Charter Arms Undercover .38spl questions

[jimmywalkabout]

I have the opportunity to pick up an older style blued Charter Arms Undercover .38spl with a 3" barrel for $140 out the door. Does anyone have experience with the older model Charter Arms? If so, were there any problems experienced? This gun has a steel frame, aluminum trigger guard which extends down through the grip frame and also has the original smooth walnut grips with Charter Arms medallions embedded in them on both sides. The serial number is 2137xx. It's in basically near new condition (probably 95%) with only a small scratch on the exposed blued aluminum back strap between the back of the grips and of course a very faint cylinder drag line from use. The gun is fairly tight (a bit tighter than the few new models I've handled at new-gun counters) and they cylinder locks up tight and the trigger is quite a bit lighter, smoother and crisper. (I've noticed that the new ones have plastic trigger guards as well as have very gritty stiff trigger pulls). I understand clearly that this revolver is NOT on par with S&W or Ruger revolvers as overall quality goes, but the price seems right to me if I'm not mistaken. Are there worries about these guns like chronic problems/typical issues, etc?

--Jimmywalkabout

 

[Harrison]

My wife has a Charter Arms Off Duty, that I bought back in 1985. It is a little steel 5 shot 38 special, 2" barrel. About the size of an early chief's special. Probably similar to your Undercover. I think I paid less than $100.00 for it new.

It mostly sits in a bedside stand. It gets taken out about twice a year and a couple of dozen rounds of medium load 38s get shot through it. Then cleaned, lubed and put away. The gun itself is a solid little piece, by now it probably has between 2-3 hundred rounds through it.

Like I said it is solid, locks up tight, trigger is so-so. Quality control seem good. It is a plain jane carry piece, with a matt finish. Nothing fancy about it. It always shots and twists around in your hand because of small smooth wood grips. I can keep all shots in a man sized target out to about 10 yards. Its not a target gun.

 

[jimmywalkabout]

Ya, that sounds like probably the same gun except that this one has a 3" barrel and glossy bluing (not matte). Are these .38 special only or would it handle +P? Does anyone know what year this would have been made?

 

[straightshooter1]

Got one the first year they came out. Not nearly as nice as a Model 36, but always worked and a bit lighter. Still have one today. It shoots fine, looks a bit rough (but at $60 out the door, who cares?).

I use it for a car gun and as a loaner if someone needs to borrow a handgun.

$140 seems like a good buy-I'd pay that for an older one like the one I have.

Bob

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I think that is a good deal. I would say you could make a few bucks with it at a gun show. Don

 

[cowboy117]

I have an older Charter Arms Undercover Snubby in .38 Special with Pachmayr grips.No problems.Serial #4978**.It's not my main CCW now but was for 6 years.I still shoot it at the range.$140 seems like a good deal.

 

[sheriffoconee]

Buying a firearm like that for 140 bucks seems like something I did, except mine was a Bulldog in 44 spl. I have no emotional attachment to it, but it works. I shoot it a couple of times a year. I have loaned it out and not worried about it, and if I take a trip, or spend any time in the metro Atlanta area I keep it close in the car for those times when I stop for fuel or food.

 

[CajunBass]

I just bought one myself a couple of months ago. Paid a bit more for it that the price you mentioned, but still less than a Taurus 85 and about half the cost of a Smith & Wesson. I haven't shot it a lot, but I haven't found anything to complain about. It's got a pretty snappy recoil, but it's a light gun with small grips. It should kick a bit.

It's becoming my favorite carry gun.

 

[GatorFarmer]

It's easily worth about twice that. The older Charter guns were fine, I have a 3" Pathfinder and I've had two or three of the .44s, while my great aunt kept a .38 by her bed for 30 years. In theory, all steel frame Charters have always been capable of +P loads, or so a company rep told me in the 1990s.

I'd buy it. Good trading stock if nothing else.

You'll probably want to replace the stocks with Pachs.

 

[jimmywalkabout]

I bought it and shot it today. It shoots pretty well and I was quite pleased with this inexpensive little revolver! The trigger is not actually all that bad and accuracy at 10 yards grouped 5 shots in about 4 inches. Some rubber grips would be a nice upgrade for this little gun as the wood grips are a bit too short and skinny for my otherwise already thin hands. The gun wasn't bad to shoot by any means, but I think I will start looking for some grips to soften the recoil just a bit and give this piece a better feel. Does Uncle Mikes make grips for this like the ones on the S&W J-frames?

 

[BUFF]

Pachmayr does, or did. I put a set on one we bought in 1980. Still have the gun. Not shot much and only with standard velocity ammo. They have good, wide sights. The screws sometimes come loose, especialy the one in the frame that touches the rear of the cylinder's ejector rod assembly. Loctite is your friend here.

 

[cowboy117]

Look on E-Bay for Pachmayr grips.Good investment.