The outside of the Boomer is smooth and snag free. The Boomer features a one-piece stainless-steel frame and wears a matte finish so there is no flash or shine. Because of porting blast, we would advise not shooting the Boomer close to your body - make sure you extend it before firing. The intent with the ports is to control muzzle flip when firing the Boomer. The barrel of the Boomer is only 2 inches in length and has oblong porting slots cut at the 1 and 11 o’clock positions. Like other Charter Arms 44 Special models, the Boomer is a five-shot revolver, but unlike the traditional Bulldog series, the Boomer has an abbreviated barrel, no front sight to snag on clothing, a bobbed hammer to thwart snagging, and a DAO trigger. The Boomer is basically the classic Charter Arms Bulldog revolver stripped down to the bare essentials to make the revolver even more concealed-carry friendly.

A laser grip would enhance this revolver. At extremely close range, it was easy to control. The Boomer was difficult to shoot at distance due to the lack of sights.

Charter Arms Boomer Model 74429 44 Special, $443 GUN TESTS GRADE: B. Here’s what we thought about each handgun in more detail. We also tested a variety of ammunition, and the K6s and LCRx proved to be more practical and versatile because they can fire both 38 Special and 357 Magnum cartridges. The DA/SA trigger mode on the LCRx and Colt provided an edge over the DAO models. On the range, we tested for accuracy using a rest. We took the time to practice our draw and dry-fire these revolvers at an imagined bad actor a few steps away. We also carried these revolvers in inside-the-waistband (IWB) and appendix-carry-style holsters. Short sight radii, smallish grips, and DA triggers do not make for tack-driving accuracy. The reality is these revolvers are made for up-close work. We concealed-carry citizens can expect the same. Though we typically test at 25 yards, FBI data shows that most gunfights between an officer and an attacker occur from a distance of 0 to 5 feet apart. Not having sights is a liability as the distance between you and a bad actor increases. But we learned 10 yards was too far if you don’t have sights, so we accuracy tested the Charter Arms Boomer at 7 yards. We tested at 10 yards because these snubnose revolvers are made for concealed carry and short-range encounters. Range Data: Charter Arms Federal Classic 200-gr. Range Data: Colt Cobra SIG Sauer 38 Special +P 125-gr. We recorded velocities using a ProChrono digital chronograph set 10 feet from the muzzle. Distance: 10 yards with open sights Charter Arms Boomer tested at 7 yards.

To collect accuracy data, we fired five-shot groups from a bench using a rest. Range Data: Ruger & Kimber Winchester PDX1 Defender 125-gr. The Charter Arms Boomer, Kimber K6s, and Colt Cobra are all pretty good choices, but as you will see, the devil is in the details on those three. After tallying the scores, in our opinion the Ruger LCRx is a good choice for concealed carry, though we would tweak it. A revolver chambered in 357 Magnum offers convenience because it can shoot 38 Special ammo, too. Two used a double-action-to-single-action trigger and two featured a double-action-only (DAO) trigger. The triggers separated the pack, as did the chamberings. The sights on three guns were very serviceable, while one didn’t have sights at all. What we experienced with these revolvers was a variety of grip sizes, some of which our testers said were too small for comfortable shooting or they were too big for ideal concealed carry.

These snubnose revolvers all proved to be reliable, safe, consistent, and accurate for self defense. So we took a look at four new snubnose revolvers: the Charter Arms Boomer, Ruger’s LCRx, the Kimber K6s CDP, and the Colt Cobra. Easy to use, no magazine to lose, and chambered in powerful calibers, revolvers are here to stay. Snubnose wheelguns have been and are still excellent choices for self-defense sidearms. Why are there so many snubnose revolvers being manufactured? There is no sign that big-bore snubnose revolvers are going away any time soon, especially with manufacturers introducing new snubnoses.

Charter arms revolvers for self defense