Charter Arms

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.

Frequently Asked Questions: Charter Arms Revolvers

What is Charter Arms known for?
Charter Arms is a Shelton, Connecticut manufacturer producing lightweight .38 Special and .357 Magnum revolvers — most notably the Undercover, a 5-shot .38 Special snubnose that has been in continuous production since 1964 and is one of the most affordable quality snubnose revolvers available. Charter Arms revolvers occupy the budget tier of the US revolver market, below S&W J-Frames and Ruger LCR/SP101 but above Heritage and Taurus in build quality for most models. They are known for reliable function at an accessible price point.

Is the Charter Arms Undercover reliable?
Yes for standard .38 Special use. The Charter Arms Undercover has been in production for over 60 years with a generally reliable track record for a budget revolver. As with all Charter Arms products, they are not equivalent to Smith & Wesson or Ruger in fit, finish, or long-term durability under sustained +P use — but for standard .38 Special defensive ammunition, the Undercover functions reliably and serves its intended purpose at a lower price than its J-Frame and LCR competitors.

What calibers does Charter Arms offer?
Charter Arms produces revolvers in .22 LR, .22 WMR, .32 H&R Magnum, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, and 9mm. The 9mm Pitbull is notable for being a rimless 9mm revolver that uses a proprietary extraction system rather than moon clips — allowing direct 9mm use without the clip requirement of most rimless-in-revolver configurations. The .44 Special Bulldog is their large-bore option, a 5-shot compact carrying a meaningful big-bore round.

How does Charter Arms compare to Taurus revolvers?
Charter Arms and Taurus compete in a similar price tier. Charter Arms is American-made (Shelton, CT); Taurus is Brazilian. Charter Arms has a longer domestic production history; Taurus has improved quality control significantly in recent years and offers broader model variety. Both are viable budget revolver choices — the American manufacturing of Charter Arms is a meaningful differentiator for some buyers.

See Also: Revolvers • Smith & Wesson • Ruger • Taurus • .38 Special Ammo