Broken 44

So yesterday I took the ailing 44 Bulldog to the shop/range where I bought it to be shipped back to the factory. I showed it to the part time smith who pointed out that not only was the forcing cone split, but the frame as well. He said Charter is pretty good at fixing things like that, and that I'd most likely be sent a new gun. I was also told that the Charter of today doesn't produce the quality of firearm as in the past.

He also agreed that the cylinder end play was extreme.

The literature supplied with the pistol and the sticker on the box claim they have a "lifetime warranty" against materials and workmanship, but I wonder if they'll try to blame me for improper ammunition or something. Now it's a waiting game to see if they stand behind their product anything like Ruger does.

I have a Security Six that was fired so much that something inside the mechanism locked. I put many thousands of rounds of full house 357 rounds through that particular revolver. I sent it to Ruger asking for and estimate to repair, which I never received. What I received was a repaired and refitted revolver that cost only the shipping to them.

Many years later a friend gave me a Super Blackhawk with the barrel split full length. It was an obvious operator error. It looked like he followed a squib load with a full 44 Mag. cartridge. I sent it to Ruger for a requested estimate, and once again I received a fully repaired and refitted revolver for the cost of shipping.

So how will Charter Arms compare to this customer service? Maybe I'll find out in a couple of weeks.

Since I purchased it at that same shop, I wasn't charged for shipping. At least that's $35 that won't be coming from my pocket.

Happy Birthday

Yesterday evening we had a birthday pizza party here that the Boss organized to celebrate birthdays of January and February. The father-in-law (90), sister-in-law (64), myself (60), eldest son (39) and niece (19) all attended with other relatives and friends. We consumed 8 large pizzas and maybe 24 cupcakes.

Thankfully the Boss decided against candles. 272 flames might have been a fire hazard.
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I wonder if anyone noticed that I was carrying? I had been out and about so my 3" Kimber was on my hip. Once it's there, it tends to stay there until bed time. Even if somebody did notice the bulge under my T-shirt I doubt anything would be said. They all know me, and questioning, except with extreme politeness, what I do in my own home is very bad form. That's something that will get you thrown out on your ear.

Disappointing

A while back I posted about my Charter Arms 44 failing. A crack formed in the forcing cone. Something like 3 weeks ago I sent the customer service manager an e-mail, with pictures, asking if this is usual and if it's covered with any kind of warranty. So far there's no reply. This is disappointing.

The Bulldog not an expensive firearm by any stretch, and if I overused it compared to it's intended function, then so be it. But 4 or 5 hundred rounds in a couple of years is not excessive in my opinion, especially when shooting 240 grain cast lead at less then 700 f/s.

Despite it's problems I still like the little revolver. It's one of the very few double action revolvers that I can grip correctly and fire double action with just one hand. That's why I own just a couple of revolvers, and only the Bulldog is not intended as a hunting gun. The others are Rugers that I only shoot single action and with two hands.

So why not get a small framed Ruger or S&W? Because they don't come in a "large" caliber and because I'll never carry a revolver concealed. For concealed carry I carry a 3" 45, Kahr PM9 or the tiny KelTec 380, in that order of preference. And I can shoot them all one handed, with either hand. I want a 44 special just because . . . . well . . . . just because.

Tomorrow I'm going to re-up my membership at the outdoor shooting range, then stop by the indoor range where I purchased the Bulldog. I'll have a chat with the friendly gunsmith and see what he has to say about the situation.

I Forgot

Yep I completely forgot about Brownings birthday, the designer of my favorite pistol. Being 100 years old, it's one of the very few that fit my hands. Another is the Hi-Power that was started by JMB but not finished before his death.

In my humble opinion, the Hi-Power is a better design, except for that awful magazine disconnect. And the barrel action has been widely copied.

Browning was Utah born, and that state is considering adopting the M1911 as the state gun. They could do worse.

He Speaks

As a citizen who tries to stay informed concerning how the Fed Gov't is screwing us, one would think I'd be more interested in the yearly "pep rally" that's being conducted tonight. Well . . . . you'd be mistaken. You can tell a politician is lying when his mouth is moving. I'm a lot more interested in what they do, not what they say.

So tonight I'm watching recorded TV shows with the Boss.

1990 Again

At about 1990 I bought myself a birthday present. A Hi-Power semi-auto 9mm that accepts 13 round magazines. At the time I had no perceived need, nor even great desire for a weapon such as this. I bought it simply because Big Mommy passed a law saying that she didn't want me to have it. So I also acquired 6 additional magazines.

History is repeating itself once again. I can easily see another magazine capacity law coming.

There's nothing like a new gun control law to boost the firearms market. Maybe I should acquire more magazines for my AR and 30 carbine while I'm thinking about it. I've got plenty for the CETME now.

Why the Hi-Power? Because it's the only design, then or now, that accepts double stack magazines and still fits my small hand.

Only in WY

Not only is WY poised to become the fourth state that allows legal concealed carry without asking government permission, but they will actually allow hunter safety classes in public schools. It's not law as yet, but I'm sure it will be.

In my neck of the woods, imitating a gun with the thumb and first finger is cause for expulsion.