The "other" revolvers

samsmix · June 14, 2018, 10:55 AM

I have a friend who is a firearms instructor with a military-only background. He wants to learn revolvers enough to teach the students who show up for his classes with one.

Now here is the deal: He should know better, and I have tried to tell him so, but he wants to buy a CHEAP DA revolver. I have told him that real revolvers are made by Smith, Colt, Ruger, Kimber, and maybe Taurus, but he ain't having any.

Of the following, which one would you guys choose?

Armscor
EAA Windicator
Charter Arms
Other (Please name)

aarondhgraham · June 14, 2018, 11:32 AM

I would choose Charter Arms most definitely,,,
They are well made pistols with a good warranty.

And they are USA manufactured,,,
No problems getting one worked on.

I own three CA's and they all perform very well for me.

Armscor and EAA both have a rep for really poor service after the sale.

Aarond

.

5whiskey · June 14, 2018, 11:47 AM

Occasionally you can find used revolvers at a good price. S&W model 10s, along with the old ruger six series, can still be found at a similar price point to new charter or armscor stuff. I vote that he look around on armslist and gunbroker and pick up a model 10. He can own a functional piece of history that will appreciate in value.

Lavan · June 14, 2018, 11:49 AM

From a cheap revolver he knows nothing about, this guy's gonna learn how to ..."teach."

Chainsaw. · June 14, 2018, 11:54 AM

Your assertions that price somehow equals reliability aside, please tell me the short comings, aside from finer triggers and good polish jobs, how EAA, armscor and Charter arms are inferior. The aforementioned revolvers are just fine and dandy if you are not the type to attach your ego to the brand. They work. Rugers and Smith get sent back all the time, soooo...

tallball · June 14, 2018, 12:03 PM

I own two Charter Arms revolvers that I've had for about five years apiece that go bang every time and have given me no problems. I haven't owned the other two. As others have said and will say, you can get a better used revolver for the same money as a cheap new one.

USSR · June 14, 2018, 12:17 PM

Quote:

From a cheap revolver he knows nothing about, this guy's gonna learn how to ..."teach."

+1. Maybe I've got it all wrong teaching with quality equipment?

Don

aarondhgraham · June 14, 2018, 01:25 PM

I wonder if the instructor's mindset is to teach with a low cost weapon?

Perhaps his intent is to show you don't need to spend a ton of money for a serviceable self defense handgun.

Just tossin' this out.

Aarond

.

2ndsojourn · June 14, 2018, 01:54 PM

"Of the following, which one would you guys choose?

Armscor
EAA Windicator
Charter Arms
Other (Please name)

All mine are Colt's, S&W or Rugers.
The only others I'd suggest are Dan Wesson and if I had the $$ to throw around, maybe a Korth.

Bill DeShivs · June 14, 2018, 02:41 PM

I have Colts, S&Ws, Taurus, Rossi, and Charter revolvers.
I wouldn't hesitate to use any of them for defense.

reddog81 · June 14, 2018, 02:42 PM

Consider getting whatever is most common and most often students show up with.

If I showed up at a class and the trainer had an armscor revolver I'd assume that he doesn't know much about revolvers and in this case it sounds like I'd be correct.

I would assume a training gun is going to be used frequently and often times by inexperienced people. I'd think shelling out a little extra for a used GP100 would be reasonable solution at $450 to $500.

Driftwood Johnson · June 14, 2018, 02:42 PM

Gotta seriously question someone who wants to teach something he knows nothing about, and wants to get buy with a cheap model.

Tell him to look for a S&W Model 10.

There are plenty of used ones out there, many can be had for less than the brand new ones, and the old ones are better anyway.

Quote:

Rugers and Smith get sent back all the time, soooo...

Maybe the stuff that S&W is making now gets sent back all the time, but not the old stuff. I have dozens of older Smiths, have never had to send back any of them for service or problems.

Lavan · June 14, 2018, 03:49 PM

Staying on topic with the OP, I would opt for the Charter for the reasons others gave.

But the level of "teaching" I would expect from this feller would be limited to "Hey guys, keep the hole pointed away from you and don't pull the trigger if there's a person, clubhouse, or car in front of it."

I once shot in a club where they were letting a guy shoot a Colt "Thunderer" right next to me.

These are NOT guns for modern ammo.

I asked if they were gonna ALLOW him to shoot that grenade and got the reply that it was "all he had."

I left the range.

lamarw · June 14, 2018, 04:34 PM

H&R

Trapper Model from the distant past.

samsmix · June 14, 2018, 04:45 PM

Yes, Lavan, that's exactly what he intends to do, as any competent shooter should be able to. Using an Armscor or Charter Arms revolver will put him through the exact same steps as a Smith or Colt. He is only using it for demonstration purposes.

samsmix · June 14, 2018, 05:05 PM

Quote:

But the level of "teaching" I would expect from this feller would be limited to "Hey guys, keep the hole pointed away from you and don't pull the trigger if there's a person, clubhouse, or car in front of it."

I don't know why you'd question it. It's a new platform for a thing he has been doing very well for many, many years. It ain't "rocket surgery", its a revolver. Anyone with half a brain, an open mind, and a place to practice, should be good enough in a week or two.

samsmix · June 14, 2018, 05:06 PM

Someone just lock the flippin thread or delete it. I didn't come here for this.

jaguarxk120 · June 14, 2018, 05:13 PM

Great idea Sam!!

Bob Wright · June 14, 2018, 08:58 PM

I voted "other" before reading the full post, thinking Uberti. Didn't realize it was limited to those new self cocking revolvers.

Bob Wright

Bill DeShivs · June 14, 2018, 09:22 PM

Bob,
That darned new technology will catch up with you one day!

GarandTd · June 14, 2018, 09:51 PM

I voted Charter Arms. There are many budget firearms that work just as well as the premium brands. My guess is that most new shooters looking for a little instruction are not going to be revolver divas.

5whiskey · June 14, 2018, 10:05 PM

Sam don't get discouraged. A few here haven't been overly critical. I can absolutely understand that there may be trainers today (younger and less experienced, but competent) that aren't revolver people and don't have much experience with a revolver. I had my dad's revolver from about 20 years old on, and it was my first handgun, but I quickly gravitated to semi auto and didn't buy my own revolver until 8 years ago. Don't get too discouraged.

I still think an older model 10 would serve anyone well as a first revolver.

Water-Man · June 14, 2018, 11:06 PM

S&W M10.

CajunBass · June 15, 2018, 05:31 AM

I clicked "other" by mistake, but of those listed, I've got experience with Charter Arms and have found them to be lacking in nothing.

The others I know nothing about, other than they seem a bit ugly to me.

However, for demonstration purposes only, I suppose one would be just as good as the other.

FITASC · June 15, 2018, 07:40 AM

Other:
Korth

View Poll Results: A revolver other than a big name brand, just to learn so you can teach others....
Armscor k-frame-ish .38 spl	2	5.13%
EAA Windicator	2	5.13%
Charter Arms	21	53.85%
Other (please suggest)	14	35.90%
Voters: 39. You may not vote on this poll

June 14, 2018, 10:55 AM	#1
samsmix Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2006 Location: Montana (Montucky?) Posts: 1,273	The "other" revolvers I have a friend who is a firearms instructor with a military-only background. He wants to learn revolvers enough to teach the students who show up for his classes with one. Now here is the deal: He should know better, and I have tried to tell him so, but he wants to buy a CHEAP DA revolver. I have told him that real revolvers are made by Smith, Colt, Ruger, Kimber, and maybe Taurus, but he ain't having any. Of the following, which one would you guys choose? Armscor EAA Windicator Charter Arms Other (Please name) __________________ You'll probably never NEED a gun. I hope you never do. But IF you do, you will need it worse than anything you've ever needed in your life. IF we're not supposed to eat animals, howcome God made 'em outta meat?

June 14, 2018, 11:32 AM	#2
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I would choose Charter Arms most definitely,,, They are well made pistols with a good warranty. And they are USA manufactured,,, No problems getting one worked on. I own three CA's and they all perform very well for me. Armscor and EAA both have a rep for really poor service after the sale. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

June 14, 2018, 11:47 AM	#3
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,652	Occasionally you can find used revolvers at a good price. S&W model 10s, along with the old ruger six series, can still be found at a similar price point to new charter or armscor stuff. I vote that he look around on armslist and gunbroker and pick up a model 10. He can own a functional piece of history that will appreciate in value. __________________ Support the NRA-ILA Auction, ends 03/09/2018 https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=593946

June 14, 2018, 11:54 AM	#5
Chainsaw. Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2015 Location: Issaquah WA. Its a dry rain. Posts: 1,774	Your assertions that price somehow equals reliability aside, please tell me the short comings, aside from finer triggers and good polish jobs, how EAA, armscor and Charter arms are inferior. The aforementioned revolvers are just fine and dandy if you are not the type to attach your ego to the brand. They work. Rugers and Smith get sent back all the time, soooo... __________________ Just shoot the damn thing.

June 14, 2018, 11:49 AM	#4
Lavan Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1999 Location: California Posts: 2,714	From a cheap revolver he knows nothing about, this guy's gonna learn how to ..."teach."

June 14, 2018, 12:03 PM	#6
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	I own two Charter Arms revolvers that I've had for about five years apiece that go bang every time and have given me no problems. I haven't owned the other two. As others have said and will say, you can get a better used revolver for the same money as a cheap new one.

June 14, 2018, 01:25 PM	#8
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I wonder,,, I wonder if the instructor's mindset is to teach with a low cost weapon? Perhaps his intent is to show you don't need to spend a ton of money for a serviceable self defense handgun. Just tossin' this out. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

June 14, 2018, 01:54 PM	#9
2ndsojourn Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,416	"Of the following, which one would you guys choose? Armscor EAA Windicator Charter Arms Other (Please name) All mine are Colt's, S&W or Rugers. The only others I'd suggest are Dan Wesson and if I had the $$ to throw around, maybe a Korth.

June 14, 2018, 02:41 PM	#10
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,978	I have Colts, S&Ws, Taurus, Rossi, and Charter revolvers. I wouldn't hesitate to use any of them for defense. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

June 14, 2018, 02:42 PM	#11
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Consider getting whatever is most common and most often students show up with. If I showed up at a class and the trainer had an armscor revolver I'd assume that he doesn't know much about revolvers and in this case it sounds like I'd be correct. I would assume a training gun is going to be used frequently and often times by inexperienced people. I'd think shelling out a little extra for a used GP100 would be reasonable solution at $450 to $500.

June 14, 2018, 03:49 PM	#13
Lavan Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1999 Location: California Posts: 2,714	Staying on topic with the OP, I would opt for the Charter for the reasons others gave. But the level of "teaching" I would expect from this feller would be limited to "Hey guys, keep the hole pointed away from you and don't pull the trigger if there's a person, clubhouse, or car in front of it." I once shot in a club where they were letting a guy shoot a Colt "Thunderer" right next to me. These are NOT guns for modern ammo. I asked if they were gonna ALLOW him to shoot that grenade and got the reply that it was "all he had." I left the range.

June 14, 2018, 04:34 PM	#14
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	H&R Trapper Model from the distant past.

June 14, 2018, 04:45 PM	#15
samsmix Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2006 Location: Montana (Montucky?) Posts: 1,273	Yes, Lavan, that's exactly what he intends to do, as any competent shooter should be able to. Using an Armscor or Charter Arms revolver will put him through the exact same steps as a Smith or Colt. He is only using it for demonstration purposes. __________________ You'll probably never NEED a gun. I hope you never do. But IF you do, you will need it worse than anything you've ever needed in your life. IF we're not supposed to eat animals, howcome God made 'em outta meat?

June 14, 2018, 05:06 PM	#17
samsmix Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2006 Location: Montana (Montucky?) Posts: 1,273	Someone just lock the flippin thread or delete it. I didn't come here for this. __________________ You'll probably never NEED a gun. I hope you never do. But IF you do, you will need it worse than anything you've ever needed in your life. IF we're not supposed to eat animals, howcome God made 'em outta meat?

June 14, 2018, 05:13 PM	#18
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	Great idea Sam!!

June 14, 2018, 08:58 PM	#19
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,987	I voted "other" before reading the full post, thinking Uberti. Didn't realize it was limited to those new self cocking revolvers. Bob Wright __________________ Time spent at the reloading bench is an investment in contentment.

June 14, 2018, 09:22 PM	#20
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,978	Bob, That darned new technology will catch up with you one day! __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

June 14, 2018, 09:51 PM	#21
GarandTd Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2016 Location: Rural PA Posts: 1,639	I voted Charter Arms. There are many budget firearms that work just as well as the premium brands. My guess is that most new shooters looking for a little instruction are not going to be revolver divas. __________________ 22lr, 20 gauge, 8mm Mauser, 35 Remington, 30-06, 5.56x45/223, 9mm, 380acp

June 14, 2018, 10:05 PM	#22
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,652	Sam don't get discouraged. A few here haven't been overly critical. I can absolutely understand that there may be trainers today (younger and less experienced, but competent) that aren't revolver people and don't have much experience with a revolver. I had my dad's revolver from about 20 years old on, and it was my first handgun, but I quickly gravitated to semi auto and didn't buy my own revolver until 8 years ago. Don't get too discouraged. I still think an older model 10 would serve anyone well as a first revolver. __________________ Support the NRA-ILA Auction, ends 03/09/2018 https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=593946

June 14, 2018, 11:06 PM	#23
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	S&W M10.

June 15, 2018, 05:31 AM	#24
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	I clicked "other" by mistake, but of those listed, I've got experience with Charter Arms and have found them to be lacking in nothing. The others I know nothing about, other than they seem a bit ugly to me. However, for demonstration purposes only, I suppose one would be just as good as the other. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

June 15, 2018, 07:40 AM	#25
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,440	Other: Korth __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

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