The Charter Arms Bulldog Boomer is a double-action-only (DAO) revolver chambered in .44 S&W Special. It has a 2-inch ported tapered barrel, 5-round cylinder, and stainless steel construction in matte stainless or nitride finish. The grip is black finger-grooved rubber. At 20 oz it is compact for the caliber. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Model: 74429 
• Caliber: .44 S&W Special 
• Action: Double Action Only (DAO) 
• Capacity: 5 rounds 
• Barrel Length: 2 inches 
• Overall Length: 7.32 inches 
• Weight: 20 ounces (1.25 lbs) 
• Frame Finish: Matte Stainless or Nitride 
• Grip Type: Black Finger Grooved Rubber 
   

Detailed Features 

The 2-inch barrel is ported to reduce muzzle flip with the .44 Special — a practical feature given the caliber in a compact frame. The DAO hammer is concealed, eliminating snag risk on draw from a pocket or holster. The finger-grooved rubber grip gives good purchase and some cushioning under recoil. 
 
Stainless steel construction handles corrosion exposure well. The 7.32-inch overall length fits most compact holsters. 
 

Usage Scenarios 

The Bulldog Boomer is a dedicated self-defense revolver. The .44 Special caliber gives meaningful stopping power in a compact package. It works for home defense, backup carry, and close-range personal protection where simplicity of operation and caliber capability are priorities.

Charter Arms Bulldog Boomer .44 Special owners are a self-selecting group who wanted .44 Special in a compact revolver and accepted the tradeoffs upfront.

The ported barrel is appreciated — owners report it measurably reduces muzzle rise compared to unported .44 Special snubbies, which makes follow-up shots faster. The DAO mechanism gets positive marks for simplicity: no hammer to snag, consistent trigger pull every time.

Recoil is the most discussed negative. .44 Special from a 20-oz frame is significant, and most owners describe it as manageable but not comfortable for extended sessions. The finger-grooved rubber grip helps, though some owners swap it for a larger aftermarket option.

The heavy DAO trigger pull is inherent to the design but draws comment from shooters who find it affects accuracy at distance. At self-defense ranges this is less relevant.

Pricing is generally described as reasonable for a Charter Arms product. Build quality comments are mixed — most find it adequate for a working revolver, a subset note that the finish and fit don't match premium brands at higher price points. Five-round capacity is expected for this platform and caliber combination.