A little off topic

Started by wyn, December-05-10 18:12

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wyn

Well I think in the next few weeks I will have saved up enough money for a new gun. I just got done watching "Sherlock Holmes" on HBO and I always wanted a big bore gun in a small package. I like the Charter Arms Bulldog. I have heard bad things about the company before they reincarnated and have heard good things about them now.

   

   In my collection I always wanted to have a revolver and a semi-auto. I bought a Smith and Wesson 638 and I always liked the Beretta PX4 Storm. I really think I want another revolver though. I love revolvers. I love when the hammer is cocked and the cylinder turns. I even love when revolvers are used in the movies and tv shows. Just wondering what everyone thinks? Should I go for another revolver and what do you think of Charter Arms?

grayelky

I no longer order the current Charter Arms products for my shop. IF you could locate one from the original company that was not wore out, jump on a .44 special with both feet. I have one my Dad helped me get back when the original ones came out, and have shot it loose. I found one on gunbroker 6 or 8 months ago that was virtually unfired and paid over $350 for it. My daughter-in-law carries an original Charter Arms .38 sp. I got for her.

   

   One of my favorite revolvers is a S&W model 65 w/ 3" barrel. Unlike the 2 1/2" model 66, it's ejector rod is full length and will clear the empties on the ejection stroke. The 65 also has a bull barrel, and fixed sights, which means there is less to hang up or get broken. Plus it is a round butt and fits under a jacket a little better and in the console/glove box easier.

   

   Taurus used to make a .41 mag (5 shot) on their Tracker frame. It too has a round butt and a 2 1/2" barrel. I am not certain, but I believe the barrel was ported. I have had to pass on 2 of them I found on gunbroker.com. Hopefully I will be able to at least bid on the next one I find. If you want a big bore, the .41 is an unsung hero. Be careful though. You can be relatively safe buying a .44 mag, because you will usually get 1/2 of the original original box of ammo. The guy who buys a .41 shoots it.

   

   As to the auto vs. revolver, I suggest you get what you deep down really want. Many will say get an auto for variety, for magazine capacity for easier carry, easier conceal ability, faster reloading and on and on. All of these are true. I carry an auto more frequently than a revolver, but I have both already. If, heaven forbid, I were limited to only one handgun, there is an excellent chance it would be a Ruger Blackhawk, 6 1/2" barrel in .357 magnum with a 9mm cylinder. That would give me 3 calibers I could shoot. And, yes, I feel I could use it adequately for self defense. In jacket weather, I can conceal it, just not the most convenient of the guns I own.

   

   I have never shot a PX4 Storm, but I have sold a couple and I like the way they feel and point. One of my personal favorite autos is a 1911 style. If on a limited budget, start with an alloy frame Commander-sized (4" or 4 1/4" barrel, depending on maker). It is small enough to conceal and light enough to carry for a couple of hours at a time. It can be had in .38 Super, 9 mm and .45 ACP. Taurus would be a great place to start your search. Kimber is a good place to look, but you have to shop carefully, as they can get expensive fast.

   

   Good luck in your quest. Let us know what you bring home.
Guns are a lot like parachutes:

"If you need one and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again"

cedarview kid

I like the old Charter Arms stuff. The new ones, not so much.

psapmapr

Your malady, as viewed by some; I think would be viewed as a healthy desire amoungst the firearms community. In the past year or so, with so many semi-autos in my collection, I started having the "wheel gun" fever myself. My first few carry arms back in the '80's were wheeled guns, then due to peer pressure I presume, I slowly migrated to the semi's with an occasional acquisition of a revolver taken in/passed along through a trade or something.

   

   Now that I take pause and look at my meager little stash, it would appear I am slowly leveling the inventory, initially with my first NAA, a Black Widow a couple months ago and most recently, an SA, Ruger Vaquero, .44mag.  Yes, it would appear I've also been bitten by the "cowboy six-shooter" bug.

   

   As for Charter Arms; well, I owned a number of them; again, back in the '80's and with no trouble. Evidently, as I too have only read, there was a period; must have been while I was drinking the semi-auto kool-aid where Charter went down hill or bobbled a little. Reflecting on prior experiences but tempered by the reports of poor workmanship, I wouldn't hesitate considering a Charter, granted I'd definitely do my research first.

   

   As they say, just my opinions, and opinions are like ........, everyone's got one.

   

   Dave

flyinbiker2001

I read years back that the specs on 44 sp & 45 acp were about the same, my dads fav was the 1911 and he used a bulldog for a off duty he did pick up a smith in 45 -w- half moon clips and 4 in legnth but carried the bulldog more ,his claim was 44s or 45 acp would go through auto glass WO deflecting   Rob

Moderndayedison

I was at a local Rural King farm supply store

   looking for .22 ammo for my Black Widow and ran

   across some .40 S&W ammo...pretty stout looking

   like they could drop big game.

   

   The hollow points really looked mean.

   I could only imagine what it would be like

   to shoot a .44 magnum or a .50 cal. pistol.

   

   A buddy of mine swears by the .357 magnum

   for fire power and overall practicality.

   

   But I have never been a "Hand Cannon" type of guy.

   I do like the looks of some of the semi-auto .22lr

   pistols I have looked at though.

   

   Like the Browning Contour.

   

   

   

   One of my next purchases.

   I hear they are extremely accurate

   and ideal for small game hunting

   while hiking and camping so you  

   don't have to carry a rifle.

   

   Ideal for my needs.

   

   I have been happy with my Black Widow

   and I will keep it, but it's needing

   a big brother to go shooting with.

   

   The Contour will be a nice addition

   to the family.

   

   --MDE

   

   .
And Boom......There it was!!!!
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guadman

Hey Wyn, why not look at the new Taurus "Judge"?

   

   They just came out with a lighter weight, shorter barrel carry model and more and more specialty defense rounds are showing up in .410.

wyn

Guadman I have looked at the Taurus Judge and I liked them. After reading posts about them I don't think I will ever buy a Taurus product. I have heard way too many problems with Taurus and especially the Judge. I have also heard poor customer service. Some have reported sending their guns to be worked on and checking on them 2 months later and they have not even started. I have also read about people sending their guns to be worked on getting them back and the original problem was not fixed. I think I will stay away from Taurus way too many problems.

redhawk4

What concerns me with Taurus is the number of returns they must have for such a long turn around time on their repairs. I sent my LCP to Ruger for repair right at the time that all the first generation models were on recall and it must have been hectic for them. It still came back much faster than my Taurus revolver did.

   

   I don't think Taurus stuff is inately bad, but you would have to suspect your chances of gettig a Lemon are significantly higher than with other brands seeing the pressure their service department is under. Also Taurus prices are much higher relatively than they once were, leaving more options for about the same price.

   

   I too wish for more 44 special options. I saw a Scandium frame 629PD S&W for a good price recently, I was tempted thinking that would make a good 44 spl revolver - not sure I'd want to fire too much in 44 mag from such a light gun.
Old Enough to Know Better - Still Too Young to Care

I "Acted the Fool" so often in School they made me get an Equity Card

grayelky

Redhawk4-

   Lipsey's has several Distributor only .44 Sp from Ruger. The smaller one being (I think) a Sheriff model. They have a couple of Flattops and a couple of Vaqueros.
Guns are a lot like parachutes:

"If you need one and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again"

silvershooter

I have to put in a positive vote for the .45colt round. Recoil is very managable with standard rounds but in some guns like the ruger blackhawk you have the potential to load it very hot. I just shoot the hornady leverevolution rounds.  

   While the 44M might be good for hunting, and the .38 is inexpensive and practical, having a .45LC just feels right. Maybe because of the large barrel hole and I grew up watching westerns.

   And with guns like the Judge chambered for the same caliber, plus all the SASS shooters, the .45LC should be around for quite awhile.

   

   Both the blued RugerBlackhawk and the Stainless BondArms start around $400 in my area which is a little less than a Judge and built better IMO.

redhawk4

Grayelky, I was thinking double action 44spl, Ruger probably caters more to 44 spl than any other manufacturer, not just in the model I'd want.

   

   "Both the blued RugerBlackhawk and the Stainless BondArms start around $400 in my area which is a little less than a Judge and built better IMO"

   

   The Blackhawk will also be dramatically more accurate because they have proper depth rifling in the barrel. I wouldn't get a Judge if I was primarily thinking of shooting 45 LC. Although I'm not a fan of the 410 in a Revolver concept, I think that has to be your prime purpose in getting a Judge.

   

   A 4" Redhawk is a great DA revolver if you want 45 LC, it's also great in 44 mag. I prefer 44 mag because there is a better selection of factory ammo made and you can also fire 44 spl. This gives you a great choice of ammo over a wide range of performance and recoil. This isn't a compact package though as the OP mentioned.

   

   It's a shame S&W doesn't make the equivalent of the Charter Arms Bulldog, I'd be all over one of those. I just can't bring myself to go with the Charter Arms, there's just something about the look and feel of the Bulldog that puts me off them.
Old Enough to Know Better - Still Too Young to Care

I "Acted the Fool" so often in School they made me get an Equity Card

grayelky

I feel your pain. The only feasible, daily carry .44 sp I have encountered is the Charter Arms. Having said that, I know someone will point out 1 or 2 I have overlooked. Good. I need a reminder from time to time.

   

   IF you can find one of the original Charter .44 sp Bulldogs, cut the barrel to 2" and it will fit the holsters designed for the Colt/S&W .38s. You will be happy with it. Until you shoot it with decent performing ammo. It is a handful!! It does carry like a standard light weight .38, but you have a real caliber.
Guns are a lot like parachutes:

"If you need one and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again"