The newest model in the Charter Arms Pitbull series can share ammo with your .45 ACP without using moonclips! I’ve always liked large frame revolvers chambered in .45 ACP. I like the idea of being able to fire the same cartridge as my 1911 and other .45 ACP pistols, in a revolver. The problem I’ve had with these revolvers is an on-again, off-again relationship with moonclips. You need moonclips to quickly load and reload these big bore revolvers. The problem is clip bend or break.
This Pitbull—like all the other models in the Pitbull series—is designed to fire a rimless, semi-automatic pistol cartridge. The unique feature of the Pitbull series is the ejector has a built in spring loaded plunger for each chamber that is depressed when a cartridge is inserted into the chamber and snaps back out into the extractor groove of the rimless cartridge case. With this system there is no need for moonclips. The chambers are also stepped, so .45 ACP cases headspace on the case mouth.
This 5-shot revolver is stout, compact, and made from a 416 stainless steel one-piece frame. The grip and trigger guard are made from an aluminum alloy. The 3-inch stainless steel barrel has the front ramp sight milled out of the top side. The ejector rests in a full lug under the barrel. The front edge of the lug was rounded making the revolver easier to holster. The rear sight is a groove milled along the top side of the frame. The sights are snag free and provide a good sight picture for close up work.
A common feature of all Charter Arms revolvers is a safety transfer bar. This system prevents the hammer from striking the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled fully to the rear.
Performance: Charter Arms Pitbull |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .45 ACP | Velocity | Energy | Best Accuracy | Average Accuracy |
| American Eagle 230-gr. FMJ | 706 | 255 | 2.7 | 2.8 |
| HPR 185-gr. JHP | 873 | 313 | 2.9 | 3.3 |
| Winchester Defend 230-gr. JHP | 776 | 308 | 3.0 | 3.2 |
* Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps, and average accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 25 yards.
A new nitride finish being offered by Charter Arms was applied to the PitBull that was very well executed and gave the revolver a no-nonsense look that does not need to be babied. The grips were checkered rubber with finger grooves and fit my average size hands well. There were also thin to ease conceal carry and the rubber helped elevate felt recoil.
Initially the DA trigger was gritty but smoothed up after dry fire and use. It measured 12 pounds in DA mode and in SA mode broke at 5.5 pounds. The trigger was serviceable and well suited for a defense handgun. The trigger is serrated so your finger does not slip when rapid fire shooting in DA mode.
Though the Pitbull is made for close in work, I still tested accuracy out to 25 yards. With both ball and JHP ammo the Pitbull consistently shot 3-inch, 5-shot groups. I used Federal American Eagle 230-grain FMJ (ball ammo), Winchester Defend loaded with a 230-grain JHP, and HPR loaded with a 185-grain JHP. Recoil was noticeable but quite manageable. Loading and ejecting empty cases was error free.
Smartly, I pressed the ejector rod against the wood to see whether the ejector would slip past the empty cases. I found I could only trip up the Pitbull once. In that instance, I used a screwdriver, but a pen or other slender object, used as a tool, will work to eject the case.
Specifications
Charter Arms Pitbull
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: revolver, DA/SA
Overall Length: 7.2 in.
Barrel Length: 2.5 in.
Maximum Width: 1.6 in.
Weight Unloaded: 22 oz.
Capacity: 5
Finish: Nitride
Grip: Checkered rubber/finger grooves
Sight: Fixed
Trigger Pull Weight (DA): 12 pounds
Trigger Pull Weight (SA): 5.5 pounds
The Pitbull is an easy revolver to use and I like the fact it feeds of the same ammo as my 1911.
Are you a big bore revolver fan? How does the Pitbull compare? Share your answers in the comment section.
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I own all three offerings of the Pitbull, 9 MM, .40 S&W, and.45 ACP.
I bought the .40 first as it was the first caliber to come out. It seems to be my favorite, but I have not shot the 9 MM yet. I have put Pachmayr Compac grips on all three as they feel better to me.
I agree the 45 works, mine had a poor application of the Nitride finish, nearly bare metal in a place or two. The quality control guy must have been on break. I did get one of the first, so I guess I was a ‘Beta tester’ . Still I like it well enough as a gun to keep it, but I keep most everything.
All three have a different design to the star which surprised me, especially between the 40 and the 9 as their rims are pretty similar. The little nubs that stick out of the star to capture the rim are all different.
Forget about using a speed loader, those nubs require a positive force to load each round.
The 40 sits at my bedside.
I own a Pitbull 45acp w/ a 2 1/2″ barrel in S/S and believe it to be the smartest self-defense handgun around . I own so many handguns but believe I’ve found the best choice for self-defense . It’s light , groups well , minimum recoil , and maximum impact capability ! Tell me what’s better than this (?) , a high recoiling .357Magnum ? Come-on !