Charter Arms?

jeffrefrig · Jan 31, 2023

A local shop has a Charter Arms, "Off Duty" 2" snubnose, .38 Spl.
Typical 5-shot, DA only, + P, aluminum & rubber.
It seems to me $250 may be pushing it. Does anyone have anything on these little revolvers? I may be more interested at $200, or 225. I'm interested in +/- feedback, not a bashing to the side of my head!
Thanks.

ColbyBruce · Jan 31, 2023

A decent gun, with the exception of those marked “CHARCO”. Those had issues.

Fishinfool · Jan 31, 2023

I once owned a Pathfinder .22 and a Bulldog .44 spec. Both were good, solid guns, and worth the $$ I paid. Not as nice as a S&W of the day, but then neither are the current productions Smiths. $250 seems fair if the gun is solid. Maybe try $225 cash?

Larry

CajunBass · Jan 31, 2023

I've owned several Charters, both "old" and "new." They were always good, solid guns that I shot as well as I shot any small five shot revolver...which was pretty poorly.

Now you know why I don't shoot small, five (or six) shot revolvers anymore. Nothing wrong with the guns, I just can't shoot them.

jeffrefrig · Jan 31, 2023

"Nothing wrong with the guns, I just can't shoot them."

Story of my handgun skills in general!!
I would imagine they're fine for up close & personal, as in self-defense? I may go check it out. I haven't heard much bad about Charter Arms like another brand revolver. Just a lousy trigger pull compared to a S&W. Well, yeah!

Narragansett · Jan 31, 2023

A Charter arms Bulldog was choice of " Son of Sam "

Fishinfool · Jan 31, 2023

If you are in to a little road trip, Grice Gun Shop in Clearfield County had a pretty good selection of new CA models the recent past, most in the $300 to $400 range.

I almost bought a new CA .44 spl 4 inch target version a few years back for woods carry, until I came across a new model 69 with the 2.75 barrel.

Larry

Heinz · Jan 31, 2023

I owned one many years ago. Early seventies maybe? It always went bang, kept them on the paper at 5 yards. I think I put about 500 rounds through it with no problems.

VaTom · Jan 31, 2023

Back in the mid 1970's they were an alternative to S&W at a little lower cost. Some of my fellow officers back in the day bought them as off duty revolvers.

BLACKHAWKNJ · Jan 31, 2023

I'd be leery of +P in an aluminum frame, then again, I don't shoot +P.
Had my Bulldog since the '70s. Skeeter Skelton found his favorite 44 Special load of a 240 SWC over 7.5 grains of Unique was too much for it, kicked too much.

BSA1 · Jan 31, 2023

jeffrefrig said:
A local shop has a Charter Arms, "Off Duty" 2" snubnose, .38 Spl.
Typical 5-shot, DA only, + P, aluminum & rubber.
It seems to me $250 may be pushing it. Does anyone have anything on these little revolvers? I may be more interested at $200, or 225. I'm interested in +/- feedback, not a bashing to the side of my head!
Thanks.

J-Frame size revolvers are “carried often and seldom shot” guns. Be honest with yourself about how much you will shoot a one. A S&W may be of higher quality construction and most definitely be a higher price but if it is only going to be shot occasionally such as one or twice year and a 100 rounds is the higher cost of the S&W really justified? If you have never owned one these little guns are hard to learn to shoot accurately.

(A little hint; aluminum frame J-Frames are not much fun to shoot especially with self-defense ammunition).

Condition is everything. If the C.A. is in very good / excellent condition then the price is not unreasonable. Only you can decide if a S&W in similar condition is worth twice the price.

ColbyBruce · Jan 31, 2023

OP, if you buy the Charter Arms, try to find a set of Herrett’s Shooting Ace stocks for it. These are comfortable and conceal well.

Baxter6551 · Jan 31, 2023

Around me any Charter Arms blue 2 inch is $350. Second on the posting about avoiding the CHARCO guns.
Early ones have a Bridgeport address later a Stratford address and Current a Shelton address. They are solid carry guns.

smoothshooter · Jan 31, 2023

Narragansett said:
A Charter arms Bulldog was choice of " Son of Sam "

Can’t have a discussion of Charter Arms .44’s without Son of Sam being mentioned.
Interesting that as far as anyone knows, he was not knowledgeable about guns.

cowboy4evr · Jan 31, 2023

Most will tell you to carry it a lot and shoot it seldom . I will tell you that I shoot my J-frame S&W 642 a lot using my hand loads . I just load standard 38 special loads , not into +P . Not because of the recoil , just don't want to abuse it . I do not find the recoil abusive . I will shoot a box or 2 before putting it away . I find great pleasure in shooting it . I would have no problem using a Charter Arms item the same way . Regards Paul

swagmeister · Jan 31, 2023

I've read and heard that the new ones are hit and miss as far as problems. I have owned several older Charter Arms revolvers over the years with no problems. Don't have one now. Of course, not as smooth as a Smith but dependable. Not long ago just missed an older 3" stainless Pathfinder .22 for sale; waited an extra day and it was gone. Have not see one of those for sale for several years. I failed to follow my own rule: when is the time to buy it? When you see it.

ImprovedModel56Fan · Jan 31, 2023

BLACKHAWKNJ said:
I'd be leery of +P in an aluminum frame, then again, I don't shoot +P.
Had my Bulldog since the '70s. Skeeter Skelton found his favorite 44 Special load of a 240 SWC over 7.5 grains of Unique was too much for it, kicked too much.

My recollection is that that was the charge that I used for mine, with a HEAVY crimp on jacketed 240gr bullets, after I found that factory loads let the bullets back out of the cartridges after about four rounds were fired. Nevertheless, the recoil was NOT excessive for my small-to-medium hand, with Charter Arms' original wooden stock grips, gripped firmly.

NYlakesider · Jan 31, 2023

Had one back in 72s. (Undercover .38 model IF I remember right) It worked/shot OK.

As soon as I found a model 60 I immediately bought it and sold the Charter to a cop for a off duty gun.

BE Mike · Jan 31, 2023

I've owned three over the years (one stainless steel). I've also owned a couple of S&W J frames (model 60 and 642). I really like the big sights on the Charter Arms. This target was fired at 15 yards off-hand, double-action.

max503 · Jan 31, 2023

cowboy4evr said:
Most will tell you to carry it a lot and shoot it seldom . I will tell you that I shoot my J-frame S&W 642 a lot using my hand loads . I just load standard 38 special loads , not into +P . Not because of the recoil , just don't want to abuse it . I do not find the recoil abusive . I will shoot a box or 2 before putting it away . I find great pleasure in shooting it . I would have no problem using a Charter Arms item the same way . Regards Paul

Well I'm here to tell you that an S&W lightweight J-frame (in my case, a 638) CAN be worn out with a steady stream of standard loads. And not really that many, either. They were nice enough to replace the frame. But from now on it is going to get carried, mostly. I'll practice double-action revolver shooting with something cheaper, like a Taurus, or stronger, like a K frame.

I don't care what anybody says. You can't beat the laws of nature. Something lightweight ain't gonna stand up to as much use as something stronger.

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