Charter or Taurus

[Mr_Flintstone]

A family member asked me about buying a .38 Special revolver, and wanted to spend about $300. Right off I thought Taurus 85 or Charter Undercover, but told him I’d do some checking. Well, as it turns out, Taurus no longer makes the 85, but now offer the 856.

I have an 85 and an Undercoverette, and both seem pretty comparable in quality, but I don’t have either of the ones I mentioned above. Are there any qualities that would make either one better or more desirable than the other? Quality, reliability, warranty, etc...?

 

[WestKentucky]

Shot show announcement from Taurus is an 856 3” with night sights. It’s a beauty. Matte dark cylinder with a matte stainless frame and barrel. Looks good. I would start my search right there and probably end in the same spot. Then again, they have the swappable cylinder 38/357/9mm guns too. 3” is a good trade off between a range gun and a pocket gun.

 

[BearBrimstone]

I hate to be one of the people that goes away from the original brands asked about but if you shop around you can find a new Smith and Wesson J frame at about $300 which I would take over the Taurus or Charter. Regarding the Taurus vs Charter, I only have experience with Taurus but the three handguns I’ve had made by them were all reliable though the durability of finish left a bit to be desired.

 

[Fiv3r]

When I carry a .38 special snub nose, I go with a Charter Undercover DAO/flush hammer.

For me, the Charter shoots better in my hands than any other j frame sized gun. I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a 642 and I short stroked the LCR I had. I like that the hammer is external even if it is not a functional SA. It makes me feel better when bolstering a gun out of line of sight where my thumb can rest on the hammer and feel if it moves or not. The LCR and 642 didnt offer that bit of personal preference.

The Undercover is solid but lightweight. Current models use a polymer trigger guard/grip frame. It seems just as stout as any other piece if plastic fantastic, and for a lightweight SD gun that needs to be more handy than a polished heirloom, it works just fine. Really, the polymer feel less sharp than what your find on other entry level metal guards. Really, I find that until you get up into S&W levels of polish of their middle tier offerings, most brands have sharp-ish guards. Easily corrected with a bit of polish, but worth noting.

I have had 3 Taurus revolvers. Keep in mind I haven't bought one in close to 10 years, but the quality just seemed OK. The CA guns are rough as well, but I felt like the lack of attention to finish was to allocate more resources to strength rather than just making a cheap product. The 642 felt more finished than my Undercover, but it didnt really perform better in any way.

So, I'm obviously in the Charter camp. For me, a small .38 needs to be handy and durable enough to shoot until proficient, but high levels of spit and polish aren't needed for a gun that lives at the bottom of a pocket, purse, or glovebox.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

I have had a CA 5-shot 357 for a very long time. It's the only CA revolver I own & never had a Taurus so my experience is limited to say the least. However my CA is a fine gun, especially for the price paid for it & if I were looking for a new DA revolver on a budget I would not hesitate to buy another CA.
More than likely either one (CA or Taurus) can be a fine functional weapon but I agree with those that advise looking at used Smiths, Colts or Rugers. If they are in good condition & can be found within your price range any of them will also be a great choice.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

The used gun market in this area is slim to none; at least for guns like this. Lots of used shotguns, and a few rifles; but the only used revolvers I’ve seen lately are older Colt and Smith & Wesson models running $800+.

That pretty much leaves new revolvers. The cheapest new S&W models I’ve noticed are about $375 plus tax, and I’ve heard some bad stuff about Armscor models. Rugers cost as much or more than the Smiths. That pretty much leaves the Charter and Taurus.

 

[George Dickel]

I've owned 3 Taurus revolvers and 1 Charter Arms. All of them worked like they should and never malfunctioned. I prefer Taurus but that is personal preference, not a claim that Taurus is better than CA. You should be pleased with either brand.

 

[jdavis123]

There are several good options for new 38’s that can be had around the $300 mark; Charter,Taurus, EAA, Rossi, and Rock Island are a few that come to mind. Some of these small revolvers will be limited to the used of standard pressure loads only. A 4” gun is going to be easier to shoot well and will not produce the recoil that a snubbie will. I would suggest that a used S&W police trade-in model 10 or 64 would be a great choice. These K-frame guns are designed to handle any standard or plus P .38 Special ammunition and are quite accurate.

 

[ontarget]

I have multiple CA and Taurus revolvers. My CAs are all vintage so I don't carry them and my Taurus 85 is mostly a range gun. BUT my Taurus 85 Ultralite is my constant companion. At least 16 hours a day 365 days a year. I think the Charter or Taurus choice comes down to a coin toss and it's a winner either way.
The gun snobs will be along any time to tell you otherwise.

 

[94045]

LGS had the Taurus 856 for $200 ($175 after Rebate) and 856 UL for $225/$200 before Christmas.

A friend bought the 856 and has been pretty happy with it.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

LGS had the Taurus 856 for $200 ($175 after Rebate) and 856 UL for $225/$200 before Christmas.

A friend bought the 856 and has been pretty happy with it.

That’s a heck of a price. I would have bought a couple of them if I’d seen a deal like that.

 

[Meeks36]

I've carried both Taurus and charter. Of the two charter has a better fit and finish. Nothing wrong with either. Just personal preference. That and my grandpa carried a charter undercover since before I was born. He bought it in July of 1982. So I am biased.

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

LGS had the Taurus 856 for $200 ($175 after Rebate) and 856 UL for $225/$200 before Christmas.

A friend bought the 856 and has been pretty happy with it.

The last time a LGS had an 856 it was over $320 but didn't have the funds. If it was $200 I would have grabbed it.

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

A family member asked me about buying a .38 Special revolver, and wanted to spend about $300. Right off I thought Taurus 85 or Charter Undercover, but told him I’d do some checking. Well, as it turns out, Taurus no longer makes the 85, but now offer the 856.

I have an 85 and an Undercoverette, and both seem pretty comparable in quality, but I don’t have either of the ones I mentioned above. Are there any qualities that would make either one better or more desirable than the other? Quality, reliability, warranty, etc...?

A while back my LGS had an all stainless steel 856 that I got it handle. I got to handle it and the gun locked up tight and seemed solid. If I had the spare funds at the time I would have grabbed it.

I do believe the 856 is plus p rated.

The upcoming 3" models with the night sights that were shown at SHOT show we're sweet looking guns

 

[Tallball]

I own or have owned four CA revolvers and around ten Taurus.

Only one Taurus had to go back to the factory. Two CA did. On average the CA had better triggers, though not as good as the best Taurus.

 

[Waterboy3313]

I have a Taurus 605 that actually impressed me quite a bit. It was about $300 out the door with tax and dros fees. For the money its a decent unit and under 30 feet I shoot it more accurately than my 9mm shield. The sights are not the greatest I painted the front for a huge improvement. Lowest cost pistol I have ever bought and I wasn't disappointed.

 

[nofendertom]

I just got a Taurus 856---took it to range and was pleasantly surprised---at 7yds all SIX rounds could be covered by my fist---all stainless for $259---went back and forth looking at CA but liked the fit and lockup of the 856 better---also the CA was a 5 shooter

 

[94045]

I do believe the 856 is plus p rated.

All models including the 16 oz UL are +P rated.

 

[94045]

That’s a heck of a price. I would have bought a couple of them if I’d seen a deal like that.

Admittedly the steel gun was simply the basic matte black finish and not stainless. Of course all the UL are aluminum/stainless combo.

The all steel gun is a little chunky at 23+ oz but it calms +P rounds down nicely. I even like the factory grips. I guess the bigger cylinder for 6-Rounds had to add some weight but it does shoot nice. Trigger isn't quite as good as my S&W M60 but it isn't bad and will improve with use. Overall he could have done a lot worse.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Thanks for all the thoughts. It sounds like there’s not much difference quality wise between the two guns. I also believe that the two guns I have are similar enough to the two in question that I’ll just let him shoot those to see which he prefers. In the end, he’ll need to make the choice, not me. Again thanks, and I’ll pass on all the pertinent information.

 

[BearBrimstone]

The used gun market in this area is slim to none; at least for guns like this. Lots of used shotguns, and a few rifles; but the only used revolvers I’ve seen lately are older Colt and Smith & Wesson models running $800+.

That pretty much leaves new revolvers. The cheapest new S&W models I’ve noticed are about $375 plus tax, and I’ve heard some bad stuff about Armscor models. Rugers cost as much or more than the Smiths. That pretty much leaves the Charter and Taurus.

If your friend is willing to buy online sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com has Smith & Wesson 38 Bodyguards for $299 with free shipping right now. If you wait long enough I’ve seen them drop as low as $280 and have seen similar prices on a few traditional j frames.

 

[Waveski]

The used gun market in this area is slim to none; at least for guns like this.

Not so. Lots of Taurus 85 (s) for sale ; a check of just 1 site - Gunbroker - shows a selection for $250 or less , a review of completed transaction shows dozens sold in that range in that past few months.
I carried a ss 85 for a year , it was great in aesthetics and satisfactory in function despite a rather heavy da trigger.

That aside , I too would buy a used S&W J frame. Better than CA and Taurus in all ways. - especially trigger characteristics. Take one of each , C.A. , Taurus , and S&W , all 2' , to the range. Shoot 25 rounds from each into individual targets then compare.

 

[Typetwelve]

Hmm...I've owned two Taurus firearms (a revolver and a 1911), both had massive issues, both are gone.

I currently own 2 Charter revolvers, one 44 Bulldog and one 9mm Pitbull. The Bulldog has a sticky cyl release, but it always runs. The Pitbull also cycles fine, but one of the detents that holds the casing in spot...well, just fell out one day. I need to send it back in.

Personally...having owned S&W a S&W 637 twice now (long story...don't ask), I'd take one of those over a Taurus or a Charter if I wanted it for 38 special. They are so much nicer. Sadly, they do not make a j-frame in 44 spcl or 9mm...or I'd have one of those instead.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Not so. Lots of Taurus 85 (s) for sale ; a check of just 1 site - Gunbroker - shows a selection for $250 or less , a review of completed transaction shows dozens sold in that range in that past few months.
I carried a ss 85 for a year , it was great in aesthetics and satisfactory in function despite a rather heavy da trigger.

That aside , I too would buy a used S&W J frame. Better than CA and Taurus in all ways. - especially trigger characteristics. Take one of each , C.A. , Taurus , and S&W , all 2' , to the range. Shoot 25 rounds from each into individual targets then compare.

The used gun market [in this area] is slim to none; at least for guns like this.

Not everyone wants to buy a used gun over the internet. While I’m not disputing the availability of said guns on gunbroker, if it were me, I’d rather buy an 856 new locally for about $275 rather than a used 85 for around $225, and then pay $25 shipping and a $25 transfer fee. But that’s just me. On the other hand, I could drive 2 hours to Buds gun shop in Lexington and find the same gun for $234 new, but it would take a half day travel, $20 in gas, and $20 for lunch. That brings the total back to about the same.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

I have multiple CA and Taurus revolvers. My CAs are all vintage so I don't carry them and my Taurus 85 is mostly a range gun. BUT my Taurus 85 Ultralite is my constant companion. At least 16 hours a day 365 days a year. I think the Charter or Taurus choice comes down to a coin toss and it's a winner either way.
The gun snobs will be along any time to tell you otherwise.

Why don't you carry your vintage CA's? Mine is vintage also so I'm interested in knowing your reasons.