The Charter Arms Pitbull is a .45 ACP double/single action revolver with a 2.5-inch barrel, 5-round capacity, black nitride stainless steel finish, and black finger-grooved rubber grips. It weighs 22 oz with an overall length of 7.38 inches. 
 

Key Specifications: 

• Brand: Charter Arms 
• Model Name: Pitbull 
• Caliber: .45 ACP 
• Action: Double Action/Single Action (DASA) 
• Capacity: 5 rounds 
• Barrel Length: 2.5 inches 
• Overall Length: 7.38 inches 
• Weight: 1.4 lbs (22 oz) 
• Finish: Black Nitride Stainless Steel 
• Grip Type: Black Finger Grooved Rubber 
• Sights: Fixed Front 
   

Detailed Features 

The Pitbull fires .45 ACP without moon clips, which is its primary practical distinction from other revolvers chambered in semi-automatic pistol cartridges. Charter Arms' design uses a modified extractor system to hold rimless ACP cases in the cylinder. The black nitride finish on the stainless steel provides corrosion and wear resistance. Fixed front sight enables rapid acquisition for defensive use where speed matters more than long-range precision. 
 
The finger-grooved rubber grip aids control during the double-action pull and when managing .45 ACP recoil in a 22 oz platform. At 7.38 inches overall and 2.5-inch barrel, the Pitbull is compact enough for concealed carry. 
 

Usage Scenarios 

The primary use case is concealed carry and personal defense. The .45 ACP chambering provides stopping power, and the no-moon-clip design simplifies reloading compared to other ACP-chambered revolvers. Home defense is a secondary application. Five rounds limits its capacity relative to semi-automatics, which is a standard trade-off for this revolver form factor.

Owners of the Charter Arms Pitbull .45 ACP divide into two camps: those who value its compact size and the no-moon-clip convenience, and those who find managing .45 ACP recoil in a 22 oz package challenging.

The small dimensions and light weight for a .45 caliber firearm are the most cited advantages for concealed carry users. The ability to fire .45 ACP without moon clips is a genuine practical benefit that the Pitbull uniquely offers in the compact revolver segment. Many owners report it as reliable across standard .45 ACP loads.

Recoil management is the consistent criticism. At 22 oz, the Pitbull is relatively light for the caliber, and shooters accustomed to the .45's recoil in heavier steel-framed guns or full-size semi-automatics notice the difference. New shooters or those unfamiliar with the cartridge may find it uncomfortable. Sporadic misfire and reliability reports appear in the feedback, though they are not universal. Accuracy at extended distances varies by user, with most finding it adequate for defensive ranges while noting reduced precision beyond that. The price-to-feature trade-off is generally seen as fair for the niche the Pitbull fills.