There are guns that can do a little bit of everything and there are guns that are very purpose built.  I believe the new Charter Arms Mag Pug in .41 Magnum is a purpose built revolver.

Initial Thoughts 

The five shot cylinder held up well over 150 rounds with no problems with no lock up or end shake developing.

 

Fixed sights with the front sight serrated to keep light reflection to a minimum.

Somewhat over-molded rubber stocks are well textured with finger grooves. These helped some with the recoil.

The trigger pull was not bad at all, breaking under four pounds in single action and about 12 1/2 pounds in double action.

Range Time 

3 rounds fired off hand at 30 feet.

Conclusions 

We managed to get 150 rounds down range with the Mag Pug between myself and several of my friends. I want to mention the recoil on this little revolver is stout but with correct technique and range time, it can be managed. This handgun would serve the hiker, hunter or camper well where space and weight are limited. As for home defense or concealed carry, it would suffice but not ideal being a bit too much for such a task. As with any firearm, you would need to spend the time at the range getting acquainted with it becoming proficient enough to run the gun with confidence, and with a revolver with such recoil, you will need to put the time in.  If you are looking for a small and lightweight magnum revolver the new Mag Pug is worth looking at.

Specifications 

Weight: 23 ounces
Finish: Stainless
Frame: Stainless steel
Grip: Full
Barrel length: 2.5″
Capacity: 5-shot
Caliber: .41 Mag
Hammer: Standard
MSRP: $423

Acknowledgments 

Charter Arms 

Ammo For Sale.com 

Triangle Gun Vault 

By Hunter Elliott

I spent much of my youth involved with firearms and felt the call early on to the United States Marine Corps, following in my father's and his brother's footsteps. Just after high school I enlisted and felt most at home on the rifle range, where I qualified expert with several firearms and spent some time as a rifle coach to my fellow Marines. After being honorably discharged I continued teaching firearm safety, rifle and pistol marksmanship, and began teaching metallic cartridge reloading. In the late 1990s I became a life member to the National Rifle Association and worked with the Friends of the NRA. Around that time my father and I became involved with IDPA and competed together up until he passed away. I began reviewing firearms for publications in the mid 2000s and have been fortunate to make many friends in the industry. Continuing to improve my firearms skills and knowledge is a never ending journey in which we should all be committed. I am also credited as weapons master on a few independent films.

10 thoughts on “Charter Arms Mag Pug .41 Magnum, a handful.”
  1. Ooo-rah, Marine. The Charter Arms .41 Mag Pug most definitely qualifies as a hand cannon. I have three other .41 mag revolvers (S&W Models 58 and 657, and a Ruger Redhawk), and all weigh much, much more than this 23 ounce Charter Arms entry. The size and light weight make the little Charter relatively easy to carry, but it has brutal recoil. The .41 mag is virtually as powerful as its slightly bigger brother, the .44 magnum, and hits with just as much authority. I actually carry the Charter Arms .45 Colt Bulldog (another relatively new Charter Arms entry). The .45 Colt kicks less than the .41 Mag, and with Buffalo Bore Heavy .45 Colt (225 grain lead hollow point with a 1,050 feet per second muzzle velocity), it will serve well as an anti-personnel round. But the .41 Magnum Mag Pug is a lot of power for the money in a light package. There is commercial .41 Special ammo available, but at $35 for 50 rounds, it is expensive, and does not yet come in a hollow point version.

  2. Forget the commercial .41 special ammo-its a hybrid. I own one of these Charter Arms guns and the Winchester 175 gr Silvertip is awesome to shoot in this gun as is the HSM 41 mag cowboy load. Give them both a try as they both are fun to shoot in this revolver. They also make it a viable self defense gun.

  3. I’m ordering one of these to include in my back woods bush flying survival/floatation vests. Although I’ve used other firearms for airplane/survival guns – this is a good option for use in dangerous game country. Small and lightweight – but with a big bite. It should fit the bill, and with proper hard cast lead projectiles – serve well against critters with teeth and claws

  4. Talked me into it, I’magonna acquire one. I’ve hoarded over 500 rds of .41mag ammo since I unloaded a boxed presentation case with a S&W model 657, unfired of course. A good bud just had to have it more than I. His offer was just too good to refuse. With ammo on hand, now all I need is that Charter Arms Magnum Pug.

  5. I’ve had one of these for about 3 months now. Won’t lie, with full power loads she is a handfull. But I have found with the lower end “cowboy” loads it’s not only reasonable, but enjoyable, for extended range time. Even the moderately powered Winchester Silvertips (carry round) isn’t overly abusive, and you can comfortably put in enough practice time. And the full bore loads? Well I’ll run a cylinder through occasionally on days I’m feeling a bit wild…lol

    Found the gun thus far (300-400 rounds) to be well built, solid in all respects, and no issues. Accuracy is about what you’d expect from any gun of this size.

  6. I was looking for a 41 mag that could be as concealable as a 38 revovler or Taurus PT 145. Son new I was looking and found a CA 41 magnum mag pug. He bought for me as an early Father’s Day gift. I took it to a outdoor range when nobody was there but the owner. I put 10 rounds through it at 10 yards just to get a feel for it. It seems to shoot a few inches high, but not much. I then fired at hanging steel targets at 25 yards and hit 9 out of 10. This is now my primary carry weapon for most outings. I did find speed loaders for it that can be worn on a finger. I guess they are for competitive shooters. I have a Dan Wesson 41 mag with scope that is not a carry weapon. I am glad son found the mag pug so I would not feel the need to turn the DW into a 4 in barrel carry gun.

  7. I really enjoy the 41 Mag Pug. As soon as I get my revolver trigger finger back (( To much time spent shooting semi-autos with very lite triggers)), I’ll carry it more.

    Staying away from Full Power loads, the firearm can be a pleasure to shoot. I find the ammo from precision one to be little hotter than “cowboy” loads but still quit tolerable for target shooting. I have “Bear Loads” but don’t really shoot them that often.

    I bought my speed loaders from 5 Star and my holster from TAGUA for a SP101 which also fits Charter arms. I found with a little steaming of the leather and an overnight stay in the holster. You can make the leather a perfect fit.

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