1980s Charter Arms Off Duty

NCBeagle · Sep 13, 2019

Not sure what else to say, other than, “I just couldn’t resist.” Guessing that it was made late 1980s in Stratford, CT factory. 99% condition. $150.00. Ya, why not? This is my first Charter Arms. Shot a friend’s 1970s Undercover and thought it a slightly rough but solid little snub.

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hardknocks · Sep 13, 2019

Good find

Good price.
Hard to pass up.
Bulldog grips.

ColbyBruce · Sep 13, 2019

The Charter Arms made in Bridgeport and Stratford are well made handguns. I own a Off Duty in .22 LR.

dr. mordo · Sep 13, 2019

I have no need for one at all, and I'd have jumped on it for $150.

ACORN · Sep 13, 2019

$150?! Your killing me!

NCBeagle · Sep 13, 2019

dr. mordo said:
I have no need for one at all, and I'd have jumped on it for $150.

That was my thought.

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Sixgun100 · Sep 13, 2019

Well, that brought back some memories for me. I was a rookie Officer in 1984 and a CA Off-Duty Model was all I could afford. Carried it off-duty and on my ankle as a BUG for years. Can’t remember whatever happened to it....Thanks for the memories. I’d have bought that in a heartbeat, just for the nostalgia!

CapnB · Sep 13, 2019

That was a great buy on a very under-appreciated little revolver. I have an Undercover that I bought new in ‘76. I carried it both on duty and off and still drop it in my hip pocket once in a while for old times sake. Qualified with it, never had any issues, and it still looks like the day I got it. I recall one notable arrest at the business end of the little fella, but that’s a story for another time.
Good shootin’,
Doug

gman51 · Sep 13, 2019

Looks very good condition. I own a Charter Arms 44spl. It may not cost much but it sure is built well. I would have jumped on that for that price.

oink · Sep 13, 2019

Sorry to be the rain cloud on the adoration parade. I bought one new as a rookie officer back in 82, due to it's price. I kept it a week and took it back and traded up to a model 60 even though I couldn't really afford to. The one I had was garbage and it was all pinned together, very unreliable. The model 60 never gave me a speck of grief. I still have it. I still might try a Bulldog 44 at some point just because they're so light for a 44.

dr. mordo · Sep 14, 2019

BTW, the Bulldog grips are a major selling point that maybe would make them worth more than $150 to me. Those grips are hard to beat.

loc n load · Sep 14, 2019

Have a Bulldog 44 that I bought in the 70’s and a 38 dating from when CA distributed these pins. Both of mine have been reliable. If I encountered one in that condition and price it would have left with me also.

Valmet · Sep 14, 2019

You stole that thing. Very awesome OP, they are cool old revolvers

OLDSTER · Sep 14, 2019

You won't regret that buy !! Charter Arms are great, economical, solid, dependable, revolvers. CA doesn't pretend to be anything else, and have their market niche with loyal followers. I've owned this early Bridgeport Undercover for many years. I shoot it better than either of my "J" frames. It is my bed-side gun. My son owns an old Bulldog that's bounced around in his pickup glove box for years, and has dispatched many an old fence post, skunk, coon, and various other nefarious critters..

OLDSTER · Sep 16, 2019

dr. mordo said:
BTW, the Bulldog grips are a major selling point that maybe would make them worth more than $150 to me. Those grips are hard to beat.

A set of grips with this old Bridgeport medallion are worth as much as the gun to CA fans

max503 · Sep 16, 2019

ColbyBruce said:
The Charter Arms made in Bridgeport and Stratford are well made handguns. I own a Off Duty in .22 LR.

If I had that I would find a load it likes, then get out the needle files and "adjust" the sights until it hit POA.
I'm jealous.

ColbyBruce · Sep 16, 2019

max503 said:
If I had that I would find a load it likes, then get out the needle files and "adjust" the sights until it hit POA.
I'm jealous.

Actually, it shoots fairly well. It prefers standard velocity ammo over the high speed stuff.

DWalt · Sep 16, 2019

I formerly owned an Undercover .38 (an early Bridgeport) but let someone talk me out of it over ten years ago. I currently have a first year Bulldog .44, bought it recently at a good price, it appears nearly unfired. The only problem with it is that the recoil is very unpleasant with standard .44 Spl loads. I handload my own extra-light 180 grain lead bullet loads to make it more tolerable, also got a pair of the oversized Pachmayr grips which help tame recoil.

labworm · Sep 16, 2019

No nothing about the brand.

It really is one nice looking revolver, congratulations.

nipperdog · Sep 16, 2019

I'd have jumped on it like a Jay on a June Bug. I have had a 44 bulldog for years, and Possibly getting the new one in .45 Colt. Charter arms are Shooters not Safe Queens.

1980s Charter Arms Off Duty

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