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Work order — Charter Arms Undercover

Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification. Generated from the Pew-Takedown entry last updated 2026-10-29. Confidence: low.

Shop difficulty: Tier 2 of 3

Small 5-shot DA with a one-piece frame and no sideplate, so the lockwork comes out through the bottom with the trigger, hand and transfer-bar safety as a group; fewer loose parts than a S&W, but the procedure differs from every other DA and Charter treats the lockwork as not owner-serviceable. Moderate, low confidence. Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's.

Bench time: strip ~30 min, rebuild ~50 min (estimate). Actual: strip ______ rebuild ______

Special tools:

• Pin punches sized to the trigger/hammer pins — Trigger and hammer pivot pins in the one-piece frame

Tools

• Hollow-ground gunsmith screwdriver — Grip and any screw work.

1. Clear and make safe

1. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
2. Push the cylinder release forward and swing the cylinder out.
3. Press the ejector rod firmly to eject all cartridges or cases.
4. Look through every chamber, one at a time, and confirm each is empty.
   Warning: Every chamber, counted.
5. Confirm the bore is clear and remove all live ammunition from the work area.

2. Disassemble

Field Strip — Cylinder Removal

1. Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure and leave the cylinder open.
2. Following the procedure in the manual for your revolver, release and withdraw the cylinder and crane assembly from the frame.
   Warning: Charter cylinder retention differs from the S&W yoke screw. Do not apply an S&W procedure to it.
3. Clean the chambers, bore, cylinder face, forcing cone, and crane bearing surfaces.
4. Stop here. The one-piece frame has no sideplate and the lockwork is not owner-serviceable.
   Warning: If the revolver is not functioning correctly, send it to the manufacturer or a gunsmith.

3. Refinish

The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks "factory fit" should not be swapped or reworked.

4. Reassemble

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the cylinder and crane assembly into the frame following the manual for your revolver.
2. Close the cylinder gently by hand and confirm it latches.
   Warning: Never flick it closed.
3. Perform the function check.

5. Torque

No manufacturer torque values are recorded for this firearm.

Fit or check on rebuild

• Timing / carry-up: every chamber locks before the hammer falls, single and double action; cylinder gap and end shake — Standard revolver check after lockwork has been out; worn hand or cylinder stop gives the "does not lock up" fault under Common issues.
• Transfer bar rises with the trigger and the hammer cannot reach the firing pin with the trigger forward — Charter uses a transfer bar; it comes out with the trigger group and must be refitted correctly (well-known check).

6. Function check

• Verify every chamber is empty before each check.
• Cock the hammer slowly and confirm the cylinder locks up at each chamber before full cock.
• With the hammer at full cock, confirm the cylinder is locked with minimal play.
• Press the trigger in single action and confirm a clean hammer fall.
• Cycle the action in double action through every chamber.
• Confirm the cylinder latches closed securely.

If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire. Stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

Sources

1. Charter Arms Revolver Owner’s Manual — Charter Arms primary
2. 73820 - Undercover® | CHARTER ARMS Manufacturing — Charter Arms primary
   https://www.charterarmsmanufacturing.com/product-page/73820-undercover

Educational guide only. Some information comes from non-authoritative sources. Always consult your manufacturer's manual and a licensed gunsmith. Verify your firearm is unloaded before every procedure. Full disclaimer: https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown

Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.