Charter Arms?

[Lonestargrizzly]

Would you consider getting a Charter Arms 38?
I'm considering purchasing a snubbie, but I don't want to spend that much because I doubt I will use it for more than a range toy.

[sealocan]

Charter arms has had some good years and some bad years but I don't know the current state of quality coming from them.


There's also the rock island armory all steel, six shot 38 special I think they go for round $300 plus California rip off extra fees.

it looks very similar to the Colt detective series but of course it's not a clone and parts don't interchange.

Personally I would get a used Smith & Wesson because most snubnose 38 don't get shot a lot so they have some carry (or desk drawer) wear and tear but mechanically they're still fine .

there's one in the marketplace here and early flat latch that is somewhat rare and made back in the days when quality was very important to manufacturers.
But I'm not sure how early it is and it's possible it can't shoot
+P ammo.

[Calico1404]

I have a Charter Bulldog .44 Great revolver.

Go LCR .38 cheap and half polymer, light weight

[blkside]

The old Charter Arms will rival some of the triggers on some of these super expensive revolvers.. I would look for an earlier one or go to a different manufacturer....

[JS41989]

Every time I've looked at a Charter Arms revolver I thought to myself...

"Just save your money and buy a Ruger."

[TMB 1]

I have a 30 year old Charter Bulldog. It's like a Timex, takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

[hambam105]

To a man, cira 1984 to 1990..about half dozen shooters would show up on regular basis and shoot a Charter Arms revolver during a Hide-Out side pistol match.

All of the Charter Arms revolvers had to go back to factory after a year or two of use. But...there is always a but, each guy would go out and by another one while he was waiting for the 1st one to return from the repair shop.

And to my knowledge, these guys know the CH limitations but still like using them.

I would definitely place any CH about 8 or 9 levels above any Taurus and any revolver coming from the Philippines.

A true daily CCW for most people is a J frame size revolver. For those who want to take the 'C' out of CCW and go just CW, then I'd go with a K frame or Ruger Speed Six. The GPs are just to heavy. The SP101 you get the weight of a K frame but with just five shots.

[Barbarosa]

For probably $100 more you could get an S&W 642 and know you have a quality gun.

[TJW]

charter arms

I've not encountered any reliability issues with Charter Arms 38's, but I've only had older models. Not sure about quality now adays. Secondly, a snubbie 38 probably won't be much fun on the range. If your looking for an occasional range gun for fun, this isn't it. A Charter Arms 38 snub nose is nothing more than a pocket self defense gun for extremely close range.

[Tom-ADC]

I just bought a Undercover Lite for $240 OTD while light in weight it seems very well made, hope to make a range trip soon.

[Oceanbob]

For probably $100 more you could get an S&W 642 and know you have a quality gun.

This^^^^

Plus a S&W will have much more resale value...



Bob

[autopro]

I have an old Charter Arms Bull Dog in 44 Special and love it. Bought it used, fun to shoot, reasonably accurate at short range. Trigger is remarkable for a cheap revolver.

[BigPimping]

Son of Sam approved!!!

[I Swan]

The only Charter Arms I really like is the Bulldog as other manufacturers tend to make the 44spl snubs too big and heavy. Or if I get other models for a song I'll buy them. I'm surprised someone is claiming the triggers on older ones are good.

I have an older Undercover like the one John Lennon got killed with and it has a pretty bad trigger and marginal quality. I only paid $129 for it last year. I find quality levels on most of them roughly equal to Taurus. Some much worse like Charco era revolvers I had one that blew.

I'd like to try their newer snubs in 9x19 and 40 S&W. I have a Taurus 441 and a Rossi 720 both 3in 44 Specials and both are about on par with my Bulldogs but bigger. I actually feel the Taurus one has a bit better build quality. Last time I looked the Rossi and Taurus 44spl revolvers can fetch a respectable sum on Gunbroker.

Really I think the average person should save up for a S&W snub or maybe a LCR over a Charter Arms.

[plumbum]

Charter makes a solid gun, mine has been surprisingly accurate - double action is on the heavy side, but smooth. Single action is clean and light. Finish is functional, but I've worn off must of it from carry (the damn front sight was sharp when new, it would stick me if I wasn't careful where stuffed it). I put a DAO hammer on it and the Pachmayr grip (also have the Barami hip grip, which makes for something sub-12 ounces you can drop in your boxers and be off).

I'd buy one in .22 WMR if it were on the roster, or one of the 3" tapered barrel classic Bulldogs.