Charter Arms Bulldog in .45 ACP

[richhodg66]

Stopped by a local shop and looked at one of these. I've had a .⁴ one for 30 plus years and like it, but a .45 ACP one would be more pratical in many ways. Does this system they use so it diesn't require a moon clip of some sort work well? Just seems like a weak point on an otherwise neat gun.

 

[Uncle Grinch]

I’ll bet the 45 ACP Bulldog would be a neat and manageable carry gun. You don’t see them in this caliber too often. I’ve had the traditional 44 Spl version. It was nice but I sold it and bought a GP100 in the same caliber. I did see a CA in 41 Mag that was offered at one time. That had to be a handful .
Rich, you have me thinking now about the 45 ACP version…

 

[richhodg66]

One of the things that comes to mind is that factory loadings of .44 special are pretty weak, but there are very potent manstooper factory offerings in .45 ACP.

Another consideration is I am tryi.g to switch as much as possible to small pistol primers and I can get .45 ACP brass that way. I'm finding small primers commonly available now, but no luck on large and I hVe a lot more small onhand. I even cut down 100 .454 Casull cases to keep shooting .45 Colt. Wish there was an option like that for .44s.

I just have to wonder how well those little springy things in the soider of those revolvers would hold up.

 

[Bazoo]

I didn't know they ever made one in 45 auto. I'm pretty out of the loop on CA guns though.

Guy on another forum said you can size 45 auto down in a steel 44 die to make a short 44 similar in size to 44 russian, with of course a smaller rim. It may be worth considering. I tried one, but my lee spartan is not up to the task, so my experimentation is on hold until I get a stronger press.

I'd be interested in 500 or 1000 small primer pocket 44 special brass. If we could get enough people interested perhaps we could have a run made?

 

[JustJim]

Guy on another forum said you can size 45 auto down in a steel 44 die to make a short 44 similar in size to 44 russian, with of course a smaller rim. It may be worth considering. I tried one, but my lee spartan is not up to the task, so my experimentation is on hold until I get a stronger press.

In a pinch, you can size 45 acp down to a shorter 41 mag. But yes, it isn't something you do on a light press, or with carbide dies (they break). I've always meant to try doing it with a Lee Loader sizing die, and a vise.

 

[Bret4207]

Maybe this is a stupid observation, but who cares what factory offerings are in 44 Spec or 45 ACP. I was under the impression we all reloaded.

 

[Bazoo]

In a pinch, you can size 45 acp down to a shorter 41 mag. But yes, it isn't something you do on a light press, or with carbide dies (they break). I've always meant to try doing it with a Lee Loader sizing die, and a vise.

Oh that's dandy info to retain. I surely do want a 41 magnum.

 

[JustJim]

The resulting cases don't work in all guns. It is a royal pain to do, right up there with making 30 Luger cases out of .223, or soldering extensions on a case neck to stretch the case. But it can be done . . . the question remains if it is something that should be done rather than find the correct brass somewhere.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I have had two Charco 44 spls. First was well it didnt last long a d was returned to the factory...

Second was better. Shot pretty well but just had that High School Shop class feel. I traded it for a then new S&W 396. Another gun I should never have sold.

CW

 

[richhodg66]

Bazoo, I may try that at some point. I shot a lot of .44 specials before I got low on large pistol primers and couldn't get more. I never would have thought of that.

 

[RBHarter]

Now y'all are making 44 short out of 45 ACP .......
Here I am with everything but a barrel and brass for a 44 ........
I don't need or want a 44 but the dies and stuff just keep sneaking into the room.

 

[JustJim]

I stocked up on 44 special brass a while back, drop me a PM if you find a barrel and have time on your hands . . . .

 

[Winelover]

Charter Arms has chambered quite a few lightweight Bulldog sized, short barrel pistols, in other calibers than 44 Special. Obviously, 45 ACP and lesser known ones like the 45 LC and (supposedly) 41 Magnum.

The 45 ACP version is called the Pitbull.

Pit Bull

The Pit Bull’s unique design provides a dual coil spring assembly located in the extractor which allows for easy cartridge insertion and retention in every chamber of the revolvers cylinder. This patented system allows the shooter ease of ejecting spent cartridges for immediate reloading...

charterfirearms.com

The Mag Pug is the 357 Magnum version.

Mag Pug

Charter’s .357 Mag Pug is a home protection revolver second to none. Compact, yet extremely powerful, the 5-shot Mag Pug has the stopping power to dispatch any and every threat to your home and family. Charter’s .357 Mag Pug: arm yourself with confidence!

charterfirearms.com

Their site no longer lists the 45 LC or the 41 Magnum.


IMO, the 44 Special is the most versatile for the handloader. Especially, if you already load and cast for the 44 Magnum. The Bulldog can be loaded from mild to semi wild. It will handle Skeeter's load but continual use is not recommended. I doubt anyone would want to shoot Skeeter's load in that lightweight pistol, very much. The Bulldog bites on both ends.

The powder capacity of the 45 ACP case will be the limiting factor on velocity. Also, bullet weight stops, where the 44 Special, pretty much begins for a fixed sighted revolver.

 

[Glaciers]

Charter offers a good verity of models in the Mag Pug. Adjustable sight 3” and a 4” barrels. Unfortunately the Pit Bull is in 2.2” fixed sight only. I don’t need adjustable sights in these light weight pistols but a 3” barrel with fixed would be my personal preference. I don’t know how long the Pit Bull has been on the market, so maybe a 3” will eventually be offered. The ejection system seams like it could be a problem, care a short rod in your pocket as well.

My BIL has a Bull Dog 44 SPL 4” adjustable sight target model which shoot‘s nicely. My wife has carried a 3” Bull Dog for 30 years or more now. But any of these light weight big bore pistols recoil with even standard loads gets your attention, let alone plus P loadings.

One that Charter offers is of interest to me the Professional, a 3” 7 shot 32 H&R magnum with fixed sights.

Model # 63270

The Charter Arms PROFESSIONAL is a 7 Shot .32 H&R Magnum with a Blacknitride+ finish, LitePipe Front Sight, Fixed Back Sight, 3" Barrel and Walnut Grips.

charterfirearms.com

Another I find interesting is the 8 shot 22LR Pathfinder 4” adjustable sights.

Model # 72242

Charter's verstile Pathfinder, available in 22 LR, is a great introductory revolver for the novice shooter or anyone who needs a low recoil revolver. It has the look, feel and weight of a higher-caliber revolver, allowing you to gain proficiency while using relatively inexpensive .22 ammo. The...

charterfirearms.com

Charter offers a great verity of affordable and in my opinion well made pocket pistols.

 

[Winelover]

Recently, purchased the Pathfinder in the short barreled version. We both like it. Especially, when we don't want to pick up the empty cases that the autoloaders spew out.

Have had the Fit for Duty Bulldog for several years now. Recent total of hand loaded rounds though it is right around 1800, last checked. Yesterday, reloaded 30 rounds, fired earlier in the week. Happened to be 5.3 grains of Red Dot, under a RCBS 240 SWC GC.

Model # 74410

Known for its rugged reliability and stopping power, Charter’s Bulldog is a versatile revolver for personal or home protection. With a barrel length of 2.5”, this .44 Special is one of the larger revolvers to qualify for concealed carry. This safe, reliable revolver is powerful enough for...

charterfirearms.com

 

[richhodg66]

Charter Arms went through a lot of changes in management and there were QC issues at a few points, but the Bulldog I bought about 1989 which was used, has always been great.

The .45 ACP certainly offers some things, brass is very plentiful and I have more .45 molds than .44. Kind of on the fence about that rimless system of headspace and extraction. Might not worry me in a sporting pistol, but a gun designed for what this is designed for needs to work absolutely, positively 110% of the time.

 

[Winelover]

Here's the target I shot, earlier in the week, with the Bulldog. DA at 15 yards. Both Charters, are only shot DA...........triggers are just fine, out of the box.

 

[richhodg66]

Looks like a fight stopper to me.

 

[richhodg66]

What bullet do you shoot in yours?

 

[Winelover]

Currently, I'm trying to use up a 5 gallon pail full of RCBS 240 SWC GC , I cast more than 30 years ago.

I have used the Saeco 200 RNFP (they shoot too low to the fixed sights), RCBS 240 RNFP (which drops close to 250 grains, lubed), MP's 250 RNFP (Solid ,HP and Cup pins) and NOE's copy of Ranch Dog's 265 RNFP with conventional lube grooves.

I prefer to stick with the bullets in the 240-250 grain weight range, because of the fixed sights.