Charter Arms Undercover .38-Broke again!

[EdC]

Well, I was satisfied with customer service for Charter Arms, and thought my gun had a one time problem. It happens sometimes.

However, the hammer block on my new Charter Arms .38 Undercover broke for the second time, not long after I got it back from warranty repair for the same problem, maybe 125 rounds through it. At $60 a pop to ship it back, a lifetime warranty doesn't mean squat if I have to send it back every two weeks. I'm going to ask if they will pay shipping this time.

A lesson learned the hard way. My opinion -the Charter Arms .38 Undercover is a piece of junk.

 

[T-rav]

Thats too bad, I would push for them to pay for shipping as well. I've had a few issues with my guns and sent back it never cost me 60 bucks more like 10. Just stick it in a box take it to UPS and when they ask of the contents tell them its some parts your shipping out for some machine work. As for the gun thats the one I was looking at for my next purchase.

 

[IndyGunworks]

i would make sure that you mention internet forums when you call.... might get them to pick up the tab... IMHO you should NOT have to pay another for warranty work.... if they make aftermarket parts (stainless steel???) i would put one of those in there and be done with it... seems like it might be the cheap pot metal they are using.

 

[IndyGunworks]

Just stick it in a box take it to UPS and when they ask of the contents tell them its some parts your shipping out for some machine work.

HORRIBLE idea.... why lie about it? there is nothing illegal with shipping it... IMHO lying about it only adds to the stigma of guns being bad.

 

[rimfire_crazed]

I agree that it's a horrible idea to lie about the contents of the package but UPS and FEDEX forcing overnight shipping for guns gets pretty spendy. Hopefully Charter will pickup the tab on this one.

 

[edsinger]

Ouch, I was looking forward to their 9mm revolver. I am not sure now..

 

[tatters]

Ouch, I was looking forward to their 9mm revolver. I am not sure now..

Me too!! That is if it ever happens!

 

[JohnP82]

Wow, sorry to hear about your bad experience with Charter Arms. That really sucks! I have heard so much good about them and was considering picking one up sometime at a show just to have another revolver. Good luck!

 

[planedriver]

New here but not new to CA.... One thing to keep in mind is the historical solvent assests of the company..... Oh yeah! nada...

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

As an FYI, if Charter doesn't pick up the shipping tab, you can contact an FFL to see what they'll charge you to ship it.

FFLs can utilize the USPS for shipping handguns...as long as it's going to another FFL.

Those flat-rate priority boxes are quite economical, you know.

-J-

 

[EdC]

Didn't even have to ask them to pay shipping

Well, to me, the first line of customer service is to build a great product. Base on my experience, CA fell short on that. However, for customer service, I still have to give them a thumb's up.

As soon as the lady who answered the phone found out this was the second time back (which was right away), she said I should absolutely not have to pay shipping, and they would send a "call tag". I was told to be sure to include in my note describing problem to include that it was the second time back, and if it can't be fixed right, to send me a new gun (no, not a S&W 442, but another CA). She understood completely my problem with a lifetime warranty if it cost $60 to send it back.

This tells me that (1) the company might have some major issues with the Undercover, or at least a run of the hammer block parts, and (2) it knows it, and (3) they're still trying hard.

The first time it broke, it looked like there may have been a bubble in the casting. However, the second time, the break looked smoother. I'll try to take a close up pic.

They're good people at CA, especially compared to some horror stories I've heard about other vendors. I hope I get this thing squared away, and as long as the company stays in business, I think I will.

Will I ever buy another CA? Not without an explanation of what went wrong, and what's being done to correct the problem. If a QC problem has been id'd and corrected, maybe. The company has had a checkered history to say the least, but I like success stories, and the idea of economical self defense guns made in the USA.

Problem is, there's not many Charter Arms dedicated websites that I could find to get additional info. Yahoo has a CA Group and that's about it.

 

[calcot7]

I too am sorry to hear this story. Hope they can make it right for you. I don't think I'll have to think very long about whether or not to purchase one of their new revolvers though.

 

[EdC]

Sending me a replacement

I finally got around to following up with Charter (someone was supposed to call me back, and I pushed it to the back burner myself). The good news is, they sent me a shipping label to send it back and they're going to replace the gun instead of trying another repair. Good for them, they do stand behind their product. The bad news is, they're replacing it with another Charter.


Hey, do I have enough posts yet to put an ad in the classifieds?

 

[Counselor1977]

HORRIBLE idea.... why lie about it? there is nothing illegal with shipping it... IMHO lying about it only adds to the stigma of guns being bad.

Agree, bad idea to not to disclose the contents when shipping a firearm. If, by chance, the package would get inspected, then you could be in a bit of a bind. Since it was shipped, you would be looking at Federal offenses, maybe being placed on some "watch list", and, at the very least, loss of the firearm.

Granted, the package may not get searched, but playing roulette is never wise when a firearm is involved.

 

[southern.in.guy]

i don't this is a common problem these guns Ihave had two undercover 38's with no problems the one i have now has 500 rds + shoots great for what it is