Charter Arms Target Bulldog 4.2" .44 Special
Model: 74442
Charter Arms Target Bulldog 4.2" .44 Special
Model: 74442
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Charter Arms Target Bulldog 4.2" is a five-shot double-action .44 Special built for range work and trail carry, and Charter Arms still builds it. It is the Bulldog with an adjustable rear sight, so it can be zeroed for a chosen bullet weight.
The barrel is 4.2 inches, the gun is 8.95 inches long on a 5.0-inch frame height, and it weighs 22.0 oz with an aluminum trigger guard holding that figure down. Frame and finish are both stainless steel. The grip is full rubber in a combat shape, which takes more of the recoil than the wood on the dressed Bulldogs. An internal hammer block is the safety, and nothing on the gun is cut for an optic.
If you're cross-shopping, the Charter Arms Bulldog Classic 3" is 2.0 oz lighter at 20.0 oz with a 3.0-inch barrel and fixed sights, which makes it easier to carry. The Smith & Wesson 396 Night Guard has an MSRP of $1,269, weighs 23.4 oz and pairs its adjustable rear with a tritium front on a 3.0-inch barrel. The Target Bulldog is the long-barreled .44 Special still in production.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- The combat rubber grip puts more surface in the palm than a boot grip, which helps over a long range session.
- The barrel is rifled 1 in 18, a slow twist that suits the heavy bullets .44 Special is loaded with.
- Charter builds it on the large frame, so the cylinder takes a full .44 case with room to spare.
- At nearly nine inches long it is too big for a pocket, and belt carry needs a sturdy holster.
- No optic cut and no rail.
Category Rankings
How the Charter Arms Target Bulldog 4.2" .44 Special ranks among compact .44 Special handguns.
Compatible Ammunition
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.44 Special Ballistics →Alternatives to Consider
Similar compact .44 Special handguns ranked by similarity.
| NAME | BEST PRICE |
|---|---|
|
Taurus 445 Ultra-Lite .44 Special
Taurus
|
— |
|
Smith & Wesson 696 .44 Special
Smith & Wesson
|
— |
|
Smith & Wesson 624 .44 Special
Smith & Wesson
|
— |
|
Smith & Wesson 396 Night Guard .44 Special
Smith & Wesson
|
$1,146.99 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the frame the same as the rest of the line?
Yes. Charter lists it on the same large frame in stainless steel, which is why grips cross over from the shorter Bulldogs.
Where is it made?
The United States. Charter Arms builds the whole Bulldog line there.
Can it be fired single action?
Yes. Charter fits a standard spur hammer, so it can be thumb-cocked for a deliberate shot.
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