The Charter Arms Undercover is a double-action .38 Special revolver with a 2-inch barrel, 5-round capacity, and a stainless steel frame that weighs in at 0.8 lbs (approximately 12.8 oz). That combination of caliber, barrel length, and weight puts it squarely in the snub-nose carry revolver category. Fixed sights keep the profile snag-free, and the synthetic A2 pistol grip is sized for concealment rather than range comfort. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Manufacturer: Charter Arms 
• Model: Undercover 
• Series: Undercover 
• Caliber: .38 Spl. 
• Action Type: Double Action 
• Barrel Length: 2 inches 
• Capacity: 5 rounds 
• Weight: 0.8 lbs (approximately 12.8 oz) 
• Frame Finish: Stainless Steel 
• Grip Description: A2 Pistol Grip (Synthetic) 
• Sights General: Fixed Sights 
   
  The .38 Special chambering is well-matched to a 2-inch barrel. It delivers meaningful energy without the muzzle blast or recoil spike you'd get from a .357 Magnum in the same platform. Stainless holds up to sweat and weather better than blued steel, which matters for a gun that may spend years in a holster. Five rounds is the standard capacity for this cylinder size.

The Charter Arms Undercover sits in a competitive niche, snub-nose .38 Special revolvers for carry, and user feedback reflects that context.

Reliability comes up most often and positively. The double-action revolver mechanism has fewer failure modes than a semi-auto, and most owners report years of trouble-free use. Concealability is the other major strength: at under 13 oz., it disappears under light clothing and doesn't print. The stainless finish gets mentioned as holding up well to daily carry.

The criticisms are predictable for the category. The double-action trigger pull is heavy. That's inherent to the design, not a defect, but new shooters sometimes find it harder to shoot accurately than a lighter striker trigger. Recoil is snappy given the light weight and short barrel, which is also expected for a .38 +P out of a 2-inch tube. A few users have had mixed experiences with Charter Arms customer service when warranty issues came up.

On price: the Undercover is consistently among the more affordable options in the snub-nose carry revolver segment, which makes it popular with buyers who want a reliable backup or first carry gun without paying Smith & Wesson J-frame prices.