Snubnosed revolvers are handy to carry and handy to fire, but hard to master. The classic snubnose platform is usually chambered in .38 Special, which can be obnoxious to shoot. But you might not be keen to step down to a .22 or .32.
Enter the new Charter Arms Coyote chambered in .380 ACP.
Charter Arms of Shelton, Connecticut has been in the revolver business since 1964. The company is well known for its robust and economical designs like the .44 Special Bulldog and the .38 Special Undercover. Their Pitbull is a large framed model chambered for autoloading pistol cartridges like 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. The new Coyote is built on the lightweight Undercover frame and chambered in the lower pressure 380 ACP cartridge.
The standard Coyote model features a 2-inch stainless steel barrel with a fixed ramped front sight and a grooved rear sight along the top strap of the aluminum frame. It is a conventional double/single-action revolver with an exposed hammer and a five-shot swing-out cylinder. The Coyote is distinguished from other models in the Charter lineup as it wears uncheckered rosewood grips and features lightning cuts along the barrel underlug.
In addition, the Coyote is available in Charter’s Off Duty lineup. Instead of the wood grips, the Coyote Off Duty features compact rubber grips. The Off Duty also dispenses with the exposed hammer for easy drawing from a pocket. Both models come in at under 14 ounces in weight and are chambered in .380 ACP, a popular pocket pistol cartridge that is both easy to find and more manageable in the recoil department compared to larger rounds.
Unlike the Pitbull model, the Coyote loads and unloads with full-moon clips instead of loose ammunition. Like other Charter Arms Undercover models, Smith & Wesson J-frame holsters readily fit the new Coyote. The Coyote and Coyote Off Duty ship with TK Customs moon clips and have an MSRP of $448.14.
Charter Arms Coyote 380 Quick Specs
- Caliber: 380 ACP
- Capacity: 5
- Barrel Length: 2 inches
- Width: 1.4 inches
- Action: Double Action/Single Action
- Frame: 7075 Aluminum
- Grips: Rosewood or Rubber Boot Grips
- Finishes: Clear, Pink, Lavender
- MSRP: $448.14
