Charter 32HR 6 shot #73220

Some people have asked about weight. Without grips, the revolver comes in at 12.45oz. The factory grips including the screw add 2.02oz.

Some of you may also be wondering what you get in terms of fit and finish for a sub $400 snub nowadays.
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You don't get the best machining, but for the money, it's purely subjective. As far as the critical areas that I have been able to measure I've been pleased so far. I passed an RCBS 32-098 SWC sized at .312 through each chamber throat and all needed slight finger pressure to exit. I wasn't able to obtain decent pictures of the chambers and bore but I did not see any errant chattering or other abnormalities. The cylinder gap looks tight and endshake feels minimal.

Brass will be the last thing I need to do a full evaluation but if you have further questions I'll try to answer them.
 
blue32 said:
Some people have asked about weight. Without grips, the revolver comes in at 12.45oz. The factory grips including the screw add 2.02oz.

Some of you may also be wondering what you get in terms of fit and finish for a sub $400 snub nowadays.
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You don't get the best machining, but for the money, it's purely subjective. As far as the critical areas that I have been able to measure I've been pleased so far. I passed an RCBS 32-098 SWC sized at .312 through each chamber throat and all needed slight finger pressure to exit. I wasn't able to obtain decent pictures of the chambers and bore but I did not see any errant chattering or other abnormalities. The cylinder gap looks tight and endshake feels minimal.

Brass will be the last thing I need to do a full evaluation but if you have further questions I'll try to answer them.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pics, @blue32! It sure isn’t finished as well as my 1970 Charter Arms.

But, my thinking is that all my pocket guns end up looking really piss poor after a few years of carry. So, I’m looking for proper function and shootability above looks. :)
 
blue32 said:
Some people have asked about weight. Without grips, the revolver comes in at 12.45oz. The factory grips including the screw add 2.02oz.

Some of you may also be wondering what you get in terms of fit and finish for a sub $400 snub nowadays.
View attachment 1075565

View attachment 1075566

View attachment 1075567

View attachment 1075568

You don't get the best machining, but for the money, it's purely subjective. As far as the critical areas that I have been able to measure I've been pleased so far. I passed an RCBS 32-098 SWC sized at .312 through each chamber throat and all needed slight finger pressure to exit. I wasn't able to obtain decent pictures of the chambers and bore but I did not see any errant chattering or other abnormalities. The cylinder gap looks tight and endshake feels minimal.

Brass will be the last thing I need to do a full evaluation but if you have further questions I'll try to answer them.
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I'm eager to hear about its double action trigger pull weight, and of course report after a range trip. Thanks for the pix.
 
There is nothing wrong with a CA revolver. Only thing I get picky on is the grips and the smaller ones you can get from CA is pretty good. I do wish for some better wood grips, though. But that is purely subjective.

As much as I want to get a 32, I will stick with my 38s, for now. CA has their new 6 shot BOXER, which is a 38 on the Bulldog frame, that I’m eyeing. And I have a whole 550c and T7 turret head set up dedicated for just 38 special. I hate to part with them are start all over. If I did, big IF, I have a new Lyman All American Eight Turret sitting in a box that would work. And I doubt I would do anything other than DEWCs, which seem to be my go to anymore.

But it’s also hard to explain why I have almost 500 pieces of new 32 Mag brass and a DEWC mold for the chambering too! LOL
 
LeftyRed said:
There is nothing wrong with a CA revolver. Only thing I get picky on is the grips and the smaller ones you can get from CA is pretty good. I do wish for some better wood grips, though. But that is purely subjective.

As much as I want to get a 32, I will stick with my 38s, for now. CA has their new 6 shot BOXER, which is a 38 on the Bulldog frame, that I’m eyeing. And I have a whole 550c and T7 turret head set up dedicated for just 38 special. I hate to part with them are start all over. If I did, big IF, I have a new Lyman All American Eight Turret sitting in a box that would work. And I doubt I would do anything other than DEWCs, which seem to be my go to anymore.

But it’s also hard to explain why I have almost 500 pieces of new 32 Mag brass and a DEWC mold for the chambering too! LOL
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The Boxer has a Aluminum frame ( Bulldog size)
The Police Bulldog is a 6 shot is a steel frame

both would be a great choice
 
Picked up my CA-ett today. Though the listing description said steel frame 5 shot, it's actually an aluminum frame 6 shot but I'm not complaining. Took it right out to the shop for a clean/lube and inspection and here's the poop for those inquiring minds. Hitting the range tomorrow.

Cylinder gap - .005"
End Shake - .003"
Throat Diameters - .314" to .3145"
Barrel Groove - .314"
SA Trigger - 2-1/2 to 2-3/4 #
DA Trigger - 9 to 9-1/2 #


CA.jpg CA1.jpg CA2.jpg CA3.jpg
 
Has it misfired yet?

In Februrary, 2021 I purchased a new Undercoverette, steel frame 6-shot model. Right out of the box, the cylinder was misaligned and it spit bullet jacket into my face. A range rod would not pass down the bore through the chambers. The yoke looked like it was fitted with a hammer and a rough file.

It was promptly returned to Charter Arms on their dime. A month later it came back repaired. The ejector rod was now so tight it the head could not be removed without tools. Immediately started misfiring - light hits in both DA and SA. Went back again to Charter on their dime.

Over a month later it was returned "repaired". Started misfiring again within 50 rounds. I thought it was a primer problem so tried different ammo. It all misfired 20-50% of the time. Went back to Charter AGAIN (3x). This time the gunsmith called me and said they haven't been making many steel frame guns and this one might have to be replaced with a aluminum frame version. A few months go by and in February, 2022 I received a replacement Undercoverette, 6-shot aluminum frame. This was a year after buying the original and being continually frustrated.

The replacement was nicely finished, no sharp edges. However, within the first 25 rounds, the trigger stopped returning. It appeared to be catching on the cylinder stop leg and the trigger spring couldn't overcome it. ANOTHER RETURN to Charter.

A month later it comes back. Very nice trigger pull. Within 50 rounds, it starts misfiring in double action. Two to three rounds in every cylinder - obvious light hits, usually firing on the second attempt. I'm starting to think it's me. I try yet other ammo. Same results. I put the same ammo - three different types - into my S&W 432 and 31-1 and it all fires 100%. Ammo out of the same box that misfired in the Undercoverette.

I'm done. I've wasted over 500 rounds of expensive .32 S&W Long and .32 H&R Mag ammo in Undercoverettes that don't work. This is Taurus-level quality. Something did not make the transition from 5-shot to 6-shot. Calling Charter tomorrow and want either a refund or a different model.

BTW... not a Charter-hater as I own SEVEN other Charter Arms revolvers - Bulldog Classic, 41 Mag Pug, Professional, Undercover High Polish, etc - and NONE of them had problems like these. I've given them way more chances than is reasonable to get this one right. Yes the customer service is friendly. But it has to be, you will be using it often.
 
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BC17A said:
Picked up my CA-ett today. Though the listing description said steel frame 5 shot, it's actually an aluminum frame 6 shot but I'm not complaining. Took it right out to the shop for a clean/lube and inspection and here's the poop for those inquiring minds. Hitting the range tomorrow.

Cylinder gap - .005"
End Shake - .003"
Throat Diameters - .314" to .3145"
Barrel Groove - .314"
SA Trigger - 2-1/2 to 2-3/4 #
DA Trigger - 9 to 9-1/2 #


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Yours looks good! :cool:

I'm hoping that mine is the 6 shot version, otherwise I'll be sending it back.

I'm also hoping us 2022 buyers get good shooters. :)
 
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Boom Vang said:
Has it misfired yet?

In Februrary, 2021 I purchased a new Undercoverette, steel frame 6-shot model. Right out of the box, the cylinder was misaligned and it spit bullet jacket into my face. A range rod would not pass down the bore through the chambers. The yoke looked like it was fitted with a hammer and a rough file.

It was promptly returned to Charter Arms on their dime. A month later it came back repaired. The ejector rod was now so tight it the head could not be removed without tools. Immediately started misfiring - light hits in both DA and SA. Went back again to Charter on their dime.

Over a month later it was returned "repaired". Started misfiring again within 50 rounds. I thought it was a primer problem so tried different ammo. It all misfired 20-50% of the time. Went back to Charter AGAIN (3x). This time the gunsmith called me and said they haven't been making many steel frame guns and this one might have to be replaced with a aluminum frame version. A few months go by and in February, 2022 I received a replacement Undercoverette, 6-shot aluminum frame. This was a year after buying the original and being continually frustrated.

The replacement was nicely finished, no sharp edges. However, within the first 25 rounds, the trigger stopped returning. It appeared to be catching on the cylinder stop leg and the trigger spring couldn't overcome it. ANOTHER RETURN to Charter.

A month later it comes back. Very nice trigger pull. Within 50 rounds, it starts misfiring in double action. Two to three rounds in every cylinder - obvious light hits, usually firing on the second attempt. I'm starting to think it's me. I try yet other ammo. Same results. I put the same ammo - three different types - into my S&W 432 and 31-1 and it all fires 100%. Ammo out of the same box that misfired in the Undercoverette.

I'm done. I've wasted over 500 rounds of expensive .32 S&W Long and .32 H&R Mag ammo in Undercoverettes that don't work. This is Taurus-level quality. Something did not make the transition from 5-shot to 6-shot. Calling Charter tomorrow and want either a refund or a different model.

BTW... not a Charter-hater as I own SEVEN other Charter Arms revolvers - Bulldog Classic, 41 Mag Pug, Professional, Undercover High Polish, etc - and NONE of them had problems like these. I've given them way more chances than is reasonable to get this one right. Yes the customer service is friendly. But it has to be, you will be using it often.
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That sucks! Sorry to hear of your ordeal with that revolver.

I haven't even got mine yet. When I do, I'll get some .32 Long ammo on order as testing ammo. So it might be a few weeks before mine gets fired.
 
Boom Vang said:
Has it misfired yet?

In Februrary, 2021 I purchased a new Undercoverette, steel frame 6-shot model. Right out of the box, the cylinder was misaligned and it spit bullet jacket into my face. A range rod would not pass down the bore through the chambers. The yoke looked like it was fitted with a hammer and a rough file.

It was promptly returned to Charter Arms on their dime. A month later it came back repaired. The ejector rod was now so tight it the head could not be removed without tools. Immediately started misfiring - light hits in both DA and SA. Went back again to Charter on their dime.

Over a month later it was returned "repaired". Started misfiring again within 50 rounds. I thought it was a primer problem so tried different ammo. It all misfired 20-50% of the time. Went back to Charter AGAIN (3x). This time the gunsmith called me and said they haven't been making many steel frame guns and this one might have to be replaced with a aluminum frame version. A few months go by and in February, 2022 I received a replacement Undercoverette, 6-shot aluminum frame. This was a year after buying the original and being continually frustrated.

The replacement was nicely finished, no sharp edges. However, within the first 25 rounds, the trigger stopped returning. It appeared to be catching on the cylinder stop leg and the trigger spring couldn't overcome it. ANOTHER RETURN to Charter.

A month later it comes back. Very nice trigger pull. Within 50 rounds, it starts misfiring in double action. Two to three rounds in every cylinder - obvious light hits, usually firing on the second attempt. I'm starting to think it's me. I try yet other ammo. Same results. I put the same ammo - three different types - into my S&W 432 and 31-1 and it all fires 100%. Ammo out of the same box that misfired in the Undercoverette.

I'm done. I've wasted over 500 rounds of expensive .32 S&W Long and .32 H&R Mag ammo in Undercoverettes that don't work. This is Taurus-level quality. Something did not make the transition from 5-shot to 6-shot. Calling Charter tomorrow and want either a refund or a different model.

BTW... not a Charter-hater as I own SEVEN other Charter Arms revolvers - Bulldog Classic, 41 Mag Pug, Professional, Undercover High Polish, etc - and NONE of them had problems like these. I've given them way more chances than is reasonable to get this one right. Yes the customer service is friendly. But it has to be, you will be using it often.
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Big Charter fan here also .. but I too went the the return gambit once upon a time ..
Overall I really like the company… a bunch .. but I had a Friday afternoon Bulldog… and had to return it twice … it was fixed …
It functioned perfectly and I traded it … and bought another with in a month and this one is perfect…

32 H&R Revolver
5 to 6 shot ? Transition problems??
Im waiting a year to purchase one …
A year goes by fast ….

I have a LCR327 … so Im good
The Charter is smaller & lighter …though
 
Mine has arrived, too. A 6-shooter as hoped. :cool:

All the metal (and polymer) on this one looks well done . . . except the barrel. The barrel looks like the other guns in this thread. Like a gunsmith student finished it with a grinder instead of a CNC machine. Oh well, at least the bore looks good.

The cylinder locks up nice and tight, just like my other Charter Arms revolver. I need to polish up the center pin to reduce gouging the aluminum frame. I'm going to try some of my .32 ACP snap caps tonight since I have to wait on an order of proper ammo to come in.

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I hate to be the one that posts this but.... as a mother's day gift I purchased a new Pink Lady .38spl. using snap caps and empty chambers I found that the gun locks up on occasion. There is a .44spl bulldog video recently load on youtube about the same problem.

I sent an email to C.A. and will see if I can take this back to the shop and have them do all the shipping since I cannot be home for a gun return.
 
Hit the range earlier today and ran 150 rounds through the 32-ett without issue. All cases extracted easily from the cylinder but a few times near the end I had to force some of the magnums to seat. Guess that's what I get for firing a mix of longs and magnums. Accuracy at 7 to 8 yards was very good though impact was low left with everything fired. At first I thought it might be me but that wasn't the case. Right or left handed, double or single, rest or off hand all went low left. The Black Hills 85gn XTP 32 mags were the worst with groups at about 3" low left. 100gn Fiocchi long wad-cutters were the best at only 1.5" L/L. 98gn Magtech round nose longs were all over the place, looked like a shotgun pattern. Now that I've got some brass to reload I'll work on getting the best with some 100gn XTPs, then nip the top and right side of the sight as needed.

catarget.jpg catarget2.jpg
 
BC17A said:
Hit the range earlier today and ran 150 rounds through the 32-ett without issue. All cases extracted easily from the cylinder but a few times near the end I had to force some of the magnums to seat. Guess that's what I get for firing a mix of longs and magnums. Accuracy at 7 to 8 yards was very good though impact was low left with everything fired. At first I thought it might be me but that wasn't the case. Right or left handed, double or single, rest or off hand all went low left. The Black Hills 85gn XTP 32 mags were the worst with groups at about 3" low left. 100gn Fiocchi long wad-cutters were the best at only 1.5" L/L. 98gn Magtech round nose longs were all over the place, looked like a shotgun pattern. Now that I've got some brass to reload I'll work on getting the best with some 100gn XTPs, then nip the top and right side of the sight as needed.

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Thanks for the report. Every gun has its favorites. You will find it! Not bad shooting for a little light snubbie!
 
JERRY said:
I hate to be the one that posts this but.... as a mother's day gift I purchased a new Pink Lady .38spl. using snap caps and empty chambers I found that the gun locks up on occasion. There is a .44spl bulldog video recently load on youtube about the same problem.

I sent an email to C.A. and will see if I can take this back to the shop and have them do all the shipping since I cannot be home for a gun return.
Click to expand...

I hope they get you fixed up quick!
 
BC17A said:
Hit the range earlier today and ran 150 rounds through the 32-ett without issue. All cases extracted easily from the cylinder but a few times near the end I had to force some of the magnums to seat. Guess that's what I get for firing a mix of longs and magnums. Accuracy at 7 to 8 yards was very good though impact was low left with everything fired. At first I thought it might be me but that wasn't the case. Right or left handed, double or single, rest or off hand all went low left. The Black Hills 85gn XTP 32 mags were the worst with groups at about 3" low left. 100gn Fiocchi long wad-cutters were the best at only 1.5" L/L. 98gn Magtech round nose longs were all over the place, looked like a shotgun pattern. Now that I've got some brass to reload I'll work on getting the best with some 100gn XTPs, then nip the top and right side of the sight as needed.

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Thanks for the pics and write up! The price we pay for having fixed sights. ;)

I gotta break the edges on the muzzle once I test the gun at the range. The front of that barrel is a cloth ripping blade in disguise.
 
chicharrones said:
I gotta break the edges on the muzzle once I test the gun at the range. The front of that barrel is a cloth ripping blade in disguise.
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I don't blame you. If I were to carry the 32-ett I would definitely radius the muzzle as it'll sure tear up leather with that sharp edge. However, this one is going to be my wife's HD pistol and sit in a drawer somewhere so no need to do more than a bit of sight work. She had trouble with the sight picture so after I correct the aim I going to black out the back of the frame and paint the sight with something bright and call it good.
 
was sent next day air label via e-mail, dropped off at UPS this afternoon. Time will tell.
 
BC17A said:
I don't blame you. If I were to carry the 32-ett I would definitely radius the muzzle as it'll sure tear up leather with that sharp edge. However, this one is going to be my wife's HD pistol and sit in a drawer somewhere so no need to do more than a bit of sight work. She had trouble with the sight picture so after I correct the aim I going to black out the back of the frame and paint the sight with something bright and call it good.
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for a HD gun why not get the laser grip for it?
 
chicharrones said:
I gotta break the edges on the muzzle once I test the gun at the range. The front of that barrel is a cloth ripping blade in disguise.
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I found an older used safariland paddle holster(with thumb break) made for the J frame on eBay for $20. My CA fits perfectly, but had to polish the top of the front sight(definitely a snagger), I’ll post a photo when I get home.

I’ve hand loaded the XTP in both 85 and 100 grain, but the revolver loves the 100grn S&B wadcutter.
And I bought and tried the smaller grips from CA’s store, couldn’t stand the grips(way to small for my hands), that’s why I went back to the wood grips.
F169A134-6E58-4EA5-ABC9-A09244530925.jpeg 8CD488BF-0192-4680-B25B-EE0A26BDEC79.jpeg
 
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If you can find them the original wood Bulldog grips are very compact, rounded and nice. Granted they leave a little to be desired with .44 Special recoil wise but with the .32 that’s not an issue. I use the Bulldog Target wood grips on my Bulldog and they work well, they are more hand filling. I was just never a fan of rubber in the pocket, no matter what I tried they always have a bit of grab and drag to them.
 
wcwhitey said:
If you can find them the original wood Bulldog grips are very compact, rounded and nice. Granted they leave a little to be desired with .44 Special recoil wise but with the .32 that’s not an issue. I use the Bulldog Target wood grips on my Bulldog and they work well, they are more hand filling. I was just never a fan of rubber in the pocket, no matter what I tried they always have a bit of grab and drag to them.
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I'm hoping for the rubber to grip the pocket a bit when I'm not drawing the gun. When I grab that small modified grip, my hand covers it entirely which should defeat the drag while drawing. In the past, I've had a pocket snubby with a plastic grip slide right out of my pocket when I was laying down to work on a machine. I really want to reduce that from happening.

The next step with the little CA .32 will be to go with a spurless DAO hammer, but I want to test fire the gun before I proceed with other changes. I just got a notice this morning that my ammo order has shipped. :)
 
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