Charter Arms Bulldog 44 Special Serial Numbers
Jun 13, 2012 Please help Identify Bulldog 44 Special. Hi guys, I'm considering buying a Charter Arms 44 Bulldog but don't know the different models and eras. I believe revolvers made at certain times should be avoided. This is the updated serial number info that I have - based upon around 800 data points.
I'm a big fan of the Bull Dog, and have owned severl since I bought my first one back in the 70's. I'm not really sure that you can date a Charter Arms gun, unless you do so thru Charter Arms.
Maybe some one who knows more about this will come along and set us both straight. The one I own now says Bull Dog Pug on one side, and Charter Arms Shelton, Conn, on the other. Has had it's up's and down's, closed it's doors, and then reopened a couple of times. Getting the manufacture date for an older one might be difficult, and because they have no collector value might make it even more difficult. I know this will give Jim K a chuckle - BUT - I've, also, been collecting and researching 1ST GENERATION Charter Arms revolvers for about the past 5 years, just to give myself a break from the H&Rs. I have over a thousand data points in a base with s/ns to models and highlighted to verified dates (which are few and far between) - from viewing that data base (to which I've added Chubcobear's Bulldog), it appears that s/n 833644 was made, probably in mid 1983. From what I've heard - calling customer service for the current CA company will not give you the answers to your questions - records are incomplete.
Current CEO is son of original CEO, but records have been lost or surrendered to ATF during the period of change - 2001-2009. Here's my working notes on 1st Gen. CA revolvers FYI and pics of a couple of my little CA gems: The very first Charter Arms Corporation production began in 1964 in BRIDGEPORT CONN - earliest pieces - mostly Undercover model will have either NO address on the right side of the barrel or will have BRIDGEPORT. Around 1974, address was changed to STRATFORD CONN - all pieces made after mid 1974 will be marked with that address on the right side of the barrel and all will have CHARTER ARMS CORP.
As the first line. Around 1991, Charter Arms Corp. Ceased operations. This was the end of the FIRST GENERATION. Around early 1992, the company was re-organized under new leadership and became known as Charter Arms Company - CHARCO, and was located in ANSONIA CONN. All second generation pieces will be marked on the right side of the barrel with that name and address in two lines.
This is the SECOND generation and apparently the period which caused the most damage to the Charter name and reputation. In 2000, the company was again reorganized as CHARTER 2000 and relocated to SHELTON CONN.
Download michael 4 base daz furniture. All pieces made during this THIRD generation will be marked with the SHELTON address. Early production of this generation seems to have been spotty and reputation still lagged. About a year and a half ago, the company re-reorganized under the direction of MKS Marketing and seems now to be if not flourishing at least it is progressing in quality and market share. From the limited data set that I have been able to assemble so far the following serialization seems to be valid: (NOTE: model name and caliber will be stamped on left side of barrel on all pieces) FIRST GENERATION 0001 - 1,090,000 -???
CHARCO over ANSONIA CONN- marking THIRD GENERATION 000001 - to date 2000 - 2011 CHARTER ARMS 2000 over SHELTON CONN marking. This is the updated serial number info that I have - based upon around 800 data points The earliest 1st Gen - 0 to 19,000 have NO barrel ADDRESS and s/n is on lower right corner on right side of frame.
CA company founded in 1964, first production pieces of the Undercover model produced in 1965 Bridgeport CONN address - 19000 to 315,000 1967 - 1969 Stratford CONN address - 316000 to 1,090,000 1970 - 1991 All marked as Charter Arms Corporation 2nd Generation - CHARCO, Ansonia Conn adress - 1,090,000 to??? 1991 - 1999 3rd Generation - CHARTER 2000 - Shelton Conn - 0 to where ever they are today. From the 26 pieces in my collection (all 1st Gen) and from dozens more that I've had the opportunity to observed and fondle, I'd say that around s/n 600,000 the finish was made a lot finer - although the integrals (lock work, action) was at least as good as the earlier ones. I have or have read magazine articles that cover pretty much of the production life of the 1st Generation, and during that period (around late 1980, early 1981) it seems that CA attempted to capture more of the market by improving the external FINISH, also in April of 1981, they introduced Stainless Steel revolvers into the mix, for the first time. Some of the articles lamented that the earlier pieces, although rough finish, were rather inexpensive (60-65% of S&W) and when CA began their 'modernization' process, the finishes got better but the prices increased to about 85 to 90% of the S&W line for comparable models. During the 2nd Generation, the CHARCO (Charter Arms COMPANY), under new management and reorganized, the quality was definitely more spotty and haphazard.
I've seen CHARCO produced guns with Stratford marked barrels, obviously using up old stock. The earliest CHARTER 2000 pieces I had the opportunity to handle (some fairly early 4 digits s/ns - were uniformly, poorly fitted and finished and had some horrendous and gritty actions. That seems to have been rectified under MKS's (circa 2008) new leadership and the most recent pieces I've handled - s/n's in the high 100,000 range have been 'decent' but not as fine in finish and action as the mid years of the 1st Generation. This is simply my studied opinion based upon experience. NOTE: There is no copyright infringement with this information, it is my own work product.
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Charter Arms 44 Special Revolvers
The Charter Arms Bulldog fit a niche that S&W refuses to fill, which is a K-frame size 5-shot.44 Special pocket handgun. A friend had a Bulldog many years ago. Recoil was pretty brisk. The one I shot had wood grips, and it needed rubber. The gun functioned fine and the trigger, though heavy, was smooth. Round for round it's not going to have the longevity of a S&W, but for its intended purpose few will ever wear one out. Accuracy was decent and more than good enough for its intended purpose.
As for value, I don't know. Back in the day they were about 2/3 the price of a Model 36. If S&W was smart, they would make a 3' version of their new Model 69, like this. I've had a couple of Charter Arms 38's and thought they were pretty good for the money. I didn't shoot them a lot, but then I didn't buy them to shoot a lot.
The 44's I've seen all seemed to have been battered pretty bad. I've always wondered if they got that way by people who tried to hot-rod them into 44 Magnums. I do like the idea of five shot, 44 Special in a K-frame sized gun though. I found a Taurus 431, in very good shape, for a very reasonable price. I've only put a couple hundred rounds of factory 'cowboy' ammo, and 50 or so reloads through it, but man is this a fun gun. There is just something about those big holes in the paper, and those trash can sized empties. It shoots straight, and recoil at least with the ammo I've fired is a.cat.
My wife loves shooting it. I know a lot of people don't care for Taurus, but you gotta admit they do seem to make/have made several guns S&W 'shuddahave' made.
This one is a 3', fixed sight gun, but they made it (with a different number) in a 4', adjustable sight model as well. My LGS had one in stock last week and I almost put it on layaway, but I already had a 13-3 in the bin, and I hate having two guns on layaway at the same time. Someone else snatched it up. Rossi makes/made the same gun as a Model 720 I believe. OP - What's on the Bulldog, i.e. Name Charter Arms, Charco, Charter 2000, where it was manufactured etc.
Common concesses is 1st gen and current production models tend to be solid shooters. Though some folks have had good success with the other years. I have a newer 2014 model stainless pug. Put over 2000 rounds (mostly teloads) down range and it has impressed meet. Accurate, reliable and a joy to carrier.
Charter Arms Bulldog Classic Review
While it's not as pretty as my 4' 629, but then again it was less than 1/2 the price. It does what it's supposed to do. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. I bought a C.A. Last November ish. Only purchased because S&W does not make what I wanted. Bought a new 40 S&W Pitbull.
The fit & finish are not the same as a Smith. My 1st 1 had issues with firing all rounds of a cylinder. (often) Sent it back. I received a call from tech that worked on it. They replaced the cylinder & crane.
Sent it back. All was free.
Repaired gun slightly better. Sent it back again. Nothing said, but they sent me a NEW replacement. Functions well, and accurate for what it is. The people I talked to there were quite nice! IF I needed another gun Smith did not make and Charter did, would do it again.
I actually really like mine. I routinely use it as a backup carries in the small of back position. Mines fairly new. As has been noted the trigger is pretty smooth and it is a nice size. Priceless I see them new from between 350-450 depending on where you find it.
Mine has the rubber grips and they fill my hand fine. I use the Federal 200 gr LSWCHP. Recoil to me feels a little less than one of the current S&W Airweight 38 SPC's. Is it a tack driver? Can I keep it into 4 inch groupings out to about 15 feet? That's what it is meant for.
It's a 'belly gun', it doesn't purport to be anything else. It's pretty well put together and is reasonably lightweight. As has also been noted S&W doesn't have anything that fits this niche right now. It's a smallish (think Chief's Special 38 size), lightweight, 5 shot revolver that sends a big slow moving chunk of lead down range.
Which may be comforting for some. Mine has never let me down. I recently got a smokin' deal on the 3' blued retro model. At first I thought it was a mint condition 70's gun.
Recoil with the magtech 200gr cowboy loads is like a 38 to me. The Blazer HP's were stout and not something I'll shoot on a regular basis.
I'm going to work up some 240 gr cowboy loads to get the right POI as the 200gr stuff was a bit low and I don't want to up the velocity. I'll also use shot loads in it for snake duty on prairie dog trips. All in all it fits the niche of a trail/belly gun perfectly. Not a big Charter fan. Always thought they were sub quality guns as compared to S&W and Colt. The thing is, Charter is filling some niches Smith and Ruger are not. My wife carries a CA Undercoverette,.32H&R Mag.
We chose that because the did not like the recoil on even a.38. I was skeptical at first, but we got the gun and after shooting it, I was surprised. Very nicely made and a great shooter. I believe the caliber is also under-rated, but that is another thread. I liked it so much, I spent months finding a SW 432 for my summer EDC. I have no problem with CA. Taurus, however, I will never buy another.
Bought two, new, and both were borderline P0$. One spent more time at Taurus waiting on a backordered part than I actually had it in my possession. I bought one when they first came out. Had to shim the wooden grips on the inside with a glued-in matchstick to make them fit perfectly, and the only factory ammo available (RNL) would back out of the case after four shots, so I had to reload for it, and use a very heavy crimp. I found the grips to be very effective, and I did not find the recoil excessive. Furthermore, the grips made kind of a ledge so that 'Mexican carry' was actually pretty secure. I eventually sold or traded it, but I never had any trouble with it at all.
I am more of a S&W collector and shooter, but I have four Charter Arms Bulldogs in 44 Special. I got my first one 5 years ago when I traded a used 442 with I.L.
Charter Arms 44 Bulldog Review
To an FFL friend even up. (I had three 442s and no Bulldog). That one was a matte stainless steel model with a 2-1/2' barrel. In the next two years, I acquired a 4' Target Bulldog in blue, a 3' Bulldog in blue, and 2-1/2' Bulldog in polished stainless steel. The first one, which I traded for, was made in Shelton CT. I am not very impressed with the fit and finish of that one. I also had to send it back to Charter for repair because the cylinder locked up on me.
The other three (which are much older) were all made in Statford Ct., and the seem to have been better made. The 2-1/2' polished stainless in in 95-98% condition, locks up tightly, and the timing is perfect. I put a set of round butt magna style stocks on it, and it is in my carry rotation, and the 3' blue one is my truck gun. I haven't had a single issue with any of the ones that were manufactured in Stratford. Granted, it is not a Smith & Wesson, but at others have said, it fills a niche that Smith & Wesson will not fill. JMHO about the Bulldog.
I just have to ask. As a night stand short barreled gun, do you really think filing the front sight will make any difference when something goes bang in the night? Well I guess you could say why even have sights much less lasers or lights for a night stand gun. Why even have them on any self defense firearm at all since gun magazines tell the typical self defense shooting range is only a few feet. And surely there's no use zeroing a gun with adjustable sights when you really won't need them in a self defense shooting. Personally I like my firearms shooting as close to point of aim as possible. Just like I like to use an accurate load even though any load that goes bang would most likely be 'accurate enough'.