Charter Arms Undercover

About Charter Arms

Charter Arms was founded in 1964 in Bridgeport, Connecticut — specifically to produce affordable, American-made revolvers for the personal protection market. The Undercover was their first and most enduring product. Charter Arms revolvers are made in the USA and have a devoted following among buyers who want American-manufactured revolver quality at accessible pricing. Over 50 years of production have refined the Undercover into one of the most proven compact carry revolvers in the market.

Why a .38 Special Revolver for Carry?

The .38 Special snub-nose revolver remains one of the most practical carry choices available despite its age. Five shots of quality .38 Special hollow-point ammunition from a 2" barrel delivers adequate defensive terminal performance. The double-action revolver's manual of arms is simple — no magazine to seat, no slide to rack, no safety to disengage — point and pull. For new shooters, backup gun applications, and shooters who prioritize simplicity above all else, the .38 Special snub-nose remains a sound defensive choice.

Undercover Variants

Undercover Standard — The baseline Undercover in blued finish with standard rubber grips. The most affordable Charter Arms carry revolver and the right starting point for buyers who want a .38 Special snub-nose without premium pricing.

Undercover Lite — An aluminum-framed version that reduces weight significantly compared to the standard steel frame. The Lite comes in at approximately 12 oz — one of the lightest production .38 Special revolvers available. The tradeoff is more felt recoil with the lighter frame.

Undercover Stainless — Stainless steel construction for improved corrosion resistance. The choice for carry in wet or humid environments where blued steel requires more maintenance attention.

Undercover Pink Lady / Lavender Lady / Special Edition — Color-anodized finishes in various colors. Popular gift choices and among the most visible Charter Arms offerings. Same mechanical quality as the standard Undercover in distinctive finishes.

Caliber and Ammunition

The Undercover is chambered in .38 Special. Most Charter Arms Undercover revolvers are rated for standard .38 Special loads; the +P rated variants handle the higher-pressure +P loads that many defensive .38 Special loads use. Verify your specific model's +P rating before using +P ammunition. For carry, quality hollow-point ammunition from Federal, Hornady, or Speer is recommended.

Undercover vs. Smith & Wesson J-Frame

The S&W J-Frame is the benchmark compact .38 Special revolver — more refined, broader aftermarket, higher resale value, and significantly higher price. The Charter Arms Undercover is the value alternative — American-made, reliable, and available at a price point that makes quality revolver carry accessible to buyers who can't justify J-Frame pricing. For buyers who want the best .38 snubby regardless of cost, the J-Frame wins. For buyers who want American-made quality at an accessible price, the Undercover is the recommendation.

FAQ

Is the Charter Arms Undercover +P rated?
Select Undercover variants are rated for .38 Special +P. Verify your specific model's rating before using +P ammunition — not all Undercover configurations handle +P loads.

How much does the Charter Arms Undercover weigh?
The standard steel Undercover weighs approximately 16 oz. The Undercover Lite aluminum frame weighs approximately 12 oz — among the lightest .38 Special revolvers in production.

Where are Charter Arms revolvers made?
Shelton, Connecticut. Charter Arms is one of the few remaining American revolver manufacturers producing in the USA.

What is the capacity of the Charter Arms Undercover?
Five rounds of .38 Special in the standard cylinder. A five-round capacity is standard for snub-nose revolvers in this size class.