Charter Arms
Charter Arms was founded in 1964 by Douglas McClenahan, a former Colt and Sturm Ruger engineer who wanted to build an affordable, lightweight American-made revolver. The company found its niche with compact revolvers built on aluminum and steel frames that punched above their price point. Their California roster models are exclusively revolvers — the Undercover, Bulldog, Pathfinder, and their colorful Chic Lady series — spanning .38 Special, .44 Special, and .22 LR. Charter Arms remains one of the few manufacturers focused entirely on the revolver market.
Looking for a Charter Arms handgun you can legally buy in California? CaliRoster tracks every Charter Arms model currently approved on the California Department of Justice (DOJ) Certified Handguns Roster. There are currently 26 Charter Arms models approved for retail sale through licensed California FFL dealers.
Charter Arms offers 5 calibers on the California roster, with .38 Special being the most common (18 models). Prices range from $399 to $449 MSRP.
Yes — any Charter Arms model listed above with "On Roster" status can be purchased new from a licensed California FFL dealer. You'll need a valid Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC), must pass a background check, and complete the mandatory 10-day waiting period. All California handgun purchases must go through a licensed dealer, even private party transfers.
Models marked "Expiring" are still available but may be removed from the roster soon. Models marked "Removed" can no longer be purchased new at retail, but may be available through private party transfers (PPT), law enforcement exemptions, or intrafamilial transfers.