The concealed carry market is very much alive and growing, which I see as a good thing. The availability of concealed carry pistols is better than it has ever been, but many still prefer the revolver. A solid option for quality inexpensive revolvers is Charter Arms. Charter Arms has increased it’s line with some cool color schemes and the one we are featuring in this article has a black barrel and cylinder with an earth tone frame, called the Earthborn, a five shot two inch barreled .38 Special revolver.

Initial Impressions  

The oversize stocks or grips, depending on what you call them, help absorb some of the recoil from the harder kicking defensive cartridges.

Note, the Earth Born rollmark on the barrel is an earlier one and now it is currently all one word as Earthborn.

The five shot steel cylinder is rated for +P but it is not recommended. The cylinder latch is well serrated for a positive purchase when unlocking the cylinder.

Traditional snubnose revolver sights with a serrated black blade at the muzzle with a trough on top of the front strap acting as a rear sight. The serrations on the front blade helped eliminate any glare.

It was not difficult to keep all shots on a paper target out to thirty five feet offhand. Through all sorts of test ammunition from hot defensive ammunition to mild target loads there were no issues and accuracy seemed consistent.

Range Time 

Conclusions 

Charter Arms makes fine revolvers that won’t break the bank. I have reviewed several of their revolvers already, The Bulldog, The Pit Bull , and The Boomer . All three of those revolvers ran as they should and the new Earthborn is no exception. Don’t discount the .38 Special as a defensive cartridge, as many police officers and private citizens have relied on it for years. Shot placement is key, and a light recoiling accurate cartridge, such as the .38 Special is prefect for a lot of folks. With the advancement of bullet and ammunition technology the .38 Special can serve as a defensive cartridge. Since the little revolver only weighs twelve ounces it is easy to carry but the hotter .38 Special defensive cartridges can sting a bit. Still, it is not hard to control and is manageable with some range time. Charter Arms builds revolvers that would serve well for concealed or defensive carry and at the price point it would be feasible to have several to keep in your tool box or tackle box. With that said, all firearms must be stored safely and securely to prevent unauthorized access.  Round count was some 250 rounds without issue and accuracy and performance is in line from what I have come to expect from Charter Arms. All in all I am very satisfied with how this little revolver ran.

Specifications 

  •  Double Action Revolver
  • 38 Special
  • 2″
  • Aluminum
  •  black barrel and cylinder with an earth tone frame,
  • 5 rounds
  • Fixed Sights
  • MSRP $414

Acknowledgments 

Charter Arms 

DoubleTap Ammunition

Defender Ammunition 

Hornady 

By Hunter Elliott

I spent much of my youth involved with firearms and felt the call early on to the United States Marine Corps, following in my father's and his brother's footsteps. Just after high school I enlisted and felt most at home on the rifle range, where I qualified expert with several firearms and spent some time as a rifle coach to my fellow Marines. After being honorably discharged I continued teaching firearm safety, rifle and pistol marksmanship, and began teaching metallic cartridge reloading. In the late 1990s I became a life member to the National Rifle Association and worked with the Friends of the NRA. Around that time my father and I became involved with IDPA and competed together up until he passed away. I began reviewing firearms for publications in the mid 2000s and have been fortunate to make many friends in the industry. Continuing to improve my firearms skills and knowledge is a never ending journey in which we should all be committed. I am also credited as weapons master on a few independent films.

One thought on “Charter Arms Earthborn .38 snubby.”
  1. Looking good Derek & Rick. Great review and enjoyed the video. Doing good, Hunter.

    Barbara Elliott

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