Charter Arms Undercover .38 vs. ???

[darkwater]

Wife and I have been looking at snubby revolvers to purchase for concealed carry. Today we tested her sister's Charter Arms Undercover .38 special to get a feel for a snubby, but it's the older model with slim wood grips and exposed metal backstrap. Both of us were hitting about a foot low at 7 yards out, and we even tried two different brands of ammo with the same result. To get on target, we had to have the entire front sight blade completely in view above the top of the rear sight (it's the grooved channel kind). Is that normal for a snubby, or probably just particular for that one?

Also, that little gun kicks harder than I was expecting. I have a 6-inch Ruger GP100 that I've shot with .357 magnum loads and a Ruger 9mm that I've used +P ammo in, but those were tameable compared to the Undercover loaded with plain .38s! Perhaps the felt recoil improves with an aftermarket rubber grip. I've been looking at the new Ruger LCRs...am I expecting too much for a lighter, more modern snubby to tame recoil better than the older steel and wood construction of snubbies like the Charter Arms Undercover?

[WildWildWest]

I've never really tried a Charter Arms snubbie before, but go for the Ruger LCR. You can't be wrong w/ it's recoil which is tameable and that nice Hogue rubber grips. Besides, I really love that light weight of this modern snubie. It's only 13.5 oz

[den888]

Lightweight snubbies are going to kick pretty hard even with standard pressure loads, a set of Pachmayr's or Hogue's will help. I have an alloy framed Colt Agent (from 1985) and it was tough to manage using the stock wood grips from Colt. I placed a set of Pachmayr Compac grips on it and it made a world of difference.

The Ruger GP 100 is much heavier and made to shoot full magnums with relative comfort. The Charter Arms (as with my Agent) is a close-in defense weapon or back-up gun.

[BigDogatPlay]

...am I expecting too much for a lighter, more modern snubby to tame recoil better than the older steel and wood construction of snubbies like the Charter Arms Undercover?

Yeah, actually, you just might be.

I must have seen at least a half dozen various S&W Model 36s in two and three inch barrels of various vintages while I was out delivering AB962 flyers today. Most were steel framed. A small gun like that is going to have some bark regardless, but the slightly heavier frame, IMO, is going to help some.

[Trapper]

Snub nose revolvers can be mastered with a little practice and a decent set of grips. I have several S&W J frames and a Colt D frame and can keep them all in the bull's eye at 15 yards.

[RolinThundr]

Wife and I ...tested her sister's Charter Arms Undercover .38 special to get a feel for a snubby, but it's the older model with slim wood grips and exposed metal backstrap. Both of us were hitting about a foot low at 7 yards out, and we even tried two different brands of ammo with the same result...

I have an older Charter Undercover that matches your description, but I haven't had any problems as far as shooting low. If you're going to go with a snubby I'd suggest sticking with steel frames...short barrels and light frames mean bigger bark.

[darkwater]

Thanks all for the advice...much appreciated!

[Gem1950]

Undercover Grips

If your "older model" has Stratford Conn. printed on the right side of the barrel, you have a decent little pistol that is worth keeping...with a lifetime warranty.

You can contact Charter Arms directly and order a pair of their factory rubber grips that will fit and work perfectly on that gun. They make grips that will fit even the older models, just tell the customer service person what you have and what you want. Keep the wood grips in case you ever want to sell it.

Good luck.

http://www.charterfirearms.com/index.html

[Lucky Scott]

I carry a Taurus .38 snubnose and it has a little more kick than my full size S&W .38. Although I find the little gun is very accurate, a heavier gun does absorb more recoil.
Remember, it's not made for comfort. It's made to be little and do the job.
For its intended purpose, 12" low will still stop a predator.

[jazman]

Try shooting a S&W 642. They are light but recoil is ok.

[Vacaville]

I've got a Taurus 85 snubbie and it's dead on at 10 yards with fixed sights with most ammo. Recoil is sharp, especially with +P loads, but you get used to it. Charter Arms guns are supposed to be pretty nice, so I'd definitely go to a shop and try another before you rule them out.

[darkwater]

If your "older model" has Stratford Conn. printed on the right side of the barrel, you have a decent little pistol that is worth keeping...with a lifetime warranty.

You can contact Charter Arms directly and order a pair of their factory rubber grips that will fit and work perfectly on that gun. They make grips that will fit even the older models, just tell the customer service person what you have and what you want. Keep the wood grips in case you ever want to sell it.

Good luck.

http://www.charterfirearms.com/index.html

Thanks, and yes it does have Stratford Conn. on the right side.

[chilly_bill]

I've had three "carry" weapons: an S&W 386 scandium and titanium piece, an S&W Airweight 37-3 that's alloy frame, but steel barrel and cylinder, and a Colt Detective Special. The DS is the sweetest and most accurate, with the least felt recoil, but it's also a bit heavy to carry around in my bicycle clothing. (these are brought along on deeper wilderness mountain bike rides). I end up carrying the 37-3 most of the time even though it's got the least character or sex appeal, just because it's a great balance of weight. Heavy enough to be accurate (kind of) and not to bite too much, but small and light enough to stay out of mind while riding. Plus, if I ever have to use it in a situation where the law is involved, they can keep it for evidence without breaking my heart.
Maybe see if you can shoot the LCR somewhere. If it's anything like my Ti/Scandium S&W accuracy could be questionable.
I'd love to hear peoples experiences w/ those new light Ruger's. Any feed back?

[ojisan]

Hitting low?
Most older revolvers have sights set for 158 g bullets.
Lighter bullets hit lower.
What weight bullet were you using?

[darkwater]

Hitting low?
Most older revolvers have sights set for 158 g bullets.
Lighter bullets hit lower.
What weight bullet were you using?

Actually, both rounds were 158g, one being a Sellier & Bellot FMJ, the other being a CCI TMJ +P. Unfortunately, with the ammo shortage, I didn't have a lighter bullet available to see if it would have helped any.