WHO LIKES CHARTER'S UNDERCOVER?

[crazyphil]

I bought a Charter Undercover off of Gunbroker several years
ago. I remember when I went to my local gun shop to pick it
up the former police officer behind the counter told me that back
in the 1970s most officers carried the Undercover for their BUG
(Back Up Gun). Why? Because it was about all they could afford.

This little beauty was made at the Bridgeport plant around 1971.
I've been told that some of the better quality Undercovers came
from that plant in that time period. I have a different reason for
carrying it than those police officers that I mentioned above.

Will anyone else admit to carrying an Undercover?

Here is mine, on the left.
2nd from left with a Blazer by Wally Wolfram.
3rd from left in a Bucheimer Sheriff crossdraw.
4th from left in a Heizer 459.
5th from left a Chicago Rocker IWB by Lefty Lewis dba
Bell-Charter-Oak.

 

[Sixgun100]

That was my situation. When I first started in LE, all I could afford was a Charter Arms "Off-Duty" Model. Carried it for years on my ankle. Don't remember now whatever became of it, but it served me well.

 

[washerman]

I have a Charter off-duty 12 ounce for pocket carry, a 6 shot police undercover for my belt and a 357 Mag Pug for camping...All newer models though. Sure like to find an older one like yours in good shape. All excellent shooters

 

[oink]

I bought one back in the very early 80s for a BUG for the reason you describe, tight budget. The one I got (new) was such a *** I took it back. I went ahead and ponied up the extra money and bought a model 60 (no dash). I still have that gun. Many years later I had a friend give me a newish looking little CA .22 snubbie. It keyholed the target with the several brands of ammo I tried. Traded it off with another gun I had no use for, for a 77/22. I still have the 77/22. For some unknown reason I'm still getting the itch to try a Bulldog 44. but I must be crazy.

 

[ShivasIrons]

I own several Undercovers and Off Dutys, both older and newer. Great guns and a great company. I got hosed on GB by a pawn shop. It was a vintage Undercover that was locked up. Called Charter and they said send it in. They fixed it. No Charge.

 

[washerman]

I own several Undercovers and Off Dutys, both older and newer. Great guns and a great company. I got hosed on GB by a pawn shop. It was a vintage Undercover that was locked up. Called Charter and they said send it in. They fixed it. No Charge.

My Mag Pug 357 started out as a Target model with 4.5 inch barrel...I decided i wanted a shorter barrel when riding my bike, Called Charter and asked how much a new barrel was. Charter said send it in. They paid shipping too. Came back with a brand new Mag Pug 2 inch barrel...NO CHARGE! not even shipping

 

[crazyphil]

I like those stories about Charter's service. I've told this one before, but
I'll do it again. Maybe 10 years ago I bought a new Charter 2000 Under-
cover. I called Charter very early one morning. A man answered. I told
him I didn't like the little boots on the U/C and wondered if they had any
bigger grips for it. He asked for my address and said I'll just send you a
set. I said can you do that? He said I think so I'm the president. When
I got the package it had full size rubber combats, a set of hip grips, and
a little walnut set. What a company.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...I have one of these...

...Santa Fe Sky color scheme on the Undercover Lite...

...I like it...

 

[Old cop]

This runs contrary to my experience (1968 - 1997). My first off duty was a Colt Cobra, $85 new, then a variety of J frames. Most of the cops I worked with carried a J frame or a Colt for off duty & back up. I was aware of the Charter Arms guns but did not know anyone who owned one.

 

[ShivasIrons]

FTR I own several J Frames as well.

I must say the Charters have better sights and they seem to carry a bit better in the pocket in my experience.

 

[NovaJoe]

I bought a Stainless Charter Arms Undercover .38 Special around 1980. It had better sights than my S&W M37 (consequently I shot it better), and fit just as nicely into the back pocket of my jeans. It went everywhere with me. I foolishly sold it around 20 years later.

 

[OLDSTER]

My Undercover is also an early Bridgeport model ca. 1973. I love this little guy and shoot it every bit as accurately and dependably as my 36, 60, and 642. The thing about Charter Arms is they are so great for the money. Charter has no intention to rival a fine S&W or Colt; they have their own niche and fill it extremely well. This is my carry in a Galco Paddle Lite, which I wear cross-draw.

 

[ggibson511960]

I had one back in the 70"s and liked it O.K. Out of the box it felt better in my hand than a J-frame with its wide trigger and hammer. The sights are way better than a J-frame. Now the bad. It stubbornly unscrewed its ejector rod despite my efforts to tighten. For the money it was an excellent choice for what snubs are good for.

 

[Truckin]

Carry an Off Duty daily. It is so light I forget it is there. Trigger is not as good as SW but it is good enough. DAO. It is a defensive weapon. And did I mention that it was light.

 

[ldausmc1369]

I have one ANIB with all the goodies it came with. Have been tempted from to to time to shoot it. Great action and trigger for a Charter. It is a 70's vintage as well. Have it's big brother, the 44 Bulldog, 3" barrel, stainless. I have shot it quite a bit and carry in a shoulder holster. Ran across the on-site auction receipt the other day! $250! About the same size as a J frame.

 

[Sistema1927]

My Dad bought an Undercover in the 1970's. Local PD had contacted him and told him that they had word of a mob hit on another person with a similar name. They suggested that he purchase a handgun and carry it.

He carried that little Charter Arms revolver 24/7 for about 10 years, and still has it.

 

[alwslate]

I had one back in the 70s. It was my carry gun for a few years. It was
lighter than a steel J frame and it took some hot handloads in stride.
One day for some reason I took it to a gun show and quickly sold it to
one of the table holders for more than I thought it was worth. It was a
good gun for it's intended purpose and I regretted selling it for a while
but eventually replaced it with a J frame.

 

[rcu316]

I bought a new 38 in 1981, still have it I bet it hasn't been shot 25 times.

 

[joeintexas]

I have one of the Bridgeport early models also. With all the choices my wife had to pick from she chose that little 38sp undercover to carry with her, so I haven't seen it in quite a while. If memory serves, it shot really well. She does like revolvers, her bedstand gun is a Ruger Sp101.

 

[Ziggy2525]

I've been getting into revolvers the last couple years. I have a copule 640's and a 642. I was thinking of picking up a Charter Arms, but there's a lot of options. I see lots of talk about Bulldogs, Concealables, and maybe the model 85.

For you guys into Charter Arms snubs, is there a "go to" Charter Arms snub? How does a Charter Arms revolver compare to an LCR and a J.