vintage charter arms under cover - Page 2

Rifleman1776 · April 4, 2012, 12:49 PM

I sold CA revolvers from my shop in the 70s. I was always pleased with the quality, as were my customers. The price was right too. Yours should be a reliable shooter.

hhb · April 4, 2012, 01:18 PM

Years ago, there was a serial killer loose on the streets of NYC. He would approach parked vehicles with people sitting inside, and begin firing. Witness's reported that they would hear a shot, then "Click Click" Bang.
The detectives were trying to figure out the make of the revolver, and one of them happened to mention it to one of the department armorers who told them; "That's easy, it's a Charter Arms, most of them do that."

**Mike Irwin** · April 4, 2012, 01:24 PM

hear a shot, then...

Click

Click...

Bang?

Huh?

They would hear the shot, then they would hear a click click, and then hear something go bang (car door?) as in another shot?

I don't understand.

ccSnoopycc · April 4, 2012, 01:43 PM

Maybe two clicks from a follow up shot? My charter arms gives me one click in double action and two when pulling the hammer back in single action. Going along with the thread i think its pretty universal that the first generation charter arms are very reliable guns perfect for ccw. Its a shame they went through so many reorganizations I would like to see them up there competing with S&W, Ruger, and Taurus. I dont see or know of anyone that carries them where im at.

32 Magnum · April 4, 2012, 02:57 PM

Jim,

Were 1st gen. Charter Arms all numbered in the same serial number series? Or did they have different serial number identifiers for the various models?

Mike,
From what I can tell from my research - the serial numbers were sequentially applied and independent of frame/model, all one long chain of numbers. I DO think that the frames may have been made in batches and some stored then finished at various times as needed to replenish inventory. This is probably especially true with the stainless steel frames as all of them have an 'S' stamped into the rear upper most corner of the right side of the frame. Which of course makes sense.

lee n. field · April 4, 2012, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Years ago, there was a serial killer loose on the streets of NYC. He would approach parked vehicles with people sitting inside, and begin firing. Witness's reported that they would hear a shot, then "Click Click" Bang.
The detectives were trying to figure out the make of the revolver, and one of them happened to mention it to one of the department armorers who told them; "That's easy, it's a Charter Arms, most of them do that."

Serial killer in NYC with a Charter: sounds like David Berkowitz, the "Son of Sam".

SUNNY2KS · January 5, 2013, 11:50 PM

I just bought serial number 9275. No particular reason other than looked very nice and hardly used. Got it at estate sale, childeren in thier 50's selling mom & dad's guns. They said it was thier mom's "purse gun". Is it correct to assume that this gun is from the mid 1960's?

April 4, 2012, 01:18 PM	#27
hhb Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2007 Location: Foothills of the Ozarks Posts: 316	Rember the "Son of Sam"? Years ago, there was a serial killer loose on the streets of NYC. He would approach parked vehicles with people sitting inside, and begin firing. Witness's reported that they would hear a shot, then "Click Click" Bang. The detectives were trying to figure out the make of the revolver, and one of them happened to mention it to one of the department armorers who told them; "That's easy, it's a Charter Arms, most of them do that."

April 4, 2012, 01:24 PM	#28
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 33,116	hear a shot, then... Click Click... Bang? Huh? They would hear the shot, then they would hear a click click, and then hear something go bang (car door?) as in another shot? I don't understand. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

January 5, 2013, 11:50 PM	#32
SUNNY2KS Junior Member Join Date: January 5, 2013 Posts: 1	Very Old Charter Arms 38 Special - Undercover I just bought serial number 9275. No particular reason other than looked very nice and hardly used. Got it at estate sale, childeren in thier 50's selling mom & dad's guns. They said it was thier mom's "purse gun". Is it correct to assume that this gun is from the mid 1960's?

April 4, 2012, 12:49 PM	#26
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,838	I sold CA revolvers from my shop in the 70s. I was always pleased with the quality, as were my customers. The price was right too. Yours should be a reliable shooter.

April 4, 2012, 01:43 PM	#29
ccSnoopycc Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2010 Posts: 107	Maybe two clicks from a follow up shot? My charter arms gives me one click in double action and two when pulling the hammer back in single action. Going along with the thread i think its pretty universal that the first generation charter arms are very reliable guns perfect for ccw. Its a shame they went through so many reorganizations I would like to see them up there competing with S&W, Ruger, and Taurus. I dont see or know of anyone that carries them where im at.

April 4, 2012, 02:57 PM	#30
32 Magnum Member In Memoriam Join Date: January 17, 2009 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 364	Jim, Were 1st gen. Charter Arms all numbered in the same serial number series? Or did they have different serial number identifiers for the various models? Mike, From what I can tell from my research - the serial numbers were sequentially applied and independent of frame/model, all one long chain of numbers. I DO think that the frames may have been made in batches and some stored then finished at various times as needed to replenish inventory. This is probably especially true with the stainless steel frames as all of them have an 'S' stamped into the rear upper most corner of the right side of the frame. Which of course makes sense.