About Charter Arms
Charter Arms was founded in the 1960s, and its first product, the Undercover, became a popular lightweight .38 snub. The company later introduced the Bulldog in .44 Special, which built a following as a compact big-bore. Charter's revolvers are generally priced below Smith & Wesson, Ruger and Colt, and are made in the United States.
Undercover (.38 Special)
The Undercover is Charter's classic five-shot .38 snub, light and simple. It is a budget alternative to a J-frame for carry. See our carry snub comparison.
Charter Arms Undercover
.38 Special · 5-shot
Bulldog (.44 Special)
The Bulldog is a compact five-shot .44 Special, a big, slow bullet in a small revolver. It has a loyal following. We covered it in detail in our Bulldog .44 Special article.
Charter Arms Bulldog
.44 Special · 5-shot
Pathfinder (.22)
The Pathfinder is Charter's rimfire line, available in .22 LR and .22 Magnum. The 2-inch .22 LR version holds eight rounds, according to the link sheet. It makes a cheap trainer for snub shooters and a light trail gun. See our .22 LR vs .22 WMR guide.
Charter Arms Pathfinder .22 LR
.22 LR · 8-shot · 2"
Charter Arms Pathfinder Lite .22 WMR
.22 WMR · 2"
Pitbull (rimless)
The Pitbull uses Charter's spring extractor system to fire rimless cartridges such as 9mm without moon clips. We compare it with the Ruger LCRx in our 9mm revolver guide.
Charter Arms Pitbull 9mm
9mm · 5-shot · no moon clips
Comparison
| Family | Caliber | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Undercover | .38 Special | Budget carry snub |
| Bulldog | .44 Special | Compact big-bore |
| Pathfinder | .22 LR / .22 WMR | Training, trail |
| Pitbull | 9mm and other rimless | Sharing pistol ammo |
Buying tips
- Inspect it. Check timing, cylinder lockup and the trigger before accepting a new gun.
- Function-test with your load. Fire enough of your carry ammunition to confirm reliability.
- Upgrade grips if needed. Small grips recoil more with larger calibers.
Our action work guide covers what a gunsmith can improve, and our collecting guide covers older Charters.
How Charter compares with the big three
Compared with Smith & Wesson, Ruger and Colt, Charter revolvers are lighter and less expensive, with simpler finishes and fewer factory options. Many owners are happy with them for carry and occasional range use. Shooters who plan to fire thousands of rounds a year, or who want a very refined trigger, often step up to a Ruger or S&W. The right choice depends on how much you will shoot and how much you want to spend on ammunition and training instead of the gun.
Bottom line
Charter Arms offers affordable revolvers for specific jobs. Choose the Undercover to carry, the Bulldog for .44 Special, the Pathfinder for .22, and the Pitbull for 9mm.
Frequently asked questions
Are Charter Arms revolvers good?
They are affordable, lightweight and American-made. Inspect and function-check any new revolver, as with any budget firearm.
What caliber is the Charter Bulldog?
The Bulldog is best known in .44 Special.
Does the Charter Pitbull need moon clips?
No. It uses a spring extractor system to fire rimless cartridges like 9mm without clips.
How many rounds does the Charter Pathfinder .22 hold?
The 2-inch .22 LR version in the link sheet holds eight rounds. Confirm on the listing.
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