Charter Arms Double Dog review, innovative or gimmick?

Charter Arms Double Dog review: innovative or gimmick?

This past SHOT Show, Charter Arms introduced the Double Dog, and I was digging it, so I requested a test sample to see what was what with what.

A handsome Rosco for sure, but what really set this revolver apart was its ability to easily swap back and forth from .357 Magnum/.38 Special to 9mm Luger. Made in the USA with a lifetime warranty for the record.

When I say ‘easily,’ I mean unthreading a single flathead machine screw, pulling the .357 Magnum cylinder and part of the crane out, dropping in the pre-fit 9mm Pitbull cylinder, and tightening it back.

Each cylinder is clearly marked. As all Charter Arms revolvers I am aware of that are chambered in straight-walled pistol cartridges, there are no moon clips. Charter Arms utilizes a spring-loaded tab in the star wheel extractor that grips the extractor groove of the cartridge. This allows for correct headspacing without the need for moon clips that can be broken or lost.

The serrated front sight is serviceable but minimal. Note the porting at the muzzle, which helps with muzzle flip when using warmer .357 and 9mm defensive ammunition. No designated rear sight; however, the top strap has a trough through its length that serves as the rear notch. This works surprisingly well without creating a snag point. I would absolutely prefer this setup over an adjustable rear sight that could snag on the draw or get knocked out of adjustment. Accuracy was about the same as all snubby Charter Arms revolvers. Stepping off 30 feet or so and able to easily keep five rounds in a softball-sized group with all calibers tested.

This model is available in stainless steel or, like the test sample, stainless steel with a muted black passive finish. It can also be had in a target model with a 4.2-inch barrel. Textured walnut stocks are featured on both models and provide a comfortable shooting experience. Trigger pull was good with a single action breaking about four pounds and a non-stacking double action breaking just under twelve pounds as measured by a mechanical gauge.

Conclusions

Charter Arms has a reputation for building durable and affordable revolvers, often innovating with features such as the tab for straight-walled pistol cartridges. Prefitting a 9mm Pit Bull to essentially what is a Mag Pug increases the value. My first thought was that this would work well for training with your carry gun. For mastering fundamentals or introducing someone to the snub nose revolver, stroke the Double Dog with 9mm for less expense and recoil. You still have the option to swap out for a .38 Special or .357 Magnum, for mastering the Magnum snubby. Another solid reason that dawned on me was having a carry gun in multiple calibers. In the event you need to replenish your ammunition supply, there are options. This is particularly useful if the stock of one cartridge is running low or if finding good defensive ammunition is limited. Over about 300 rounds of all three calibers, there were no malfunctions or issues.

Specfications

Calibers: .357 MAG. & 9MM

Capacity: 5 shot (Both Cylinders)

Frame: Large

Frame Material: Stainless Steel

Finish: Black Passivate

Grip: Classic Walnut with Medallion

Sights: Fixed

Hammer: Standard

Barrel: 2.2″ Ported

Weight: 20 Ounces

Length: 6.75″