Current Production Charter Arms Quality

[Penman]

Does anyone have any experience with the quality of current production Charter Arms revolvers? I know someone who needs a decent .38 snubby, and is on a budget. I know of a good deal on a stainless Charter Arms, but they will need to do some training with it and I want to be comfortable with the service life. Thanks in advance, it's been a while since I posted here.

 

[tom1200]

They work as advertised. I own a couple and they will get the job done. No malfunctions and acceptable accuracy and trigger for self defense. I've got a couple of thousand rounds between the two with no issues.

 

[Dismantler]

I bought a new one last summer and was very disappointed in it. After not too many rounds the gun loosened up dramatically. The really disturbing thing was the amount of front to back play that developed in the cylinder. I was shooting regular .38's, too.

These are cheap guns and you get what you pay for. When the crane is held on by a screw instead of a shaft that goes back into the frame of the revolver...you have a cheap gun. The cylinder stop is a stamped out piece of sheet metal. A used Smith would be a better gun, no matter how long you have to save for it. I paid $272 for the new Charter and not too long after bought a really nice used Smith for $289.

 

[Penman]

Thanks, guys. Appreciate the feedback.

 

[Rodbow]

UN-current Charter Arms product

I've read that the CA isn't the best gun to have however I inherited an undercover .38 spl with a 1 3/4" barrel.
How do I find out:

1-how old it is (6 digit SN beginning with 733###) and
2-depending on the age - is +p inadvisable?

I fully understand that you aren't able to know the gun but a smith (learner) said it was tight but didn't know about whether the increased pressure of the +p would make a difference, and I don't plan on shooting boxes through it just don't want it to cause damage to itself or me.

Thanks!

 

[ACORN]

As Dismantler said, I think your friend would be better off with a used Smith, or a Ruger SP101. I bought used LNIB of each for around $250. If he/she can luck out and do the same they'd way ahead. A used Charter is worth little. A used Smith or SP would be worth more should he/she decide to sell it later.

 

[XR400R]

I must agree with the other responders based on my recent experience.

I, too, was on a tight budget when I bought a new CA Undercover .38 Spl for $295 late last year.

Fresh out of the box it had a cylinder gap of .011". I don't have the capability of checking muzzle velocity, but I must believe that gap bleeds energy & degrades velocity.

Also, accuracy/repeatability from a fixed bench is, in my experience, really poor beyond 5-6 yards.

It is a nice size/weight for a pocket gun (which is what I prefer to CCW carry) but I now wish I'd continue saving for a S&W snubbie.

 

[MCgunner]

In the same price range, ROSSI is a fine quality gun. I'll pass on Charter Arms. I've owned one and have owned multiple Rossis. The Rossis hold up well, accurate, acceptable if not fantastic triggers, tight and will stay tight. The Rossi design is Smith and Wesson M36 (the .38 five shots). If you won't buy anything, but American, well, that's your hang up.