The Charter Arms Undercover 38 Special price is highly affordable, making it a popular choice for concealed carry. If you are looking for a brand new model, the current retail price typically ranges from $287.51 to $358.07. Premium variations with special finishes or specialized grips can push the retail price closer to $450.00. Used models provide an even better budget option, with police trade in revolvers commonly selling between $149.99 and $249.99. With a standard MSRP hovering around $352.00, it remains one of the most cost effective American made revolvers on the market. Knowing these typical price brackets will help you secure the best deal on this classic compact firearm.
Charter Arms Undercover 38 Special Price
| Charter Arms Undercover Model | Manufacturer | Barrel Length | MSRP | Current Retail Price |
| Undercover Standard Blued | Charter Arms | 2 in | $352.00 | $288.89 |
| Undercover Lite Black and Red | Charter Arms | 2 in | $422.13 | $295.33 |
| Undercover Police Stainless | Charter Arms | 2.2 in | $385.00 | $308.02 |
| Undercover Pink Lady | Charter Arms | 2 in | $422.00 | $319.99 |
| Undercover Stainless DAO | Charter Arms | 2 in | $375.00 | $330.99 |
Based on current retail listings, the lowest price found for a brand new standard Undercover is $287.51 for the double action only model. The highest price found among new production models is the Target Undercover variant at $449.99. The typical price range for a reliable, brand new Charter Arms Undercover is comfortably between $290.00 and $340.00.
Prices vary primarily based on frame material and exterior finish. The standard models utilize steel frames with a basic blued finish, keeping manufacturing costs low. The “Lite” models feature aircraft grade aluminum frames to reduce weight, which slightly increases the MSRP. Specialty color schemes, polished stainless steel, and exclusive dealer configurations represent the higher end of the pricing spectrum.
How Much Does A Charter Arms Undercover Cost?
Entering the concealed carry market with this platform is very budget friendly. The initial firearm purchase will typically cost you around $300.00 new. If you add a quality inside the waistband holster and a few boxes of defensive ammunition, your total carry setup will cost roughly $400.00. This makes it significantly cheaper than competing steel framed snub nose revolvers from other major brands, which often start at over $500.00 just for the base firearm.
Charter Arms Undercover New vs Used Price
Buying a used revolver is one of the best ways to maximize your value, and this specific model has a massive used market.
- New Models:Average around $328.54 to $347.70 depending on the exact configuration.
- Private Party Used:Average around $216.89 to $224.10 for standard models in good condition.
- Police Trade In:Worn but functional trade in models frequently sell between $149.99 and $199.99.
Because these are backup guns, many used models have been carried extensively but fired very little, meaning the internal mechanics are often in excellent shape despite visible holster wear.
Charter Arms Undercover Price Compared With Alternatives
If you are shopping for a budget friendly snub nose revolver, it helps to see how the Charter Arms compares to its direct competition.
| Product/Cartridge | Example | Box/Retail Price | Price Per Round If Applicable |
| Charter Arms Undercover | Standard 2 inch Blued | $288.89 | N/A |
| Taurus 856 | 2 inch Matte Black | $315.00 | N/A |
| Rock Island M206 | 2 inch Parkerized | $259.99 | N/A |
| Smith & Wesson 642 | 1.87 inch Stainless | $529.00 | N/A |
The Undercover sits comfortably in the middle of the budget pack. It is slightly more expensive than the imported Rock Island M206, but it is manufactured in the United States and offers a lighter frame. It undercuts the premium Smith & Wesson J-Frame series by hundreds of dollars.
What Affects The Price?
Several variables dictate what you will pay at the gun counter.
- Frame Material: Standard steel frames are the cheapest to produce. Aluminum “Lite” frames cost slightly more.
- Finish Options:Standard black passivate coating is inexpensive. High polish stainless steel, dual tone finishes, and Cerakote colors add a premium.
- Hammer Type: Double action only models with concealed hammers often carry a slightly different price tag than exposed hammer variants.
- Condition: Police trade ins and heavily used models drag the average used price down significantly, creating incredible budget opportunities.
Availability
Because Charter Arms focuses almost exclusively on revolver manufacturing, their production lines run consistently. Availability is extremely high across standard sporting goods stores, local gun shops, and major online retailers. Furthermore, the steady stream of police trade in models ensures that the used market is always saturated, keeping prices highly competitive.
Pros And Cons
Charter Arms Undercover Price Pros
- Incredibly affordable entry price under $300.00 for new models.
- Massive used market allows budget buyers to find functional revolvers under $200.00.
- Offers lightweight aluminum frame options at a much lower cost than competing brands.
- 100 percent American made despite the budget friendly price tag.
Charter Arms Undercover Price Cons
- Resale value on the private market is relatively poor compared to Smith & Wesson or Ruger.
- Premium cosmetic colors push the price into a tier where better finished alternatives exist.
- Does not include premium features like night sights or tuned triggers found on higher priced competitors.
Charter Arms Undercover 38 Special Price: How Much Does It Cost?
The typical price range for a new Charter Arms Undercover is between $287.51 and $340.00. The lowest researched price for a brand new model is $287.51, while specialty models reach up to $449.99. If you are shopping the used market, typical prices run from $149.99 for trade ins to $224.10 for private party sales. Prices were checked recently to ensure accuracy.
| Category | Current Finding | Explanation |
| Typical New Price | $290.00 to $340.00 | Covers the vast majority of standard and Lite models. |
| Lowest Price Found | $149.99 | Used police trade in model with visible wear. |
| Highest Price Found | $449.99 | Brand new Target Undercover variant. |
| Used Price Average | $216.89 to $224.10 | Average market value for standard used condition. |
| Availability | High | Excellent stock levels for both new and used inventory. |
| Value | Excellent | One of the most affordable American made carry guns available. |
FAQs
How much does a Charter Arms Undercover 38 Special cost?
A brand new model typically costs between $290.00 and $340.00, while used models can be found between $150.00 and $225.00.
What is the MSRP of a Charter Arms Undercover?
The MSRP for a standard blued model is $352.00, though retail prices are almost always lower.
Is the Charter Arms Undercover 38 Special a good budget gun?
Yes, it offers reliable performance and a lightweight frame for under $300.00, making it an excellent budget carry option.
What is the cheapest Charter Arms Undercover model?
The standard steel framed models with a black finish are usually the most affordable new options.
How much is a used Charter Arms 38 Special?
Used models average around $216.00, but police trade ins can be found for as low as $149.99.
Why is the Charter Arms Undercover so cheap?
They utilize simple, proven designs and basic finishes to keep manufacturing overhead low while maintaining stateside production.
Are aluminum frame Charter Arms more expensive?
Yes, the “Lite” series with aluminum frames generally command a slightly higher MSRP than the standard steel models.
Can I find a Charter Arms Undercover under $200?
Yes, but you will almost exclusively be looking at police trade ins or heavily worn used models.
Does the Charter Arms Pink Lady cost more?
Specialty colored frames like the Pink Lady or Lavender Lady usually retail around $319.99, making them slightly more expensive than basic black models.
Do Charter Arms revolvers hold their value?
They depreciate quickly compared to premium brands, which is a negative if you plan to sell, but a huge positive if you are buying used.
Are there hidden costs when buying a Charter Arms revolver?
No, but you should budget an extra $50.00 to $100.00 for a quality holster and defensive 38 Special ammunition.
Is it worth buying a new Charter Arms over a used one?
If the price difference is less than $50.00, buying new gets you a factory warranty. If you find a used trade in for $150.00, the used option is a fantastic value.