Question of Charter 2000 Undercover .38 Special

[lgmccord]

Hello,

I am looking to see if anyone can tell me the quality of a Charter 2000 Undercover .38 Special. My Mom owns one of these and has for about 10 years. It has a number on it of 19072. I am concerned about her having this since I don't know anything about it and whether it is a decent firearm. I would like to know whether I should get rid of it and get her something else.

 

[Creature]

Not an especially well-made firearm. Many consider them to be "junk" guns...myself included.

 

[Haywood]

I had one I liked. Never had a problem with it. A friend needed a small carry gun so I gave it to her.

 

[Dr_2_B]

Right or wrong, I generally feel better with a 'junk' revolver than with a 'junk' semi-auto. If it's going to be carried a lot and shot a little.

 

[paulgl26]

i got one of the pink lady for the wife
it was really cheap,it is light 12 ounce and after 450 rounds including some +p it is always on target
she did not like the grips but i got some new ones for 20$
perfect for her purse and very accurate

 

[chrisf8657]

I had a Charter 2000 a few years back...
Like Creature said, they are junk.

The gun nearly took my arm off - when I went to fire it being fresh back from the factory (that for it jamming up with 1/2 of the hammer cocked & 50 .38 Spl rounds), it was out of alignment and shaved a round really good...lucky i wasn't hurt, but it jammed up the cylinder.

I'd honestly get a Taurus if tight on money, but you will never go wrong, and I personnaly recommend a S&W Model 36 or Model 60 - that's what replaced that POS Charter of mine.

 

[paulgl26]

so how it took your arm off?
i had a s&w that the timing was off and it is an easy fix

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I can't speak to recent production pieces but the CA Undercover .38 that I bought in the late '70s was every bit the equal of my S&W model 36 in quality and reliability.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I wouldn't buy a newer one the Old ones made 20 years ago are great. I got one through a estate sale cheap and it had not been shot enough to show on the barrel or any where else. Lady said it was her Dads Nightstand gun.

 

[dbarale]

Some will tell you they're junk, some will tell you they're the best thing since slice bread...
The older ones, made under the name Charter Arms, were really good. The design is really clever and allows for a really light gun with a one-piece, all steel frame.
The ones built under the names Charter 2000 or Charco were really hit or miss. Yours could be fine or there may be some issues with it.
The newest ones seem back on track for what I've seen at the dealers. Not the most beautiful finish but fit and function seem to be fine.
You could always contact the current company and see if they would let you send the gun in so they can go over it and make sure it is as it should. That would give you peace of mind and it may come back with a better trigger pull...

Edit: I carry one of the old ones with a bobbed hammer daily.

 

[snooperman]

I have several Charter arms revolvers...

But most were made in the early 70's and late 7o's in Stratford Conn. I have been told by many that when the company was sold to Charco the quality was not too good, but present guns are as good as ever. Mine are all blue and are as good as any of my S&W guns in finish and function. I like them and have shot them for almost 40 years without problems at all. I have seen some of the Charter 2000 guns and while I admit the finish is not as nice as mine I am can not comment on the function as I have no experience over time with them.

 

[Revolversrule]

Second the motion on the new guns...

A few years back I was looking to upgrade my .38 snubby with a .357 snubby, and stopped down at my buddy's shop in Shelton (right in front of where Charter's are made today) and was interested in the Charter. At the time, my friend steered me away from a new Charter to a barely used Ruger for the same price. The Charter had excessive play in the wheel, but that was 10 years ago. Today I would pick up a Charter in a heartbeat, the fit and finish are much improved and though they seem to be concentrating a lot on some funky color combos, all seemingly in their 38's, some of those funky combos seem to be catching on.

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/151918000/151918971/pix1479122015.jpg

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/151919000/151919549/pix1479909984.jpg

This last one is my personal favourite!

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/151916000/151916262/pix1477108390.jpg