Just released, the Charter Arms 9mm Pitbull revolver is the newest edition to the company’s line of wheelguns developed for rimless cartridges. This 9mm revolver uses the same dual coil spring system in the extractor as the system used in the .40 S&W Pitbull revolver.
The 9mm Pitbull is similar in design to the .40 S&W, but it is built on a different frame and has specifications slightly different from its bigger brother. When I spoke with Charter Arms president Nick Ecker at the 2012 SHOT Show, he advised the 40 was built on the same frame as the .44 Special Bulldog. The 9mm revolver was going to be built on the company’s .357 Magnum frame, Ecker told me.
Looking at the specs of the two guns, I definitely see some differences other than caliber.
Typically, revolver manufacturers have used some type of moon clip to allow rimless cartridges like the 9mm to function properly in a wheelgun. The Taurus 905 9mm revolver is one such handgun. The Pitbull is different than most, as it allows the cartridges to drop straight into the cylinder, yet extract as a rimed cartridge would without the need for clips.
The Pitbull’s extractor uses a spring-loaded tip that pushes in when a cartridge is pushed into the cylinder. This tip then springs out into the extractor groove. This fixes the cartridge into place while carried and fired, yet also allows for the extraction of the fired cartridge case.
The extractor system used on the Pitbull is ingenious, though I wonder (1) how much extra time and money is spent in production of each revolver and (2) what the long-term reliability of such a system is. When shooting the .40 S&W version of the Pitbull earlier this year, I was disappointed to see that extraction was less than 100% reliable. In all fairness, the gun I had was an early production model, so it is possible that current runs are better.
For those following this site long enough, you will recall the Pitbull is the official name for the previously announced CARR – Charter Arms Rimless Revolver. The development of the Pitbull goes back several years, with the first information on the gun released in 2008.
5 replies on “Charter Arms 9mm Pitbull Revolver”
How does the 9mm Pitbull compare in size to a j-frame? I only have fondle experience with a j-frame and it’s just about right as a pocket gun. I like the idea of a BUG revolver without moon clips and I already have that evil stockpile of 9mm. But with 6 rounds it might be getting thick. The .40 Pitbull is too big my taste.
Hi Rick,
The 9mm Pitbull is slightly larger and heavier than the S&W J-frame guns. I’m not sure it would be a good pick for pocket carry. As a BUG carried on the ankle or elsewhere, it would probably be fine. I haven’t had a 9mm Pitbull in my hands, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. It could be more compact, or even larger, than I think it is.
I know it has moon clips, but if you can find a S&W 940, it is a five shot 9mm J-frame that might fit your size needs. I think production ended in the late 90’s, but they are still out there.
Richard
My biggest dislike about the Charter Arm 9mm and 40s&w revolvers is the exposed hammer. Using it as a carry gun, it seems like it’s gonna snag on something. Is this a reason why you don’t think it would be good for a pocket gun? This is not stopping me from considering one though.
To BM2010: Charter Arms has a bobbed hammer for these pistols available on their websit. I have the .40 Pitbull and love it. Perfect back up to my autoloaders in that caliber.
Anybody know who’s selling these 9’s yet? I hear they are out, but nobody I know is carrying for sale yet.
I hear the .45acp wheelgun will be out in February.
TO CHARTER ARMS: Please remember that CONCEALABILITY is REDUCED only SLIGHTLY and SHOOTABILITY is INCREASED GREATLY with barrel lengths over. 2.5 inches.
TO RICHARD JOHNSON: When testing/retesting the .45 ACP Pitbull, consider using .45 Auto Rim cartridges, if you encounter extraction problems. It won’t fix the 9mm or .40 S&W problems, but may be somehow diagnostic of any ejection problems encountered.