Taurus vs Charter Arms

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he doesn't have to put up with second-rate guns that he's going to wonder if they're going to work when he needs them to.
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Internet Commando BS.

The fabled S&W Model 10 for $100 is going the way of the dinosaur. Most of them around here are in the $200-250 range, for a used gun. I find it utterly ludicrous that anyone will recommend buying a used gun over a new one. Yes, if you're really good, you can rule out the most obvious problems in a used gun, but that still doesn't tell you when it will break, like the first shot in a gun-fight.

Using the same basic skills can allow anyone to check a new gun. I find it simply amazing how many people actually BUY guns with tilted barrels, horrible triggers, and funky sights and lousy finishes. They have a ton of excuses, but now they are whining about QC.

There are several threads about problems with S&W in this forum, but nobody mentions them.

FYI, a non+P rated Taurus Model 85 will last approximately 5000 rounds when used exclusively with +P and +P+ loads. It won't be dangerous, but will start shaving lead slightly at that point.

Sems to me, as to the comment of metallurgy, that it was K-frame S&W revolvers that shot loose with a steady diet of the roll-marked caliber. Not Taurus. It was also S&W that shed barrels during qualification of a prison guard detachment.
 
I'll also add that the OP wanted a snub-nosed revolver. Most of the fabled S&W Model 10s out here are 4".
 
Charter Arms,not Charco or Charter 2000,the last two were when the company was under different control and QC wasnt the best.The earlier Charters were decent guns but the new one are better with the one piece barrels.
 
lloveless said:
I have owned and do own now several of Charters .38 snubs, and a Bulldog Pug in .44 spcl. I have to laugh at joed. Did you shoot plus P's in it or handloads? Did you contact Charter they would have repaired it if the gun was at fault. There are junk guns from every company. If you buy something you think is a lemon don't fault all the guns. Maybe yours was made by someone on pain meds that day, stayed up all night on the computer, watched TV, had a fling. It happens. I guess I am fortunate. All of my Charters that I've bought shoot accurately, conceal well etc. I believe that Charter used/uses a plastic for the grip frame.
ll
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nope, it's anodized aluminum
 
Quote:
he doesn't have to put up with second-rate guns that he's going to wonder if they're going to work when he needs them to.
Click to expand...
Internet Commando BS.

The fabled S&W Model 10 for $100 is going the way of the dinosaur. Most of them around here are in the $200-250 range, for a used gun. I find it utterly ludicrous that anyone will recommend buying a used gun over a new one. Yes, if you're really good, you can rule out the most obvious problems in a used gun, but that still doesn't tell you when it will break, like the first shot in a gun-fight.
Click to expand...

And if you're inexperienced with firearms, but moderately literate, you can read Jim March's revolver evaluation thread and look over a new or used gun to rule out obvious problems nearly as well as the guy with decades of shooting revolvers. And it still won't tell you whether your gun is going to beat the odds in your enemy's favor and break at the first shot in a gunfight.

Now. Where do you get off, man? I'm no internet commando, and I'm not shoveling BS, real or the "internet commando" version. I'm talking about finding deals on really good, reliable, useable guns. When a guy has convinced himself that his budget is going to limit him to two brands whose reputations are sometimes quite spotty, it is not ridiculous to suggest that he look around more, do more research and shopping, learn something before he buys, and make a much more informed decision.

Right there in your post, you say that Model 10 S&W revolvers in your area are going for between $200 and $250. That is easily within the suggested budget OP presented. I'd buy a Model 10 for $250 any day of the week over a new or used Charter, and most Taurus, in the same price range. Yes, I would. And I'd recommend it to a friend, too. Or give one to my father. And I wouldn't consider such a decision nor recommendation to be ridiculous, either.

I would consider it the smart choice for several reasons, not the least of which is - that S&W is never going to be worth less than it is right now. That Charter is never going to be worth more than it is right now, and that Taurus is probably not going to go up in value, either.

Spend your money how you want. I know what I'm going to do, and what I'll recommend to anyone who asks me for advice.

Good day, sir.
 
Sigh

I wish one of two things:

1) Ruger made a .44 spl snubby to compete with the Bulldog except that it
would have all of Rugers durability/QC that Charter (allegedly) doesn't have

2) Taurus to bring back their .44 spl/.45 LC snubby line.

I guess both companies did market research to find out whether lines like that could be profitable and decided they weren't.

As an aside I have a M85 Blued with 1000+ rounds through it (mainly +P)and no problems or defects whatsoever. Its more of a truck gun / spare simply because my 642 is lighter and easier for pocket carry. But I have no issues or concerns about carrying it for CHL duty.

In fact, if I had some spare cash (which I really don't - but you never know when it comes to guns :p) I'd likely pick pick up the M856 - same size as the '85 but a 6 shot snubby, which can't be a bad idea).
 
Can't speak on the Charter as I have never fired one but my Taurus is amazing to shoot. Best thing you can do is find a gun range that will rent you both.
 
Older ca undercover 38 spl.

Hey all. This my first time on your site. Pretty cool. My question for ya is "is it safe to shoot +p 38's through an early CA undercover(circa 1980 I gather)? I have some 110 grain hollow points but haven't tried them yet.
 
jtoonjr,
The original (1st Generation) Charter Arms Corp. specifically stated in all the catalogues that I have, that the UNDERCOVER, 5 shot .38 SPL. was not designed to handle +P Ammunition. The POLICE variants (made on the larger BULLDOG frame) 6 shot .38s were capable of handling the +P .38s as this frame would also handle .357 Mags, as well as the better known .44 SPL cartridges. From all the evidence, I wouldn't shoot +P .38s in any of my UNDERCOVER or OFFDUTY pieces.
I am not familiar with the current (3rd Gen.) specifications.
 
I haven't owned or even fired a Charter revolver, but when they first came on the market several decades ago I examined one at a gun shop and was favorably impressed by both the design and the quality of fit and finish for that price range. At that time all Charters were snubbies and quite a few cops bought them for a BUG and some plain clothes cops were buying them for a duty gun. Since then the company has gone through several owners, and quality has gone from "good for the price" to "awful at any price", depending on who was running the shop when it was built. On the other hand I have owned 2 Taurus revolvers, a 6" .357 and a 2-1/2" .357. Mine are well built and nicely finished, not quite up to the build quality of the old line Smiths of long ago days that I own and have owned, but entirely adequate for the price. Bottom line for me, if I had to choose between Charter or Taurus I would have to go with the manufacturer that I have experience with, Taurus.
 
I have 3 Charter Arms and two are more than 30 years old...

and still going strong with no problems . I can not say that about my S&W guns for sure. I like the CA guns. I have seen the new ones and shot one for several years and I believe they are as good as the older ones.
 
I would consider it the smart choice for several reasons, not the least of which is - that S&W is never going to be worth less than it is right now. That Charter is never going to be worth more than it is right now, and that Taurus is probably not going to go up in value, either.
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I'll invest in mutual funds, thanks. I ain't interested in ever selling one of my firearms. They're for shooting, Smith, Taurus, Rossi, or Ruger...lessee, don't think I left out a revolver brand....oh, wait, or ASM, NAA, or Pietta!
 
McG - I'm never interested in selling one - when I *buy* it. But I've surprised myself before with what I've sold, or found myself considering selling.
 
I have owned several Taurus revolvers over the past 20+ years, and all but one was satisfactory considering the price I paid for them. However, the only reason I can see now for choosing Taurus over a Smith is lower price, and as long as I can find used Smiths in VG to Excellent condition, (like the VG+ condition mod 10 I bought for 2/3 the price of a comparable new Taurus) I don't see a Taurus in my future.
 
I should correct any misconception or confusion I may have created by what appears to be a conflict between my two previous posts. I first said I own 2 Taurus revolvers, but neglected to say that I recently sold one of them to my brother in law. In the 2nd post I said that I had owned several (more than two) Taurus revolvers, which is true, but didn't say that all but the last two were owned back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. I know this doesn't matter to anyone but myself, and I only care because I don't want to be taken as either a moron or a liar on my first day posting on this site. I may be a moron, but I'm not a liar.
 
Charter

I believe they're at least American made. If not, I know they're an American company, so you stand a higher chance of good customer service.
 
32 Magnum said:
jtoonjr,
The original (1st Generation) Charter Arms Corp. specifically stated in all the catalogues that I have, that the UNDERCOVER, 5 shot .38 SPL. was not designed to handle +P Ammunition. The POLICE variants (made on the larger BULLDOG frame) 6 shot .38s were capable of handling the +P .38s as this frame would also handle .357 Mags, as well as the better known .44 SPL cartridges. From all the evidence, I wouldn't shoot +P .38s in any of my UNDERCOVER or OFFDUTY pieces.
I am not familiar with the current (3rd Gen.) specifications.
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Hey 32 magnum,
Thanks for the info. I thought as much. No +p's in my CA undercover. Wanna buy a box of shells? ;-)
 
I am sick of those bashing Taurus. I have owned and currently own Taurus revolvers. In fact I am a week away from buying another stainless 65. I have never had an issue with any revolver from Taurus. I plan to purchase two model 85 the first of the year. Why? Because I have owned them and have confidence in them. My brother owns a model 85 and likes it a lot. His friend owns a Taurus full size semi auto and likes it. For every one who complains about their Taurus there are tens of thousands who like theirs. That's the bad thing about these forums. The angry lash out and their point of view is picked up and spreads like fire throughout the internet mostly by people who have never actually owned one. Is it because they are made in Brazil? Are the only good guns made in USA? Hardly. If there is ever an issue with my Taurus I can rely on them to FIX IT. I bought a stainless Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt and the cylinder locked up on me after a few rounds. When I contacted Ruger the person on the phone acted like I was to blame and hinted that perhaps it was all my fault their wonder gun wasn't working. Well it finally got shipped and they did repair it but what a hassle not to mention putting up with their insults. Have not purchased any more Rugers. At one time I purchased Smith & Wesson J frame revolvers. But after using both Smith and Taurus side by side I sold the Smiths (along with two stainless 686's) and never looked back. Smith is a British owned company not an American company and after they tried to sell the American gun owner down the toilet (Clinton era) I will never again give them a penny of my business. I have no first hand knowledge about Charter Arms guns but I did talk with their customer service people a few weeks ago and the nice lady said that less than 1% of their revolvers were ever returned for repair and those that are are fixed and shipped from the factory within a week of their arrival. I enjoyed our chat and I would buy one of their revolvers anytime. Why? Because they are willing to stand behind their products and fix whatever goes wrong. ANY manufacturer can turn out a dud. Because they cost a small fortune doesn't mean they are immune to problems.
 
Toad, the bashing on this thread ended in April. Have you been stewing since then? Or were you just looking for a place to talk up your Taurus revolvers?
 
I've had 3 Taurus revolvers, none of them gave me any problems. I sold two because I ended up wanting something different, but I do still have one (which is a .22LR) and I love it. It's equally as fun to shoot as my Buck Mark, which I also love
 
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