need advice on charter arms .38?

[chachi73]

Looking for advice on whether or not to pick up a charter arms .38 snubnose foras a nightstand gun. Quality/reliability feedback is appreciated!

 

[Skywired]

I have one in my nightstand. Quick, light, convenient, easy to hide. Perfect to engage anybody that comes through my bed room door. However, if you want to go strolling through the house looking for nasty boys, I suggest you step up to a short barreled shotgun, or maybe a Taurus Judge. Much easier to handle, and much more affective at range. Just my 2 cents worth

 

[abnk]

I don't think a snubnose revolver is the best choice for a nightstand gun. However,
if you have decided that a snubnose revolver is what you want for a nightstand gun, the Charter Arms is a very good choice.

 

[voodoo304]

I would stand behind one any day. Had one for years that never failed me.

 

[Mosinguy]

Very reliable guns. Not pretty by any means, but unlikely you'll have a problem with it.

 

[bthomas]

I bought my wife the (pink lady) version. Its her first gun so she loves it, but she couldnt hit the side of a school bus at 5 yards. I shot it at 20 yards no problem hitting the target so its not the gun. I think It would be a nice cheap night stand gun.

 

[JohnP82]

I have been happy with all the Charter revolvers I have ever shot. Lightweight, and all have performed great.

 

[trailrider]

I carried one for years. wish I had it back. nice little guns.

 

[Icemancometh]

One rides on my nightstand all the time. Bought it for the wife about 20 years ago. Never had a bit of trouble with it. Like others said it isn't pretty but functions great.

 

[wtfd661]

My brother has the Charter Arms .44 Bulldog (holy cow is that a hand cannon to shoot ), I have shot it quite a few times at the range and it has always went bang (but after 5 rounds I don't like shooting it anymore ). He just bought his wife the .38 Undercover and I have not had the chance to shoot it yet but she liked how it griped for her.

They seem to be a good reliable somewhat inexpensive handgun. I think it would serve you well as a defensive handgun.

Not to change your mind but another handgun that is a great defensive hand gun is the Ruger SP101's. They are built like a tank and can handle the .357 mag. load easily (but not a real joy to shoot to many of them when at the range ) but are really soft .38 shooters. Just another option for you.

 

[BlueEagle]

Never had a Charter, although I have always heard good things about them. However, I have a Taurus 605 in .357, and my fiancee has a Taurus 85 in .38 that we bought used. It was $250 used, and has been a great little pistol. No issues out of it. Even new, my .357 was only $320. Taurus autos may have issues occasionally, (although all of mine have been flawless,) but their revolvers are generally real shooters, and at a bargain price with a great warranty.

 

[boblade]

I had one in a 44 Bulldog and it shot Very good,it's as smooth as you get ,and compare's or maybe a little Better than a Rossi or Tarus

 

[3shots]

I have a charter under cover 38 special no problems good stuff.

 

[davedolli]

I have had 3 over the years, and never had a problem. If the price is right go for it.

Dave

 

[RBrianHarless]

Great choice. I am looking forward to seeing one in .40 Smith and Wesson.

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

I've read the usual horror stories on this and other sites, so caveat emptor. Apparently they went through a spell of less than stellar quality. That said, I bought one about twenty years ago that had been retired from it's job as an Anderson cop's ankle gun, carried it for a Loooong time, and recently had it cerakoted a lovely pink for my eldest daughter, mainly due to it's dependability.

 

[Grogmister]

Bought my wife a Pink Lady for mother's day and she loves it. She is getting more accurate with it as she shoots. Not had a problem yet other than when she tries to shoot it double action style she doesn't have enough strength. It has a heavy trigger pull. I may see if I can get a trigger job done on it to make it easier for her to point and shoot. I think that will help anyhow. Good gun over all.
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[woodsie57]

Have owned 3 undercover 38's and a pathfinder 22-no complaints!

 

[2cool9031]

I have a Charter arms Bulldog .44 spl and can put all 5 rounds on the paper at 25 yds. Never had a problem with it.

 

[bubba31]

I have the 357 mag pug for a carry gun, I haven't had it long but I have put about 200 rounds thro it the winchester target loads of 38 special didn't seem to shoot very good out of it but the remington 38 +p's shot pretty good out of it I asked if it was the hotter loads out of the snubnose that were more accurate or if it was my gun prefered the remington and was told most likely my gun prefered remington but anyway I like mine an if you like the gun I'm sure it would make a fine home defense weapon for you