12 oz Charter Arms 38 Special Undercover Lite?

[7Star]

Anyone own one of these little revolvers? How does it compare? It seems like it would be the perfect little lite revolver at 12 oz...but I'm not sure about the hammer. I'm no revolver expert but I see the trend to have DAO or a shrouded hammer. Is this that important for IWB or pocket carry?? Is it expensive..and easy to have a hammer bobbed? How about comfort for IWB? I would greatly prefer to have SA capabilty on follow-up shots.

Charter Arms 38 Special Undercover Lite:

http://www.charterfirearms.com/products/Charter_Undercover_53870.html

SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: 53870
Category: FIREARMS - HANDGUNS
Type :Revolver
Action :Single / Double
Caliber :38 Special
Barrel Length :2
Capacity :5 rd
Safety :Hammer Block
Grips :Black Synthetic
Sights :Fixed
Weight :12.0 oz
Finish :Black/Stainless Steel

 

[Dan-O]

Don't think you are going to get many hits on this topic. Most on this BB seem to have a sour opinion of Charters. They are a little rough around the edges, and for a bit more you can get a Smith. That being said, I have four and I like them. 2-.44 Specials, 1-.38 Off Duty, and 1-.327 Mag.

What you can do is mini bob the hammer yourself with a dremel.

Here is an interesting article:

http://www.madogre.com/PowerHouse/Charter Arms - George Hill - Jan 08.pdf

and another one:

http://www.gunblast.com/Charter-OffDuty.htm

and my boys:

 

[savit260]

Some people have good luck with Charters. I'm not one of them.

My first revolver was a CharterArms Undercover, and the thing was an absolute nightmare. It would lock itself up after 10 to 15 rounds.

Bought it used and lost my shirt on it.

I could have bought a used S&W for only a little bit more money, which I eventualy did and never looked back.

If you take a chance on Charter, I just hope you have better luck than I did.

 

[MedWheeler]

I've carried the same Charter Arms Undercover off and on (and off and on duty) since 1987. It's not as "refined" as a piece costing twice as much, but, in the hands of someone trained with it, it is just as capable. Snubs aren't target guns; they go bang when you pull the trigger, and send a bullet out the barrel end to a point somewhere in front of it.
I have no experience with the lightweight version, though. Don't listen to those here who will tel you that you have to spend the most amount of money possible to get a good defensive piece; countless threats have been neutralized by what they think of as "lesser" arms. If you do buy a less-expensive piece, go ahead and use the money you saved on ammo for good practice to get used to it (if you buy something more expensive, you should still be doing the same anyway.)

 

[7Star]

Yeah..I like the little S&W also...but this little revolver really interests me at 12oz. I have heard a good bit about some of the other dao revolvers but never anything about this little DA.

 

[Big Bill]

Almost everything they make is 2" and IMHO 2" barrels are almost worthless. I've looked closely at them at a local dealer and think they are also a little rough around the gills.

 

[savit260]

Don't listen to those here who will tel you that you have to spend the most amount of money possible to get a good defensive piece; countless threats have been neutralized by what they think of as "lesser" arms. If you do buy a less-expensive piece, go ahead and use the money you saved on ammo for good practice to get used to it (if you buy something more expensive, you should still be doing the same anyway.)

The used Smith & Wesson that replaced my Charter cost a whopping $20 more.

My Charter wouldn't function propperly. The Smith never missed a beat, and is still going strong.

I'm all for saving a buck, and things that are exeptional bargains, but I'm not willing to sacrifice function over a few dollars difference, particularly on something that's sole function is to save my bacon.

I'm all for inexpesive, just so long as it works as intended. That's something my Charter couldn't pull off.

Glad you had better luck than I did.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I got a orginal 44 spl Bulldog and have had couple undercovers . They have all worked. Not very pretty but relieable. All mine were and are from orginal Company. can't say about the new company.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've found when it comes to handguns you "usually" get what you pay for. While I truly feel S&W and now even Ruger are overpriced when you buy something else for only $300 you are getting a $300 gun. The price of the handgun isn't the only thing you should consider too. Any gun can break and it's what happens after that break that counts. S&W and Ruger will take care of any problem that comes up and do so quickly. Unfortunately many other companies won't give you such good service. I truly feel a used S&W will beat a new Charter Arms revolver any day. (just my opinion though)

 

[chipp]

I pratice only DA. I'm actually a better shot DA then SA.
If you practice DA you can get very good and its faster than SA.
Thats my novice opinion.

I have a Charter arms .44 special I bought on a wim. It doesn't compare to any of my smiths. I hate to bash it. I like the gun, but am afraid it won't hold up to alot of practice. If you plan to shoot it alot I would ask some of these guys who have them how they hold up.

 

[7Star]

Sometimes I get confused here. I don't want more practice with a DAO...because I don't want a DAO. I want a DA/SA...I just think they are better all around tools. Also, from the prices I've seen..I don't think I'd be saving any money by buying the Charter I'm looking at...I'm thinking of buying it because 1) It is 3 oz lighter than the S&W 442. 2) It is DA/SA 3) With the black and silver..it is easy to conceal..yet looks..well..badass.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

7Star,
If you like the revolver, buy the revolver. Don't let anyone tell you you shouldn't. My above post was only to let you know what I thought of those revolvers so you could make an informed purchase. (it is a nice looking revolver)

Good luck and enjoy your new revolver...

 

[7Star]

I know I want too...I was just hoping to get comments from someone who carries this little 12 oz 38 with a hammer. ...but I'd settle for a light S&W or Taurus guy who pockets a similar da/sa pistol. Doesn't seem like anyone owns this one...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I own several 15oz S&W Airewight revolvers for pocket carry. I didn't want to pay twice the price for a 12oz S&W Airlite .357 Magnum when I was probably going to carry .38 Special +P ammo anyway. After the first 2 days of carrying the 15oz revolver in my front pocket I totally forgot it was there. It's not heavy at all.

 

[7Star]

I was thinking the same about the light weight 357s. I'm guessing the 12oz 38special will also completely dissapear in my pocket. It's lass than half the weight of my primary. Thanks alot.