Author Topic: Charter handguns (Read 2128 times)

Country Boy · « **on:** May 17, 2012, 03:46:56 AM »

Are these decent handguns ? My brotherwants something to keep in his dresser draw at knoght. He is 80 not a shoother and cant pull the slide or load the clip on a semi. I think he can shoot a 38 with low recoil loads. What is a good price for a new one. Dealer wants 299 but what model should I order him. Thanks for any help.

Brett · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2012, 05:24:27 AM »

Like many gun manufacturers they have gone threw some rough spells in the past where QC suffered. However, I feel that the current company puts out a very solid line of quality made products and stands behind them with an excellent CS dept. In fact, my wife's carry gun is a Charter Undercover.

That said, I'm not sure I would recommend any of CA's current offerings for your brother. In fact I would not recommend any small J-frame sized revolver for your brother. Due to the nature of the beasts I don't know of any small revolvers of this type that don't have heavy triggers, sharp recoil and aren't difficult to aim because of their crude sites and short site radius. All things that someone of advanced age would have difficulty adapting to.

I would suggest you look for a medium frame, 4" or 5" revolver in .38 or .38/.357 by one of the reputable gun makers (S&W, Ruger, Colt) for your brother.

spruce · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2012, 08:07:59 AM »

I agree with Brett.

A snubnose revolver is not an easy gun to shoot well, especially for an inexperienced shooter or someone with physical issues.

I'd be looking for a decent used S&W model 10 if it were me.

Hodr · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2012, 11:06:25 AM »

I also agree with the above. I own a Charter Arms 38 snub and there are definetly easier guns to bring to battery. If possible get your brother to go try the look and feel of a Beretta Tomcat in 32 auto. This gun has a fairly light recoil and a tip up barrel instead of a slide. It is lightweight, inconspicuous and if you leave the barrel open and tipped up with a round in the chamber, between the magazine and the chamber you have 7 rounds available. It also has grips large enough to keep hold of it. There should be less than $50 difference between the two. If you check the used gun stores the Tomcat is probably a good deal less than $300 with an extra mag and ammo thrown in. i doubt seriously if your brother will ever burn more than 4 boxes of ammo through this gun. Buying premium ammo will be an important part of making sure either one will fire if it is needed.

Hodr

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2012, 03:24:00 PM »

I have a Charter Undercover 2" and a Charter Police Bulldog 4". The Bulldog is the better gun for the dresser drawer where concealibility is not neeeded. It is a full-size .38 carrying 6 shots.

tacklebury · « **Reply #5 on:** May 17, 2012, 04:00:30 PM »

The Undercover Lite's are great .38 specials. Considering they weigh 12 oz. (less than an LCR) and the one we have and others I've shot are very accurate. With my wife's Pink Lady version, I can fast fire all 5 and keep them on a 10" dia. target at 30 paces. It's +p rated and does terrific on recoil compared to a few other .38's I've fired. Considering they have a lifetime warranty and several grip variations, I cannot think of too much better ccw piece. I'm loading hers up with a book load of H110 and 110 gr. XTP hp's for defense and RN 158gr. Berry's Copper Plated for plinking. Both have the same POI with this firearm at the ranges we use. I've done a few lead SWC in 158 gr also, but they tend to deviate POI more. I'm considering a .44 Bulldog or the Tigerstriped Steel version of this for myself, but have my eyes set on a couple other firearms first.

Country Boy · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2012, 04:49:01 AM »

Thank you mr. tackleberry. It's nice to get some positive feed back. I ordered the standard undercover model for my brother, should be here next week. I will try to get a gunsmith to smooth it up a little. I'm not a great shot but I saw a video of a guy shooting one . first shot was 1.4 seconds and he emptyed it in less than 5 seconds. and all shots were in a paper plate at 10 yds.

RevJim · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2012, 06:10:23 AM »

I wouldn't worry about the recoil of any handgun for this use. Why? Smith & Wesson did a study , way back around 20 yrs or so. In it it was found that the "Average Handgun Owner" in America owned one handgun, shot it six times when first purchased, it then sat in a drawer for an average of 26yrs before it was sold or given away. Peace of mind is a wonderful thing!
Now, granted, we have since had 2 incredibly gun hostile Presidents, and 9/11. So this study is "dated", sure, but it may be that we can add a shotgun or AR/AK type long gun to the list of "standby" weapons now.

tacklebury · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2012, 10:47:15 AM »

Smith & Wesson definitely didn't come to these here parts to ask their survey. My guns don't get much dust on them. I shoot a minimum of once a month year round except January when it's well below zero here. I have been known to peek out and shoot a couple quick rounds at my dad's though. hehe Recoil with +P in many revolvers can get a little heavy. The last time I shot a smith compact with +p it was a handful. The shorter hammer throw on the Charter arms, keeps the recoil more inline with your hand and doesn't really cause a lot of flip. If they weren't so Ugly, the only thing with a more inline barrel is the Rhino series. Yuk though, I'll stick to charter. hehe

RevJim · « **Reply #9 on:** May 19, 2012, 07:30:38 AM »

Yep, I don't know how accurate that survey was as a whole, although I have seen many folks who did that very thing. If it was a magnum, they didn't even shoot a cylinder full. "That's good enough" seemed to be the Universal saying, then it goes in a drawer/truck,etc. "There if you need it" is their mindset.
I had a Charter Arms .44 Special Bulldog years ago. With the old 246gr lead factory load, it was very plesent to shoot. When I handloaded some "defense loads", it was a brute! ha I sold it to my BIL, who shot it a few times, and it may still be a drawer some where!
Thanksfully, there are many good .38 Special defense loads now that are fairly easy to shoot from a snubbie. I even like the Glaser and MagSafe stuff for in the home. Very wicked indeed!

Brett · « **Reply #10 on:** May 20, 2012, 08:32:38 AM »

Quote from: Country Boy on May 18, 2012, 04:49:01 AM

Thank you mr. tackleberry. It's nice to get some positive feed back. I ordered the standard undercover model for my brother, should be here next week. I will try to get a gunsmith to smooth it up a little. I'm not a great shot but I saw a video of a guy shooting one . first shot was 1.4 seconds and he emptyed it in less than 5 seconds. and all shots were in a paper plate at 10 yds.

Not sure what the "...nice to get some positive feed back (sic)" comment is all about. No one here said anything derogatory about Charter Arms' current crop of guns. Several have tried to explain that a lite weight, snub nosed revolver may not be the best option for an older person who probably has diminishing site and grip strength. Maybe to your way of thinking that's being negative. I look at as being informative.

In any case, the short and sweet answer to your question is: Yes, Charter handguns are decent. I would say a good deal for the money even.

Now that I have again answered your question I will again try to give you some friendly advice. I had forgotten about the 4' and 5" Target Bulldogs with adjustable sites until Woodchukhntr mentioned his 4" Bulldog in his post. I think your brother would probably find one of these to be easier to shoot than any 2" snub.

Best of luck to you both.

Uncle Harry · « **Reply #11 on:** May 21, 2012, 05:24:05 AM »

I have an older Bulldog snubbie in 44 spcl. Hard DA trigger pull and a real handfull when it goes boom but it makes a lotta noise and puts big holes in stuff.

Good nightstand gun for me anyway.

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #12 on:** May 29, 2012, 10:07:37 AM »

I've had my Charter .44 about 5 years. I've shot it and shot it some more. Still as tight as new. The action is smoother than my Model 36. I filed the front sight down to accomodate 180 and 200 grain loads. On my last outing, I kept a baseball size rock rolling at 15 yards. My current load is the standard pressure 180 jhp from DoubleTap, which out performs my brother's .45 Glock. The Charter .44 is my favorite gun. My next gun will be one of their 12 ounce .38s.

azmark · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2012, 07:11:54 PM »

Hey Countryboy, are you going to tell us how your decision turns out? I think I want a Bulldog Pug for my next gun and I'm trying to get as much first hand info as I can. I checked out a Charter .38 at a gun show and was surprised to find that the trigger was nicer than that of a friend's Smith 442 which is already broken in. Is that your experience as well?

44 Man · « **Reply #14 on:** July 04, 2012, 05:15:41 AM »

I'm a little late but I have to pop in on any discussion of Charter handguns. My first 'carry' gun was a Charter .38 and it was a wonderful little gun. Accurate and handy, I shot many a rock and dirt clod with it. I believe the local Animal Dept officer still owns it. Since then I've had several more and enjoyed them all. My son now owns my Charter with a 3 digit serial number but I've always kept one around. When you talk trigger pull, you have to remember that Wolff springs makes replacement mainsprings for the Charter (and of course S&W's) that reduce the pull quite a bit and that will also serve to smooth out the feel of it. All in all an excellent, resonable price gun. 44 Man
My present .44, tricked out by Ken at Mag-na-port.

S.B. · « **Reply #15 on:** July 06, 2012, 05:51:25 PM »

Never owned one but, if he really wants one tell him to look for their Biull Dog in .44 special. This one John Wooters love to carry.
Steve

Savage · « **Reply #16 on:** July 07, 2012, 12:42:42 AM »

Good little revolvers for carry and occasional use. I've owned two, the first was a 4" .357. Never ran more than a cylinder full of .357 through the gun in the 3yrs or so I owned it. I did put 100 or so wad cutter .38s through it weekly. Great shooting little gun. It loosened up and got out of time. I gave it to a gunsmith friend of mine. The second one is a stainless "Undercover" I still have that one. The front sight fell off many years ago, looked like it was glued on. The cylinder rotates freely with the hammer down, but still indexes properly. Easy fix. Haven't looked into finding a front sight for it. If I find one, I'll have it silver soldered in place!! If I were in the market for a small revolver I'd still give them a look.
Savage

Brett · « **Reply #17 on:** July 07, 2012, 01:04:05 AM »

Savage, CA has a lifetime warranty send your gun back to them and they will replace your site and fix whatever else you need fixed.

Savage · « **Reply #18 on:** July 07, 2012, 07:08:26 AM »

I understand CA has changed hands a few times over the years. This pistol is 30yrs old. Wonder if that makes a difference? I suspect I could have the gun fixed myself and come out about even after I pay shipping back to the factory, and the FFL to handle the return. Not like I need the gun, I haven't shot it in 20yrs. Still it would be good to have it back in serviceable condition. At least I could sell it. Good information, thanks!
Savage

S.B. · « **Reply #19 on:** July 07, 2012, 09:04:25 AM »

Savage, Why does a dealer have to be involved?
Country Boy, In today's world of redirecting search engines, I happened upon their website
http://www.charterfirearms.com/index.asp
why not ask them?
Steve

PAHUnter04 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 11, 2012, 08:54:30 AM »

I have had a few Charter Arms come and go. I always thought they were a very good bang for the buck. I really like the Ultra Light Undercover with the Aluminum frame. And the Pink Chic Lady is just plain cool....LOL

Regards PAHunter04

jimster · « **Reply #21 on:** July 11, 2012, 11:44:19 AM »

I keep waiting for Charter to come out with the "classic" bulldog, 3" no shroud...darn it, what is taking them so long. I would buy one of those. Had an older model years back, it was a good gun, should have never sold it. Charter has been advertising these for a real long time, still I don't see them, not even a picture yet on there web site.

Hank08 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 12, 2012, 10:21:24 AM »

Jimster, sort of like this one. I've had this one for 10 yrs. or so. Very accurate, excellent trigger both double and single. The Pachmayr grips make it very comfortable to shoot even with heavier than factory loads. These are more comfortable to shoot with factory .44 spl. than the 12 oz. 38s are with facory .38s IMHO.

H08

coyotejoe · « **Reply #23 on:** July 25, 2012, 09:31:34 AM »

Over the past half century I guess I have owned maybe half a dozen Charter Arms revolvers and can't say I loved any of them. They all were Bulldogs of .44 special or .357 magnum. None had a decent double action trigger and most were prone to misfire. Most of them were early models, only two were from the "bad years" and they weren't any worse than the others. The new .44 Target Bulldog I have now with 4" barrel and adjustable sights misfired about half the time when thumb cocked and nearly always in double action. I replaced the hammer spring with a Wolf extra strength spring and that totally cured the misfiring but made the double action trigger, which originally had been pretty bad, now worse than my 1895 Nagant.
So why have I owned so many? Well the main reason is they are a cheap gun and I am a cheap guy and also no one else builds an 18 ounce .44 Special. Also, the experiences have been spread over 50 years so I've had time to get over it and hope the next one will be better and forums like this with all you guys loving your CA revolvers make me think maybe I'll try one more.
But all in all my impression is that Charter Arms builds a "marginal" revolver, a bit better than a Harrington & Richardson but not even to be compared to S&W or Ruger.
Sorry if I've stepped on toes but I'm just telling it like it is. My current CA target bulldog is reasonably accurate, light and easy to carry and used as a sporting handgun for aimed fire in single action mode the horrible double action trigger doesn't matter so I will keep it to carry along while hunting with rifle, shotgun or muzzleloader. If serious personal defense were my concern I would take a police trade-in S&W or Ruger 357 over any Charter Arms any day.

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #24 on:** July 25, 2012, 01:10:14 PM »

Me too, regarding the .44 Bulldog Classic that the company advertises, but won't produce. I like my 2.5 inch gun very much, and it's big protection. I just like the idea of the 3 inch version with the high luster blue like the old Bulldogs.
I even called the factory. The lady told me the 3 inch classic were fabulous guns and were finally available. They ain't. No dealer can find one. Charter Arms seems too small for the demand. They got stuck on that rimless .40, which seems to have slowed their production line even more. Sometimes I think their factory is something like the owners basement where he has one or two part time helpers.
Anyway, when they finally produce the Classic, I'll be first in line.

tacklebury · « **Reply #25 on:** July 25, 2012, 03:38:17 PM »

Actually, Bud's has sold several of them over the last 6 months. I have never seemed to have the cash available when they had one and cannot seem to get a picture of one from Charter or Bud's, but they do exist, just rare.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/203/products_id/69694/Handguns/Charter+Arms/CHA%2034431%20BULLDOG%2044SPC%20CLASSIC/

***edit***
Much to my surprise, (Bud's seems to be a testing spot for Charter), they have a .45 LC / .410 coming called Big Dawg, so looks like they might try to go up against the judge too.

No pic unfortunately.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/203/products_id/80743/Handguns/Charter+Arms/Charter%20Arms%2014520%20Big%20Dawg%20410/45%20Long%20Colt%202/quot;%205rd%20Black%20Ru/

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #26 on:** July 26, 2012, 04:54:42 AM »

tacklebury, are you sure they've actually sold some of those Classics? Like other online dealers, they list it, but they have no photo, and they are "out of stock." You think it'd be worthwhile for me to contact them?

tacklebury · « **Reply #27 on:** July 28, 2012, 05:05:50 PM »

I did contact them and yes they have had 3 or 4 since December. They only use the pictures supplied by the manufacturer though and Charter has been slow getting these around. As I said, it was in stock 3 times that I missed out. Once I sent emails to both Charter and Bud's trying to get pics. I'm not about to buy one without seeing it first. hehe