Charter arms picture thread

[Biblethumpncop]

Nice, so Charter does a good job with working on Stratford models I take it? What was it doing that made you have it sent in?

When I bought my “stainless” Stratford 3” Bulldog from Gunbroker, I found the cylinder had wobble and end shake. I sent it in and they confirmed that the hand and star on the extractor needed replaced. The problem was that the gun had an old style extractor and the new style was different. So, they had to replace the whole cylinder. The brushed finish on my “stainless” gun turned out to be a carbon steel gun that someone removed all the finish and put a protective coating on it. Great....

So they reblued the gun for me. Essentially, the only parts that remained the same on my Bulldog were the barrel, front sight, hammer and upper frame. Everything else was replaced and reblued. They test fired 25 rounds through it and the technician, Mark, called me several times.

The company was aware that I am a retired police officer and ate the bill. Awesome customer service and a company that “backs the blue”. I bought the Undercover recently and hope to shoot them both for the first time soon.

I plan on getting one of their new 8 shot Pathfinder Target .22lr and another Stainless Bulldog .44. I just bought a hip-grip for the .38 but really like the Pachmayr Compact grips. I might outfit everything with one.

 

[montanaoffroader]

I only have one, a Stratford Target Bulldog in .357 Mag.

 

[TTv2]

When I bought my “stainless” Stratford 3” Bulldog from Gunbroker, I found the cylinder had wobble and end shake. I sent it in and they confirmed that the hand and star on the extractor needed replaced. The problem was that the gun had an old style extractor and the new style was different. So, they had to replace the whole cylinder. The brushed finish on my “stainless” gun turned out to be a carbon steel gun that someone removed all the finish and put a protective coating on it. Great....

So they reblued the gun for me. Essentially, the only parts that remained the same on my Bulldog were the barrel, front sight, hammer and upper frame. Everything else was replaced and reblued. They test fired 25 rounds through it and the technician, Mark, called me several times.

The company was aware that I am a retired police officer and ate the bill. Awesome customer service and a company that “backs the blue”. I bought the Undercover recently and hope to shoot them both for the first time soon.

I plan on getting one of their new 8 shot Pathfinder Target .22lr and another Stainless Bulldog .44. I just bought a hip-grip for the .38 but really like the Pachmayr Compact grips. I might outfit everything with one.

Dare I ask how much that bill was?

I've thought off and on about getting one of their .32 S&W Long Undercovers, usually they run for $250 on gunbroker, but some I've seen in... less than pristine condition hover around 200 and have had me tempted.

 

[Viper1357]

My Charter Arms .44 Special BOOMER

 

[shoebox1.1]

I like the boomer!! I’ve heard that name but didn’t know it was that gun. I’ve seen that ported barrel somewhere

 

[Biblethumpncop]

Dare I ask how much the bill was.

I don’t know, but I can estimate it. $49 for the repair/shipping cost for non-Sheldon guns plus the cost of parts. $75 for the cylinder. Reblue-???? Frame, hand, springs, trigger, grip??? I bet they would have charged over $250, but their excellent customer service absorbed it as a courtesy for law enforcement.

Smart, because I will spend way more than that on future revolvers from them.

 

[JERRY]

I often thought about the Boomer, but seeing how poorly it shoots without a front sight to give you at least an idea of what hemisphere to aim in...… that and the plastic grip/trigger guard assy. used for the new guns.

 

[Biblethumpncop]

I also have a Professional that shoots 4 inches low at five yards. I have sent it in twice and it still isn’t right. Very disappointing...

Is the front sight replaceable? Or have it dovetailed to mount a 1911 front sight in the appropriate height? Ideally, Charter Arms could mount an adjustable rear sight and a dovetailed front night sight. Worth a shot! Heck, I’d experiment with the gun myself!

 

[Viper1357]

I often thought about the Boomer, but seeing how poorly it shoots without a front sight to give you at least an idea of what hemisphere to aim in...… that and the plastic grip/trigger guard assy. used for the new guns.

It's definitely not for everyone, but one has to be fair in judging it. The Boomer only shoots poorly or in the wrong hemisphere if you don't use it properly. It's actual useful purpose is for up close and personal self defense. It's not made to aim at target shooting distances, but rather 'natural point shoot' at close(er) up distance. With reasonable practice you can learn (speaking from actual experience) to hold reasonable groups POA to POI out 7-10 yards as you perfect your own point shooting ability. That is not however what it's primarily designed for though. I'm just saying it can be done. Also there are Crimson Trace laser sight grips available if you like. Just saying learning to improve on point shooting sightless concealment pistols (proficiently enough) is a skill best not to be ignored or shunned. Plus it's fun when you get bored with aimed target shooting.

Also, not sure what you mean about the plastic grip/trigger guard assy? My Boomer has an aluminum alloy trigger guard grip frame assy to keep the weight down for easier carry considerations. Do newer ones have plastic?

Anyways, I'll see your video and raise you one...

 

[shoebox1.1]

Nice video. Well done

 

[Fiv3r]

I haven't gotten a definitive answer, but I think the larger frame/more powerful Charters as well as those that are high polished have metal trigger guards. Lower end and lower power guns have the polymer guard. I see it as a nonissue. Pretty much like on shotguns or many rifles or ENTIRE pistol grip frames, the polymer adds and takes away nothing regarding the strength of the gun.

But I do prefer the look and feel of metal.

 

[Davenest]

Here you go Mr. shoebox1.1. My two Charter Arms, & a random extra Colt...!!
1974 .44 Special Bulldog...
2016 .32 magnum Undercoverette.
2019 Colt King Cobra...

The .32 mag is my EDC, & never leaves my pocket... And has a double action trigger very nearly as smooth as my King Cobra, with no tendency for short stroking...

My Colt King Cobra has been flawless, smooth, accurate... It is truly a fine revolver... But out of the 25 or so revolvers l own, it is the only one that l sometimes short stroke during rapid fire shooting...

 

[shoebox1.1]

I too have a new KC! Mines in for warranty work ( sigh) but it’s ok. I got my undercover to cuddle!

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

All these little pimp-guns and girl-gats just leave me cold.

If you don't have a long-barrelled, half-lugged, national match, black-cup, competition super-slug-slinger..... You're just carrying a pocket-popper.

Stratford .44 *TARGET*, Baby!.... Whatever that means.

So, I'm sitting in a barber's chair in Monterey, California one fine day back about '82. I note that the fella is driving a blue early Scout II and comment on it having no top with weather moving in.

He tells me he'd rather it got wet from time to time than deal with the heavy hard-top too often. Me? I've seen that movie too.

Here now, I'm happy to tell him that I am quite sick of my bright blue soft top on my day-glow orange Scout and propose we enter into negotiations to keep the peninsula's notoriously moist climate outa his Scout.

He allows as he's rather short on discretionary funds at the moment but "... how's 'bout a trade of some sort?"

Moving through tools, motorcycle bits, stereo componentry and such, he asks if I might have any interest in guns?

Hell's bells! Now, he's singing my song!

We settled on this and it's been a common companion to me ever since. Even with *finer* firearms at my disposal - it's surprising how often I reach for 5 rounds of .44 in this handy, accurate, reliable and LIGHT package. A truly GREAT *woods gun*.

Been to Africa and South West Asia as well as all four corners of the U.S. as well as Canada. She's VERY well travelled.

Also, the pistol that taught me well learned lessons about loc-tite and guns.

Another thing worth note. If you haven't tried the Pachmayr Presentation/Compac grips - you owe it to yourself. I think are probably the most successful grip/revolver pairing that I've ever had.

Todd.

 

[Biblethumpncop]

Just keeping the thread alive with more pictures of my new-to-me Undercover as I changed the grips around between the original wood, the Pachmyar, the factory rubber and a set of “Hip-Grips” I picked up for $8. It’s Fun to experiment!

 

[MIOkie]

Nice wardrobe changes...!

I really like the classic look of the wood grips, but I’m afraid my hands are spoiled by the cushy comfort of the Pachmayrs... of which I’ve seen quite a few on this thread.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Just keeping the thread alive with more pictures of my new-to-me Undercover as I changed the grips around between the original wood, the Pachmyar, the factory rubber and a set of “Hip-Grips” I picked up for $8. It’s Fun to experiment!

So then, which grips did you like best all-'round? Carry and shoot?

I love my Pachmayrs but note that one to the things I like - griposity - can be annoying in carrying and drawing as they tend to fractionate on clothing.



Todd.

 

[shoebox1.1]

I’m having shell extraction issues on cyl closest to frame. Shell hits the grip and little and doesn’t have a clean fall. I think a razor knife or dremel will fix

 

[shoebox1.1]

I got overzealous and took off too much meat on the left side DAMN! Lol. I need a left side replacement combat now. Still functional just cosmetic Kids do not try this at home...

 

[Fiv3r]

I need to dig up a set of hip grips at some point. I haven't ever seen them in the wild.

 

[shoebox1.1]

There’s a set of white ones on eBay right now but it now like 8 bucks free shipping!

 

[Biblethumpncop]

There’s a set of white ones on eBay right now but it now like 8 bucks free shipping!

That’s where I got mine!

 

[Charlie Martinez]

Here's mine, 3.5" barreled 357 target model.

 

[Buckeye63]

Top to Bottom
Aluminum frame 38spl
Bulldog 44spl
Police 6 shot 38spl
Boomer 44spl
Bulldog Target 357mag

 

[MIOkie]

“I’m having shell extraction issues on cyl closest to frame. Shell hits the grip and little and doesn’t have a clean fall.”

I had the same issue when I got mine... and then The Black Spot came to my assistance and suggested Pachmayr Compac grips.

They are recessed more around the cylinder area allowing the empties to eject much easier.

Thanks Black Spot...!