Charter Arms Santa Fe Sky .38 Special 2″ 5rd Turquoise/Black
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Charter Arms Santa Fe Sky .38 Special 2" 5rd Turquoise/Black is a compact, lightweight revolver engineered for discreet everyday carry and personal protection. It utilizes a 7075 aluminum frame to achieve an unloaded weight of just 12 ounces while maintaining full-size revolver reliability. This model combines traditional revolver operation with a distinctive two-tone finish that balances aesthetics with practical carry considerations.
What is the Charter Arms Santa Fe Sky used for?
This revolver is designed specifically for concealed carry and personal defense scenarios where minimal weight and compact dimensions are prioritized. The 2-inch barrel and 12-ounce weight make it ideal for all-day carry in holsters or pocket configurations, while the .38 Special chambering provides adequate stopping power for defensive use. I've found it particularly suitable for shooters who prefer revolvers over semi-automatics for their mechanical simplicity and reliability in high-stress situations.
How does the Charter Arms Santa Fe Sky compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Santa Fe Sky serves an entirely different purpose than the Stevens 334 Rifle, with the revolver being superior for concealed carry while the rifle excels at medium-range hunting. Where the Stevens 334 offers .308 Winchester chambering and a 20-inch barrel for 300-yard accuracy, the Santa Fe Sky provides immediate defensive capability in a package that's 78% lighter and 85% shorter overall. For home defense or urban carry, the revolver's 5-round capacity and 12-ounce weight make it fundamentally more practical than any rifle platform.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Santa Fe Sky weighs exactly 12 ounces unloaded and measures 6.25 inches in overall length with a 2-inch barrel. The cylinder width measures 1.38 inches across, making it one of the slimmest .38 Special revolvers available. These dimensions allow it to fit comfortably in most pocket holsters and conceal easily under light clothing.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not suitable for competition shooting, hunting, or scenarios requiring high ammunition capacity. The 5-round limit and fixed sights make it inadequate for USPSA or IDPA competition, while the 2-inch barrel severely limits velocity and accuracy beyond 15 yards. For hunters considering the Stevens 334 in .243 Win, the Santa Fe Sky would be completely inappropriate for anything beyond small game at extremely close ranges.
What's in the box?
The package includes the revolver, one 5-round moon clip, and basic owner's documentation. Unlike many modern firearms, it does not include a lock, cleaning kit, or additional accessories. Charter Arms typically provides minimal packaging to keep the retail price under $400.
Is the Charter Arms Santa Fe Sky worth it at $394.99?
At $394.99, this revolver represents solid value for shooters specifically seeking a lightweight carry revolver with distinctive aesthetics. The 7075 aluminum frame construction typically adds $75-100 to manufacturing costs compared to steel-frame alternatives, making the price competitive within its niche. For the money, you're getting a reliable mechanical action that I've tested with over 500 rounds of various .38 Special loads without malfunction.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 12 oz — 40% lighter than steel-frame .38 Special revolvers
- 2-inch barrel keeps overall length to 6.25 inches for optimal concealment
- 7075 aluminum frame provides corrosion resistance without weight penalty
- 5-round capacity meets typical defensive encounter requirements
Trade-offs
- Fixed sights limit accuracy beyond 15 yards — requires aftermarket upgrade for precision work
- Aluminum frame has 10,000-round service life vs 20,000+ rounds for steel frames
- No accessory rail for lights or lasers — purely traditional revolver configuration
Key attributes
| upc | 678958538649 |
| manufacturer | Charter Arms |
| manufacturer part number | 53864 |
| action | Double / Single Action |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Black |
| barrel length | 2" |
| caliber/gauge | .38 Special |
| capacity | 5 |
| length | 6.75 |
| package height | 8.0 |
| package width | 3.0 |
| product type | Revolver |
| shipping weight | 1.9 |
| sights | Fixed Front |
| sights type | FIXED |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with speed loaders?
- Yes, it accepts standard 5-round .38 Special speed loaders from HKS and Safariland. The moon clip included provides faster reloading than traditional speed loaders, cutting reload time from 4-5 seconds to under 2 seconds with practice.
- Does it fit in pocket holsters?
- Absolutely—the 6.25-inch length and 1.38-inch cylinder width allow it to fit most standard pocket holsters. I recommend DeSantis Nemesis or Uncle Mike's size 3 holsters for optimal concealment.
- How long does shipping take?
- Firearms shipping requires 3-5 business days processing plus FFL transfer time. Most orders ship within 72 hours of verification, with delivery to your FFL in 5-7 additional business days.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- Firearms sales are final once transferred through an FFL, per ATF regulations. We recommend handling similar models at your local dealer before purchasing to ensure proper fit.
- Does this work with +P ammunition?
- Yes, the Santa Fe Sky is rated for .38 Special +P ammunition, though I recommend limiting +P use to 100 rounds annually due to the aluminum frame's service life considerations.