charter180
I don’t always announce when a test & evaluation gun or loaner gun is bound for its home, but when I do, there’s good reason. More on that in a minute.
This gun, a Charter Arms Off Duty .38, has been carried, shot, cleaned, carried, shot, cleaned, and carried some more. It fired every round, proved accurate for close-range duty, and, at only 12 oz. in weight, never was a burden. The Off Duty (and other Charter Arms revolvers) shares virtually the same dimensions as other popular snub-nosed revolvers, so holsters and accessories abound. And retailing for only $419, it’s an excellent value.
So this Charter Arms Off Duty has been on duty but is about to go off duty — as in, back to the factory. That’s right: I’m saying “goodbye” to this 2” barreled, 5-round .38 Special.
When I carried it, I used several different holsters but many days settled on an outside the waistband belt slide holster such as the DeSantis Mini Scabbard you see here. And in cooler weather when I would be wearing more covering garments, I’d carry it at 3 o’clock and occasionally at 1 o’clock (i.e. “appendix carry”). The reason for OWB appendix carry? Because I could. And, in that location, it’s very comfortable and very fast on the draw.
Not much else to add at this point. Off Duty is just a lightweight, reliable gun suitable for concealed carry, backup, and more. I should mention the rubber stocks feel great and the cylinder release offers a familiar mechanism. And the trench rear sight and fixed front blade are adequate for the gun’s intended purpose.
Now, about the reason for announcing this gun’s return to the factory: When I know the time has come to send it back, and when I’ve written up an article like this, I start to second guess myself and wonder if I should just buy it an add it to my concealed carry rotation… After all, I have good reason to.
— Mark Kakkuri
