Charter Arms or S&W 32 Magnum

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BSA1

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I have getting a Double Action Revolver in .32 Magnum planned for this year. Unfortunately it will be a on-line purchase as none of the LGS I have visited carry or even see one.

My choices are either the Charter Arms Professional or the S&W 432. After reading the posts about the poor quality of new S&W handguns I am concerned about purchasing a 432. This will be a on-line so inspection before buying isn’t possible.

On the other hand I have not seen any Charter Arms revolvers so I have no idea about their quality, fit and finish.

I have not even handled a new production S&W revolver for a long time. My preference for S&W revolvers are for old models with pinned barrels. The last three S&W revolvers I have purchased are used old production models 10, 64 (and 13 last November) with pinned barrels so a 432 will be my first new revolver in several decades. (Wow! Hard to believe. I just much prefer the oldies). I have read the magazine and Youtube reviews.

So even though we (myself included) love S&W firearms would it be best for me to buy a Charter Arms Professional?
 
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Been carrying a Taurus revolver in 327 Federal for awhile now and am impressed with it. Seems to be well made and can shoot any 32 out there. I like it because I can choose with round to use that will give me the recoil I can be happy with as I in my old age can't no longer deal with the recoil I could when I was younger. Some thing to think about besides a Charter arms. I have owned a 44 Charter arms Pug and the Taurus seems to have a better finish.
 
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grover99 said:
Been carrying a Taurus revolver in 327 Federal for awhile now and am impressed with it. Seems to be well made and can shoot any 32 out there. I like it because I can choose with round to use that will give me the recoil I can be happy with as I in my old age can't no longer deal with the recoil I could when I was younger. Some thing to think about besides a Charter arms. I have owned a 44 Charter arms Pug and the Taurus seems to have a better finish.
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Have you been able to find different ammo to test? I havent seen 32 SW anywhere for a long time.
 
Do you have a link? I come up with a construction company using Egun Company.
 
BSA1 said:
My choices are either the Charter Arms Professional or the S&W 432. After reading the posts about the poor quality of new S&W handguns I am concerned about purchasing a 432.

On the other hand I have not seen any Charter Arms revolvers so I have no idea about their quality, fit and finish.

I have not even handled a new production S&W revolver for a long time ...
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CA is still junk JMHO. S&W is still a better choice. Ruger also makes a .32.

How much shooting do you plan on doing annually? Or is it just a pocket/nightstand revolver? Is .38 Special too much recoil?
 
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My big issue with Charter is the essential design/construction. The frame is steel but the grip is not, and the grip is attached to the frame with pins. That means every time you pull the trigger everything shifts slightly. It will never be possible to get a really good trigger on a Charter Arms because of this. Also, while their longevity is quite reasonable for the average shooter it will not be as good as a S&W or Colt (or Taurus). They could never pass the longevity test back in the day for the NYPD so were never approved by them.
 
I have an Undercoverette in 32 Magnum . It works just fine for a $300 gun. That said, if someone offered me $300 , they'd own it ..just doesn't fit my accumulation

Robert
 
I have owned the Charter Arms as well as the Taurus 327 and the S&W 432UC. I still have the S&W, the Charter Arms was the first to go away. Next was the Taurus, althou it was slightly more accurate than the Smith, it was also much heavier. My smith has been a very good gun. I have not had any troubles with it at all.
 
I have both the Charter and the 432UC. Both have been great for me. I carry the S&W most days. If my stupid state did not have a prohibition against carrying more than one concealed carry pistol I would probably carry the Undercoverette as a NY reload. I installed the spurless hammer in it, and while the trigger isn't quite as good as the UC, it isn't too bad.
 
I have both the 432UC & the 632UC. The 432UC went back to Smith for a frame replacement. The 632UC had a bad front sight. Smith sent me a free replacement, which I had to install. I recently purchased a Charter Arms Professional Model, a 7 shot revolver chambered in .32 H&R with a 3" barrel and a black nitride finish and very comfortable walnut grips. With 100 rounds down the pipe and app. 500 dry firing cycles, a turn ring on the cylinder is non-existent, and the trigger has smoothed out & lightened up considerably. YMMV
 
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SGT ROCK 11B said:
CA is still junk JMHO. S&W is still a better choice. Ruger also makes a .32.

How much shooting do you plan on doing annually? Or is it just a pocket/nightstand revolver? Is .38 Special too much recoil?
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The .32 Magnum has better performance than the .38 Special in the J-Frame short barrel revolver PLUS it has one additional round to boot. I thought when the .32 Magnum was introduced it was a sure fire winner for concealed carry especially for ladies. Less recoil, better bullet performance, one additional round (two in C.A. The Professional). What is there anything not to like?

In full disclosure the 32-20 is my favorite cartridge. Before Al Gore invented the Internet and gun ‘riters said it wasn’t so the 32-20 was considered as and used as a deer cartridge and also had a lower pressure cartridge for use in handguns for self-defense. The .32 Magnum is basically the 32-20 in a easier to reload straight wall case.

I edc a 9mm semiautomatic but having a snubbie when working outdoors especially when Spring comes could be handy.
 
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If you could drop the magnum and be happy with 32 Long, there is an exceptionally nice Model 1903, Third Change, available now for an attractive price in our forum's classifieds.

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Edited: There's two of 'em in the classifieds now. Second one is not as pristine, but at a very reasonable price...
 
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I have a CA Professional and it's an OK gun. It shoots to point of aim rather than the 6 o'clook hold most of us prefer. I understand that the sights have been changed so newer ones don't shoot so lo.
With Charter the book is to carry often and shoot occasionally rather than shoot often and carry occasionally.
 
BSA1 said:
I have getting a Double Action Revolver in .32 Magnum planned for this year. Unfortunately it will be a on-line purchase as none of the LGS I have visited carry or even see one.
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They act annoyed if I even ask about them.
 
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