Charter Arms quality

[whatnickname]

I don’t like the way that forcing cone looks. The frame under the forcing cone appears to be wafer thin and looks like it’s already showing signs of accelerated wear. And this, ladies and gentlemen is why I don’t like Charter Arms.

 

[Bottom Gun]

My sole experience with CA was to own one of their AR7 rifles. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate it a minus 14. It was poorly machined and fit was substandard. I tried every brand of ammo I could find in it but it just wouldn't function properly with any brand.
In a side by side comparison with my Armalite AR7 which is 100% reliable, the difference in quality and workmanship was considerable. No telling how the materials would compare.
I haven't bothered looking at any CA products since.

 

[someguy2800]

The aluminum frame on this revolver looks like it has a poor composition for hardness, or, did not receive a proper heat treatment. If it looks this beaten at 250 rounds, imagine the wear at 2500 rounds.

Imagine buying a $300 aluminum frame revolver and expecting it to hold up to shooting $1000 worth of ammo through it.

 

[jmorris]

I don't expect Smith and Wesson quality but I expect quality materials and quality workmanship

I have entertained the idea of buying them a few times but never got past observation.

Would have closed it up and handed it back after seeing the quality of the machining. A higher Ra value (roughness average) saves money and reduces the burden on quality control but these days there isn’t much excuse. Maybe they were expecting the high spots to shield the low ones from wear.?

 

[JCooperfan1911]

I want one of their “classic” bulldogs so badly. Just like what Son of Sam used. Good looking guns.

 

[JERRY]

Emailed Friday asking for update was not responded to; sent another one today .

 

[chicharrones]

I have entertained the idea of buying them a few times but never got past observation.

Would have closed it up and handed it back after seeing the quality of the machining. A higher Ra value (roughness average) saves money and reduces the burden on quality control but these days there isn’t much excuse. Maybe they were expecting the high spots to shield the low ones from wear.?

View attachment 1156331

No firing pin bushings on their aluminum frame models, either. Even similarly priced Taurus installs firing pin bushings in their flyweight revolvers.

Then there is the fact that the cylinder centerpin has to sweep across the slot for the hand. Not such a big deal on a steel frame, but it is an early wear point on the aluminum frame. Don't open the cylinder on an aluminum frame CA ever, unless you have to.

The aluminum frame CA revolvers are simply meant for low quantities of ammo fired, IMO.

 

[jmorris]

To be fair their warranty looks good in writing. Found this thread, on the same subject.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/charter-arms-warranty-experience.873559/

 

[JERRY]

2nd email inquiry answered, said my status update request will be passed on to Sandy(?)

 

[silicosys4]

Saw an original bulldog for sale locally this weekend. Something was broken inside, the latch was forced all the way into the open position and the cylinder was jammed shut...could only be opened by pulling on the extractor rod.
They wanted $300, I offered them $150 as a parts gun, they countered by saying the "needed to make some money off it", and $150 is what they paid.
I told them I was graciously offering to buy them out of the mistake they made by purchasing a gun without inspecting it properly so their mistake doesn't cost them any money
They kept saying they "needed to make at least SOME money off it", and wouldn't go under $200.
No thanks. The last Bulldog I bought, I paid less than that, and it WORKED.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I guess I’ve been fortunate with mine. No problems. Also have an old .22 pathfinder that’s great but can’t find a photo of it.

 

[Oninotaki]

The entirety of my experience with Charter Arms is in 3 of their Professional .32 h&r revolvers, 2 for me, one for a friend that found it to be perfect for her (she is unable to rack a slide, but has no problem with extended DA trigger pulls, .32 s&w long is the extent of recoil that her wrists can handle though)

Anyway the performance of all three has been fantastic and you better believe after this thread I have gone over all 3 of them with a fine toothed comb looking for defects. None have been found. I have also made sure that all three are registered for the lifetime warranty just in case.

I have found mine to be vastly superior to all 3 of my heritage rough riders (all of which needed shims between the hammer spring and frame to be able to shoot a whole cylinder without light strikes) and my diamondback sidekick (which has such poor .22 wmr case ejection that I keep a rod and hammer on me anytime I take it to the range).

My Taurus 327 feels almost identical to the CA in quality. While my Ruger GP 100, and S&W Governor outshine them in every way.

Essentially I feel like my Charter Arms experience is what Charter Arms themselves is aiming for, and what is most likely to be the average experience. That doesn't mean however that I wouldn't be nervous about picking up a new CA revolver however. I am batting 100 and they can only go down from here if this thread is anything to go by.

 

[Tallball]

Good choice by the friend. IMHO, 32 revolvers "should" be way more popular than they are.

 

[Oninotaki]

Good choice by the friend. IMHO, 32 revolvers "should" be way more popular than they are.

Yeah she had tried a variety of .380 platforms and just could not handle the snap or manual of arms, and then her and her boyfriend found the .22 lr semi auto platforms to be questionable because she had a hard time clearing a jam and they worried about light strikes in .22 lr revolvers. She tried my berretta in .32 acp and lacked the strength to push down the pop up barrel comfortably, and racking via the slide was still an issue. The .32 s&w long settled all of those worries. She tried both my CA Professional and Taurus 327 and preferred the sights on the Professional. Now she is happy cause she has a decent self defense hole puncher option and something she can plink with all day at the range with her boyfriend. .32 s&w shorts in single action is something she can do all day, and .32 s&w longs in DA is something she can do easily enough for self defense.

 

[Tallball]

Nice! I already have a couple of 32 revolvers ready for when my hands get a lot worse.

I'd much rather protect myself with a good 32 revolver over any 22 caliber handgun.

 

[joneb]

I bought a bulldog made in Shelton and I had to return it, I liked the format but the execution was crap.
I would rank Taurus above CA JMHI.

 

[conan32120]

Do not know my round count on my bulldog .44 nor do I remember how long I've had it (7-8 years maybe) but it's still rock solid and it DOES have a firing pin bushing. It is in my carry rotation, 5 rounds of hornady hollowpoints that are visible from the business end has changed a not friendly person's mind about continuing his intended intentions

 

[JERRY]

Sandy's been checking since the 14th. Still no word.

 

[joneb]

Sandy's been checking since the 14th. Still no word

That's not a good sign, my interactions with CA was not good. I would not invest in there products again, but that is just my experience.

 

[Blue Brick]

Sandy's been checking since the 14th. Still no word.

I would call them.

 

[JERRY]

I would call them.

She emailed back wanting the name of the dealer that sent it in.

 

[Blue Brick]

They are a small business. Ya gota call. Hi Point is the same way.

They don't have a call center.

 

[Blue Brick]

She emailed back wanting the name of the dealer that sent it in.

^^^^^

 

[lee n. field]

She emailed back wanting the name of the dealer that sent it in.

means theyŕe probably replacing it.

 

[JERRY]

means theyŕe probably replacing it.

I have no idea. If so I had previously asked to be upgraded to a chic lady even if I have to pay the difference since I would have to pay new transfer ffl fees. No idea what they are doing.