38+P in Charter Off Duty/Undercover

[russlate]

Just snatched a decent Charter Arms ( Stratford ) Off Duty for a few cents under a hundred bucks.

A couple questions.

#1) What's the difference between the Undercover and Off Duty?

#2) Can I use +P loads? OK, should I use +P? ( Not the +P+ grenades to be shot only out of magnum capable frames )

I won't shoot +P in pinned J frames. I'll go ahead and shoot +P from alloy or steel D frames from 60's and later. Where do the Charters fit in this range?

Specifically rem/fed/chester LSWC-HP +P's.

Enlighten me.

 

[P. Plainsman]

Here's what Charter 2000 states on their website:

"Q. Can I shoot +p in my .38 five shot revolver?

A. Charter .38's are the smallest revolvers in this caliber, they can handle +p but we do not recommend a steady diet. . . ."

http://www.charterfirearms.com/faqs.php

Presumably that refers mainly to the current production Charter 2000 guns, but it might be relevant to your older gun.

PS: Charter's FAQ entry above continues: ". . . Studies have shown that +p ammo is not a great defensive round because the bullet travels so fast that unless a critical area is hit the perpetrators may not be stopped. We recommend hollow points and full metal jacketed ammo as it will open and have a better chance stopping the intruder."

Huh.

 

[denfoote]

Charter has not paid attention to the studies that show that most current 38spl loads do not expand effectively in a snub revolver!!! :banghead:

 

[tbeb]

In older Charter Arms Undercover's and Off Duty's, I "think" the difference was the finish.

I have an older Charter Arm's Undercover .38 and it has digested a limited number of 125 gr. JHP+P and 148 gr. LWC+P ammunition. Also, now that I think of it, it never digested any +P 158 gr. LHP's (and they are my carry load), but I'm sure it safely would. I'm not telling you to shoot a limited amount of +P's; I'm just saying that I have. Do not fire +P+ because I've heard 10 rounds or less can stretch a . 38 special frame, or worse.

 

[Jim March]

I believe that the Winchester and Remmie all-lead 158+Ps are the type of combat +P load that will stress these or similar guns the LEAST.

I run very low amounts through my own Charter Undercover and I rely on them for home defense.

 

[WT]

Considering the price you paid, why worry about it? If it wears out, buy another one.

Nothing lasts forever.

That said, I've been shooting my CA for 30 years now. Have no idea as to how many +P I've put thru it but I'm sure its a lot.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I shoot a few now and then and keep it loaded with 158swchp

 

[magsnubby]

The Undercover has an exposed hammer while the Offduty has an internal hammer like the S&W 642.

While i do shoot +p's in my Undercover and my Offduty, i usually limit them to 2 or 3 cylinders full per session.

The Offduty (at 12oz) with boot grips makes a neat little pocket gun.

 

[russlate]

My new Off Duty is an original Charter Arms Stratford per barrel roll marks. It's finish is a bit more matte than the Pathfinder I got last month ( $100 for Off Duty, $150 for Pathfinder - and yes, I am gloating ). It's got a regular hammer and Pachmayr Pancakes grips*.

( Insert rant against Pachmayr and Uncle Mike's rubber grips killing the custom grip industry. ABOMINATION!!! )

 

[71Commander]

The Undercover has an exposed hammer while the Offduty has an internal hammer like the S&W 642.

Not so. Here is my Off duty. I had the hammer bobbed.

 

[russlate]

The Charter Pathfinder I got last month for $150 had a set of wood stocks on it.
The Hundred buck Off Duty had rubber Pachmayr flat pancakes on it. Switched them around so the Off Duty has the wood on it.

But the best part of the deal was the reaction from my ( retired ) gunsmith when I told him what I paid - "YOU WHAT???"!