looking to get the 44 special Stratford Conn,made one Also like the 32 long version,wish they made a 32 magnum undercover version To go with my 327 magnum

[@waynelovejr.1005]

I had one for years and carried it daily. Finaly, my friend hagged me into selling it to him. I have always regretted letting it go. The only problem back them was there were only two ammo choices. The old 246 grain lead round nose and a 200 grain lead hollow point load. I carried the latter.

[@Fudmottin]

I recently ordered a new 44Spl Bulldog with the 3" barrel and wood grips. I don't know exactly what I'm going to get in terms of quality. Fingers crossed. I'm able to hand load the caliber. I do not know if it can handle the famous Skeeter Load or not.

[@ClassicGunReviews]

Congrats on getting a Bulldog! Elmer Keith and Skeeter Skelton used a S&W model 24 N-Frame and Ruger Blackhawk to shoot those heavy loads. The Charter is strong but not for those over SAAMI pressure loads they were using. Stick to standard loads or a little over .. 240gr 700fps ish standard.. shooting 950fps loads will stretch the revolver. I read a post of a guy who fired 18 rounds of the Elmer/Skeeter load and the Bulldog was loose and out of spec afterwards.

[@Fudmottin]

@@ClassicGunReviews Thanks for the warning. I do have a 629 which will handle the Skeeters. I'll have to keep those segregated so I don't push them through the Bulldog. Part of their charm is that the load formula uses 44 Special brass! IIRC, the original 246gr LRN 44 Special was supposed to travel at 755fps. I don't know what the barrel length on that is. The only factory loading I've been able to find is by Remington and it clocks quite a bit slower than that from a 4" barrel in one test I've seen. At about $56/50, I haven't picked up a box because that money is going to the Bulldog. There is a very good chance the Bulldog will never see factory ammo since I can load to SAAMI spec from my loading manuals.

[@ClassicGunReviews]

Yeah those factory .44 specials now are crazy expensive, seems like the ammo manufacturers are cranking out only the popular calibers now, what a shame. Thank goodness for Hornady, S&B, PPU, do bring ammo for the less popular calibers. I have a win 94 in .32 Win Sp and I can't find ammo anywhere for it.. every 6 months or so I''ll get a notice they're in stock and by the time i look theyre gone already! Same with 35 Rem... I wanted a Marlin lever action in 35 but i stopped looking because too hard to find or expensive to use. I dropped my estimate of the FPS to 700ish because of the shorter barrel like you alluded to with the test barrels.. sometimes I see 4" but often 6" so the FPS specs look better. That's great that you handload, you can make nice custom loads for your Bulldog.

[@Fudmottin]

@@ClassicGunReviews I found a nice "Cowboy Action" load that uses a 200gr 0.430 hard cast projectile. Those are readily available. The tested velocity is from a 5.5" barrel, so I'll certainly get a bit less in a 3". The 44 S&W Special is a low pressure cartridge, so it doesn't loose as much from a shorter barrel as something like 44 Magnum which runs up to 36kpsi! I don't like warm Magnum loads out of my 629. That's a heavy gun. Way heavier than the Bulldog. I just picked up the Bulldog from my local FFL. It doesn't look quite like I expected. The barrel is laser etched instead of roll marked. So there is no way to make it look like a 1970s era gun. There is also a minor issue with the trigger not always snapping all the way back forward. I don't know yet if I'll have to send it to Charter for warrantee work or if that will wear in. Otherwise, it actually looks decent. And it is surprisingly light. I haven't weighed it yet, but I'm believing the 20oz claim. Lock up is tight. The trigger pull is much better in double action than in single action. I find that a bit weird. Hopefully I can get it to the range soon and see if it actually shoots.

[@ClassicGunReviews]

​@@Fudmottin The current factory in Shelton is better than the owners of the Ansonia factory, but they still have their QC issues. I grew up in Bridgeport CT and I didn't know the Charter factory was 2 blocks from where I played sports... in Stratford they weren't far from the Stratford Theater on the river.. a beautiful spot and their best revolvers were made there from mid to late 80's.. the first Bulldog I bought that came from Shelton had chattering on the lands... I called them and I guess it was on all the Bulldogs they were making.. they said it doesn't affect accuracy but it still bothered me. I eventually sold that one. When I became manager of a gun store I would order lots of 38 undercovers for my customers who couldn't afford S&W and they worked great with no issued of any that i bought for the shop. Each Bulldog I bought had some issue.. I wanted a Tiger Strip one but none where in stock so i bought the stainless one. When I got it I was checking it out and when i pushed the cylinder latch the cylinder fell into my hand... I called them and they asked to ship it right back and they sent out immediately a Vietnam Tiger Stripe one no extra charge. This revolver was almost fine.. it worked in double action fine but when i pulled the hammer back for SA it barely clicked into the notch at the same time hitting the frame behind the hammer. Like almost at the same time.. i was going to file the frame but didn't want to on a new gun.. perhaps it was going to be fine but i thought any wear may make it not click into place or if any dirt or tiny sand etc it wouldn't work so i passed on it. Find a good one and they work fine, otherwise the new Bulldogs are hit or miss.

[@11BravoSicilian]

I have an 1985 stainless.

[@ClassicGunReviews]

Congrats on owning a mid 80's stainless bulldog! That era were some of the best made of the charter bulldogs in quality and finish.. beautiful revolvers.