Gun Of The Week: Charter Arms Double Dog

When it comes to defensive cartridges in today’s handgun market, the 9 mm Luger is a true standout. However, the same cannot be said of the mid-20th century when rimmed cartridges such .38 Special and .357 Magnum dominated the popularity contest, which was mostly due to the handgun design of the era. Although polymer-framed striker-fired pistols attract a lot of attention today among handgunners, the double-action wheelgun remains to be a popular choice. This is where Charter Arms comes to the table offering up a unique convertible handgun that makes use of some of the most popular .35-cal. handgun cartridges ever made. Watch our video above to see this switch-cylinder wheelgun in use on the range.

With the ability to switch cylinders, the Charter Arms Double Dog comes with a big appetite, too, only 23 ozs. proud, chewing up and spitting out rounds of 9 mm Luger, .38 Special or .357 Magnum along the way. This is no easy feat either, especially without clips. Company engineers devised a specialized system within the extractor star that employs detents to retain rimless 9 mm cartridges. Should a magnum charge be preferred, open the action, remove the cylinder yoke screw located in the front of the frame and withdraw the crane assembly from the frame. You’ll then need to mount the provided spare .38/.357 cylinder and crane, cinch it down and return to shooting. It’s an easy and worthwhile process to have such versatility in a fairly compact package.

As for controls of the Double Dog, they are indicative of nearly all double-action wheelguns today. There’s a spur hammer at the rear and a cylinder latch along the frame’s left side. To load, simply swipe the serrated latch forward with a thumb and the cylinder will swing to the left. Insert cartridges, close the cylinder and align the rear sighting notch in the topstrap with the ramped front sight on target and squeeze long for double-action mode, or reach up and cock the hammer for a light and crisp single-action pull. It’s important to note this version of the Double Dog measures just shy of 7” long, with 2.2” of that length making up the ported barrel. And that said, a bit of performance loss from magnum cartridges is to be expected here. However, Charter Arms does offer a lengthier model, as well as dark-finished options.

Double-action revolvers create a remarkably different range experience than modern semi-automatics. Although these types of guns can be fired incredibly fast, usually the revolver shot process is dialed down, slower and more methodical than semi-autos. Our testers took the Double Dog to the range with noted appreciation for its capacity to use magnum charges while also allowing its users to keep range time affordable with 9 mm Luger rounds in tow. We also found it hard to not enjoy the classic look and feel of the included walnut stocks along with the full length underlug and modern-looking lightening cuts within. However, it was noted that the sights could have been brought up to modern defensive standards. All told, we believe with the smooth operation, convertible cylinders and classic looks and feel, this Double Dog just might be your next best friend.

Charter Arms Double Dog Specifications
Manufacturer: Charter Arms
Action Type: double-action, centerfire revolver
Chambering: 9 mm Luger, .38 Spl./.357 Mag.
Barrel: 2.2" stainless steel, ported
Frame: stainless steel
Sights: fixed; square-notch rear, ramped post front
Stocks: walnut
Cylinder: five-round capacity
Overall Length: 6.88"
Height: 5"
Width: 1.45" (cylinder)
MSRP: $637