charter arms opinions?

I've had a 2" Charter Undercover for over 20 years now and am very satisfied with it. I've kept it stock.

I load it with 158 gr SWC lead +P. Have fired many rounds thru it.

It is lightweight and compact, moreso than my Smith Model 60. It is perfectly reliable. Some may find the factory stock trigger heavy. Accuracy is perfectly acceptable for close defense situations.

I thought the price was very reasonable at the time, compared to the big names in gun manufacturing.

Maybe someday it will wear out. If so, I'll go out and buy another one. After all, I go out and buy a new car every few years spending lots more money on that purchase.
 
There is a lot of quality control differences between various Charters. The company has went under and back up more than once in the last 20 years. I hear some who like the fellow above say they have a good quality gun at a value price while others I know say quality was lacking. I think a good looking over by a competant gunsmith would be in order before I would buy one.
 
The Charter Arms guns made prior to 1991 have a good history of quality control and dependability. From 1991-1996, when they were "Charco," they were considered junk. Anything manufactured after 1996, when they again became Charter Arms, is like many firearm companies today. You may get a perfect one or a lemon, but most likely somewhere in the middle.
 
I too have a older charter snubbie

that i bought used in th early 80's. Its never failed me. Always hitbto poa and worked. Light too about a pound for a steel framed gun, not bed. Its still my bedside gun, at least until its replaced by a hicap 9.
 
If you do search, you'll find lots of info on them. That said, the one I had (an original Undercover .38 Spec) was okay, but hardly great. I traded it in towards a used S&W 66 ... and that's what my recommendation would be. i.e. "Roll" the money into a Smith or Ruger.

In the long run, you'll be happier, have a better gun, and have a much better resale value if you decide to part with it.

Just my two cents.

Gunner
 
I have one that's vintage '88, got it from a friend for $100. It's been a reliable self defense pistol, has always fired when it's supposed to, but it's pretty much "retired" now, as I'd use one of the other pistols first. But I'd still rely on it if I didn't have my others.
 
I have an old, second-hand (or more) Charter Arms .44 Special. It has an Armalloy finish and was "worked on" before I got it.

The trigger pull is quite good--both single and double action! Perhaps that's what a previous owner had improved. However, the springs apparently were lightened to make it easier to shoot so now it can only handle soft primers such as Winchester Silvertips.

Other than that, I've had good luck with it. I've dispatched both large dogs and small deer with no problem.

I usually carry .45 autos but my youngest daughter prefers the Pug for self-defense.
 
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