That sums it up.Charter Arms is made here in the USA, has excellent customer service, and has been making .38s and .44 specials for many years.
Is this a trick question?
I'd go with Charter Arms. I have no recent experience with Taurus, but I've seen many complaints.
Charter Arms makes a good revolver. In fact, out of the .38 snubs I've tried made by Charter Arms, S&W, and Ruger in the last five years, the Charter Arms wins in the areas of:
1) barrel/cylinder gap
2) cylinder end-shake
3) lock up tightness
4) timing
For cylinder throat diameter Charter Arms and Ruger passed, S&W failed.
Charter Arms' CS is second to none. Ruger will be nice nice nice on the phone, but they don't fix anything. S&W's CS is about the same as Ruger's, except for the nice nice nice on the phone part.
Charter Arms's CS is polite and businesslike on the phone, and fast and efficient regarding turn around. You'll get your gun back quick, and it'll be repaired.
Charter Arms only falls short as far as the trigger, imo.
Keep in mind the .44 will cost you about $1 each time you shoot it.
Charter Arms makes a good revolver. In fact, out of the .38 snubs I've tried made by Charter Arms, S&W, and Ruger in the last five years, the Charter Arms wins in the areas of:
1) barrel/cylinder gap
2) cylinder end-shake
3) lock up tightness
4) timing
In fact, out of the .38 snubs I've tried
According to who?
I'm surprised Charter Arms beat Ruger and S&W in the areas listed.
Which is better overall? Charter Arms revolvers or Taurus revolvers?
Which company makes better .38 revolvers? Charter Arms of Taurus
Which company makes better .44 special revolvers? Charter Arms or Taurus?
An important thing to remember is that "Charter Arms" revolvers cover a pretty broad range of variations and quality control over many years of production.
A lot of the 90s vintage revolvers were very well made guns. Currently have two Taurus revolvers that work perfectly, and sold one of their .32 mags to a friend who loves it dearly. I gave up on Charter Arms completely. YMMV.