[November]

I handled a Charter Arms Off Duty .38 today and it is small. Does S&W or anyone else make a smaller or same size .38?

[Stand_Watie]

I have one of those Charters. My wife had a "Charco" (same company I think) that was the same size, but of some sort of alloy - it was lighter and had a bobbed hammer. I think that those are copies of the Smith and Wesson "Chiefs special".

[Tamara]

J-frames and Small-frame Taurii are smaller than Charter Off-Duty's, right?

[November]

Maybe I'm nuts, but this revolver felt/looked/seemed smaller than a J-frame sitting right next to it on the shelf. Maybe it's smaller due to the no sideplate design or simpler lockwork? I think that the Charter Off Duty is a tad smaller than the Charter Undercover. It could very well be the same size as a J-frame but certainly no bigger. I remember handling an "old" model 60 in .38 that seemed very small also. Are model 60s built beefier now? Thanks

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

November, I have an "old model" 60 S&W,
chambered for .38 Special ONLY; and with about
a 1-7/8" barrel and the letter "R" serial prefix.

You are correct, they are small; but they're not
the lightest revolver made, even by S&W. That
distinction is held by the Ti and Sc series from
S&W. For FYI, the "old model 60" weighs in at
just 19 ozs. unloaded. Thats light enough for
me.

New model 60's can be found stamped 60-9, or
60-10 and chambered for the .357 magnum. I
think weight runs from about 23 ozs, to 24.5
for the model with adjustable sight's and fully
under lugged barrel?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[john_dode]

I listed mine at gunbroker.com just recently. Search for 14891114

jd

[Tamara]

I think that the Charter Off Duty is a tad smaller than the Charter Undercover.

Ah, I was thinking of the Undercover for some reason. Not sure I've seen an Off-Duty next to a J-frame...

[Ala Dan]

Tamara-

If I remember correctly, the Charter Arms "Off Duty" is
basically the same gun as the regular "Undercover" model
with a bit better cosmetics; such as matte blue finish
and a red dot front sight.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[FPrice]

I have both a Charter Arms Undercover and a S&W M37. IIRC they are very close in weight and size. And both are lighter than a S&W M36/60. But we are talking very minor differences here.

My Charter Arms is from the "old" company (roughly 1980?) and so is of better quality than the newer models. I'll have to try to get them all together this evening and see how they differ in size and weight.

[James Bondrock]

The two major makers of five-shot .38 Spl revolvers are Smith & Wesson and Taurus. In external dimensions, they are of roughly equal size. I do think these are very slightly smaller than the Charter Arms/Charco. Ruger's SP101 is consciously designed to be larger and heavier than any of the above. The Colt Detective Special/Cobra/Agent revolvers are also larger, but these are not five-shooters, either. The weight of the S&W and Taurus five-shooters varies considerably depending on which combination of cylinder/frame material is selected.

[FPrice]

Here is a pic of my three .38 SPL j-frame size revolvers. From left to right they are:

1. S&W M37, 12.5 oz, maybe 13 or 13.5 with the Tyler T-grip.
2. Charter Arms Undercover, 16.5 oz.
3. S&W M60, 19 oz.

With the first two I tend to stick to lightweight, standard pressure loads. Right now I am using the Federal 110 gr Hydrashok; this load seems to be very accurate. I switched from the WW 110 Silvertip because that had too much muzzle flash. With the M60 I will use 158 +P LSWCHPs.


http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=720341

[Ala Dan]

Nice looking snubby collection there Mr. Frosty:D

That "old model" 60 by Smith & Wesson looks kind'a
familiar; like a twin to the one that lies in MY stable.
It would be hard to beat the S&W model 37 for all
day carry; or the 60 for shooting several volleys of
ammo! ;) take care~

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Stand_Watie]

Fprice

How can I tell what era my Charter is from? Would you be able to tell from the serial #?

[einnor1040]

I have a "OFF DUTY". Great little gun. I bought it new in the late '80s.

[Peakbagr]

Timely topic.
My brother in law passed away about 18 months ago and I was asked to dispose of his firearms. Sold 2 of them but a beautiful Chief's Special sat on consignment unsold.
I was told to keep it, so after filling out the paperwork, took possession 3 days ago. Got Pac rubber grips and a Kydec paddle holster. Hope the below zero temps warm up soon so I can take it out on the range.
What a sweet little gun.

PB

[SapperLeader]

I was at a gunshow yesterday where I saw some of these charter arms undercovers. They seem to be great guns, especially at the price. The recent article in SWAT, made me first aware of them, and I think Ill keep an eye out for a used one. The frame seemed a little larger than my s&w 642, but it also seemed a little lighter.

[FPrice]

"How can I tell what era my Charter is from? Would you be able to tell from the serial #?"

I can't, I don't have any references for Charter Arms. But try contacting Charter Arms at:

http://www.charterfirearms.com/

They should be able to help you.

[Dave T]

They seem to be great guns...

That impression will fade once you start shooting it a lot!

[goon]

That impression will fade once you start shooting it a lot!

Is that because of some quality problem or because of the light weight and increased recoil?
I have been eyeing up a Charter Arms snubby too, so I would like to get some information on this.

[FPrice]

My Model 60 dates back to about late '72 or early '73 by serial number (R80,xxx). It's a tight little gun, seems to have been shot little but carried a lot.

[Stand_Watie]

Fprice, thanks - I sent them an email.

[Dave T]

goon,

I have owned four of them, a 38 Undercover, a blue Bulldog 44 and two stainless Bulldog 44s. All developed functional problems after a bit of shooting (from a few dozen to a few hundred rounds).

When I was the firearms instructor for my department I saw a number of them used for "off duty weapons" qualification. Many of those would not make it through the 30 round course of fire.

Since retiring and becoming a CCW instructor I continue to see them occasionally in my classes. Of the new breed (Charco I think?) I have seen three of them shoot off the barrel shroud in the first box of ammo (less than 50 rounds).

I suppose there are people who have them and love them. If you do, more power to you. I wouldn't walk across the street to be handed one for free.

YMMV!

[November]

That model 37 is nice. What model number is the stainless version?

[tomkatz]

November.......The 37 is an alloy frame so if you want shiny they come in nickel.
Dave T.......I also had some bad luck with charter arms years ago and have been a smith and ruger revolver guy ever since :D ........tom

[Tamara]

That model 37 is nice. What model number is the stainless version?

The Model 637.

[cdbeaver]

My S&W Chief's Special is so old it doesn't even have a model number. SN is 18xxx. Got it in a trade in the late 1950's.

Looking to upgrade a bit now, but can't make up my mind what to get. I'm partial to S&W, but the Ruger GP100 looks pretty nice.