Charter arms revolvers?

[Questor]

Is the Charter Arms "Off Duty" 38 revolver a good and durable gun? It has an attractive configuration and weight, and presumably a significantly lower cost than a comparable S&W. What do you know about these?

[S.S.]

I have had an "Off Duty" for about 12 years (Maybe a little more).
My brother has the Pathfinder in .357 mag.
A friend has a Bulldog Pug in .44 spl.
No problems with any of them being functional.
Mine is as accurate as any other snub .38 I have fired.
The trigger return spring is a pain in the BUTT to
get back into place if you fully disassemble one though.
I left mine disassembled for years because of that spring!
Then one night I grew a wild hair and decided it would be
put back together before I slept again. I finally figured out
which way it went about 4 hours later. Two hands are simply
not enough to do it. I held it in place and my wife tapped the pin back
into place ! They are serviceable handguns.

[camsdaddy]

My wife bought one a few years ago she said it just felt good in her hand. I have shot it more than she has and must say that I have been pleased. It is a good shooting snub. Does it have the fit and finish of a S&W no I dont guess it does but has it been a good pistol yes.

[rockbilly]

I have owned a Bulldog for many years, never a problem with it.

[44 Man]

I feel that the Charter is one of the most under-rated guns out there!  I owned an undercover .38 for years and years and shot it a lot with warm .38s and never had a lick of trouble.  It was accurate and handy and affordable.  I wish I still had them all but I have owned 2 .38s, 2 pathfinders, and 3 44's.  All have been accurate and reliable.  The only trouble I ever had was the cylinder release getting out of adjustment.  If you swing out the cylinder and look at the recoil shield, there is a screw in the middle of it.  When you push against the cylinder release on the side of the frame, that screw pushes against the cylinder pin, releasing the cylinder.  If it becomes loose (one of mine did), it can become difficult to release the cylinder.  If so, screw it out (as I did) and clean it and apply a drop of locktight.  Screw it back in until it is flush with the recoil shield and you are all set.  Simple fix.  Buy it and enjoy it!  44 Man

[Old Griz]

The company has changed hands several times, and quality control has gone up and down depending on who was running things. Several years back Gun Tests was comparing some cheap .357s and between the Charter Arms and the Rossi, one had its firing pin break after the 5th shot, and the other had the barrel shroud fly off after about three shots. Can't remember which one did what, but I didn't think I wanted either one of them.

Can't really say from first hand experience. Don't know a soul who owns one. Most of the guys I know who carry DA revolvers carry S&W, or Ruger (including myself). I just think its worth the extra money to get quality and dependability.

[44 Man]

If you find you are questioning the durability or reliability, you can probaby find a used S&W snub for close to the price of a new Charter.  44 Man

[Lloyd Smale]

there good seviceable guns. Nothing flashy but do go bang!

[lefty red]

I had the BULLDOG and OFFDUTY given to me by my uncle when I went in the service.  Both were older and great working wheelguns.

I looked over a new BULLDOG last week.  It felt cheap and toyish.  I would go with the suggestion adn get an older S&W.  BTW, I found anolder COLT DETECTIVE SPECIAL for just a couple bucks more that the new BULLDOG!

Lefty

[BOPLEO]

A cop friend of mine gave me one (an undercover in .38) he used to carry many years ago. The finish was completly worn on one side but the gun functions perfect and is very accurate.