Winelover
North Central Arkansas
Well I'm in the south and never ran across either in my LGS.
The Snubnose option
- Thread starter Petrol & Powder
- Start date
Well I'm in the south and never ran across either in my LGS.
CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
358156 touches on a subject that I share his views with--that recently our predator class has become more of a pack species than has been their usual mode throughout history. A 5-shot revolver is not very capable in such arenas, hence the Glock 23 in waistband + spare mag in left front pants pocket (or Galco shoulder rig + 2 mags on the off-side strap) and the 642 in the right front pants pocket. My home town San Bernardino is basically a Southcentral Los Angeles/Compact Format, and I rig up in the above "Taxi Driver" mode only if I think I will be there after dark. But such trips occur a couple times each month, so caution and preparation are called for.
A story, now--possibly true. 2 male adult passengers were seated next to one another on a flight from Calgary to SFO. One of these men was clearly nervous and ill at ease, and the other noticed this and asked "Is this your first flight?"
"Oh, no, not at all. I enjoy flying. My firm in Calgary has transferred me to their San Francisco office, and being a Canadian I am scared to death of having to live and work in such a crime-ridden place! I think this promotion was a huge mistake, I'm glad my family won't follow until the school year ends."
"Ah, don't listen to that swill you read and hear on the news shows. I am a lifetime Californian. 50+ years there, its a beautiful place with wonderful weather. You'll come to love it as soon as you get there."
This wasn't something the Canadian had fully considered, and not having to deal with frigid winters was a real bonus. He relaxed a bit, and asked his seat mate "So, what do you do for a living down there?"
"Me? Oh, I'm a tailgunner on a beer truck in Oakland."
A story, now--possibly true. 2 male adult passengers were seated next to one another on a flight from Calgary to SFO. One of these men was clearly nervous and ill at ease, and the other noticed this and asked "Is this your first flight?"
"Oh, no, not at all. I enjoy flying. My firm in Calgary has transferred me to their San Francisco office, and being a Canadian I am scared to death of having to live and work in such a crime-ridden place! I think this promotion was a huge mistake, I'm glad my family won't follow until the school year ends."
"Ah, don't listen to that swill you read and hear on the news shows. I am a lifetime Californian. 50+ years there, its a beautiful place with wonderful weather. You'll come to love it as soon as you get there."
This wasn't something the Canadian had fully considered, and not having to deal with frigid winters was a real bonus. He relaxed a bit, and asked his seat mate "So, what do you do for a living down there?"
"Me? Oh, I'm a tailgunner on a beer truck in Oakland."
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Many years ago, I would almost never encounter people living in the northeast that would carry a Taurus Model 85. They would choose a S&W or maybe a Colt unless money was tight, then the option would be usually be a Charter Arms gun. (assuming they selected a revolver and not a pistol).
In the southeast, the Taurus Model 85 was the more common option for those seeking a snubnose on a budget.
Here in Virginia, I will run across the occasional used Taurus model 85 in pawn shops and gun stores. I rarely see used Charter Arms models.
The J frames are easy enough to shoot with the small Magna grips IF you Know How to do it. I was taught by a LAPD detective 35+yrs ago.
The "Shrouded" hammer revolvers; M49, M38, M649 & M638.
Place your right thumb over the top of the cylinder latch.
The "Concealed" hammer revolvers; M40, M640, M442 & M642.
Place you thumb over the top of the frame.
The "Shrouded" hammer revolvers; M49, M38, M649 & M638.
Place your right thumb over the top of the cylinder latch.
The "Concealed" hammer revolvers; M40, M640, M442 & M642.
Place you thumb over the top of the frame.
I apologize for doing the quote thing here, but instead of laughing I kinda did the "hmmm" thing. It could be a true story nowadays. I wonder what they mount on a beer truck now, a M134? They're expensive and the hopper can hold 3000 rounds but the beer has got to get through.
Agreed. I just put a set of VZ Grips G10 boot grips on my M60 357 and had a new front sight made for it. Much easier to see the front sight now and it hits where I want it to.
I haven't noticed much around here but some used J Frames. We'll call my neck of the woods the Deep South.
RBHarter
West Central AR
Inside the Reno , Elko , Vegas triangle there was an availability of everything in every price range from 5 shot 32s to Kimber procarry 45 1911. Walther , Star , Llama , Colts , S&W , Taurus , H&R etc . In all of my yr grousing around I can honestly say I saw more of those baby 1911 380s and Gold Desert Eagles than Charter Arms . Kind of the same here with a conspicuous absence of Beretta and a small selection of Sig which is odd being only 140 road miles from Sig USA . SA revolvers seem scarce but are also seasonal . I haven't had the time really to go out rooting around in the shops , there seem to be a bunch around .
Because I chose revolvers to hunt with vs carry to town I got nothing here . I did have a SS J frame "Chief's Special" for a while that rode around but it wasn't a pocket gun really . It suited me but shot way low until well into too hot loads . +P 125s worked ok .
Because I chose revolvers to hunt with vs carry to town I got nothing here . I did have a SS J frame "Chief's Special" for a while that rode around but it wasn't a pocket gun really . It suited me but shot way low until well into too hot loads . +P 125s worked ok .
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
For a J-frame, some version of the "Boot Grip" will allow an improvement in the grip without making the overall profile of the gun larger.
The Tyler T-grip adaptor is an excellent way to improve the factory magna style grips without making the gun larger.
The Tyler T-grip adaptor is an excellent way to improve the factory magna style grips without making the gun larger.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
One advantage the Charter Arms guns may have had over the Taurus Model 85 is the fact that the Charter Arms models were available before the little Taurus.
I don't know exactly when the Taurus Model 85 was introduced, I've seen reference to 1985 (which makes perfect sense) but I don't know for certain. I started seeing Taurus model 85's in the late 1980's, which fits with a mid 1980's introduction.
I don't know exactly when the Taurus Model 85 was introduced, I've seen reference to 1985 (which makes perfect sense) but I don't know for certain. I started seeing Taurus model 85's in the late 1980's, which fits with a mid 1980's introduction.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
So I checked some old references and it does appear the Taurus Model 85 was first imported sometime in the mid 1980's but I can't find anything definitive. The Charter Arms Undercover existed for about 20 years prior to 1985.
Does anyone know when the Taurus Model 85 was first imported ?
Does anyone know when the Taurus Model 85 was first imported ?
Charles Graff
Moderator Emeritus
In my part of the world (Texas) the Charter and Taurus revolvers have only appeal to the budget minded folks. Don't know about any other part of the cosmos.
358156 hp
At large, whereabouts unknown.
Quite a loadout!
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
I think that is the norm everywhere. Most of the people I spoke with wanted a S&W but lack of money forced a compromise.
Winelover
North Central Arkansas
When it comes to small frame, 5 shot revolvers, Charter Arm's triggers are better OTB than the S&W offerings. I own three J-frames. The triggers are horrendously heavy. Even the Preformance Center one doesn't compare to the Bulldog. BTW, I didn't hand pick the Bulldog, either. Ordered it on line because I couldn't find any locally. Even when I lived in the Detroit area. Charter Arm revolvers were scarce. Many years ago, when I purchased a stainless Model 60, I was considering a Charter Arms offering. Got talked out of it...........I should have bought it because it had a significantly better/lighter trigger. 
Answering the original question, In north Georgia, north of and including Atl. suburbs, In 38 special the Taurus was the only thing aval. at a lower price point than a J frame. Charter's were only aval. in 44 special and you had to look pretty hard to find them. Most of my LEO family and friends that carried revolvers were using J frames as back-ups or some of the older guys carried charter 44's. I don't think I had ever seen a charter 38 until 8/10 years ago. The internet changed everything, most every LGS of any size carrys both now, not a lot of them but both brands.
Now for my part of the thread drift, If I was going to carry a revolver as my main piece, then it would be the charter 44 special. I am a revolver guy and my inventory is 3 or 4 to one revolver/ semi auto, but my everyday carry gun is a 9mm Shield. It is just so much easier to conceal, but it did take me awhile to get there.
Tony
Now for my part of the thread drift, If I was going to carry a revolver as my main piece, then it would be the charter 44 special. I am a revolver guy and my inventory is 3 or 4 to one revolver/ semi auto, but my everyday carry gun is a 9mm Shield. It is just so much easier to conceal, but it did take me awhile to get there.
Tony