$363.99
4 in stock
Online inventory may differ from in-store availability.
Quick turnaround so you get your gear sooner.
Trusted checkout with industry-standard protection.
Keeping Traditions Alive Since 1953
Secure Transactions provided with 
There is a reason the snub nose .38 has stuck around for generations, and the Charter Arms Off Duty 53811 is a textbook example of why. At just 12 ounces unloaded, this five shot wheelgun weighs about as much as a loaded compact pistol magazine, so it rides in a pocket holster or on a waistband all day without reminding you it is there. The frame is 7075 aircraft grade aluminum, while the barrel and cylinder are stainless steel, giving you a light package with corrosion resistant surfaces where your hands and holster do the most wear.
The standout feature here is the fully enclosed hammer. There is no spur to hook a jacket pocket or shirt hem when you need the gun in a hurry, and the whole profile is smooth and rounded for the same reason. Since the hammer is internal, the Off Duty runs double action only, which keeps operation dead simple: pull the trigger, it fires. Charter also fits a full length underlug that shrouds the ejector rod, protecting it from the bumps and dings that come with daily carry. Fixed sights with a generous rear notch keep the sight picture quick and uncomplicated at defensive distances.
The rubber combat style grip does a nice job soaking up recoil for a gun this light, and owners who put real round counts through these consistently mention how manageable it is at the range. This is the kind of revolver that ends up being the gun you carry most precisely because it asks so little of you. No magazines to rotate, no safety levers to fumble, just five rounds of .38 Special in a package that disappears under a t-shirt.
Charter Arms has been building American made snub nose revolvers since 1964, starting with the original Undercover, and the Off Duty carries that lineage forward with a one piece barrel assembly and modern manufacturing. If a lightweight, no fuss backup or everyday revolver is what you are after, this one has earned its spot in a lot of pockets.
Charter Arms lists the Off Duty as a .38 Special +P revolver, so it will handle +P loads. That said, a 2 inch barrel does not let +P ammo reach its full potential, and standard pressure loads are noticeably easier to shoot in a 12 ounce gun. Many owners train with standard pressure and pick a quality defensive load they can control.
Not exactly. It has a hammer, but it is completely enclosed inside the frame, which is why the gun runs double action only. The upside is there is no hammer spur to snag on clothing during a draw, which is the whole point of this design for pocket and waistband carry.
Better than you might expect. The rubber combat grip fills the hand well and does a solid job absorbing recoil, and reviewers who have run both standard and +P loads through the Off Duty report it is manageable rather than punishing. Like any lightweight snub, a little practice with the double action trigger goes a long way.
No, there is no external safety lever. The long, deliberate double action only trigger pull serves as the primary safeguard, which keeps the manual of arms as simple as possible. That simplicity is a big part of why enclosed hammer revolvers remain popular for backup and everyday carry.
| UPC | 678958538113 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 53811 |
| Action | |
| ATF Type | Revolver |
| Barrel Finish | STAINLESS |
| Barrel Length | 2" |
| Caliber/Gauge | .38 Special |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Length | 6.75 |
| Package Height | 3.1 |
| Package Width | 7.6 |
| Product Type | Revolver |
| Safety | No Safety |
| Shipping Weight | 1.9000000000000001 |
| Sights | Fixed |
| Sights Type | Fixed Sights |
| Units per Box | 1 |
You must be logged in to post a review.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.