Charter Arms .327 Patriots
Charter Arms’ newest wheelguns—built like a Bulldog but with a magnum bite!
Accuracy
It was now time for the “paperwork.” I set up my targets at a distance of 15 yards and fired 5-shot groups, SA from an impromptu bench rest consisting of a wooden folding tray table and topped with a sandbag. The American Eagle ammo had a best group that measured 1.72 inches with the 4-inch revolver and 2.73 inches with the 2.2-inch model. Using both guns with the Federal Hydra-Shok, I had a small group from the 4-inch gun, which my dial calipers said was 2.03 inches, and the best group from the 2.2-inch with this cartridge was 2.08 inches. Speer Gold Dots gave me a 1.12-inch group for the 4-incher and the 2.2-inch barrel gun provided a best group of 1.49 inches.
One thing I noted was the 2.2-inch Patriot tended to shoot low, especially with the 85-grain Federal bullet, so I aimed at the top of the Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C bulls-eye target rather than in the center. The 4-inch version wanted to shoot a little to the right of the aiming point, but that’s what adjustable sights are for.
To see what the Charter Arms Patriot revolvers would do in the practical shooting mode, I strapped on holsters and speedloader pouches to run the sixguns through a 30-round combat qualification course. During the course shooting is done from 3, 7, and 15 yards with single-hand use only at 3 yards, double- and triple-tap exercises at 7 yards, and barricade shooting at 15 yards both standing and kneeling. I decided to use the American Eagle load for this evaluation as I happened to have more of it, plus it performed well in both guns.
Starting out with the 2.2-inch Patriot, I moved up to the 3-yard line and got in the field interview stance. When the buzzer on my timer went off I drew and fired 6 shots with my right hand only. When I had emptied it, reloaded and fired 6 more with the left hand only. Shooting was done looking over the top of the revolver without using the sights. After reloading, I moved back to the 7 yard line and this time I was able to draw and fire using both hands and my sights—doing a series of three double-taps. Again at 7 yards I shot the body armor drill with two shoots to the body and one to the head. Then back to the 15-yard barricade where two shots are fired from the right side, two from the left side and two kneeling. This same process was repeated with the 4-inch Patriot.
Final Notes
Everything worked well, from the guns, to the holsters to the speedloaders. With the low recoil of the .327 Mag I was able to fire fast repeat shots and the hand-filling rubber grips also added much to the control quotient. I did find a few items to gripe about. First, the ejector rods came loose after extensive shooting, so that needs to be watched. Or, maybe just apply a little dab of Loc-Tite. The 2.2-inch gun when fired center-mass put all but one shot below the X-ring of the Birchwood Casey B-27 target, which means you may have to do some filing on the sights to get your gun regulated. I experienced quite a bit of difficulty with the Wild Bill’s holster when I tried re-holstering the handgun with one hand and without looking down at it. The “ears” at the top of the holster are too floppy and might need to have a metal or leather reinforcement to keep the holster mouth open. Overall, I was impressed with the Charter Arms Patriot revolvers and I was really impressed with the .327 Mag, I hope it catches on.
May 8th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
It would be great if you published the 2″ ballistics or velocity in your ’study’
Thank you
Feel free to email me this info if you have it, Im interested in buying this gun.