One revolver, two cylinders and a truckload of ammunition possibilities.

That’s the short take of the new Charter Arms Target Double Dog .357, as well as the other handguns in the gunmaker’s newly launched “Double Dog” Series of revolvers. With the Target Double I used, Charter Arms offers a solid, no-nonsense revolver, ready to work right out of the box.  

Additionally, Charter Arms made the revolver extremely adaptable to various scenarios by providing no less than three caliber options from this one revolver: .357 Mag., .38 Spl. and 9mm.

Double Up

The Double Dog series of revolvers are “doubles” because they come standard with two interchangeable cylinders, one in .357 Mag., the other in 9mm. The 9mm cylinder is designed with patented no-moon-clip technology, allowing for easy loading of the popular 9mm round.

In addition to the Target Double Dog, Charter offers the Mag Pug Combo in a 2.2-inch or a 4.2-inch ported barrel and a five-round capacity. The single/double action handguns are available in a stainless steel or black Passivate finish with classic walnut or professional backpacker wooden grips.

The revolver also features fixed sights for consistent accuracy, and a transfer bar safety for added protection against accidental discharge. Suggested retail is $637.00. 

Switching Cylinders  

Charter Arms sent me a new Target Double Dog .357 to test out, a somewhat larger version of the Mag Pug Combo. My first question after opening the gun case: How do you switch out the cylinders?

Very easily, was the answer. 

Using a small, flat-blade screwdriver, I simply backed out the crane screw located on the front of the crane (yoke), in front of and just up from the trigger guard. With the screw removed, the .357 Mag. cylinder plus ejector rod assembly came right out. I fitted in the 9mm cylinder, returned and tightened the crane screw and I was ready for 9mm shooting.

Smart sales move: Have a screwdriver on hand at the counter, lay out the revolver on a counter mat and do a quick cylinder change. Then, hand the customer the screwdriver and let them replace the first cylinder with the second. 

A customer experiencing the ease of cylinder replacement may well make for an easy sale.

Self-D and .357

While a revolver like this one can have many, many uses, for me the prime applications for the Target Double Dog .357 would be self- and home-defense. So, my shooting followed accordingly, as it was strictly offhand and at distances of 5 to 8 yards at my outdoor range.

For targets, I used 12x18-inch Dual Zone Silhouettes made by Caldwell Shooting Supplies. At 5 yards, the targets roughly simulate the silhouette of a 6-foot-tall target at 10 yards. Hits on target were obvious thanks to a flake-off coating.

I began my shooting with the Double Dog using the .357 Mag cylinder. First rounds were Winchester .357 Personal Protection launching 158-grain jacketed hollow points, and House of Payne .357 loaded with 125-grain jacketed hollow cavity bullets.

Those ammunition choices translated to a good deal of recoil in this relatively light platform (26 ounces), and after 50 rounds I was glad to try out a couple of .38 Spl. self-defense loads. I started with Federal Ammunition’s Punch and its 120-grain jacketed hollow point, and then Hornady’s Critical Defense and the company’s 110-grain FTX bullet.

In both single and double actions, five-shot groups of 1.25 to 1.5 inches were the norm in these calibers. The best .357 Mag. groups included a 1.5-inch at 5 yards, single action, with the Winchester, and 10 rounds of the HOP, double action at 7 yards, also at 1.5 inches.

Hornady .38 Spl. printed the top group in that round at 1.15 inches.

9mm Time

I switched out cylinders and proceeded to try out two 9mm rounds, First Breach’s 124-grain full metal jacket, followed by Nosler’s Assured Stopping Power (ASP) self-defense ammo firing a stout 147-grain jacketed hollow point.

As with the above-mentioned loads, offhand groups of five shots, single and double action, regularly punched in at 1.25 to 1.5 inches. Best groups included 1.1 inches with the First Breach at 5 yards and single action, and .95 inches with the ASP at 7 yards in double action.

Operations 

In single action, the revolver’s trigger snapped off at a crisp 2 pounds, 12 ounces, on average. Pull weight in double action came in at 6 pounds, 10 ounces on average. The double-action pull was consistent for approximately the first two-thirds of the trigger’s travel and then broke off for a clean finish.

Rounds loaded easily into the cylinders for all three types of rounds. Empty brass on .357 and .38 Spl. popped out with a push of the extractor. Occasionally, a single 9mm empty brass didn’t extract and required a push with the end of a screwdriver. 

The sights worked well at the fairly close, self-defense distances at which I shot. For longer distances and for my eyes, that silver-gray front post got blurry. If this was my revolver, I would likely apply some fluorescent-colored paint to the front post ramp to make it stand out from the rear blade.

 

Versatility 

“This new Double Dog series was created with the ability to be versatile,” Nick Ecker, the owner of Charter Arms told SSR. “The first and most obvious thing to stress to a customer is that these  revolvers allow the customer the ability to interchange cylinders from .357 Magnum to the 9mm. Note that the 9mm cylinder is equipped with the Charter Arms extraction system, eliminating the need for moon clips.” 

To help you make that Double Dog sale, Charter Arms offers a complete set of marketing support for all its dealers. This includes display pegs that stand up the revolver, saving shelf space and making the product more visible, counter mats, banners, and range programs.

Charter Arms sales reps frequently perform in-store training for sales staff.

“But we are happy to schedule any zoom training directly from the factory, Ecker added. “This is a great resource for sales staff to learn about the Charter Arms brand."

Dealer Info 

Any retailer carrying Charter Arms firearms is automatically considered a Charter Arms Dealer.

“Just give us a call at (203) 922-1652,” Ecker said. “We will make sure your establishment is listed on our website locator, and we will provide a dealer package, too.” 

Charter Arms can and will ship firearms directly to dealers that are a member of any buying group program. Groups include Nations Best Sports, Sports Inc, and Worldwide Inc.

“But the best way to get our revolvers is through distribution,” Ecker noted. “We do track inventory in the field on a distribution level on a monthly basis. So, if a customer or dealer is looking for a specific model, the dealer can give us a call and we are able to direct them to the distributor with that product in stock. We will also connect the dealer with their Charter Arms rep.”

AmChar Wholesale, Bill Hicks and Co., Camfour, Inc., Lipsey’s, and Sports South, LLC. are among the many distributors carrying Charter Arms products.

“Charter Arms is 100% American Made,” Ecker added. “We answer our phones (during normal business hours). If for some reason a customer isn't happy with their Charter Arms purchase, give us a call and we'll replace their revolver with any of the other 99 models we offer. We do our best to earn every customer and dealer, and to provide the market with the most reliable revolver, at an affordable price.”

Extra Sales

Given the wide range of various rounds which the Double Dog revolvers use, it’s imperative to have all three rounds on hand for customers. It would be a retail sin for an establishment to sell a Double Dog and not have the customer leave with at least one box each of .357 Mag, .38 Spl. and 9mm range ammo purchased.

Suggesting the addition of a self-defense load or two is a fine idea, too.

Don’t forget holsters. For my test model Target Doble Dog .357, the new Multi-Fit Leather IWB Holster for K-Frame Revolvers from Falco Holsters (Unit #A621-2798) worked perfectly. 

The Falco leather holster held the revolver snugly but not too tight. I carried the revolver inside my waistband for a couple days with a coat over my shirt and the revolver/holster combo worked well. The metal clip secured tightly to my belt, while the holster height and the slight cant made for a quick draw when needed. MSRP: $59.95.