charter arms 38

F

fast20

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i just bought a used ca 38... model number 73811 undercover ss doa... it doesnt say anything about being +p on the box or the gun... but when i look it up on the web.. it says +p... can anybody help me out ... thanks for your help..
 
Well if you're headed for a BBQ the Charter Arms isn't going to go toe-to-toe with Colts or S&W's (heck maybe not even Rugers) but IMhO it's a quality gun that may turn out to be a real good shooter for you. Kind of like a Taurus.
 
I bought one because it was inexpensive and at the time I needed a truck gun, but it is more accurate than my S&W 442. It is a great shooter.

David
 
Suggesst you contact Charter ARms ...

and run the SN to confirm +P usage.

I recall that they didn't designed them for +P, best to confirm.

Post a picture, sound interesting.
 
It might be rated for +P but that doesn't mean that you'll want to shoot them in it.

My Bulldog 44 special can really send a wake up call with +P ammo in it.......and so can my S&W 642 38.....to the shooter that is.
 
jrothwa here are the pics...


20140902_122725_resized_1.jpg


20140902_122653_resized.jpg
 
That's a new model. Def able to shoot +P out of it. I have a few Charters and really like them myself.
 
I recall that they didn't designed them for +P, best to confirm.
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Current ones are, but Charter recommends against it. Not because it's hard on the gun, but because it's wasted power in a snubbie.

Q. Can I shoot +P in my .38 revolver?
A.

Charter .38's are among the smallest revolvers in this caliber. Yes they can handle +P but we do not recommend it for the following reasons:

+P ammo requires a four-inch minimum barrel to burn the extra powder. Therefore, in a two-inch barrel the extra powder is burned after the bullet leaves the barrel creating more recoil and making it harder to come back to target.

We recommend a standard velocity load and practice with round nose lead rounds which are the least expensive. When you load for protection, use a jacketed or hollow point in the same grain you practice with.

--http://www.charterfirearms.com/faq/Charter_Firearms_faq.asp
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Thanks dan-o I thought it was 2013 model . Is the first 2 numbers of the Sn the year 13-
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I never made that connection. Mine was purchased last year, and its SN starts with "13-".
 
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I wouldn't worry about shooting P+ in one of those, but I wouldn't do it often, simply because they're pretty "snappy" even with standard power RNL bullets.

My wife had one, in pink, that she loved until she shot it. Then she didn't want it anymore, but she is handicapped and doesn't have the grip and such that she used to have. I shot it a few times though and had to admit, with those small grips it's pretty lively.

I'd just stick to regular target type ammo for range work for the most part, and save the P+ for "serious social work".

You might want to replace those grips with a set of the neoprene ones that Charter sells on their website for about $25.00. Those grips made a world of difference on an old CA Undercover I had. That little gun was brutal with the tiny wood grips that came on it, but the neoprene ones tamed it right on down.
 
thank you lee n field... i guess i didnt look at the faq part of the site... thanks Canjunbass-
i really dont plan on shooting +p at the range... and i will use standard round... i just wanted to make sure it could handle the +p's... just seems like a little confusion from the box to the website...
thanks for all of the help from everybody... be safe out there..
 
In my experience not all +P are the same. If you look at +P velocity in say Remington and Corbon or Buffalo Bore, same bullet weights, you'll see a big difference in what they consider +P. I'd probably stay away from the higher end stuff if your not sure. Just my opinion.
 
For my lightweight guns I buy and practice with Federal American Eagle 130g. Standard 38 Spl. Ammo. I then fired Ten rounds of Speer Gold Dot 135g+P HP to make sure it hit point of aim. I figure a like weight will feel similar for practice. Works for me.
 
Nice Charter

Hey there fast20,

I've had a Charter Off-Duty for 4-5 years now. Carried often, fired often also. Never a hitch.

Accurate, tight and comfy to carry. I go with standard loads. Only plusP on occasion. Wish Nyclads were still available.

Enjoy your new snubby!

-WF
 
Buckeye!, whats the purpose of the hump back shroud with a hammer spur so far sticking out passed it? is that something you did after market?
 
yeah, that does look a little odd. I dint pick up on it at first, just that it looked funny, but def looks like a DAO
 
JERRYS

Buckeye's Charter with the shrouded hammer was made that way. as i've always understood it, this gives you the advantage of a concealed hammer revolver (like a Smith Centennial or current Charter Off Duty), while also offering the ability to fire it as a single action revolver.

The "hump" allows for pocket carry and aids in drawing without snagging on a pocket, etc...

Smith and Wesson has offered the same design for decades in the model 638(?) and i believe Colt had an aftermarket kit for their Detective Special that would convert the Dick Special to a shrouded hammer.

Definitely "different" looking, but at the same time born of necessity and serving a purpose.

Best,
-WF
 
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