Ruger vs. Charter Arms

[MikePaiN]

Between the Ruger LCR and Charter Arms Undercover, both are 5 shot, .38 +P, light weight and made for concealed carry.
Thought I'd ask for some opinions, since I'm at a toss up.
I've wanted an LCR since I've put eyeballs on them, I love the slick looks and thinness, not to mention the nice trigger and Ruger reliability. The LCR can be had here for $400
I've also been eyeballing the Charter Arms Undercover. The Undercovers might not have the looks of an LCR but these are well built right here in CT(~30min from my house), they offer more features than the LCR, different colors and grips, fully exposed hammer SA\DA, DAO enclosed hammer and a few "lite" modles tipping the scales at 12oz!, with the standard modle at 14oz. The CA revolvers are aluminium\steel constuction and go for ~$350

opinions, pls?

 

[Guillermo]

a nice J frame can be had for that

I would prefer that to either of the guns you mention

No matter what...shoot before you buy

light guns suck to shoot

 

[Walkalong]

I have no experience with either gun, but Ruger is miles ahead of Charter just in general.

 

[MikePaiN]

a nice J frame can be had for that

used vs. new....?
I know the J frames are the snubbie standard(or better said; used to be the standard). Now the only thing special I can say about them is they are over priced and have a lousy trigger.

 

[Guillermo]

Now the only thing special I can say about them is they are over priced and have a lousy trigger.

325 bucks will get you a nice used J frame. 350-375 like new. I do not consider that overpriced but such is just an opinion.

As to the trigger, my last J frame had a great trigger. Better than any currently made revolver that I have touched. (admittedly I look at older revolvers much more than the new garbage so maybe someone has stepped up)

 

[1KPerDay]

No matter what...shoot before you buy

light guns suck to shoot

+1

If you have no experience with tiny .38s, see if you can shoot one before you drop the money. They aren't particularly fun with anything close to hot loads.

IMO

But I haven't shot an LCR yet; my some reports recoil is noticably better.

 

[jad0110]

Between these two choices, personally I'd go with the LCR. Though I'd also throw a used S&W J Frame in there as an option, as they can be purchased for $350-$425, depending on the model. Used J Frames typically have much better (smoother) actions than NIB ones if they've been fired/dry fired frequently. My NIB 642 had a stiff, gritty trigger when new, but after 1,000 or so trigger pulls and a cleaning/relube of the internals, it slickened up quite nicely.

 

[Nushif]

I'm pretty sure neither of them are going to explode in your hand.

Really, just shoot both and see which one you can stand shooting more. Personally, I love shooting snubbies, but they're not everybody's cup of tea.

I have an LCR as both my plinking gun and carry piece, so I have nothing but good things to say about it. Haven't shot a charter Arms one yet, though.

 

[MikePaiN]

I'm not new to small guns, I had a PF9 for years and a PM40(talk about kick.....)
I also just purchased an 2.25" SP101 .357mag which I love, I use it for hiking carried OtW...Its got me wanting one of these small, light revolvers for daily concealed carry ItW.

As for the J's, sorry, but I have yet to squeeze the trigger of one and liked it or wanted to pay the price asked.

 

[GRIZ22]

325 bucks will get you a nice used J frame. 350-375 like new. I do not consider that overpriced but such is just an opinion.



Gun prices can vary widely across the country due to a lot of factors One is supply and demand. Areas that guns are more common (AZ, WY, TX, etc) may have higher prices as there is more demand. Areas where guns are less common (eg NYC area or NJ) may have high price as the supply is low.

I never shot a LCR but have owned several Charters. Charter isn't a bad gun but for $50 more I'd get the Ruger.

 

[bigben]

Just bought LCR, I had the choice of Charter Arms or LCR and the LCR had a better trigger pull, fit my hand better, and had the Ruger name. Shoots good with some felt recoil using plus P 158 gr. loads.

 

[MCgunner]

I know the J frames are the snubbie standard(or better said; used to be the standard). Now the only thing special I can say about them is they are over priced and have a lousy trigger.

Don't forget the frame hole...

I'll keep my little Taurus, but between those two, Ruger six ways to Sunday. If I didn't already have a fantastic ultralite .38, I'd be after an LCR. I had a Charter once. It fired, had a little timing problem that didn't seem to affect function. Didn't care much for the design. I've owned and do own Rugers. Have 7 if I include my 10/22 now. I've never been disappointed in Rugers. They're well made and of a superior design IMHO. The LCR represents their first REALLY carriable pocket revolver and the trigger is sweet. I liked my SP101, but it wasn't real pocket friendly, like putting a chunk of lead in your pocket. It was a great belt gun and .357s really shouldn't be much lighter than 27 ounces.

 

[Guillermo]

McGunner, if the choice of a Taurus were put in there I would have chosen that over the Ruger or the Charter.

I would still prefer a used J frame or the crown jewel of snubbies...detective special (I have found a lace to buy first gen DSs for 300 bucks...but I am not telling

 

[jkulysses]

I personally wouldn't even say Ruger and Charter Arms in the same sentence lol. There's not one thing that Charter Arms does better than Ruger other than maybe a little more affordable price but Ruger's are very reasonably priced too compared to others. I'm a little biased too though my dad was always a big Ruger fan so that's what I grew up shooting.

 

[Guillermo]

JKU

That is not entirely accurate.

Charter makes a traditional, all metal snubbie.

Ruger only makes ultra light (LCR) or midsize (SP101) where the Charter is more like a K frame sized, all metal gun.

 

[MCgunner]

Well, if you're lookin' at USED guns, Ruger did make the Six series, which is of a K frame size. I had one, well made gun. There were things I didn't like about it compared to the M19 Smith I bought a year later. But, it was of K frame size and a better, stronger design than the K frame IMHO. I put a SLICK trigger job on that thing, too. The 19 didn't need it.

Ruger does make lighter half lugged versions of the GP100 now days. I still think the Six is missing as an option. They could scale up the SP101 to K frame 6 shot size and have a better gun than either the GP or the Six IMHO. THAT little gun is STRONG and light compared to the bigger guns. I think it's the jewel in the line up, personally.

Ruger never has had much of a selection of carry guns in the past, might have been ol' Bill's bias against personal defense by civilians combined for his obsession with strong, overbuilt guns, don't know. But, ol' Bill passed on and someone else is running the show, now, so things seem to be improving.

 

[BHP FAN]

may as well ask, S&W vs. RG.

 

[snooperman]

The Ruger LCR is a fine carry gun...

and the trigger is very smooth. I have 11 different snubby revolvers and after shooting my brothers little LCR, I had to buy one recently . It is my carry gun , most of the time now, after 35 years with the Colt Detective . For a light weight gun the recoil is not too bad at all. I keep it loaded with +P ammo and carry it IWB and some times in the pocket, depending on what I am wearing. I think it is superioir to the Charter guns. My 2 cents.

 

[Fat Boy]

I have fired about 20 rounds from an LCR, none from a Charter Arms gun. In that 20 rounds (from a new gun, BTW) I had one light strike failure to fire. I have always admired the way Ruger guns are "overbuilt". I am not sure that is the case with the LCR-

I have always admired Charter Arms products, but have no idea how strong their most recent products are. Simply on reputation, Ruger would get the nod from me between the two guns you mentioned- although I still think from time to time I ought to check out the newer Charter offerings

 

[MCgunner]

may as well ask, S&W vs. RG.

RG, definitely...No lock....

 

[9mmepiphany]

i've been carrying a S&W 642 for years and if i had to choose today, the easy choice would be the Ruger LCR...mostly for the trigger and the index in my hand. i should add that, rather than being a Ruger fan, i think the SP-101 and GP-100 are bricks and wouldn't consider owning either.

the 642 action can be tuned very nicely...mine has been...but the LCR is pretty good out of the box and much better than the last handful of J-frames i've handled in the last year.

Charter arms is a very serviceable gun and i would rate it comparable to Taurus...but then i lust after a Taurus chambered in 9mm

 

[joed]

Charter should have gone out of business years ago, it pains me that they are still around. Get anything else.

 

[gmh1013]

I like Rugers ...alot. That being said my Sp101 snub is one of my fav revolvers...its built like a Russian Tank. I have only shot the LCR 5 rounds with 110 Winchester silvertips.
and I was surprised (shocked really) at the lack of pain in my hand.
Its not a SP101 but Im sure its a fine little pocket gun.....
Last time I picked up a Charter Arms it felt very cheap ....A Rossi has a better feel and
is better made IMHO