Charter Arms, where are they made?

[aaaaa]

On the range, I reloaded mine from 1911 magazines instead of speed strips. Always a conversation starter.

I wish someone would make revolver reload magazines for all the revolver calibers. It seems like an easy way to reload a revolver, but I would prefer to take off the hard edge of a semi-auto magazine that will eventually scrape up your thumb pretty bad with enough pushing cartridges out, especially those first few that are the tightest in the magazine.

 

[zaitcev]

I wish someone would make revolver reload magazines for all the revolver calibers.

I don't see why anyone would. A speed strip is better than magazine: it's faster to use, more comfortable (including your point about the thumb), and most importantly: it reduces or eliminates dropped cartridges that plague the reloading from magazines. I only used magazines because a speed strip is not available for .45 ACP.

In addition to the option of reloading from a speed strip, which works on Pibull, most revolvers chambered for rimless cartridges accept moon clips. And those are far faster to load than stripping two at a time from a speed strip. The big disadvantage of moon clips is that they require a container when carrying them around, like a tiny holster or mag pouch. You cannot just drop them in your pockets, which you can do with speed strips and magazines. But if one can live with that, a Smith 325PD is a better option than Pitbull. if we just talk .45 ACP.

 

[aaaaa]

I have the 45 Colt so a bit different situation from 45 ACP. The magazine load in a revolver beats a handful of cartridges. Probably not as fast as a speed strip, but I have not seen a demo between the two. I don't even own a speedloader because of the same issue you mention with moon clips.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

But I think the company came back again more recently and so current production should be good.

Yes, I agree completely. That what I was trying to say when I said the Ecker family was back. I'm told the quality is now first rate.

 

[aaaaa]

Yes, I agree completely. That what I was trying to say when I said the Ecker family was back. I'm told the quality is now first rate.

I believe I heard it in this video. Explains the rocky history of the company starting about 2:25.

 

[MedWheeler]

ArchAngelCD writes:

Charter Arms was founded in 1964 and by 1969 filed for bankruptcy.

I believe it was 1996 for the bankruptcy (your keyboard may be dyslexic.) The incarnations they went through after that (Charco, Charter 2000), were their forgettable years.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

I can attest to the quality of their Undercover line (38 Spcl). Bought two steel frame versions (5-shot & 6-shot) new in 2019. The 5-shot has excellent SA & DA triggers; the equal of any of my Smiths. Th 6-shot is no slouch either. Both are as accurate as snubbies are for me.

I believe the Undercover is their bread-n-butter line...they make & sell the most Undercovers and in so doing, get them right. Problems I've read about usually relate to other models.

 

[Tallball]

Mine are light. They look and feel kind of cheap. The triggers feel kind of like a toy, but they are good. IIRC, they were all made in the past 20 years.

44 special Bulldog - bought used, 100% reliable, shrouded hammer, carry it sometimes

32 H&R Undercoverette - bought used, 100% reliable, leave it loaded for my wife if I'm out of town

45acp Pitbull - bought barely used at all and did not function correctly, sent it to factory, works fine now

22lr Pathfinder - bought NiB, occasional failures to ignite, sent it back to the factory, still not working correctly, need to send it back again

Charter Arms Bulldog 44 Special

• Tallball
• Apr 6, 2020

 

[chicharrones]

Yes, I agree completely. That what I was trying to say when I said the Ecker family was back. I'm told the quality is now first rate.

Need to hold one instead of being told about one.

The guns have their merits, but when the barrels are haphazardly hit with a grinder to knock down the high spots so the roll marking can be applied. . . well, I’d say any “quality” is aimed at hitting a price point.

As long as the guns function reliably, that’s what really matters. But I do wonder about the construction methods and QC shortcuts in their alloy frame models. If that .32 Undercoverette thread here at THR is any indicator.

 

[Smaug]

Well, we've apparently moved on from "where are they made" to "are they any good" and "which ones are good?" That's fine; conversations evolve.

I tried a new Undercover in the LGS the other day and was shocked at how good the DA trigger was. As good as a factory Colt trigger, in the DA.

After watching the video linked above, I think I will pick one up. Maybe a lavender high polish in 32 Mag for my Mrs...

The owner seems like a genuinely good guy. I attribute their 1st bankruptcy to stiff competition from S&W, Colt and Ruger in the heyday of revolvers. The second one was good old fashioned corporate greed. Now that they're back to the original family, they seem to be doing well, even though Colt is back and S&W & Ruger are still doing well. They're focusing on their niche and slowly expanding.

The trick then, is to either buy old or quite new; nothing from those dark days.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

ArchAngelCD writes:



I believe it was 1996 for the bankruptcy (your keyboard may be dyslexic.) The incarnations they went through after that (Charco, Charter 2000), were their forgettable years.

Dam, you are so right! I hate when that happens. Thank you for the heads up.

 

[jar]

I've been using my revolvers for WalkAbout lately and recently two in particular, my Colt Detective Special that seems to be what I end up choosing whenever I have to some kind of qualifying and my Charter Arms Undercover with the DAO hammer installed. And yes, I still find the Detective Special more accurate and more enjoyable to shoot ... but not by much.