A new Charter Arms 38 Special revolver currently costs between $310 and $610 depending on the exact model and configuration. The direct current price for the standard baseline Undercover model typically ranges from $310 to $350 at most retailers. Shooters can expect the typical price range to sit right around $340 for the most common concealed carry variants. Prices for the aluminum framed Undercover Lite or colored Pink Lady models generally start around $320 and cap near $390. Ultimately, the exact price varies greatly by the specific frame material, hammer style, chosen finish, and the individual retailer. The overall price remains highly budget friendly compared to competing brands.
Charter Arms 38 Special Price
| Charter Arms Model | Caliber | Barrel Length | Finish | MSRP | Current Retail Price |
| Undercover | .38 Special | 2″ | Matte Black | $392.00 | $310 to $350 |
| Undercover Lite | .38 Special | 2″ | Matte Aluminum / Black | $420.00 | $320 to $360 |
| Pink Lady / Lavender Lady | .38 Special | 2″ | Two Tone Colored Aluminum | $430.00 | $340 to $390 |
| Off Duty | .38 Special | 2″ | Matte Black / Stainless | $420.00 | $355 to $410 |
| Southpaw (Left Handed) | .38 Special | 2″ | Stainless / Pink | $450.00 | $390 to $410 |
| Chic Lady | .38 Special | 2″ | High Polish / Colored | $471.99 | $400 to $470 |
Explain The Table
Based on live retailer data, the lowest current price found for a new Charter Arms 38 Special is around $310 for the standard two inch matte black Undercover model. The highest current price without adding aftermarket lasers is roughly $470 for the highly polished Chic Lady series. The typical retail price for an average new model hovers comfortably around $340.
When comparing MSRP to the actual retail price, Charter Arms revolvers usually sell slightly below the factory MSRP. Different models cost different amounts primarily due to frame materials and specialized exterior finishes. Standard steel and basic aluminum configurations are cheaper, while highly polished models and left handed frames cost slightly more.
How Much Does A Charter Arms 38 Special Cost?
A brand new Charter Arms 38 Special revolver will set you back roughly $310 at the absolute lowest entry point. Most buyers spend between $320 and $360 for models featuring lightweight aluminum frames or standard stainless steel construction. If you want factory installed Crimson Trace laser grips, the price usually climbs to between $515 and $610.
Charter Arms 38 Special Price By Model
Charter Arms splits their 38 Special lineup into several distinct models, each targeting a specific price tier:
- Undercover: The classic steel framed model. It is the most common configuration and usually retails for $310 to $350.
- Undercover Lite: These models use an aircraft grade aluminum frame to reduce carrying weight. They cost slightly more, ranging from $320 to $360.
- Pink Lady / Lavender Lady: These are functionally identical to the Undercover Lite but feature vibrant anodized frame colors. They generally retail from $340 to $390.
- Off Duty: Designed with a fully enclosed hammer for snag free drawing, these retail from $355 to $410.
- Southpaw: A unique model built completely mirrored for left handed shooters. The cylinder releases and swings out to the right. These typically retail for $390 to $410.
Charter Arms 38 Special Price By Barrel Length
Barrel length does not play a massive role in pricing because almost every Charter Arms 38 Special is built strictly for concealed carry.
- 2 Inch Barrels: The standard snub nose length found on the vast majority of their revolvers. These encompass the entire $310 to $470 price bracket.
- Police Undercover (2.2 Inch Barrels): Slightly larger six shot frames sometimes feature a 2.2 inch barrel. These generally retail around $400 to $410.
Charter Arms 38 Special MSRP vs Retail Price
The official Charter Arms MSRP is consistently higher than what you will pay at a gun shop. The base model Undercover in matte black has an MSRP of $392.00, but it reliably retails in the low $300s.The Chic Lady highly polished model carries an MSRP of $471.99 but is often available closer to $400 depending on the retailer. Retail competition frequently drives the actual purchase price down by roughly 10 to 15 percent below MSRP.
Why Is The Charter Arms 38 Special So Affordable?
Charter Arms is able to keep prices incredibly low by utilizing a very simple, one piece frame design that requires fewer moving parts than traditional Smith & Wesson or Colt revolvers. They also skip the expensive side plate design found on premium revolvers, instead inserting internal parts directly into the solid frame. By focusing on high volume production of a simple, rugged design with basic matte finishes, they avoid the expensive hand fitting and extensive polishing required by higher end brands.
Model Comparison
Comparing currently available 38 Special models showcases the differences that dictate the price:
- Undercover:Standard steel frame, exposed hammer, 5 shot capacity.Current Price: ~$310 to $350.Main difference: Heaviest standard frame.
- Undercover Lite: Aluminum frame, exposed hammer, 5 shot capacity. Current Price: ~$320 to $360.Main difference: Noticeably lighter for daily carry.
- Off Duty: Aluminum frame, enclosed hammer, 5 shot capacity. Current Price: ~$355 to $410. Main difference: Enclosed hammer prevents snagging on clothing.
- Southpaw: Aluminum frame, left handed operation. Current Price: ~$390 to $410. Main difference: True left handed cylinder release and swing out.
Used Charter Arms 38 Special Price
Buying a used Charter Arms revolver is an excellent way to acquire a reliable backup gun. The used market usually sees these revolvers priced very competitively.
| Condition | Typical Price Range | Notes |
| New | $310 to $610 | Varies heavily by frame color and laser grips |
| Used Good Condition | $215 to $260 | Standard Undercover and Undercover Lite models |
| Used Excellent Condition | $260 to $300 | Gently used colored frames or Off Duty models |
| Older Discontinued Generations | $180 to $220 | Early generation models with noticeable holster wear |
Note: Used market figures are market observations rather than official pricing.
Charter Arms 38 Special Price Compared With Other Revolvers
How does Charter Arms hold up against the competition in terms of pricing?
| Firearm | Caliber | Typical Current Price | Price Difference |
| Charter Arms Undercover | .38 Special | $310 to $350 | N/A |
| Rock Island M206 | .38 Special | $230 to $260 | Charter Arms is roughly $80 to $90 more expensive |
| Taurus 856 | .38 Special | $320 to $360 | Priced almost identically |
| Smith & Wesson 642 | .38 Special | $480 to $550 | Charter Arms is roughly $170 to $200 cheaper |
| Ruger LCR | .38 Special | $500 to $650 | Charter Arms is roughly $190 to $300 cheaper |
What Affects The Price?
Several factors determine how much you will pay for your Charter Arms revolver:
- Frame Material: Lightweight aluminum Undercover Lite models generally cost slightly more than standard heavy steel frames.
- Finish and Color: Basic matte black is the cheapest option. Vibrant anodized colors like the Pink Lady or high polish finishes like the Chic Lady carry a higher price tag.
- Hammer Style: Completely enclosed snag free models like the Off Duty are priced slightly higher than standard exposed hammer models.
- Mechanical Layout: The left handed Southpaw requires entirely different machining, pushing its price up.
- Laser Grips: Factory installed Crimson Trace grips add roughly $200 to the base price of the gun.
Charter Arms 38 Special Price Pros
- Exceptional Budget Value: It is incredibly affordable, putting a reliable American made revolver in the hands of shooters for just over $300.
- Incredible Color Variety: Unlike most budget brands, Charter Arms offers dozens of frame colors and finishes without raising the price drastically.
- Left Handed Options: They are one of the only companies to produce a truly budget friendly left handed revolver with the Southpaw model.
Charter Arms 38 Special Price Cons
- Fit and Finish: While perfectly functional, the visual fit and finish is noticeably rougher than more expensive Smith & Wesson models.
- Low Resale Value: Because brand new models are so cheap, they depreciate quickly. You will not get much money back if you decide to trade in or sell your used model.
- Harsh Recoil: The extremely lightweight aluminum frames combined with the minimal rubber grips make shooting .38 Special +P ammunition fairly harsh on the hands.
Charter Arms 38 Special Price: How Much Does It Cost?
A typical new Charter Arms 38 Special revolver costs between $310 and $610.
The typical new price for an average carry model is around $340. The lowest researched price is $310 for the matte black base model, while the highest researched price is roughly $610 for models featuring factory installed laser grips. The MSRP range stretches from $392.00 to over $471.99 across the standard unaccessorized family. If you are looking to save money, typical used prices for good condition Undercover revolvers range from $215 to $260.
FAQs
How much does a Charter Arms 38 Special cost?
A brand new Charter Arms 38 Special costs between $310 and $610 depending on the model, finish, and installed accessories.
How much is a Charter Arms Undercover 38 Special?
The base model steel Undercover usually retails between $310 and $350.
What is the price of a Charter Arms 38 Special revolver?
Current retail prices range from $310 at the entry level to over $600 for laser equipped versions.
How much does a new Charter Arms 38 Special cost?
Expect to pay around $340 for a standard new model, with specialized colored versions pushing closer to $390.
How much does a used Charter Arms 38 Special cost?
Used models generally sell for $215 to $260, making them highly affordable on the secondary market.
What is the MSRP of a Charter Arms 38 Special?
The MSRP starts at $392.00 for basic models and goes up to $471.99 for the high polish variations.
Why is the Charter Arms 38 Special so affordable?
They utilize a simple solid frame design without a complex side plate, reducing the total number of parts and allowing for cheaper, high volume manufacturing.
Is the Charter Arms 38 Special worth the price?
Yes. For budget conscious buyers, it offers reliable American made performance and an incredibly wide variety of frame styles that few other manufacturers can match at this price point.
Does barrel length affect Charter Arms price?
Not significantly. Almost all their 38 Special models use a 2 inch snub nose barrel, so the price is dictated mostly by frame material and finish rather than length.
What is the cheapest Charter Arms 38 Special?
The cheapest model is the base steel Undercover in matte black, which routinely retails near $310.
What is the most expensive Charter Arms 38 Special?
Models equipped with factory installed Crimson Trace laser grips are the most expensive, commonly retailing near $610.
How does Charter Arms 38 Special price compare with other handguns?
It is priced identically to budget options from Taurus, but it is significantly cheaper than alternatives from Smith & Wesson and Ruger, often saving buyers roughly $150 to $300.