chicharrones
needs more ammo
If I was in the market for another inexpensive revolver, you guys would have sold me on Charter Arms.
Charter vs Taurus , snub .38
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If I was in the market for another inexpensive revolver, you guys would have sold me on Charter Arms.
There's a weight threshold that gets annoying while pocket carrying. My pocket weight tolerance seems to be up to about 18 ounces including ammo.
To each his own.
Tallball
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I own two Charter Arms revolvers and have owned about nine Taurus revolvers.
I like my Charter Arms revolvers. They are in calibers I like a lot that are not extremely popular (32 H&R and 44 special). They go bang every time. They shoot pretty much to POA. They aren't heavy. But they are held together with pins and their triggers have a weird toy-like feel. Still, I like them pretty well.
My Taurus revolvers have been a mixed bag. One was junk that I eventually gave up on after two trips to the factory and gifted it to a friend to mess with. Several have functioned well but have had mediocre or gritty triggers. One has been perfectly functional with a "pretty okay" trigger. Three have been very good with nice triggers and very good accuracy. One is amazingly good... as good or better than a similar S&W. The Tauriii have been held together with actual threaded fasteners and triggers that, good or otherwise, feel like "real revolver" triggers.
After my limited experience I would go for Taurus. Neither one is a sure bet. But either would more than likely go bang every time.
Here is my Old Model Taurus 66. It has an amazing trigger and is way more accurate than I am. That being said, my favorite CC handgun is still my CA Bulldog.
I like my Charter Arms revolvers. They are in calibers I like a lot that are not extremely popular (32 H&R and 44 special). They go bang every time. They shoot pretty much to POA. They aren't heavy. But they are held together with pins and their triggers have a weird toy-like feel. Still, I like them pretty well.
My Taurus revolvers have been a mixed bag. One was junk that I eventually gave up on after two trips to the factory and gifted it to a friend to mess with. Several have functioned well but have had mediocre or gritty triggers. One has been perfectly functional with a "pretty okay" trigger. Three have been very good with nice triggers and very good accuracy. One is amazingly good... as good or better than a similar S&W. The Tauriii have been held together with actual threaded fasteners and triggers that, good or otherwise, feel like "real revolver" triggers.
After my limited experience I would go for Taurus. Neither one is a sure bet. But either would more than likely go bang every time.
Here is my Old Model Taurus 66. It has an amazing trigger and is way more accurate than I am. That being said, my favorite CC handgun is still my CA Bulldog.
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bannockburn
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chicharrones
I'm pretty much at the same comfort level as you are: a Model 638 at 14.6 oz. along with another 2.5 oz. for 5 rounds of .38 Special puts it in at around 17 oz. Throw a couple of Speed Strips in the other pocket and you've probably got another 6 oz. total to carry around. That's just fine by me.
I'm pretty much at the same comfort level as you are: a Model 638 at 14.6 oz. along with another 2.5 oz. for 5 rounds of .38 Special puts it in at around 17 oz. Throw a couple of Speed Strips in the other pocket and you've probably got another 6 oz. total to carry around. That's just fine by me.
If you wait for a sale, you can get a Taurus 85 for $175.00 if you don't want to wait you can get a RIA M200 for $188.00 - they have a 4" barrel
I have a Charter Arms PITBULL. The transfer bar broke on it. Charter Arms paid for shipping both ways, great service and I had my pistol back relatively quickly.
I have a Charter Arms PITBULL. The transfer bar broke on it. Charter Arms paid for shipping both ways, great service and I had my pistol back relatively quickly.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Then let me push a little further. Charter Arms was a great American gun company back in the 70's but unfortunately went through several bad owners it the late 80's and 90's, Charter Arms 2000 being the worse. Now that one of the original owners, the Ecker family bought back the company the company is back too. They are even servicing and warranting Charter Arms guns from the other owners.If I was in the market for another inexpensive revolver, you guys would have sold me on Charter Arms.
Oh, BTW, the hammer block transfer bar safety system was invented by them and given to the industry to make every one safer instead if keeping it for themselves. I'm a big S&W and Ruger fan but I'm also a fan of Charter Arms.
No, I'm not in any way involved with the company, I just appreciate a good American company. Besides, more competition from a quality company will improve the guns we can buy and maybe even keep the prices down. Well, maybe lol.
H3NT3
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I own a Taurus 85 and Charter Arms Undercover.
If I had to buy them over again I would go with the Undercover and forgo the 85.
Both are nice snubs. You'll be happy with either. Both will put lead where lead doesn't belong.
But let me break down my story.
The 85 has a lock which I do like. It was what I bought first. My first ever CCW. The 85 weighs more which does matter after you experience something lighter. The 85 has a really nice looking rubber grip (I like the ox) and fits my hand very very well. However that same grip is what prompted me to try CA.
That rubber grip grips clothing so much that using a tuckable holster becomes a problem. Something about the pattern on it irritates my skin a lot too. I found myself not carrying on summer days on the job doing landscape installation that I bought myself a NAA mini revolver... Because of that grip.
I used an Urban Carry holster to overcome the grip. Like the holster but in the summer it is a heat rash factory with all that leather.
I bought a wooden grip from Taurus's website to mitigate the IWB and pocket problems. I paid what I feel is a lot for a horribly sloppy wooden grip that I ended up returning. They didn't send me a screw for the grip, and to make it work I would have to file/sand maybe almost 1/16" of wood then refinish. No thanks! If I want project like that I would just carve me a grip from scratch.
Originally the old man at the gun store tried to get me into a CA but I turned it down because I was unaware of the brand at the time. I returned to the same old man's store to buy the CA two years later.
The CA is lighter which I do like a lot. Grip options are good from the company and are of good quality. It shoots just as well although the recoil is noticeably more. CA also sells good quality holsters for reasonable prices.
View attachment 788353
The Undercover rusts less with sweat too. The 85 would get tiny rust spots all over whereas the CA remains un phased.
View attachment 788352
I dislike my Undercover has a plastic trigger guard and grip frame. My other Charters have an Aluminum grip frame. One day I will replace the plastic frame.
The 85 does look better but both function the same. The CA is less "melted" than the Taurus.
Even with the "full combat grip"(standard grips) the Charter Arms Undercover conceals better in everyway over the 85. Huge huge huge advantage. I may not use my NAA at all this year because it carries so much better.
The CA pocket carries profoundly better too.
The skinny CA wooden grips can cause the ejector button to bite my thumb when I try "fast draw shooting." Not likely to happen with the 85. But the 85 has been left at home. The CA is a great gun with just the right compromises to be an excellent everyday carry.
View attachment 788354
If I had to buy them over again I would go with the Undercover and forgo the 85.
Both are nice snubs. You'll be happy with either. Both will put lead where lead doesn't belong.
But let me break down my story.
The 85 has a lock which I do like. It was what I bought first. My first ever CCW. The 85 weighs more which does matter after you experience something lighter. The 85 has a really nice looking rubber grip (I like the ox) and fits my hand very very well. However that same grip is what prompted me to try CA.
That rubber grip grips clothing so much that using a tuckable holster becomes a problem. Something about the pattern on it irritates my skin a lot too. I found myself not carrying on summer days on the job doing landscape installation that I bought myself a NAA mini revolver... Because of that grip.
I used an Urban Carry holster to overcome the grip. Like the holster but in the summer it is a heat rash factory with all that leather.
I bought a wooden grip from Taurus's website to mitigate the IWB and pocket problems. I paid what I feel is a lot for a horribly sloppy wooden grip that I ended up returning. They didn't send me a screw for the grip, and to make it work I would have to file/sand maybe almost 1/16" of wood then refinish. No thanks! If I want project like that I would just carve me a grip from scratch.
Originally the old man at the gun store tried to get me into a CA but I turned it down because I was unaware of the brand at the time. I returned to the same old man's store to buy the CA two years later.
The CA is lighter which I do like a lot. Grip options are good from the company and are of good quality. It shoots just as well although the recoil is noticeably more. CA also sells good quality holsters for reasonable prices.
View attachment 788353
The Undercover rusts less with sweat too. The 85 would get tiny rust spots all over whereas the CA remains un phased.
View attachment 788352
I dislike my Undercover has a plastic trigger guard and grip frame. My other Charters have an Aluminum grip frame. One day I will replace the plastic frame.
The 85 does look better but both function the same. The CA is less "melted" than the Taurus.
Even with the "full combat grip"(standard grips) the Charter Arms Undercover conceals better in everyway over the 85. Huge huge huge advantage. I may not use my NAA at all this year because it carries so much better.
The CA pocket carries profoundly better too.
The skinny CA wooden grips can cause the ejector button to bite my thumb when I try "fast draw shooting." Not likely to happen with the 85. But the 85 has been left at home. The CA is a great gun with just the right compromises to be an excellent everyday carry.
View attachment 788354
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Blkhrt13
Member
I have a 1971 charter arms undercover 38. The one with a hammer. It’s humble and it works. My first ever pistol purchased was an 85ti Taurus. I wish I hadn’t sold it. It was all titanium. But it had a potted barrel so it wiggled funny when fired. Almost recoiled down. Either are good guns.
entropy
Member
Makes it hard to pack a .38.....There's a weight threshold that gets annoying while pocket carrying. My pocket weight tolerance seems to be up to about 18 ounces including ammo.
Zendude
Member
I have a couple of Charters - a 2014 32 H&R mag and a 2016 38 Undercover. Both have been excellent pistols. I actually prefer the trigger on the Charters over the S&W j frame trigger.
I have a pre lock Taurus M85 that I have owned for some 19 years now. It has been a good one. Not so the M94 in 22 long rifle and the 4" barelled M83 in 38 special. The M94 would hang up after a very few rounds through it. I fixed it by shaving the cylinder. The M83 had timing issues. Went back to Taurus and I saw it again over 6 months later. Their customer service sucks.
I had a Charter Arms Undercover that I shot the heck out of. After I don't know how many rounds, I started having light strikes. A call to Charter Arms and the nice lady sent me two sets of springs, a set for the 38 and a slightly heavier set for the 44. I had them in less than a week. It is still working well today.
You mentioned truck gun. To me that means something with a bit more barrel than 2 inches. Might I suggest the LCRX 3. Which is the route I took.
I had a Charter Arms Undercover that I shot the heck out of. After I don't know how many rounds, I started having light strikes. A call to Charter Arms and the nice lady sent me two sets of springs, a set for the 38 and a slightly heavier set for the 44. I had them in less than a week. It is still working well today.
You mentioned truck gun. To me that means something with a bit more barrel than 2 inches. Might I suggest the LCRX 3. Which is the route I took.
JONWILL
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- Apr 21, 2017
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I remember a quote that said
“An ounce in the morning is a pound at the end of the day”
HTN#T -
Great detailed review. What does "The CA is less "melted" than the Taurus." mean?
Nice dna sample. I don't quite get why the CA has that flange on the aft end of the cylinder release? Also looks as though the screw does not seat into a counter bore very well? Nice primer strikes , though.
Greg - by truck gun I do not mean to suggest that the intention is full time storage , rather in & out of IWB , glove box , and getting banged around a bit while carried. (I work outside , light construction , that sort of thing.) I covet my well kept S&W's a bit much for that usage. IMO that's why we have Taurii , CA's and such.
Regarding 3" barrels , one of my J frames is a 3" ; I am amazed at the difference it makes in terms of pointing and putting rounds on target comapered to the 1 7/8" standard Smith snub. A real pleasure to shoot. I even sniffed around at a 3" ss Taurus on a brokerage sight ... However , the longer barrel simply does not carry as well as the shorter one.
Regarding weight , the alloy frames certainly do carry better than steel BUT , I do not enjoy shooting the lighter revolver , not at all. Polymer is WAY off of my radar screen. I like the feel of steel!
Great detailed review. What does "The CA is less "melted" than the Taurus." mean?
Nice dna sample. I don't quite get why the CA has that flange on the aft end of the cylinder release? Also looks as though the screw does not seat into a counter bore very well? Nice primer strikes , though.
Greg - by truck gun I do not mean to suggest that the intention is full time storage , rather in & out of IWB , glove box , and getting banged around a bit while carried. (I work outside , light construction , that sort of thing.) I covet my well kept S&W's a bit much for that usage. IMO that's why we have Taurii , CA's and such.
Regarding 3" barrels , one of my J frames is a 3" ; I am amazed at the difference it makes in terms of pointing and putting rounds on target comapered to the 1 7/8" standard Smith snub. A real pleasure to shoot. I even sniffed around at a 3" ss Taurus on a brokerage sight ... However , the longer barrel simply does not carry as well as the shorter one.
Regarding weight , the alloy frames certainly do carry better than steel BUT , I do not enjoy shooting the lighter revolver , not at all. Polymer is WAY off of my radar screen. I like the feel of steel!
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I have had T guns, and C guns and if pressed would still encourage looking for a S gun. I've picked up like new Smith J frames for about the same price or close to it as the first two. More grip options, speed loader options, and if you look carefully, you can avoid the safety hole too.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Since a "melted" gun is a gun with all the sharp edges removed, then the Taurus probably had its sharp edges at least minimized compared to the Charter Arms.
Kaeto
Member
My usual carry gun is a Charter Undercover Southpaw .38. It's the gun I qualified with for my Concealed Pistol License, and it's still the one I carry the most.
Au Contraire. The hammer block safety was first introduced in the early 20th Century by Iver Johnson - the Hammer the Hammer advertisement. Still and all Charter did a great job incorporating it in their fine revolvers. we have several and have owned a bucket full over the last 40 years.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I was only going by what Charter Arms has had on their site for years.
https://charterfirearms.com/pages/about-us
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