Charter Arms...

[Drgong]

Just wondering what was the opinion on charter arms firearms? The .44 special Bulldog and the Patriot (.327 mag) caught my eye, was wondering if they are a "good gun" or if people avoided them?

That, and do people recommend the .44 special or the .327 mag, it a perhaps on a carry gun.

 

[Maxw]

We had Charters as demo revolvers to shoot at the Steel Challenge a couple of years ago but they kept shooting the barrel shroud loose while using standard 38. Apparently the adhesive holding the bbl shroud to the barrel softened while being shot a lot. Other than that I cannot say but there are those who love them.

 

[MMCSRET]

I purchased a new Charter Arms Target Patriot in 327 in June. I bought it over the other 327 offerings because I wanted the longer barrel and adjustable sights. I got the only box of FC 100 gr. ammo in the area and tried it and a box of my hot handload 32 Magnums. I am impressed, both with the revolver and the cartridge. I got on the CA site and ordered the wooden grips and the holster, both worth the price CA charged. I had to do a little inletting to get the grips to fit well and the holster works well. I started working up loads using AA#9 and jacketed 100 gr.. I have put 350 rounds of 327 and 200 rounds of 32 Mag thru the little gun and I like it. The fit, finish and function are flawless, it is becoming a favorite.
Now if I can find some more ammo or preferably new cases I will continue to load develop and have fun shooting a very nice revolver.

 

[indiandave]

I think the Son of Sam Killer had a Charter Arms Bulldog.

 

[Ohio Rusty]

I had a charter arms bulldog last year in .44. It shot well with corbon hollow points, and I would have hated to have been on the receiving end. The pistol was nice, but what I didn't like was after several cylinders of ammo, the cylinder loosened up alot. When I bought it, the max gap between the barrel and the face of the cylinder was only .006!! That was excellent. After shooting it, that gap widened greatly and the cylinder became baggy left and right also. All the screws were tight, but it became sloppy quickly. I wasn't happy with that as the cylinder play shouldn't have become real sloppy after 4 or 5 cylinders of 5 shots. I like Charter Arms, I'm proud they are an american company, paying american workers and feeeding american families, I just didn't like what happened to my pistol, so I sold it.
I probably won't buy another one ......
O. R.

 

[wrs840]

That would be a .44 Bulldog that David Berkowitz used.

Mark David Chapman used a .38 Special Charter Arms Off Duty snub-nosed revolver on John Lennon.

Arthur Bremer used the same on George Wallace.

It's interesting history, FWIW.

Les

 

[Drgong]

also Mumia Abu-Jamal used one to kill a cop.

I am just wondering as I am really leaning towards a SP101 or a Charter arms as a CCW, as I really don't want to carry my chiefs special (model 36) as its more of a safe queen for me.

the .44 special is really nice, but the ammo is well, pricy. with a .327 I can always put in .32 longs or .32 mags to get range time thats not overly expensive.

 

[C-grunt]

Id say the SP101 over the Charter Arms offerings.

 

[MMCSRET]

If you are going with CC as the primary use then the short barrel and fixed sights are the way to go. I use my 4" CA as a field/fishing/pick up gun. I already have several CC guns. I carried a Colt Police Positive in 32 as my fishing/field/etc. gun for years. I really like the 4" adjustable sights.

 

[Dan-O]

I have a few Charters. Bottom line....they get a bad rap by morons on the internet that have zero first hand knowledge. If I had to pick a Ruger SP101 in either .38, or .357, over a Charter in the same caliber, the Ruger would win hands down. But Ruger does not make a .44 Special gun these days.

I have well over 2000 rounds downrange with a .44 Special newer (2007) release Charter. It locks up as tight as the first day I bought it. I trust my life to these guns on a daily basis.

 

[357mag.]

Get a sp101,38's for practice,357's for carry.Great shooting gun's and built like a tank.

 

[calaverasslim]

I bought a Bulldog 44 special several years ago and have maybe close to a K of ammo thru it. nary a problem. Carry it most of the time.

 

[oneiron]

Charter makes good guns I have two of them. One a 38 I got from my dad when he died. The gun has got to be 50 years old, and had a lot of rounds through it. I purchased a 44 a couple of years ago as a CCW. I have put 200 rounds through it to break it in. Had one problem. Calle charter and talked to the guy and he told me what to do. Put a litle loc tight on a screw.
Have you guys noticed that there is no brass to be found in the whole country.

 

[MCgunner]

Between Charter and Rossi (I've only had one charter, a .38) I'll take Rossi. Rossis are better built guns. I've owned a half dozen of 'em, they stay tight, they shoot well, they hold up to thousands and thousands of rounds. I have had a problem with one of the Rossis breaking a firing pin, but managed to get that fixed. As the low end of defensive revolvers go, Rossi is better IMHO. Of COURSE, I'd rather have a Ruger or my Taurus than either, I'm just sayin'. I still own a very nice little 3" Rossi 68. I got rid of the Charter and have no interest in them. I like those little Rossi 462s, .357 magnum 6 shot snub, price is right, great little guns. I think, though, I'd rather get another Ruger SP101 and this time with a 3" barrel. There are just so many good choices in 400 dollar or less revolvers than Charter. I'll take a pass.

 

[Lakeshore]

Like oneiron I have a Charter Undercover .38 that I inherited years ago. It is an original mid-1960s vintage with un-shrouded ejector rod. Still locks up tight and has never been less than 100% reliable. Only modification I've ever made was to replace the wood grips with Pachmayrs. Owing to its compactness and light weight it's a good occasional carry gun.

 

[hardluk1]

I have a Charter Arms Undecover lite in 38 that is one of my carry guns. I have been shooting it alot and have nothing but good to say about it. I also happen to own a older taurus that has had thousands of rounds through it with no problems. I to believe most that bitch about guns don't own them. Lots of smiths taurus,and rugers also go back so know one has the market cornerd on a once in a while problem. I do look at value in a gun and to buy a 13oz s&w would cost a grand or there about. A taurus around 550 and for 368 bucks i have a gun that shoots as good as any. If i wanted a 44sp i would most likely buy a charter arms.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

Held a CA .44spec 5 shot revolver in a local gunshop not long ago. Very light and felt good in the hand but the lockup was sloppy and the lack of weight made it feel kinda cheesey (a complaint i have with most lightweight revolvers though, to be fair).

 

[rogertc1]

I have a Southpaw and Pink Lady. New production and great guns. I too believe most that bitch about guns don't own them. Charter Arms has changed owners 3 times ...The current ones are really a peach.

 

[jjohnson]

Quality and Finish - Good Enough

I have a couple of 'em, have had for nearly 25 years.

Some folks will tell you that you're junk. I disagree. CA doesn't often put a really nice finish on anything - but they go that route to keep them affordable.

I think CA has gone though periods of tough times, changes in management, and perhaps changes in ownership over the years. You may find some of them out there (used) that don't look very good - but I think they've always been functional and reliable. In general, I think the newer ones are consistently better than older ones of certain periods in the company's life. They might not win any beauty pageants, but that's not where their market is.

 

[snooperman]

Excellent revolvers

Yes, they are, and I have several made back during the 1960's, 70's and early 80's by the original Charter arms in Stratford Conn. I have a 44 bulldog, an undercover 38 special, a 32, and a 22LR that I would not trade for anything. The 22 is a newer gun. The quality of their short hammer throw and one piece frame makes them desirable to me. The finish of the old blue guns were very nice and I seek them out at gun shows because they are a real bargain. I bought one of the new ones for my sister and my Wife last Christmas and am very impressed with them. I just picked up another old undercover made in 1976 in excellent condition for $200 at a gun show recently. I am presently carrying it IWB. So, why the high priced S&W when you can get that kind of quality. I have several S&W, Colts, but do not shun the Charter arms or Dan Wessons at all. BUY THEM- THEY ARE GOOD GUNS.