I will have a cheap and ugly gun!
- Thread starter Rick_A
- Start date
Vulcannut
Member
I own a couple of Charter Arms and often pocket carry a Nitrate finished Undercover model. A few years ago, while living in CT, my wife and I were invited to their facility and were given a tour by the owner. He, and the entire team, are good people. I got to test fire a few guns while there as well.
The invite to my wife and I wasn't unique. We didn't know anyone there and are not anyone special ourselves. I sent an email to them with some questions on one of their models. Once they found out I was in CT they invited me down.
A year or so later I was concerned that my Charter Arms Mag Pug was getting "loose". I ran countless .357 through it. They invited me back and completely rebuilt the gun while I was there and gave me some nice wood grips from their "blemished" drawer. The gun was still in spec and ran fine. I went their just so they could check it out. They didn't need to do anything to it.
I would not hesitate to purchase another Charter Arms firearms in fact I plan on picking up one of their newly released Professional models at some point.
The invite to my wife and I wasn't unique. We didn't know anyone there and are not anyone special ourselves. I sent an email to them with some questions on one of their models. Once they found out I was in CT they invited me down.
A year or so later I was concerned that my Charter Arms Mag Pug was getting "loose". I ran countless .357 through it. They invited me back and completely rebuilt the gun while I was there and gave me some nice wood grips from their "blemished" drawer. The gun was still in spec and ran fine. I went their just so they could check it out. They didn't need to do anything to it.
I would not hesitate to purchase another Charter Arms firearms in fact I plan on picking up one of their newly released Professional models at some point.
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My one brother had a cabin back in the sticks. One morning he is sitting in the outhouse when he hears something at the door. It swings open and he is face to face with a black bear. That took care of my brothers business. The bear was as surprised as my brother and left the county at speed.
OP
Rick_A
Member
I have nothing against HiPoint. Aside from a broken firing pin from an early generation model, every one I've seen not working was due to poor maintenance or neglect.
I like to say that they're the cheapest pistol that actually works. Unfortunately the demographic that usually buys such guns is often clueless as to proper maintenance and lubrication.
In general, a large majority of gun problems I see on the range are indeed owner induced.
OP
Rick_A
Member
Seeing as the S&W's I sold were roughly 3x the price, I'd disagree...and most of the ammo I have was purchased before everyone bought all the ammo.Rick, when you say that you will have a "cheap and ugly gun," I have to make a small correction. Nowadays, there ain't no such thing as a "cheap" gun. No such thing as cheap ammo either.
max503
Member
Don't call any gun cheap and ugly. That's abusive! Be nice to your guns and they will be nice to you.
For real - I had a professor in college who always said, "I never met a gun I didn't like". This country needs more teachers like that.
For real - I had a professor in college who always said, "I never met a gun I didn't like". This country needs more teachers like that.
I have had one of the early Bulldogs since 1978. I have been satisfied with mine. The screws like to loosen and trigger pin likes to walk, but routine maintenance and a drop of Loc-tite fixes that. The Pachmyars are a useful addition for me.
The fit and finish are OK. It will deliver hand size groups at 50 feet shooting factory Remingtons double action. It fits the same holsters as a 3 inch Detective Special.
Like the man said, "It's good enough for who it's for."
The fit and finish are OK. It will deliver hand size groups at 50 feet shooting factory Remingtons double action. It fits the same holsters as a 3 inch Detective Special.
Like the man said, "It's good enough for who it's for."
OP
Rick_A
Member
How about inexpensive and utilitarian in appearance?Don't call any gun cheap and ugly. That's abusive! Be nice to your guns and they will be nice to you.
For real - I had a professor in college who always said, "I never met a gun I didn't like". This country needs more teachers like that.
OP
Rick_A
Member
Sounds about right. I'll admit that I like the looks of the classic Bulldogs.I have had one of the early Bulldogs since 1978. I have been satisfied with mine. The screws like to loosen and trigger pin likes to walk, but routine maintenance and a drop of Loc-tite fixes that. The Pachmyars are a useful addition for me.
The fit and finish are OK. It will deliver hand size groups at 50 feet shooting factory Remingtons double action. It fits the same holsters as a 3 inch Detective Special.
Like the man said, "It's good enough for who it's for."
I had several Charter Arms in 70s & 80s, I could kick myself for buying them.
OP
Rick_A
Member
Got it in today. Finish is not great. Fit is not bad mechanically but is pretty bad cosmetically. Nothing quite lines up right. The frame screws were loose. It locks up pretty solid with minimal play. The trigger isn't bad at all, either...just the weird toy like feel to it that these are famous for. The front sight is nice and fits the sight groove in the frame perfectly.
Fired a couple of quick cylinders of 130gr Fiocchi (@950FPS) at seven yards and found it hitting a bit low. I'd like to try some 158's, but have none at this time, unfortunately. With the Pachmayr grips it's a 20oz gun. It's a bit peppy feeling, but still relatively comfortable to shoot.
20210706_134419 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr
20210706_150550 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr
20210706_150847 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr
Fired a couple of quick cylinders of 130gr Fiocchi (@950FPS) at seven yards and found it hitting a bit low. I'd like to try some 158's, but have none at this time, unfortunately. With the Pachmayr grips it's a 20oz gun. It's a bit peppy feeling, but still relatively comfortable to shoot.
20210706_134419 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr
20210706_150550 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr
20210706_150847 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr
BourbonCowboy
Member
I love my Charters. I've had an Off Duty Special for about 15 years...and now i let my wife use it when travelling. I'm a lefty, so I found a Southpaw in excellent shape. Locks up tight, decent enough trigger, and the finish is pretty good. I bought a Berne Echo One concealment coat and mounted a small kydex holster in the hidden pocket. It works perfectly. I'm definitely a fan.
Here on the left is my vintage Charter Undercover SN 117XXX made
sometime between 1966 & 1974 In Bridgeport. I have been told these
made in Bridgeport during those years had the best finish and triggers.
I know mine does. It's a keeper.
On the right is a Charter 2000 Undercover. It came with the little boot
grips. I didn't like them. I called Charter early one morning. A man
answered. I told him what I had bought and why I didn't like them.
He said I'll just send you some new full size combats. I asked can you do
that. He said I think I can, I'm the President. When the package came
the full size combats were there plus some wood grips and some Hip Grips.
Needless to say I was impressed with Charter's customer service.
sometime between 1966 & 1974 In Bridgeport. I have been told these
made in Bridgeport during those years had the best finish and triggers.
I know mine does. It's a keeper.
On the right is a Charter 2000 Undercover. It came with the little boot
grips. I didn't like them. I called Charter early one morning. A man
answered. I told him what I had bought and why I didn't like them.
He said I'll just send you some new full size combats. I asked can you do
that. He said I think I can, I'm the President. When the package came
the full size combats were there plus some wood grips and some Hip Grips.
Needless to say I was impressed with Charter's customer service.
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OLDSTER
Member
CA will make things right for you. They have a market niche, and want to make sure to keep it. I've been a CA fan for years. Just a darn good, solid, dependable revolver. They've never pretended to be a S&W, Colt, or Dan Wesson.
My father-in-law left me a Charter Arms Undercover. Decent little guns. I gave it to one of his grandsons....because I'm a Smithaholic.
hyena
Member
When I bought my .45 Pitbull it shot to right of point of aim. IIRC, about 1.5 inches at 7 yards. CA paid for the return shipping, put a new barrel on it, and had it back to me within two or three weeks, again if I recall. Fixed the problem. Excellent customer service.
OP
Rick_A
Member
As an update I got a hold of some 158 grain ammo. The POI did not change significantly. I had to use a sight picture similar to the lower left in this diagram:
The sight base would have to be milled flush to correct it. Not sure if it's worth sending back. It would be my only handgun that doesn't hit to POA.
The sight base would have to be milled flush to correct it. Not sure if it's worth sending back. It would be my only handgun that doesn't hit to POA.
dsf
Member
Remember when Crocodile Dundee pulled out a machete and said "now that's a knife ..."?
Well, now this is an ugly gun.
Well, now this is an ugly gun.
THE PILGRIM
Member
Repeat - when my FIL flew with the Brit in a Mosquito from Casablanca to Marrakesh, the Brit Pilot was carrying a Webley.
It was attached to a Lanyard. He took it out of the Holster and laid it on a side Console.
My FIL? He was carrying his Issued 1917.
It was attached to a Lanyard. He took it out of the Holster and laid it on a side Console.
My FIL? He was carrying his Issued 1917.
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