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okay, i did a lot of research on these two models before i went to pick them up, and nothing i read told me anything close to my actual experience.
first up, my charter undercover .38 special. i thought this would be an easy gun to handle based on what i knew of it, but i had never fired a revolver or a 38. based on my inexperience, i decided i'd "warm up" with that gun.
i loaded it, pulled the hammer back, aimed, and.....
it felt like i stuck my face in a [sic]toaster. with the hammer back, it goes from zero to what-the-eff-ever in just under no seconds. i couldn't see a fooking thing over the flare, it shook everything i was in physical contact with...it's a dirty, visceral experience. i have absolutely no doubt it would put someone on their [butt], and someone not experienced with guns would think i had fired a mortar. and it is so dirty. i had black stuff all the way down both hands. the best i can describe it, is an "in your face" experience. from the hydra-shok ammo looking like a wasp nest to the unmistakable blast and fire of expelling a round, it's visual power. in short, i love it, but i will need a good long time to be good with it.
next up, the gun i think i won't ned to replace soon, my s&w sigma .40 cal...
from what i had read, i was expecting a less than stellar experience, a tough trigger, a hard time aiming, and massive recoil. not one of those was true. i started low, but i hit a bull with my first mag...
nothing i thought about this gun was true. it fired like a dream. i was firing at a very rapid rate, not just because i wanted to show off, but because i was confident i'd hit the target. the only time i didn't hit it was here, firing the last twelve rounds i had. i put it at the back of the range (about 50 ft), and went for head shots. it won't take long before i nail that every time, but it was my first outing with this gun, and i only landed half the shots i fired, including one right through the center of the forehead...
although i can't say enough good things about it, my sister said her fingers hurt all the way to her elbows and she's going to rethink buying a larger gun than a 9mm.
i was having a tough time choosing, so i bought a revolver and a semi. i'm glad i did. the five rounds go really fast, BUT....i had one misfire in the revolver, and i just shrugged and pulled again. it was my fault, but the "pardon" was a nice feeling (however, like i said, 5 rounds goes fast and i'm glad i have the semi).
i had a great time, and i'm totally pleased with both...and VERY much looking forward to hitting the range again.
This assumption is flat-out wrong. Unfortunately, I've seen many a gun-store clerk recommend these guns to n00bs. I just don't get it. Have these guys ever actually fired a hot .38Spl+P load from a 12-15 oz. gun? 
Every time I've ever seen a n00b shooter fire a lightweight .38 snubby, their first trigger pull is followed by a 4-letter word. 
