My New Charter Arms Off Duty .38 Special Revolver.

[Bassat]

Now get ahold of magtech give them the information about their ammunition. Save the box for upc and lot information.
They should ask for it and the failed to fire ammunition back to check it out. Then send you some fresh ammunition in exchange to make it right.

Never thought of that. Too bad I've already either got them to fire, or through them in the range brass bucket. Also tossed the boxes as they were empty. I do have 2 boxes of it left, though. Will collect misfires from them, and box labels.

Oh, just in case anyone is interested, of the ammo I've put through this gun, the Fiocchi 148gr Wadcutter is the weeniest round, by far. The Winchester FMJ, and Double Tap 148gr WC were the snappiest.

 

[Chalky]

Thanks for posting this info and follow up! Interesting read. FWIW, I have had some accuracy and misfire issues with recent magtech 9mm in several of my semi autos (shield, M&P9c and 19 clones). I hadn't had problems in the past with .38 magtech. Either way, I don't care for the brass when reloading. It seems harder to work with and size. YMMV, and realize this is anecdotal info with a small sample size, but I avoid magtech if possible.

 

[Bassat]

Thanks for posting this info and follow up! Interesting read. FWIW, I have had some accuracy and misfire issues with recent magtech 9mm in several of my semi autos (shield, M&P9c and 19 clones). I hadn't had problems in the past with .38 magtech. Either way, I don't care for the brass when reloading. It seems harder to work with and size. YMMV, and realize this is anecdotal info with a small sample size, but I avoid magtech if possible.

Yeah, I won't be buying anymore of it. My carry load is Double Tap 148gr Wadcutter, my strips are filled w/PPU 158gr SWC (easier to load). Next? What to keep in my nightstand S&W 4" 686+.

 

[Bassat]

I took my Charter Arms Off Duty to the range today. In a total of 65 rounds (no MagTech), I had no misfires. That is pretty good for a gun that came from the factory giving me 1-3 misfires per cylinder-full. Of the stuff I shot, Double Tap 148gr WC (my carry round), and PPU 158gr SWC (in my strips) had the snappiest recoil. I have seen both of the chrono'd at over 700fps.
BTW, I put 25 rounds of the MagTech through the S&W 442, with no issues. Still won't buy any more of that. I have also ordered 100 rounds of Georgia Arms Ultimate Defense 148gr WC ammo for comparison. Advertised at 750fps out of 2" barrel. Several folks have chrono'd it in the 725 range.

 

[snapping turtle]

Whatever you choose to carry let me bring up one little thing. Shoot them in the dark as the flash in short barrel revolvers and the flash off the cylinder gap ect is something almost everyone fails to take into account.

Most shooting for practice takes place in the day or inside at a range with lighting. Most shootings for self defense take place at night statistically.

I have a model 66 357 mag shorty I think it is 2 1/4 inch barrel and many loads will leave you flash blind for a few seconds after firing. Not an issue up close and personal but longer distances than say 7 yards are not point and pull.

I made the mistake of shooting my mother in laws skunk (she was feeding it) in her trashcan in the dark with a full load 357 federal 180 grain bullet. I had shot them in the day fine and I am big fans of heavy for caliber loadings.

I could see sometime after the smell of the skunk was everywhere I would say about 10 seconds. Now this was much more power than a 38 special and more powder but even with many of the 38 special rounds I tested after that many were flash bangs with lead included. I would say almost all plus p loads we flashy in a two inch.

I go to my handloads which are also 158 grain semi wadcutters and HP-38 powder which should get you to about 700i n (I was getting 825) a two inch and the faster powder burns without big flash. (Little left to burn off after ignition). Speer short barrel gold dots were my go to for a while for factory. Now at 1 dollar a pop I am shifting more and more to handloads.

I can not remember the old FBI speed for a 158 grain bullet to meet minimum
But I think I was pretty close in a two inch 38 case but have since switched to 357 cases with basically the same load. I also thin Winchester 231 is the same as HP-38 but of course check tha manual for the powders.

 

[92FSTech]

Whatever you choose to carry let me bring up one little thing. Shoot them in the dark as the flash in short barrel revolvers and the flash off the cylinder gap ect is something almost everyone fails to take into account.

I typically use Power Pistol for my .38+P loads. It burns pretty fast, and doesn't produce the fireballs that you'll get with H110 or other slow burners, but it's still not as good as whatever factory stuff Speer is putting in their factory short barrel load. That stuff is phenomenal in the dark.

H110 on the other hand, will blow a hole in you and set you on fire at the same time. Here's a screen capture from a video of shooting my 2" 640 Pro indoors with an H110 load. You could actually see the rings of fire going downrange in real-time...I thought that was pretty cool:

 

[Bassat]

I've put about 350 rounds through the Off Duty over the last few weeks. As long as I don't load MagTech 148gr WC, it works just fine. That said, I had a curious incident today. About 100 rounds in, I closed the cylinder... and could not pull the trigger. Well, $#!T. Tried to turn the cylinder, and it rotated freely. The cylinder would not close. Then I noticed the problem: the screw holding the cylinder release had worked its way almost out. A turn or two with a thumbnail got me back in working order. I don't regard that as a fatal flaw; a bit of locktite on that screw should solve the problem. This puts me at about 800 rounds through the Off Duty since getting it back from customer service. As long as I don't feed it Magtech, it works just fine. And finally, I've shot up all the Magtech I bought,

 

[92FSTech]

I've had plenty of cylinder release thumb piece screws work lose on S&Ws. I now loctite them on every S&W revolver I acquire. It's not just a Charter Arms issue.

 

[Bassat]

I've had plenty of cylinder release thumb piece screws work lose on S&Ws. I now loctite them on every S&W revolver I acquire. It's not just a Charter Arms issue.

What color locktite? I want to be able to take the gun apart if/when needed.

 

[92FSTech]

Blue. Always Blue. Never use Red Loctite on gun parts!

 

[Bassat]

Blue. Always Blue. Never use Red Loctite on gun parts!

And just to be sure, you'd recommend I loctite ALL my revolver's cylinder release screws? The Charter Arms screw worked its way loose. I also have Taurus 856 Defender, S&W 442 & 686+.

 

[92FSTech]

I don't know about the Taurus or the Charter (I've never owned a charter and it's been over a decade since I've had a Taurus), but I've had issues with it coming loose on multiple Smiths. Rugers have a different design so it's not an issue with them.

The screw on a Smith is actually more like a slotted nut that screws onto a threaded stud. It doesn't take much Loctite...just a tiny dab in the threads. You don't want to slather it on there and have it oozing out everywhere or running down into the internals and gumming them up. I'm Sig P22X guy, so I already have plenty of Loctite on hand, end experience using it (darn grip screws!).

The cylinder release thumbpiece actually worked all the way loose and fell off my 360 while jogging one time. The thumbpiece stayed in my pocket but the screw was gone for good. Smith sent me a new one for free, but it took them a few months because they were out of stock. Now I just loctite them all preemptively so I don't have to worry about it.

 

[Bassat]

92FSTech,
I got some blue loctite on the Charter Arms. Just a dab; I hope it holds. Just for giggles, I checked the cylinder release screws on the 856 & 442. Both slightly loose. No loctite on those, yet. Will keep a closer eye on them though.

 

[Hellcat314!]

Wow! Great "review" with great follow up and additional info. Thank you! I had to respond as I too tend to have a thing for cheap revolvers from time to time. Currently still own and play with and have with me in my truck, a CA Bulldog 44 spec. Yeah it's nothing precision to be sure, but I actually love the look and feel of it, and it shoots to point if aim when I do my part. I too ordered the hard rubber boot grip for mine for concealment, which it does aid in that to be sure. I'm not too upset how mine fit, actually pretty good. I might go back to a thin "J-frame" wood configuration however. Wish they made a Tyler t-grp for it...or for anything anymore. Not much to hold into though especially in 44 spec. I wouldn't call it easy or even "fun" to shoot all day, but it is a hoot having a 44 come out if such a small light package.

Anyway, thanks for such detailed post about that little 38, and for sharing such good insight. I am sure many on here either have or have thought about snagging one for the price. Happy shooting!

 

[92FSTech]

Wish they made a Tyler t-grp for it

Check out BK Grips...they make a really nice polymer copy of the T-Grip for Smith and Wessons, and pretty affordable, too. Not sure if it will fit a Charter or not, but you could email him and ask. I've got them on my 31 and 19, and they fill the hand just like the original.

 

[Bassat]

Another update on my CA Off Duty. I was running it at the range today. It fired all my test ammo just fine. Then the cylinder would not open. Seems there is an adjustment to the cylinder release that is just a very tiny screw. It had worked its way inward to the point that pressing the cylinder release did not open the cylinder. I took it to Belcher's on McKinley and the owner (Jeremy) explained the problem to me. It seems this tiny little screw can work its way in or out under recoil. He adjusted it for at no charge, then suggested I contact Charter Arms CS to see if they would recommend locktite on that screw. I did. They do. I have some locktite on hand. Please allow me to re-iterate: my Charter Arms Off Duty was no bargain. It cost $120 less than a S&W 442. I have spent well over $120 on ammo testing this gun. It initially (brand new!) gave several misfires with multiple types/brands of ammo. The factory fixed it free, and paid for shipping both ways. Next, the cylinder release itself (push mechanism on left side of frame) worked its way out under recoil, and parts went flying. I chose to try fixing it myself, which was a total fail. Belcher's put that back together for me, too. Now the cylinder release adjustment screw issue.
This is my last Charter Arms gun. It was no bargain. Part of the problem is that I buy guns to shoot them. I feel that CA guns are made to be loaded, tested, then kept in a drawer/holster in case they are ever needed. They are not meant to be shot a lot. I am not sure, but I believe I've put well over 500 rounds through this gun. Will update when I get home. I tried to like this gun. It is way too unpredictable to rely on as a car or carry gun. I plan to keep it as a plinker.
EDIT:
Correction: 810 rounds through the Charter Arms Off Duty.

 

[92FSTech]

Sorry to hear it didn't work out, but it's been an interesting study in quality vs cost, and at least you still have your 442.

 

[Bassat]

Sorry to hear it didn't work out, but it's been an interesting study in quality vs cost, and at least you still have your 442.

Thanks. I'm batting .500 with my 'cheap gun' purchases. The SCCY CPX-2 gen3 was a total waste of money. The CA Off Duty just keeps having different issues. To be fair, I've put way more rounds through that cheap gun than it was designed for. That said, I like to shoot my shooters. The Kahr CM9 is rock-solid reliable after 1,000+ rounds. It reliably loads and fires Hornady Critical Defense, and Federal HST. So far, my Taurus 856 3" doing well. I put a Galloway trigger return spring in it, went back to the Taurus OEM hammer spring. It reliably launches my chosen SD ammo... every time. Namely Georgia Arms Ultimate Defense 148gr WC, Double Tap 148gr WC (both in the cylinder) and PPU 158gr SWC (in the reloader strips). I'll feed the 442 the same diet.

 

[92FSTech]

IMO 810 rounds should be nothing for any handgun. I wouldn't say you've asked too much of it in any way whatsoever...you had pretty realistic expectations going in, and it didn't live up to them.

I Had a buddy with an SCCY, and it was utter garbage. Yours was not the only one.

I wouldn't put the Kahr CM9 in the same category as a Charter Arms or SCCY. Yes, it's a budget version of the PM9, but Kahr makes a quality handgun. They're not exactly mainstream, more of a niche product, especially these days in a market flooded with striker-fired guns, but if you like their trigger you'll typically be happy with their stuff.

Taurus is hit or miss. I hear great things and I hear bad. My experiences with them have all been bad, but I know there are good ones out there. I may be getting ready to roll the dice on another one...I'm currently watching one on Gunbroker, so we'll see where that goes.