The Charter Arms Undercover Ultra Lite is a compact 5-shot revolver chambered in .38 Special, built around a 7075 aluminum frame that keeps the weight down to 12 oz (0.8 lbs). The 2-inch barrel and anodized finish are paired with a stainless steel cylinder. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Model: 53820 
• Caliber: 38 SPL (38 Special) 
• Action: Double Action / Single Action (DASA) 
• Capacity: 5 Rounds 
• Barrel Length: 2 inches 
• Weight: 0.8 lbs (12 oz) 
• Frame Material: 7075 Aluminum 
• Grip Material: Black Finger Grooved Rubber 
• Sights: Fixed Front 
• Finish: Anodized Aluminum 
   

Detailed Features 

 
The aluminum frame is what sets this gun apart from heavier steel revolvers. At 12 oz unloaded it disappears in a pocket or IWB holster, which is the main reason people buy it. 
 
The DASA action lets you choose between a standard double-action pull or a cocked single-action trigger for a more deliberate shot. A full hammer block safety prevents the gun from firing unless the trigger is deliberately pressed. 
 
The black finger-grooved rubber grips provide reasonable control for a small gun, and the stainless cylinder resists corrosion well. 
 

Usage Scenarios 

• Concealed Carry: At 12 oz it's one of the lightest .38 Special revolvers available, and the 2-inch barrel keeps it out of the way all day. 
• Home Defense: Compact storage with simple operation. 
• Backup Gun: The weight and footprint work well as a secondary carry piece.

Owners of the Charter Ultra Lite consistently point to the weight as the main selling point. 12 oz in .38 Special is hard to argue with for all-day carry, and most people find the rubber grip serviceable enough for defensive distances.

The most common complaint is recoil. A lightweight aluminum-framed gun shooting .38 Special transfers more felt recoil to the hand than a heavier steel revolver, and this comes up frequently. Shooters who go to the range regularly with it report fatigue before more substantial guns.

Finish durability gets mixed reviews, and some owners have noted questions about long-term wear. Trigger pull weight in double-action mode draws occasional criticism as well. The 5-round capacity is the same limitation you accept with most compact revolvers, though some users wish for more.

On balance, people who buy this gun know what they're getting: a genuinely lightweight carry piece, not a range gun. For that purpose it generally delivers.