Charter Arms....opinions?

JTR357 · Nov 7, 2009

I'm thinking about getting my wife a Lavender or Pink lady's from Charter Arms in .38spc +P for this Christmas.I've never dealt with this company before,but if I likem',I may get a .44 special Bulldog from them for myself,or maybe that Goldfinger(it just looks cool to me

)
I know the short barrel isn't really practical especially for a larger caliber,but I like the concealability aspect of it,plus it'll be primarily for SD (so basically inside 10yds).I prefer revolvers over autos,& I usually always go to Smith & Wesson(an old friend) when I'm shopping for a new sidearm.I'd like to try something different this time.I also like that they have models with the Crimson Trace grips already installed.

That being said,I'm not sure about getting a double action only revolver.I like having a visible hammer.

Anyone own anything from them?What do you think?Are they reliable,comfortable?
http://charterfirearms.com/index.html
Here are some things they have going for them,in my book anyways.
100% American made
Simplicity of design
Trouble-free operation
Durability
Superior Safety
Affordable

Thanks,

Unk · Nov 7, 2009

Son of Sam [David Berkowitz??]..or some similar murderer liked the Charter .44 Bulldog as I recall.

Have owned a few finger burners over time but never a Charter - haven't heard anything bad. Pretty in Pink, naw..I don't think so... not for this pilgrim or my family.

JTR357 · Nov 7, 2009

Here are some stock pics...

.44 special

Goldfinger

Lavender Lady

JTR357 · Nov 7, 2009

Unk said:
Son of Sam [David Berkowitz??]..or some similar murderer liked the Charter .44 Bulldog as I recall.

Have owned a few finger burners over time but never a Charter - haven't heard anything bad. Pretty in Pink, naw..I don't think so... not for this pilgrim or my family.

Thanks Unk

That must've done wonders for their marketing!

yablanowitz · Nov 7, 2009

I've had three Charter Arms revolvers over the years. When I was young and stupid, I shot a couple of boxes of Speer +P ammo through a Charter Undercover. It loosened up a bit, but was still quite servicable. The second one I had was a longer barreled model that shot nicely and was just as accurate as a friend's S&W. The third is the Charter Bulldog .44 Special I still have. A nice, light, unobtrusive little gun that packs a fair punch. All have been reliable, reasonably accurate pieces.

JTR357 · Nov 7, 2009

:thumbup:Thanks yab,That's the kind of thing I like to hear.

Laserlips · Nov 7, 2009

JTR:

I bought a NIB Charter Arms Undercover (for $78) wayyyy back in the early 1970's before a good job and name brand snobbishness turned me over to the "dark sides" (J frame Smiths & D frame Colts).

The little Undercover was a very good revolver. I kept it until a couple of years ago when an Uncle of mine needed a small firearm to carry with him on jobs (he installed home a/c's). I gave it to him, and as far as I know it's still perking along just fine.

The Charter Arms I had was certainly equal to any of my Smiths or Colts, and I later bought one for another relative.. She blew her brains out with hers, so quess it was effective for that duty.. At least in her case.

I have heard not so good things about the quality of later incarnations of Charter Arms, (Charco, etc.), but that info was 2nd hand, and I have no experience with those models.

Siince you said you had experience with Smiths, I'm just curious as to why you'd buy a Charter Arms for your wife rather than a new Smith?

IF I were buying my wife a revolver I think I'd get my bride a S&W 442.. I had one years ago and foolishly traded it off for some new "flavor of the month" gun.. The 442 was very, very good....

I noticed on GunsAmerica or one of the other online sites where a NIB original Charter Arms Undercover (satin or whatever the finish they have that resembles stainless steel) was for sale.

IF I were buying a Charter Arms anything it would be one of the original versions... But that's just because I have personal experience with them, and have never been disappointed..

Best Wishes in whatever you select.

Jesse

P.S. I like snubby's....

JTR357 · Nov 7, 2009

:thumbup:Thanks for the recommendations LL

My wife already has a S&W442

....just looking for something a little more colorful for her.Something that'll make her say "ooooh" when she opens her present.

P.S. Sorry to hear about your relative

Laserlips · Nov 7, 2009

[QUOTE
P.S. Sorry to hear about your relative[/QUOTE]

Thanks... That was way back in 1975, and she had mental problems (unknown to me at the time or I'd never have gotten her a firearm, altho she already had one anyway, an old 25cal pos.)

Hey, I know most folks think little mouseguns have very little to offer, but here's a photo of my brides cc choice.

I also have a Seecamp, but mines a 380cal.. My daily cc choice is the LWS380, but when I'm traveling thru areas named after a deceased Baptist preacher I often cc my HK P2000sk along..

\

As I said I love snubby's, but over the years we've just found a pistol easier to cc than a revolver as the width of a revolver's cylinder makes cc a bit more of a challenge..

But, hey, any firearm choice is light years better than NO firearm choice.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

P.S. I'm new to the cc world of knives but I am very fond of my ao Kershaw Leek 1660G10... Now I take that sucker with me every trip too... I'm rapidly gaining a high appreciation for Kershaw knives. The G10 just vanishes in the pocket and it's very, very light..

zenheretic · Nov 7, 2009

Fairly sure Charter Arms of today is a recent startup, which likely has little to do with previous iterations, other than names and perhaps proprietary rights.

orthogonal1 · Nov 7, 2009

zenheretic said:
Fairly sure Charter Arms of today is a recent startup, which likely has little to do with previous iterations, other than names and perhaps proprietary rights.

Fairly recent, anyway, which is why I can't give an opinion.

In the 80's I had a couple of the .44 cal Bulldogs and loved them for carrying when hiking. Shotshells in .44 cal made the choice for me, as well as the manstopping reputation of the caliber.

The trigger pull sucked on these, but they were reliable and accurate enough.

shooter10 · Nov 7, 2009

As earlier stated, Charter Arms have failed, been reserected at least once, and I think twice in the last 15 or so years. Thus what I'm saying may not be indicitive of a modern built piece, but years ago, I carried a nickle plated Undercover .38 special, and while knowing it was a lesser cost and more than likely not built as well as several others, was satisfied, until some of the nickle began to flake from the trigger guard, and I found a poor quality of cast metal. Later learned most of the framework was of this poor grade pot metal, so traded it off, have replaced it with Taurus, and not looked back.
Just recently several of us were comparing our carry pieces, and we all noticed how rough and uneven the trigger pull was on the one Charter there. I've never heard of any Charter Arms blowing up, and given the willingness of folks to spread bad news, it must not have happened, or we all would have most of the details, and they have been around for a long time.

fudo · Nov 7, 2009

I have a LH Undercover and Bulldog, both made this year. They are not Colt Detective Specials, but are well made. Strangely, the Bulldog has less recoil and report than the .38.

jill jackson · Nov 8, 2009

JTR357 said:
:thumbup:Thanks for the recommendations LL

My wife already has a S&W442....just looking for something a little more colorful for her.Something that'll make her say "ooooh" when she opens her present.

P.S. Sorry to hear about your relative

I've looked at the Charter Arms revolvers and If your wife is into firearms enough to know about fit and finish and trigger pull. I think she will be turned off by the Charter Arms. No way it will compare to the Smith.
If she really doesn't care about firearms enough to analyze them, then she probably won't mind. But, having S&W and Ruger wheel-guns I know there's no way I'd ever buy a Charter Arms myself.

JTR357 · Nov 8, 2009

Thanks for all your opinions everyone!

So,I'm guessing it's just a pretty package,but they don't have the quality of what I've been buying.

I'm gonna see if anyone has one next time I'm at the range,so I can check it out & maybe shoot a few thru it.

.....suppose I could dress up her S&W442,if I don't likem'

mnyshrpknvs · Nov 8, 2009

JTR357 said:
:thumbup:Thanks for the recommendations LL

My wife already has a S&W442....just looking for something a little more colorful for her.Something that'll make her say "ooooh" when she opens her present.

P.S. Sorry to hear about your relative

I have heard good things about them. If they would be willing to anodize a .357, you would have 2 in 1 frame.

mitchshrader · Nov 9, 2009

S&W mod 36 classic, 3" barrel, nickel finish. One sweet little handgun and worth polishing the internals for the pure joy of shootin' it. Then put on a set of pink Ladysmith grips and you're there. Load it up with some +P 110 grain all copper DPX and be right persuasive, I think..

SIFU1A · Nov 9, 2009

i had a bulldog at one time and it was ok but sure had some recoil to it lol, i dont know how well one would hold up to really hard use but for most folks it would be ok.