Author Topic: Charter Bulldog finish  (Read 354 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline tc scout

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (37)
  • Contributor
  • *****
  • Posts: 434
  • Gender: Male
Charter Bulldog finish
« on: May 13, 2007, 05:24:34 AM »
Hello everyone, I am considering buying a bulldog 44 special for a carry gun. I do not find their stainless finish very appealing to the eye. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with their "black passivate" finish. What exactly is this finish and how durable is it ? If it is not a good finish I guess i will have to settle for the stainless. Thanks for your help, Ken
The strongest reason for the
people to retain the right to keep and bear arms
is, as a last resort, to protect themselves
against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Offline Savage

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4397
Re: Charter Bulldog finish
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2007, 09:08:41 AM »
The "Bulldog" is a good choice for a carry revolver! The two things that's absolutely essential in a CCW, are absolute reliability and a durable finish. Durability is much more important than appearance for a CCW, in my opinion. The stainless is more durable and trouble free than most any finish applied to carbon steel. With a couple of exceptions, all my carry guns are stainless. Much less maintenance and worry.
Savage
An appeaser is one who feeds the crocodile hoping it will eat him last,

Offline coyotejoe

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2937
  • Gender: Male
Re: Charter Bulldog finish
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2007, 04:28:05 AM »
I've owned and worked with two of the Bulldogs in years past. Frankly I don't trust them, both were inclined to misfire in double action mode. They also had rather heavy and gritty triggers which made for poor accuracy in double action fire. Both were reasonably accurate with some selected loads in single action aimed fire. The bulldog holds a unique niche as the smallest and lightest .44 available but the quality is lacking. I also had the barrel of one creep forward in the frame to the point that it would not function at all. I was amazed to find the barrel is not threaded to the frame but just knurled and pressed in. I liked the general idea of the bulldog so well that after getting rid of the first one I acquired another several years later but had no better luck with the second. I now have a 3" Ruger SP-101 and have never been disappointed with it and .357 beats the .44 special with any load suitable for the bulldog.
The story of David & Goliath only demonstrates the superiority of ballistic projectiles over hand weapons, poor old Goliath never had a chance.