Charter Arms
Charter Arms has been manufacturing revolvers in America since 1964, producing lightweight, affordable double-action revolvers that have earned a loyal following among concealed carry shooters, collectors, and anyone who wants a reliable revolver without a premium price tag. With an aluminum or stainless steel frame, Charter Arms revolvers are notably lighter than comparable steel-frame guns — the Undercover weighs just 16 oz — making them genuinely comfortable for all-day carry. Impact Guns stocks 143 Charter Arms models across the full lineup.
Read our full Charter Arms Buying Guide ↓
Charter Arms Undercover: The Classic .38 Special Carry Revolver
The Charter Arms Undercover is the model that built the brand — a 5-shot .38 Special revolver with a 2″ barrel that has been in continuous production since 1964. At 16 oz in the aluminum-frame version and 12 oz in the Undercover Lite, it’s one of the lightest .38 Special revolvers available. The Undercover accepts standard .38 Special and +P loads, though the lighter aluminum frame makes +P more noticeable. For buyers who want a small, light revolver for pocket or ankle carry, the Undercover is the definitive Charter Arms product and one of the best values in the defensive revolver market.
Charter Arms Bulldog: .44 Special in a Compact Package
The Charter Arms Bulldog is one of the few production revolvers chambered in .44 Special — a cartridge that delivers significantly more energy than .38 Special in a package still manageable for concealed carry. The Bulldog uses a 5-shot cylinder in a compact frame, giving it a distinctive profile and serious terminal performance for a small revolver. The .44 Special is a low-pressure cartridge that recoils less than .44 Magnum while still delivering substantial stopping power. For buyers who want maximum revolver performance in a carry-size gun and are willing to accept reduced capacity vs. a 9mm semi-auto, the Bulldog is a legitimate choice.
Charter Arms Walker: The .22 LR and .22 Magnum Series
The Charter Arms Walker series brings the brand’s lightweight aluminum frame to .22 LR and .22 Magnum chamberings, producing 8-shot rimfire revolvers that are ideal for new shooters, training, and informal range use. The Walker .22 LR at under 12 oz is one of the lightest .22 revolvers available and a natural fit for young shooters or anyone sensitive to recoil. The Walker .22 Magnum steps up the power while maintaining the same compact, lightweight package. Both versions serve as excellent gateway revolvers that teach the fundamentals of double-action shooting without intimidating new shooters.
Charter Arms vs. Smith & Wesson: Value Revolvers Compared
The most common comparison is Charter Arms vs. Smith & Wesson’s J-Frame line. The S&W J-Frame has a longer track record, deeper aftermarket, and slightly higher fit-and-finish at a meaningfully higher price. Charter Arms delivers comparable function at a lower price point, with the advantage of being American-made in Shelton, Connecticut. For a buyer who wants a reliable, lightweight carry revolver and doesn’t need the prestige of the S&W name, Charter Arms is a strong value proposition. For a buyer who wants the deepest aftermarket and maximum resale value, S&W J-Frames are the standard.
Charter Arms Calibers, Ammo & Related Pages
Most Charter Arms revolvers are chambered in .38 Special, with select models in .357 Magnum, .44 Special, .40 S&W, and .22 LR. For the broader revolver category including S&W, Ruger, and Colt options, see our revolvers page. For snub-nose revolvers specifically, see our snub-nose revolvers page. For concealed carry considerations, see our concealed carry page.