My first revolver

[age_ranger]

Just got in this revolver from my wife's grandmother. Her grandfather passed and it was handed down. Most likely, it'll be passed to our sons but for now, it's content as a house gun. Not much info on it. It's rumored to be 20-30 years old and spent its life under a pillow as a home defender. I don't know much about them, but it's a Charter Arms .38 Special Undercover Model. Maybe that's why it was "under covers" all this time. Still, it appears to have a case hardened hammer and the finish is like new. Just gave it a thorough cleaning and it appears to be in top shape. I bought some standard pressure Hydra-shoks for it and the SA trigger is pretty nice. DA is long but smooth. Can't wait to try her out!! Without further delay.........may I present our newest addition:

[JasonH]

Pretty gun. Congrats on acquiring her.

[packsaddle]

nice.

i have an old colt detective special, .38, snubbie, without the shroud, about 50 years old.

it looks very similar to yours.

the only thing i will advise you on when you shoot her is to wear earplugs (if you don't normally).

[nitrogen]

MY father in law has the same gun. There are some things you'll want to keep an eye on with it.

(excuse me as i'm not a gunsmith and I can't think of the official terms here)
First, the retaining screw thingy that the cylendar nub locks on, on the frame can get loose. If it's loose one way, the cylendar will get stuck in the frame. If it's loose in another direction, the cylendar will not be close enough to the forcing cone, and you'll feel a "slap" on your finger when you shoot it.

If this happens, a dab of loctite on the screw once you get it positioned should clear it right up.

[OnTexasTime]

I have always been a fan of snub nose 38's and wood handle grips. A gun with some family history is always neat to have as well.

[motleystew]

Nice gun! I have heard good things about Charter Arms. (both the old and new versions of the co.) Congrats!

[Venus Pax]

A .38 special was my very first handgun.
It's a simple gun and fun to shoot every so often.

[age_ranger]

I'm hoping my wife will carry this one. It's scheduled for a trip to Walmart today

I looked at another revolver a friend was selling. It's a Colt Python and I think I'm hooked on revolvers. At $1k NIB it's tough to jump on, but it might find a new home soon. There's just something about it........

[jbirds1210]

......I think I'm hooked on revolvers. ..

Ut oh. There is a 12 step program for this, but it has a very low rate of success.

A couple of hours of dry practice should cure it....the mags just wont fit in the bottom of it! I also don't think it is Italian.

[age_ranger]

LOL........about 20 min of dry firing will wear me out !!! Still can't find the mag release and There's no dovetail for [abbreviated profanity deleted] sights. I doubt it'll be an IDPA gun but it'll be great for a CCW. For now it'll get alot of safe time until I can get to the range to verify its operation. Gotta get some rounds downrange before it gets carries. Just because it's a revolver doesn't mean it's automatically good to go...............

[jbirds1210]

Just because it's a revolver doesn't mean it's automatically good to go...............

I agree 100% with that. The only gun I have ever had completely fail is a S&W 686. It was truely a paperweight until a gunsmith spent some time with it!

[lws380]

Same gun that was used by David Chapman to kill John Lennon!

[age_ranger]

Same gun that was used by David Chapman to kill John Lennon!

I guess they're effective!! Hoping to take it out on tues/wed. Have to see how work goes. I'm supposed to be heading for Shreveport then.