For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about (slaawour to our Kurdish readers), the self-proclaimed Son of Sam serial killer used a Charter Arms Bulldog 44 to murder his victims. Hence his other nickname: The .44 Caliber Killer. Terrible crimes. Wicked gun. Simple. Powerful. Reliable. Popular. During the 70s and 80s, the Bulldog was a best-seller. The company that made it eventually bit the bullet. And rose from the dead. And went belly-up. And came back. In its latest incarnation, which may or may not have much to do with the original company, Charter Arms offers a line of value-priced (i.e. not Smith & Wesson) revolvers. Only one of which has a non-sub-nosed barrel that gave the Bulldog its perfect proportions: the Charter Target Mag Pug (review to follow). Which has a four-inch nose and chambers .357. Revolver and dog lovers note: Charter Arms is set to re-introduce the Bulldog Classic. Sam–I mean same caliber as David Berkowitz’s weapon (.44). Same three-inch barrel. Same rosewood grip. Same blued steel. It’s due out at the end of June.
Would make a decent carry gun for somebody on a budget, and concerned about stopping power, but maybe uncomfortable with the sharp recoil of a .357 Magnum. An unfortunate thing that a gun of these proportions is linked to a sick killer.
Went to Charter Arms' website…found several listings for .44 special, but all were for 2.5 inch barrel, either blued steel or stainless, either bobbed hammer or not. One listing for a .44 special Target with 4" barrel, shrouded ejector, and adjustable sights…I had one of the original .44's back in the 70's, and their target model isn't the same firearm. No bulldog classic listed in .44 special.
hehe. this is very true. basically says it all.
Does anyone else see something very wrong about basically profiting off of the notoriety of Burkowitz and the lives he took to turn a buck? That company should be ashamed.
Nothing for the company to be ashamed about. They're simply reintroducing a classic and highly popular revolver. That one of the originals was criminally misused is besides the point.
I nearly bought one in 1980 and I just might get one this time around. I like the 3" barrel. Should carry easier than my 4" S&W .44. I don't like the oversized, shrouded barrels that they have on their "pug" models – they just don't look right, too bulky.
It’s been 8 months since the June deadline. Any idea when this classic is going to become available?
I just heard from Charter that they will be avalable in the next 30 days.
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Yeah, Lissa at Charter told me back in January the gun would be available within weeks. Halfway through June, it still isn’t on the shelves.
i have been dealing with a lot of drug users running through my back ysrd.i have done all i can.talked to the police more than 3 times and nothing……my question is will this gun completly stop a man in his tracks and how long of a distance is most accurate?
No gun will stop a man in his tracks save, maybe, a 12-gauge shotgun with 00 buck.
The .357 magnum and the .45 ACP come the closest. They are ranked #1 and #2 for one shot stops. It all depends on shot placement though. That means practice, practice, practice. The FBI quit using the 9mm because it was almost useless and had become a liability to their agents.
I actually saw and handled one at Bill’s Gun Shop & Range in Robbinsdale, MN, last weekend. Looked very interesting.
Pretty f***ing stupid to call this a “Son of Son of Sam Bulldog”. You act like nobody ever owned a Bulldog but that filthy murdering slob. I don’t believe Charter Arms ever mentioned an association with that idiot whatsoever when reissuing this gun.
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I bought the “new” .44 Bulldog w/ 3″ bbl A couple of months ago off budsgunshop.com. I bet I owned 3-4 over the years. This is a correct version of the old .44 except for the rubber grips. I bought the walnut grips direct from Charter Arms. The pistol shoots just like I remember. I carried a bulldog in the 70′s off and on plain clothes duty. Still a good pistol.
Always wanted one,but now that I reload .45acp,I am looking forward to the Charter Arms version with a 2.2 inch barrel,5 round cylinder,full combat grip,will be a great big bore revolver.The only thing I wish that they would add to the inventory is a DAO model,I have a.38 special Undercover DAO,really like it,like the way it carries in a iwb holster,plus the fact it is hammerless.The .44special round is a good round,but it is too hard to find,and when you do it is high,but the .45acp is a tad better round,just add a Tuff speed strip in the pocket and you have a great ccw.
I still have the 3″ Bulldog that I bought new in the ’70′s. I bought it to carry in a pancake during my solo fishing trips into the wilderness. In order not to excite the game wardens, I kept the 1st 2 cylinders loaded with #8 shot capsules.
I was told back then was that it was developed for the Sky Marshalls’ use inside planes, under the premise that the heavy, slow bullet would not exit a body and pierce the plane’s skin. What BS – that bullet would go through 12 guage aluminum like crap through a goose.
The little gun has had literally thousands of rounds through it; I can shake it and things rattle inside. Did a trigger job and the accuracy was/is phenomenal. Back then I could place 3 of 5 shots on the paper at 100 yards, even with the fixed sights. Shot it so much everything became instinctive, never even conscious of aiming.
So, today, it rests in the night stand. Last week, I loaded some ammo for it, as I have not fired it in over 20 years ! Wonder if I still have the touch ?