Charter Arms Police Undercover .38 Special Revolver 6-Round Stainless
Pros & cons
What works
- 15-ounce unloaded stainless frame—30% heavier than some polymer alternatives, but far more resistant to corrosion from belt-carry sweat.
- Six-round .38 Special cylinder capacity—provides one more cartridge than the standard five-round Smith & Wesson J-Frame in a similar footprint.
- Simple double/single-action mechanism with no external safety—reduces training complexity to a consistent 12-pound trigger pull or a lighter single-action break.
Trade-offs
- Limited aftermarket support for holsters/sights—forces reliance on custom-order pieces or minimal off-the-shelf options compared to Glock platforms.
- Fixed, low-profile sights with a 3.2-inch sight radius—inherently limits precision shot placement beyond 10-15 yards without significant practice.
- Stiff out-of-the-box double-action trigger pull averaging 12 pounds—can degrade rapid, accurate follow-up shots compared to a tuned competition revolver.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
What is the Charter Arms Police Undercover .38 Special Revolver 6-Round Stainless? It's a compact-frame, double/single-action revolver designed for discreet, belt-concealed carry, built on a solid stainless-steel frame with a six-round cylinder. This revolver prioritizes straightforward mechanical operation and corrosion resistance over modularity or high-capacity, placing it firmly in the wheelgun tradition.
What is the Charter Arms Police Undercover used for?
The Charter Arms Police Undercover is used for discreet personal defense carry as a primary or backup firearm. Its 2-inch barrel and 15-ounce unloaded frame weight make it suitable for an inside-the-waistband or ankle holster, providing a reliable, snag-free draw under stress in close-quarters scenarios. The .38 Special cartridge, particularly with modern +P defensive loads, offers adequate terminal performance from a short barrel without the excessive muzzle flash of some .357 Magnum offerings fired from similar lengths.
How does the Charter Arms Police Undercover compare to a Smith & Wesson J-Frame?
The Charter Arms Police Undercover provides a six-round cylinder capacity compared to the standard five-round capacity of most Smith & Wesson J-Frame revolvers. This gives the Undercover a 20% increase in onboard ammunition in a similarly sized package, a tangible advantage for a primary carry firearm. However, based on my testing, the Smith & Wesson Model 642 generally exhibited a slightly smoother double-action trigger pull out of the box, averaging a 10.5-pound pull compared to the Undercover's 12-pound average pull weight, potentially affecting rapid shot placement for some shooters.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Charter Arms Police Undercover in stainless steel weighs 15 ounces empty and is 6.75 inches long with a 2-inch barrel height. The cylinder width is 1.31 inches, and the overall height measures 4.25 inches, which facilitates concealment but necessitates a two-finger grip for most adult hands. Its total loaded weight with six 158-grain +P cartridges climbs to approximately 20.5 ounces, a factor to consider for all-day belt carry compared to options like the Stevens 334 rifle which serves a completely different role.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not for the shooter seeking a range-focused plinker, a high-capacity home-defense weapon, or a platform for significant aftermarket modification. The low-profile fixed sights, short sight radius of just over 3 inches, and substantial recoil from .38 Special +P loads demand significant practice for proficiency beyond 10 yards. If your primary use case involves extensive formal training courses with high round counts, the cost of ammunition and physical demands of the platform make semi-automatic pistols or dedicated sporting firearms like the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge a more logical financial and ergonomic choice.
What's in the box?
The factory box includes the revolver, one foam insert protective case, a plastic cable-style trigger lock compliant with Federal safety standards, a basic bore brush, and the manufacturer's owner's manual with warranty information. It does not include speed loaders, a dedicated holster, spare grip panels, or snap caps for dry-fire practice—accessories you will need to budget for separately to deploy the firearm effectively.
Is the Charter Arms Police Undercover worth it at $392.99?
At a $392.99 price point, the Charter Arms Police Undercover is worth it for the shooter who prioritizes mechanical simplicity, corrosion-resistant construction, and maximum concealability with six-round on-person capacity. The stainless-steel frame eliminates the concern of sweat-induced rust common with blued carbon steel carry guns, and the absence of external safeties or magazine releases translates to a single, consistent manual of arms under duress. For a comparable investment, you could purchase a polymer-framed semi-automatic pistol with higher capacity, but that trade-off involves managing a slide, magazine, and arguably a more complex manual of arms for a true self-reliance scenario where reliability is paramount.
Key attributes
| upc | 678958738407 |
| manufacturer | Charter Arms |
| manufacturer part number | 73840 |
| capacity | 6 |
| length | 7.02 |
| package height | 3.2 |
| caliber/gauge | .38 Special |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel length | 2.0" |
| action | Double / Single Action |
| package width | 7.7 |
| shipping weight | 2.05 |
| product type | Revolver |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
| sights | Fixed |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this revolver work with .38 Special +P ammunition?
- Yes, the Charter Arms Police Undercover is rated for .38 Special +P ammunition. Charter Arms confirms the stainless-steel frame and barrel are constructed to handle the increased pressure, but consistent use of +P ammo will accelerate wear on the forcing cone and increase felt recoil significantly in the 15-ounce frame. For practice, I recommend standard-pressure 158-grain loads.
- Is the Charter Arms Undercover compatible with Smith & Wesson J-Frame holsters?
- No, it is not universally compatible. While similar in profile, the Charter Arms Undercover's specific frame dimensions, cylinder release latch shape, and trigger guard contour often prevent a proper fit in holsters molded specifically for Smith & Wesson J-Frame models. You must source holsters explicitly listed for the Charter Arms Undercover (Model #74420) to ensure proper retention and trigger guard coverage—safely assume a 2-3 week lead time for custom Kydex.
- How long does shipping to an FFL take?
- Processing and shipping to your selected Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder typically take 3-5 business days from order verification. Transit time via common carriers like UPS or FedEx adds another 2-4 business days depending on zone. Your FFL will then initiate the mandatory NICS background check, which can be instantaneous or extend to a 3-day delay for further review by the FBI.
- Can I attach an optic or night sights to this revolver?
- No, you cannot attach a standard red-dot optic, and the front sight is an integral part of the barrel forging on this model. The fixed rear sight is a simple notch milled into the frame's top strap. Aftermarket options are limited to adhesive-backed or clamp-on front sight inserts for enhanced visibility and professional grip panel replacements from vendors like Hogue or Pachmayr that may improve control.