Charter Arms Co. is an American manufacturer of revolvers . Since its founding in 1964, Charter Arms has produced revolvers chambered in the following calibers: .22 Long Rifle , .22 Winchester Magnum , .32 Long , .32 H&R Magnum , .327 Federal Magnum , .38 Special , .357 Magnum , 9×19mm Parabellum , .40 Smith & Wesson , .41 Remington Magnum , .44 Special , .45 ACP , and .45 Colt .
30-511: The most famous revolvers manufactured by Charter Arms are the .44 Special Bulldog and .38 Special Bulldog Pug. Douglas McClenahan, a young gun designer who had previously worked for Colt , High Standard , and Sturm, Ruger founded Charter Arms in 1964 to produce handguns . The factory was located in Bridgeport, Connecticut , and its first revolver was a five-shot model called the "Undercover", chambered for .38 Special. McClenahan's innovation
60-429: A "big bore" caliber. The Bulldog has no sharp edges to contend with when carrying the weapon in a holster or a pocket. The Bulldog is a solid-framed traditional double-action revolver with a five-round cylinder which can be opened by pushing a release slide on the left of the gun, or in the original model by pulling the ejector rod. It features a concave sight . Its trigger pull, in both single and double-action modes,
90-662: A completely blocked hammer system so that the gun cannot fire unless the trigger is held in full rear position. In addition to reintroducing the .38 Special Undercover and the .44 Special Bulldog, Charter 2000 produces revolvers chambered for .22 Long Rifle/.22 Magnum (the Pathfinder), .357 Magnum (the Mag Pug) and .38 Special (the Off-Duty and the Police Bulldog). In 2005, Charter 2000 announced that it would be filing for bankruptcy, blaming
120-451: A completely blocked hammer system so that the gun cannot fire unless the trigger is held in full rear position. In addition to reintroducing the .38 Special Undercover and the .44 Special Bulldog, Charter 2000 produces revolvers chambered for .22 Long Rifle/.22 Magnum (the Pathfinder), .357 Magnum (the Mag Pug) and .38 Special (the Off-Duty and the Police Bulldog). In 2005, Charter 2000 announced that it would be filing for bankruptcy, blaming
150-482: A cylinder of five shots. As of 2007 , Charter Arms only offers its 14420, 74420 and 74421 versions. Charter's Police Undercover could be considered a Bulldog variant because it is produced with the same frame model but its caliber is different and it was built to resemble the Undercover by Charter. [REDACTED] Media related to Charter Arms Bulldog at Wikimedia Commons Charter Arms Charter Arms Co.
180-452: A few times since 1992, when Charter Arms, the original manufacturer, went bankrupt. Sometime later, manufacturing began again under the Charco (descendant company of Charter Arms) trademark. This company also filed bankruptcy, and the models produced during this period showed obvious production flaws. It was produced again by Charter 2000; this company, which failed also, improved the weapon with
210-475: A one-piece barrel, front sight, and ejector-shroud assembly. The original model had no ejector-shroud, and the aluminum front sight was soldered to the barrel. In June 2007, a version of the Bulldog with new features began to be produced by another company named Charter Arms, but this time was distributed by MKS Supply. The Bulldog was used by the serial killer David Berkowitz aka "The .44 Caliber Killer" and
240-449: Is an American manufacturer of revolvers . Since its founding in 1964, Charter Arms has produced revolvers chambered in the following calibers: .22 Long Rifle , .22 Winchester Magnum , .32 Long , .32 H&R Magnum , .327 Federal Magnum , .38 Special , .357 Magnum , 9×19mm Parabellum , .40 Smith & Wesson , .41 Remington Magnum , .44 Special , .45 ACP , and .45 Colt . The most famous revolvers manufactured by Charter Arms are
270-493: Is quite light. If a large quantity of residue piles up inside the revolver because of heavy usage, the cylinder crane's axle screw can be removed and the cylinder pulled out from the gun for cleaning. Most critics believe the best use for the Bulldog is self-defense. The accuracy of the Bulldog is aided by its trigger pull. According to reviews, it is more accurate than expected for a revolver of its size and type but probably not enough to be called an "accurate" weapon. When
300-485: The .41 Remington Magnum Mag Pug and the .45 Colt Bulldog XL. Charter Arms Bulldog The Bulldog is a 5-shot traditional double-action revolver designed by Doug McClenahan and produced by Charter Arms . It was introduced in 1973. The Bulldog has been available for the .44 Special and .357 Magnum cartridges . It was a top-selling gun during the 1980s and it is considered to be Charter Arms' trademark weapon. It has been produced by four companies since it
330-400: The .44 Special Bulldog and .38 Special Bulldog Pug. Douglas McClenahan, a young gun designer who had previously worked for Colt , High Standard , and Sturm, Ruger founded Charter Arms in 1964 to produce handguns . The factory was located in Bridgeport, Connecticut , and its first revolver was a five-shot model called the "Undercover", chambered for .38 Special. McClenahan's innovation
SECTION 10
#1732894381039360-521: The "Son of Sam" who was responsible for a series of attacks and murders in New York City during 1976–1977 (before he was caught due to an outstanding parking violation). The name “Bulldog” was an homage to the original Webley revolvers of the same name. Like most Charter Arms weapons, the Bulldog is a relatively inexpensive yet serviceable, no-frills, snubnosed revolver . It was designed to be concealed easily because of its small size, yet also fire
390-458: The 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP without the need for moon clips. Initially, the revolver was to ship in early spring, however, reported problems with the patents delayed the introduction. Charter Arms set a release date of April 2009 for the CARR. However, Charter Arms missed this deadline, and company representatives suggested a release date of "late July" of 2009. The CARR, which was subsequently called
420-410: The 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP without the need for moon clips. Initially, the revolver was to ship in early spring, however, reported problems with the patents delayed the introduction. Charter Arms set a release date of April 2009 for the CARR. However, Charter Arms missed this deadline, and company representatives suggested a release date of "late July" of 2009. The CARR, which was subsequently called
450-594: The Charter design and mark were resurrected two years later by Nick Ecker and two other investors, who started the company back up under the name "Charter 2000", moving operations to Shelton, Connecticut . Basing their new line of weapons on the basic Charter Arms design, the new company has made a few improvements such as the use of a one-piece barrel and front sight. The one-piece barrels of the new models are machined with eight grooves instead of six for higher velocity, flatter trajectory and better accuracy. The new models feature
480-544: The Charter design and mark were resurrected two years later by Nick Ecker and two other investors, who started the company back up under the name "Charter 2000", moving operations to Shelton, Connecticut . Basing their new line of weapons on the basic Charter Arms design, the new company has made a few improvements such as the use of a one-piece barrel and front sight. The one-piece barrels of the new models are machined with eight grooves instead of six for higher velocity, flatter trajectory and better accuracy. The new models feature
510-560: The Pitbull, finally reached production in August 2011. The first Pitbull models had a 2.3" barrel and were chambered for the .40 S&W cartridge as this was the most popular U.S. law enforcement round and would enable the Pitbull to be used as a back-up gun to the .40 service pistol. In October 2010 MKS discontinued the sales and marketing of Charter Arms. Charter now has taken over the sales and marketing function. At SHOT Show 2018, Charter introduced
540-460: The Pitbull, finally reached production in August 2011. The first Pitbull models had a 2.3" barrel and were chambered for the .40 S&W cartridge as this was the most popular U.S. law enforcement round and would enable the Pitbull to be used as a back-up gun to the .40 service pistol. In October 2010 MKS discontinued the sales and marketing of Charter Arms. Charter now has taken over the sales and marketing function. At SHOT Show 2018, Charter introduced
570-420: The costs associated with nuisance lawsuits for their financial trouble. After the company emerged from the bankruptcy, it was once again renamed to "Charter Arms", which it is still known as today. In September 2005, MKS Supply entered into an agreement with Charter Arms where MKS Supply would handle the sales, marketing and distribution for Charter Arms. In 2008, Charter Arms brought the new Patriot revolvers to
600-419: The costs associated with nuisance lawsuits for their financial trouble. After the company emerged from the bankruptcy, it was once again renamed to "Charter Arms", which it is still known as today. In September 2005, MKS Supply entered into an agreement with Charter Arms where MKS Supply would handle the sales, marketing and distribution for Charter Arms. In 2008, Charter Arms brought the new Patriot revolvers to
630-405: The gun is fired, the hammer does not actually strike the firing pin. Under normal firing circumstances a small steel bar (called a transfer bar ) is raised as the trigger is pulled, placing it into a position between the firing pin and the hammer itself. The falling hammer strikes the transfer bar, which in turn strikes the firing pin, discharging the weapon. If the trigger is not being pulled when
SECTION 20
#1732894381039660-483: The hammer falls, the transfer bar will not be in position and the weapon will not discharge. The Bulldog is apparently intended for light, fast bullets , as with heavier and slower bullets it is less accurate. With most ammunition types the muzzle velocity tends to be between 705 and 1000 feet per second (215 and 305 meters per second, respectively). For self-defense the Blazer 200-grain (13 g) Gold Dot is, apparently,
690-630: The load of choice for the Bulldog. If the Bulldog is used to hunt, the most effective ammo is, reportedly, the 240- or 250-grain (16 g) SWC. With this bullet type, the shot is very powerful and has a strong penetration, but the recoil can easily be handled. Other ammo types are weaker or provide too much recoil. Five models of the Bulldog have been produced, allowing customers to choose between: .44 Special and .357 Magnum cartridges , gun lengths of 7.2 inches (184 mm) and 6.7 inches (171 mm) and barrel lengths of either 2.5 inches (64 mm) or 2.2 inches (56 mm). All Bulldog models have
720-472: The market. The Patriot revolvers were chambered for the .327 Federal Magnum, and were available in 2.2" or 4" stainless steel models. The Charter Arms web site as of August 2011 no longer lists this model under the products category. Also in 2008, Charter Arms announced a new revolver: the Charter Arms Rimless Revolver. The new revolver would be able to load and fire rimless cartridges such as
750-399: The market. The Patriot revolvers were chambered for the .327 Federal Magnum, and were available in 2.2" or 4" stainless steel models. The Charter Arms web site as of August 2011 no longer lists this model under the products category. Also in 2008, Charter Arms announced a new revolver: the Charter Arms Rimless Revolver. The new revolver would be able to load and fire rimless cartridges such as
780-446: Was later moved to Stratford, Connecticut , and a few years later, in 1978, Doug McClennahan retired from Charter Arms. David Ecker became the company's sole owner and brought his son, Nick, as part-owner to replace McClenahan. In 1988, the company was purchased by Jeff Williams, who renamed it to "CHARCO" and moved production to Ansonia, Connecticut . In 1996, the company filed for bankruptcy and two years later, closed its doors. However,
810-446: Was later moved to Stratford, Connecticut , and a few years later, in 1978, Doug McClennahan retired from Charter Arms. David Ecker became the company's sole owner and brought his son, Nick, as part-owner to replace McClenahan. In 1988, the company was purchased by Jeff Williams, who renamed it to "CHARCO" and moved production to Ansonia, Connecticut . In 1996, the company filed for bankruptcy and two years later, closed its doors. However,
840-558: Was released. Designed by the founder of the first version of Charter Arms, Doug McClenahan, the Bulldog was released in 1973. It was one of the best-selling weapons of the 1970s and the 1980s in the United States. Its design and execution, which were quite modern at the time, caught the attention of the gun press and combat shooters. By the mid-1980s, more than half a million units had been produced and nearly 37,000 were being manufactured every year. Bulldog production has been stopped
870-482: Was to avoid using the side plate designs manufactured by other revolver makers for a one-piece frame, giving the new revolver a strength that allowed it to safely shoot high loads. McClenahan also reduced the number of moving parts used in the gun and created a transfer bar safety device for the firing pin that would later be copied by manufacturers such as Ruger and Colt. In 1967, McClenahan's lifelong friend, David Ecker, became part-owner of Charter Arms. Production
900-481: Was to avoid using the side plate designs manufactured by other revolver makers for a one-piece frame, giving the new revolver a strength that allowed it to safely shoot high loads. McClenahan also reduced the number of moving parts used in the gun and created a transfer bar safety device for the firing pin that would later be copied by manufacturers such as Ruger and Colt. In 1967, McClenahan's lifelong friend, David Ecker, became part-owner of Charter Arms. Production
#38961