Nightcrawler
Member
Saw a Charter Arms Undercover 5-shot .38SPL snubby for sale. Matte blue finish, stainless cylinder, walnut grips, 2" bbl. NIB, $199.00. Is this a good gun worth two hundred bucks?
Charter Arms?
- Thread starter Nightcrawler
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22luvr
Member
I'm thinking about buying one too....
I've been looking for an inexpensive .38 spcl night-stand gun. Although I've never fired one, I have inspected them close-up and being the owner of many small revolvers, I really don't think you can go wrong. The one I want comes with rubber combat boot grips, black finish and has a flush bobbed hammer and I believe it's called the "undercover." It is only about 15 oz and very compact in case I need to throw it in my pocket for short excursions. I don't think it will be the kind of revolver that you would want to pump 10,000 rounds through but that would not be it's purpose for me. Fit and finish, while probably not up to Smith or Ruger standards, is acceptable and it's a pretty good bet you'll get that reassuring "bang" each time you squeeze the trigger. Why not? Go for it.
I've been looking for an inexpensive .38 spcl night-stand gun. Although I've never fired one, I have inspected them close-up and being the owner of many small revolvers, I really don't think you can go wrong. The one I want comes with rubber combat boot grips, black finish and has a flush bobbed hammer and I believe it's called the "undercover." It is only about 15 oz and very compact in case I need to throw it in my pocket for short excursions. I don't think it will be the kind of revolver that you would want to pump 10,000 rounds through but that would not be it's purpose for me. Fit and finish, while probably not up to Smith or Ruger standards, is acceptable and it's a pretty good bet you'll get that reassuring "bang" each time you squeeze the trigger. Why not? Go for it.
Tropical Z
Member
An EAA Windicator is a mmmmmmuuuuuuccccccchhhhhhhh nicer and more durable revolver for the same price.I own two of them.
www.eaacorp.com
www.eaacorp.com
Nightcrawler
Member
I'm not the one looking. Friend of mine saw one and asked about it. It basically came down to either that or a Taurus for a 5-shot .38 Snubbie, for him.
bpisler
Member
Based on my recent taurus i would go with the charter arms as long as it's not a charco made gun.
otomik
Member
Charter Arms:
-Cheaper (~200 bucks)
-Lighter (you could get the aluminum version of the Taurus but that costs extra, aluminum frame is standard on Charter Arms)
Taurus
-Commonality with smith and wesson (holsters available)
-Life Time Warantee, it may take some time and frustration but they're commited to making you happy eventually.
-Cheaper (~200 bucks)
-Lighter (you could get the aluminum version of the Taurus but that costs extra, aluminum frame is standard on Charter Arms)
Taurus
-Commonality with smith and wesson (holsters available)
-Life Time Warantee, it may take some time and frustration but they're commited to making you happy eventually.
DamnedDirtyApe
Member
I bought a Charco Undercover last May and sold it in the summer.
It's pinned together, and has no sideplate. Every time I shot it the pins worked their way loose. A couple of times one or two of them almost fell all the way out.
If they had fallen out, I would have had to send it back to the factory for re-assembly. PITA.
Buy a Taurus 85, or save up for a small S&W.
It's pinned together, and has no sideplate. Every time I shot it the pins worked their way loose. A couple of times one or two of them almost fell all the way out.
If they had fallen out, I would have had to send it back to the factory for re-assembly. PITA.
Buy a Taurus 85, or save up for a small S&W.
22luvr
Member
Tropical Z: Right U R.....
I also owned two EAA Windicators: A .38 spcl with adjustable sights and a .357 magnum. The .38 spcl with adjustable sights is still the most accurate revover I've ever shot. Fit/finish/workmanship all superb. The only drawback is I really could never just plop one in my pocket on the way out the door because of their size and heft.
I also owned two EAA Windicators: A .38 spcl with adjustable sights and a .357 magnum. The .38 spcl with adjustable sights is still the most accurate revover I've ever shot. Fit/finish/workmanship all superb. The only drawback is I really could never just plop one in my pocket on the way out the door because of their size and heft.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Greeting's All,
If its an early production Charter Arms "Undercover",
or the "Undercover Off-Duty" model in NIB condition;
the $200 asking price should not offend a Charter
Arms collector; but personally I would try my hand
at "jewing" the seller down a bit! Closer to the $150
mark.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
If its an early production Charter Arms "Undercover",
or the "Undercover Off-Duty" model in NIB condition;
the $200 asking price should not offend a Charter
Arms collector; but personally I would try my hand
at "jewing" the seller down a bit! Closer to the $150
mark.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
I have owned 2 Charter Arms guns, an older SS Off Duty and a newer (not Charco) Undercover. The Older Off Duty was a better gun and a good bargin but the newer ones are O.K. also, just not as nice as the older ones. I would take a Charter Arms snubbie over a Taurus anyday!
I had one Taurus and it was a POS. Every Taurus I have seen in someones posession has been a POS. They look nice in the store but something happens to them after they leave.
I had one Taurus and it was a POS. Every Taurus I have seen in someones posession has been a POS. They look nice in the store but something happens to them after they leave.
Kahr carrier
Member
I would save my money and buy a S&W.
sixgun_symphony
member
I recommend that you save your money and buy a Colt, Ruger, or S&W revolver.
MrBigStuff
Member
Good old Charter Arms
Make sure that it is a Charter2000 and comes from the Shelton, CT factory. If the side of the barrel is stamped "Ansonia, CT" it is a Charco and a piece of ?????. The rule with Charters is that you always shoot them with the opposite hand you normally do. This way when it blows up in your hand, you'll still have your good one.
Make sure that it is a Charter2000 and comes from the Shelton, CT factory. If the side of the barrel is stamped "Ansonia, CT" it is a Charco and a piece of ?????. The rule with Charters is that you always shoot them with the opposite hand you normally do. This way when it blows up in your hand, you'll still have your good one.
MCgunner
Member
What I've seen of and heard about Charter Arms revolver, buy a Rossi or Taurus and be happy. I've yet to be dis-satisfied with any Rossi or Taurus. Only owned two Tauri, but have owned five Rossis, all good, serviceable revolvers. What I know of Charter Arms, I classify them as JUNK. I've never owned one because of my negative opinions of 'em.
tbeb
Member
I've owned a couple old model Charter Arms Undercover .38's. I've owned an old model Taurus Model 85 (steel .38 snub). If your friend can wait, save a little more $$$ and buy a Smith & Wesson. If it doesn't have to be a snubby, then another used revolver to look for is the discontinued Ruger Service Six/Speed Six/Security Six.
Lou22
Member
I've got an Undercover .38 I bought new last year. It's a stainless with the fat rubber grips. I've had nothing but good use out of it. No malfunctions, standard .38 rounds have very little recoil, and it's surprisingly accurate in single action (the only negative is it has a full hammer spur; someday I'll ask a gunsmith to grind it down).
I got it for $168 plus shipping from a dealer who was selling off everything at cost. I felt I couldn't go wrong. I have it on good authority from a gunsmith that Charter 2000's (like mine) are decent handguns, but if you shoot a lot of heavy loads out of them, they'll eventually come loose. +P is OK now and again (for like carry).
Taurus is a good make; I own a PT145 which I like very much.
Lou
I got it for $168 plus shipping from a dealer who was selling off everything at cost. I felt I couldn't go wrong. I have it on good authority from a gunsmith that Charter 2000's (like mine) are decent handguns, but if you shoot a lot of heavy loads out of them, they'll eventually come loose. +P is OK now and again (for like carry).
Taurus is a good make; I own a PT145 which I like very much.
Lou
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