Anybody else like Charter Arms?

[ACORN]

I’ve kind of become a fan of these budget blasters.
I have a Pitbull 9mm, a .44 Bulldog, and a snub nose Pathfinder.
I had a Undercover Off Duty that a co-worker hounded me for, and I finally relented. I really liked that little gun.
Yesterday at the Washington County gun show a vendor had a stainless Undercover .38 with the Stratford address. It was not the usual shot blasted finish. I was almost a brushed smooth stainless, with the fish hook front sight with the old style red bead. It also had a polished bobbed hammer. I’m unsure that was factory, being it had a small nub instead of the spur. It really looked like a quality piece.
Wishing now I’d have bought it.
I do have the vendors card and he’s not far from me. I may have to contact him and if he still has it, make a little trip.

 

[Telecaster]

I tried the “Professional.” Had to send it in for repairs. The cylinder still bound up and it shot low, so I sold it. My snub Pathfinder is fun, after polishing the charge holes, but now it keyholes. I’ll probable sell that one too.

 

[Lonestar57]

I'm a fan of the Undercover model although I currently don't have one. But, that would change if I ran across one locally. They're good little pistols at a great value in my opinion.

 

[oink]

I tried the “Professional.” Had to send it in for repairs. The cylinder still bound up and it shot low, so I sold it. My snub Pathfinder is fun, after polishing the charge holes, but now it keyholes. I’ll probable sell that one too.

That's near identical to my experience with them. I had the 38 undercover 38 back in the early 80s. It bound up so I got rid of it. I had the .22 snubbie years later. It keyholed. I got rid of it too. For some reason I still want the stainless bulldog 44 but twice burned already.

 

[hyena]

I really like my 45 ACP Pitbull. It shot slightly to the right of point of aim when I bought it. CA paid for shipping both ways, replaced the barrel, and had it back to me in short order. It now shoots to point of aim. Good people, good service, good gun.

 

[DWalt]

The only CA revolver I now have is an early .44 Bulldog, AKA Son of Sam gun. It is really too lightweight to handle anything heavier than my light handloads due to its excessive recoil. Also had to get an oversized Pachmayr grip. It’s my “living room” gun, I don’t shoot it much.

 

[OLDSTER]

Long time fan of CA. Owned an old Bulldog, which my son now has bouncing around in his ranch truck glove box, and my old Bridgeport Undercover I've owned for years. I shoot it better than either my 442 or 36. I carry it cross draw in a little old Hunter holster when driving long distances. Best revolver for the money on the market for a long time. Affordable, reliable, and tough as nails.

 

[BE Mike]

I like the big front sight on my Stratford, Connecticut Undercover. It shoots to point of aim out to 15 yards.

 

[Valmet]

I’m a Bulldog fan- I’ve owned one since 2010 and while I don’t put particularly warm loads thru it, it’s had prob 600 rounds or so thru it and has been 100%. I wish they made a Bulldog Target in the black finish as I’m not a stainless guy.

 

[crazyphil]

I can't say enough about Charter's customer service. I called Charter early
one morning. A man answered. I told him I had just bought an Undercover,
but didn't like the itty bitty stocks. He asked for my name and
address. Then he said he would send me some bigger stocks. I said can
you do that? He replied, I think so, I'm the President.
3 more sets of stocks came in the mail.

 

[biku324]

Had a 44 Bulldog in the late '70s. Nothing before or since has bitten my middle finger knuckle as hard.

 

[rockquarry]

I've never had one, but was mildly impressed by some I looked at while at a SHOT Show some years ago. I used to buy and sell and trade quite a bit back then, and was afraid a Charter Arms product, like Taurus, etc. would not hold value well and be far less desirable at sale/trade time in comparison with a Smith & Wesson or Colt.

Nevertheless, the Charter Arms revolvers may be good guns. I seldom have the "wants" anymore, so I doubt I'll try one at this point.

 

[1chessiefan]

Acorn,
I have Stratford .44 Bulldog that I like a lot. It appeared to have barely been fired when I got it. It is tight. I have put probably 100 or so rounds through it with no issues other than the cases tend to stick. I am going to have my gunsmith polish the chambers to, hopefully, laminate that problem. It does have a little snap to it when you touch one off. Once the sticky ejection issue is dealt with I plan on carrying it.

1chessiefan

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

NO.......They rattle like a can of marbles when you shake them.

 

[Mark 40]

I'm one for four with them. Only a 4.2" Pathfinder worked for me out of the box. A 2" Pathfinder keyholed and two different .38 specials spit like mad. The customer service was very good and they made things right.

Had been quite tempted with the 3" Professional 32H&R and Undercoverette 32H&R snub however decided not to take another chance. Instead ponied up to get a 432PD 32H&R and a 3" M31 S&WL instead.

That said wouldn't totally discourage anyone from trying one.

 

[Gene L]

On another foruml there are two reports of CA revolvers. Both had problems out of the box. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for.

 

[mtgianni]

I bought a Professional and it had to go back as it locked up. I have since put 350 rounds through it without any issues. I cannot use a 6 O'Clock hold with it, the green fiber dot has to cover the target but it groups fine.

 

[Kevin J.]

Non SW revolvers are like fat girls and mopeds. They maybe fun but you don’t want your friends to know about it.

 

[glenwolde]

I think that after a good deal of experience, many of us veer off into the lesser brands in search of value. I know I did.

I've often said that a lot of problems inexperienced shooters have is they buy brands that have a greater degree of problems and they don't have the patience and knowledge to deal with them when they arise. Those of us with more experience can deal with those issues. Oddly enough, the cheap guns are for the experienced shooters.

I had my fling. It wore off. I learned a lot and still have the ones that I vetted thoroughly. I'm more wary now.

 

[NYlakesider]

I bought one back in the 1970s (72), gave up trying to find a good used or new Smith 60, or 36. A couple months later got lucky and found a new 60. Was real glad to get rid of the C.A. it had a awful trigger.

A friend later got a charter arms ar-7 explorer .22 take down. Just a jamomatic.