Give me your opinions on the Charter Arms snubs in 38 spl. Looking for a home defense gun for my daughter.
charter arms
- Thread starter gutterman
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Nothing wrong with them, although the 5 shot is pretty light if she's recoil sensitive. The 6 shot is about 4 oz heavier, makes it more stable.
Charter went through a period of crap products when they were Charter2000 just before bankruptcy. Since then the company reorganized and the quality is far better. I'd rate their quality better than Taurus, not as good as Ruger. However their guns are reliable and serviceable and I wouldn't worry giving one to a family member. Go test fire one.
Charter went through a period of crap products when they were Charter2000 just before bankruptcy. Since then the company reorganized and the quality is far better. I'd rate their quality better than Taurus, not as good as Ruger. However their guns are reliable and serviceable and I wouldn't worry giving one to a family member. Go test fire one.
frankmako
Member
If she is gonna carry it, a snub might not be a bad idea, but I might go with something bigger/heavier and with a little more sight radius for HD. Ought to handle recoil better and be a bit easier to shoot well. Something like a S&W 10 would be nice.
The charters are quite servicable guns for the economy minded. They won't be as finely finished or fitted as a nice Colt or Smith but they'll also cost a lot less. What you'll get, is a so-so finish, a somewhat gritty feeling action, and a gun that goes bang everytime it's supposed to.
tommy.duncan
Member
I talked my wife into getting a revolver. I tried to get her to look at the S&W lady smith. She liked the feel of the Charter Arms "Lady Chic." I bought it for her and she LOVES it!!
She owns a commander 1911 so she is OK with a stout recoil. I have fired several hundred rounds and it shoots good and its quite accurate.
The HKS 36A speed-loader works on this pistol too.
She owns a commander 1911 so she is OK with a stout recoil. I have fired several hundred rounds and it shoots good and its quite accurate.
The HKS 36A speed-loader works on this pistol too.
I have two Undercover .38 revolvers. The first served me well for the first few years I was in LE, and was purchased the day I was sworn in (in 1987.)
The second was my dad's, used in kind of the same roles (off-duty and back-up) during a LE stint he did when he and I were not in touch. His dates from 1966, though he did not acquire it new. That one is "sleeker" and easier to conceal than mine because its stocks are smoother and slimmer, and it lacks the anodized-aluminum barrel shroud of the one from 1987.
They're both excellently-fit together and enjoyable to own and carry (though I don't carry them often.) Like most snub-nose revolvers, however, they're not particularly enjoyable to run dozens of rounds through at the range.
Charter Arms makes a decent and perfectly-serviceable product. They stick pretty much to two or three basic revolver designs and don't over-complicate anything about their mission. That makes the company a more-than-acceptable choice for the purpose you mention.
All this being said, for home-defense, she should have a heavier gun (all steel or mostly-steel) and would benefit greatly from thicker stocks than the wood ones many snubs come with. The rubber CA ones aren't bad, but still fail to fill many a shooter's hand well.
And, as was mentioned, there is no reason to restrict oneself to a small handgun intended for "bad-breath" fighting distances in a home-defense gun. A barrel length of at least three inches makes a huge difference in "shoot-ability."
The second was my dad's, used in kind of the same roles (off-duty and back-up) during a LE stint he did when he and I were not in touch. His dates from 1966, though he did not acquire it new. That one is "sleeker" and easier to conceal than mine because its stocks are smoother and slimmer, and it lacks the anodized-aluminum barrel shroud of the one from 1987.
They're both excellently-fit together and enjoyable to own and carry (though I don't carry them often.) Like most snub-nose revolvers, however, they're not particularly enjoyable to run dozens of rounds through at the range.
Charter Arms makes a decent and perfectly-serviceable product. They stick pretty much to two or three basic revolver designs and don't over-complicate anything about their mission. That makes the company a more-than-acceptable choice for the purpose you mention.
All this being said, for home-defense, she should have a heavier gun (all steel or mostly-steel) and would benefit greatly from thicker stocks than the wood ones many snubs come with. The rubber CA ones aren't bad, but still fail to fill many a shooter's hand well.
And, as was mentioned, there is no reason to restrict oneself to a small handgun intended for "bad-breath" fighting distances in a home-defense gun. A barrel length of at least three inches makes a huge difference in "shoot-ability."
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Back in the 1970's charter Arms was on it's way to being a great American gun company. Then they ran into troubles and the company was sold several times, one owner worse than the other especially Charter Arms 2000. Well, the Ecker family which was part of the original company is back at the helm and the quality is back again. Just a note, they invented the cross bar safety and shared it with the rest of the gun world instead of placing a patent on it.
I've had 2 CA's. Both of them in DAO, 1 was 38 spl. and the other in 357. Check the trigger pull, as some of them can be a bit stiff. The 38 was stiff, but the 357 is nice and I still have that one. They may not have as a refined finish as some, but they work.
Also, if it comes with the compact grips, and want more grip, the frames are the same so you can purchase full size grips and they'll fit.
Charter Arms customer service is good too.
Also, if it comes with the compact grips, and want more grip, the frames are the same so you can purchase full size grips and they'll fit.
Charter Arms customer service is good too.
Kaeto
Member
I have the Undercover Southpaw, which is just an Undercover Lite set up for left handed people. And I love it. It's accuracy is all I could ask for and more. It's easy to carry. And the recoil with normal rounds is quite manageable. I don't like it with +P though as it's a bit too sharp a recoil then for repeated shooting.
Older ones yes, newer ones no. Charter Arms was cursed by an aquisition and, as most aquisitions of firearms companies, quality went way downhill. I had one of their .38 snubbies made in the 80's and loved it.
wally
Member
Newest one yes. As said above, some of the original owners are back in charge now.
I can attest their customer service is now very good.
Got a 9mm Pitbull and and an ejector issue and couldn't open the cylinder first time out. Sent them an Email via their website and they send me a prepaid return label and quickly fixed the gun. Didn't hassle me about the small plunger I lost taking it apart so I could return an unloaded gun, they just replaced it. I'm happy with it now.
My 2 bits.....
First, I wouldn't go out & buy or select a firearm for your daughter/spouse/family member. Let them decide what they want or what they need for defense/carry.
If she says; "thanks Daddy, I'll carry it often" that's good but if she says; "huh,
why are you giving me a Charter Arms .38spl?" then it's not so good.
Make sure she can shoot & handle firearms first then let her pick what she wants from your budget range/choices.
Jeff Cooper, the USMC veteran & well known tactics trainer said; Officers have the most faith in sidearms of their own choosing.
If you want suggestions about the Charter Arms revolvers, Id say pass.
If she can, Id suggest the larger Charter Arms Bulldog .44spl. The DA only format is safe, powerful & she can carry it much like the .38spl snub.
For a female shooter or new gun owner, Id also suggest the Ruger LCR in .357magnum or .38spl +P, the S&W 442/642 J frame or the DA/SA 638 shrouded hammer snub. Any of these light, well made revolvers could do very well. My friend, a new gun owner bought a new in box Ruger LCR .38spl with a Lasermax red laser. He likes it & keeps it for home defense by his bed.
Rusty
First, I wouldn't go out & buy or select a firearm for your daughter/spouse/family member. Let them decide what they want or what they need for defense/carry.
If she says; "thanks Daddy, I'll carry it often" that's good but if she says; "huh,
why are you giving me a Charter Arms .38spl?" then it's not so good.Make sure she can shoot & handle firearms first then let her pick what she wants from your budget range/choices.
Jeff Cooper, the USMC veteran & well known tactics trainer said; Officers have the most faith in sidearms of their own choosing.
If you want suggestions about the Charter Arms revolvers, Id say pass.
If she can, Id suggest the larger Charter Arms Bulldog .44spl. The DA only format is safe, powerful & she can carry it much like the .38spl snub.
For a female shooter or new gun owner, Id also suggest the Ruger LCR in .357magnum or .38spl +P, the S&W 442/642 J frame or the DA/SA 638 shrouded hammer snub. Any of these light, well made revolvers could do very well. My friend, a new gun owner bought a new in box Ruger LCR .38spl with a Lasermax red laser. He likes it & keeps it for home defense by his bed.
Rusty
Gutterman, Rusty is right in that your daughter should try out the feel and operation of the gun(s), because in the end she'll be the one that has to like it and that is a big part of feeling like taking it out to practice with it.
And if it is only for home defense, you might consider her to look at used revolver in 4" barrel. Those can be in the mid $300 range and I have seen a few that still looked sharp.
And if it is only for home defense, you might consider her to look at used revolver in 4" barrel. Those can be in the mid $300 range and I have seen a few that still looked sharp.
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