Charter Arms Undercoverette .32 H&R 2″ 6-Round Revolver, Black
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Charter Arms Undercoverette .32 H&R 2" 6-Round Revolver is a compact defensive revolver chambered in .32 H&R Magnum built for discreet everyday carry. It features a 7075 aluminum frame that keeps unloaded weight at just 15.8 ounces with a 2-inch barrel and six-round cylinder capacity. This configuration prioritizes concealment and reliability over maximum stopping power, making it suitable for shooters who prefer revolver simplicity.
What is the Charter Arms Undercoverette .32 H&R used for?
This revolver is designed for concealed carry and off-duty backup situations where minimal bulk is critical. The 2-inch barrel and 15.8-ounce weight make it ideal for ankle or pocket carry, though the .32 H&R Magnum delivers about 60% less muzzle energy than a .38 Special from comparable snub-nose revolvers. I recommend it for urban environments where deep concealment matters more than terminal ballistics.
How does the Charter Arms Undercoverette compare to the S&W J-Frame?
The Undercoverette offers one additional round and 2 ounces less weight than a typical S&W Model 642. Where the J-Frame gives you five rounds of .38 Special at 17.5 ounces, this Charter Arms delivers six rounds of .32 H&R Magnum in a package that's noticeably slimmer for pocket holsters. The Smith & Wesson has better aftermarket support, but the Charter Arms wins on capacity-to-weight ratio for dedicated concealment.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded weight is 15.8 ounces with an overall length of 6.25 inches and height of 4.75 inches including the standard grip. The cylinder diameter measures 1.35 inches wide, while the barrel length is exactly 2.0 inches from forcing cone to muzzle. These dimensions make it about 0.3 inches shorter in both length and height compared to most five-shot .38 snub-noses.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not for anyone needing maximum defensive stopping power or long-range accuracy. The .32 H&R Magnum generates approximately 180 foot-pounds from this 2-inch barrel, making it marginal for rural predator defense compared to a .308 Winchester rifle. It's also unsuitable for competition shooting where the limited sight radius and light frame hinder precise shot placement beyond 15 yards.
What's in the box?
You get the revolver, one six-round moon clip, and a basic cable lock per federal requirements. The package does not include any cleaning tools or additional grips, which is standard for Charter Arms at this price point. Expect to spend another $25-40 on a quality pocket holster and possibly aftermarket grips if you have larger hands.
Is the Charter Arms Undercoverette worth it at $397.99?
At $398, this represents fair value for a lightweight American-made revolver with six-round capacity. You're paying about $80 less than a comparable S&W J-Frame while gaining an extra round, though you sacrifice some aftermarket support. For urban concealed carry where every ounce matters, this is one of the better values in the sub-$400 revolver market.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 15.8 oz unloaded — 1.7 oz lighter than S&W Model 642
- 6-round capacity vs typical 5-round snub-nose revolvers
- 2-inch barrel keeps overall length at 6.25 inches for deep concealment
- 7075 aluminum frame withstands 15,000+ rounds in testing
Trade-offs
- .32 H&R Magnum delivers only 180 ft-lbs energy — 60% less than .38 Special
- Fixed sights limit precision beyond 15 yards
- No included holster or speed loader increases initial setup cost by $40-60
Key attributes
| upc | 678958532210 |
| manufacturer | Charter Arms |
| manufacturer part number | 53221 |
| action | Revolver |
| barrel length | 2 |
| capacity | 6 |
| shipping weight | 2.0 |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this work with .32 S&W Long ammunition?
- Yes, the Undercoverette safely fires both .32 H&R Magnum and .32 S&W Long cartridges. The cylinder chambers accommodate the shorter cartridge without modification, though velocity drops to about 700 fps with standard pressure loads. I recommend sticking with .32 H&R Magnum for defensive use.
- Can I install aftermarket grips?
- Charter Arms uses a standard grip frame that accepts most aftermarket options from manufacturers like Hogue and Pachmayr. Swapping grips requires one screw and takes approximately 2 minutes with a properly fitting screwdriver. The factory grip circumference measures 5.25 inches for reference.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Ironclad Armory processes firearms shipments within 3 business days, with transit times of 2-5 additional days depending on your FFL's location. All shipments require signature confirmation and go through our licensed distributor network to ensure ATF compliance.
- Is this California compliant?
- No, this model is not on California's approved handgun roster. The Undercoverette lacks the required magazine disconnect safety and chamber load indicator features mandated by California law. Residents of restrictive states should verify local regulations before purchasing.
- Does it come with a warranty?
- Charter Arms provides a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser, covering manufacturing defects for the life of the firearm. Claims must be processed through an authorized dealer and typically take 3-4 weeks for evaluation and repair. This excludes normal wear or cosmetic issues.