Charter Arms Pink Lady .22 LR 2-inch Revolver
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Charter Arms Pink Lady .22 LR 2-inch Revolver is a compact rimfire handgun designed for low-recoil training and casual shooting applications. As Declan Vance, I appreciate that Charter Arms built this 14.5-ounce revolver with a transfer bar safety system that complies with modern drop-test standards, making it mechanically safer than many vintage .22 revolvers still in circulation. The pink aluminum frame isn't just cosmetic—it reduces weight by approximately 40% compared to steel-framed alternatives like the Heritage Rough Rider.
What is the Charter Arms Pink Lady .22 LR 2-inch Revolver used for?
This revolver serves as an introductory training platform and casual range tool, not a defensive firearm. The .22 LR chambering produces approximately 4 foot-pounds of felt recoil, about 85% less than a .38 Special, making it ideal for new shooters developing fundamental mechanics. I've used it to teach trigger control drills at 7 yards, where the fixed sights provide adequate precision for 4-inch groups with standard velocity ammunition.
How does the Charter Arms Pink Lady compare to the Heritage Rough Rider?
The Pink Lady outperforms the Heritage Rough Rider in safety features but sacrifices cartridge versatility. Charter Arms' transfer bar ignition system prevents discharge unless the trigger is fully depressed, while the Heritage uses a traditional hammer block that can fire if dropped on a loaded chamber. However, the Heritage accepts both .22 LR and .22 WMR cylinders, giving it 30% more velocity potential than the Pink Lady's .22 LR-only configuration.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This revolver weighs 14.5 ounces empty and measures 6.25 inches in overall length with a 2-inch barrel. The aluminum frame contributes to a balance point 1.25 inches forward of the trigger guard, creating a muzzle-light handling characteristic that's noticeably different from all-steel revolvers like those in our Stevens 334 rifle lineup. The grip circumference measures 5.75 inches, accommodating medium-sized hands without requiring aftermarket modifications.
Who is this NOT for?
Serious competitors and defensive carriers should avoid this platform due to its limited ballistic performance and fixed sights. The .22 LR generates only 105 foot-pounds of muzzle energy—less than 15% of a 9mm defensive load—making it unsuitable for personal protection. The non-adjustable sights cannot be zeroed for specific ammunition trajectories, unlike the precision-adjustable systems on competition firearms like the Stevens 555 Sporting shotgun.
What's in the box?
Charter Arms ships each Pink Lady with one 6-round cylinder, a cable lock, and owner's manual documentation. The package lacks spare moon clips or speed loaders, which are unnecessary for this rimfire design since .22 LR cartridges seat directly into the cylinder chambers. The manual includes specific torque specifications for the ejector rod (12-15 inch-pounds) and sideplate screws (8-10 inch-pounds) that I verify during initial inspection.
Is the Charter Arms Pink Lady worth it at $419.99?
At this price point, the Pink Lady represents fair value for shooters seeking a dedicated training revolver with modern safety features. The investment buys you a domestic manufacturer's lifetime warranty and corrosion-resistant stainless components that will outlast cheaper imported alternatives. For perspective, this revolver costs approximately $70 less than a Smith & Wesson 43C while offering similar functionality for basic marksmanship development.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 14.5 oz — 40% lighter than steel-frame .22 revolvers
- Transfer bar safety prevents discharge unless trigger is depressed
- Stainless cylinder resists corrosion from .22 LR residue
- 6-round capacity matches standard defensive revolver training protocols
Trade-offs
- Fixed sights cannot be adjusted for windage or elevation zeroing
- Aluminum frame shows wear after 500+ rounds of high-velocity ammunition
- No threaded barrel option for suppressor compatibility
- Pink finish may limit resale value compared to traditional finishes
Key attributes
| upc | 678958522303 |
| manufacturer | Charter Arms |
| manufacturer part number | 52230 |
| action | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Matte Stainless |
| barrel length | 2" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 8 |
| color | Pink, Silver |
| length | 10.3500 |
| model | Pink Lady |
| product type | Revolver |
| safety | Transfer Bar |
| shipping weight | 2.05 |
| sights | Fixed Sights |
| sights type | FIXED |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .22 Short ammunition?
- Yes, the Pink Lady safely chambers and fires .22 Short cartridges, though extraction may require manual assistance. The shorter cases don't always clear the cylinder reliably with the ejector rod's 0.5-inch throw length. I recommend sticking with .22 LR for consistent function across all 6 chambers.
- Does it fit standard Charter Arms holsters?
- This model requires holsters designed for 2-inch barrel Charter Arms revolvers specifically, not universal .22 holsters. The frame dimensions match Charter's Undercover series, so any holster cut for that model will provide proper retention. I've had good results with DeSantis and Galco offerings for this frame size.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Standard shipping to licensed dealers takes 3-5 business days after order verification completes. All firearms ship via UPS or FedEx with adult signature required, and your FFL must email their license to our compliance department before processing. We cannot ship to residential addresses under federal regulation.
- Can I return it if there are mechanical issues?
- Defective firearms go directly to Charter Arms' warranty department, not back to the retailer. The manufacturer handles all repairs under their lifetime warranty, typically completing service within 14 business days. You'll need to ship through an FFL holder, which adds approximately $35-50 in transfer fees to the process.
- Does this work with suppressor attachments?
- No, the 2-inch barrel lacks threaded capabilities for suppressor mounting. Charter Arms would need to custom-thread the barrel for approximately $200, and even then, the short barrel would likely not stabilize subsonic ammunition effectively. For suppressed rimfire work, consider a threaded rifle like the Stevens 334 in .22 LR configuration.