Since their inception nearly twenty years ago, some of their notable clients have included Hi-Point Firearms and Inland Manufacturing. This relatively young company has made it their mission to represent up-and-coming weapons producers and to be their number one asset. Shortly afterward, the New England firearms manufacturer employed MKS Supply to handle their sales, marketing, and distribution, which would ultimately give them the boost they needed to thrive. Unfortunately, even with the newfound alliance with Ecker, McClenahan couldn’t keep Charter from going bankrupt again, this time in 2005. 357 Magnum, Charter Arms began focusing their attention on. Then, after initially producing revolvers chambered in a variety of calibers, including. This new partnership enabled Charter to continue right where they left off and saw many new improvements including upgraded barrels and sights. Furthermore, McClenahan went on to innovate a new safety system that has been nearly universally replicated throughout the industry.Īfter a few years of initial success, Charter suffered their first bankruptcy until they were eventually bailed out by McClenahan’s long-time friend and colleague, David Ecker. By avoiding side plates, Charter’s revolvers would not only be more durable, but they’d also be able to shoot higher loads more reliably. The young weapons designer had big hopes of developing his own line of strong-bodied revolvers but with one-piece-frames. Nonetheless, the facts all pointed towards their success from the beginning, especially considering McClenahan already had years of experience with Colt and Ruger under his belt. In fact, they’ve had to face one hell of a rocky road ever since Douglas McClenahan founded the company in 1965 – I’m actually shocked to see how they’ve managed to stay in business. Charter Arms History Gary Busey With Charter Undercover in Point BreakĪlthough Charter Arms has recently seen a boom in business, it wasn’t always this way. In today’s Gunivore Company Overview, we’re going to be putting Charter Arms under the microscope to find out more about this underappreciated gunmaker and their collection of fine American revolvers. In addition to Charter Arms, the New England Gun Valley is also home to Colt, Marlin, Mossberg, Ruger, Stag, Smith & Wesson, Savage, Kahr, Heckler & Koch, and Sig Sauer. Like Silicon Valley for high-tech and the Brescia Province for Italian firearms (see Beretta, Franchi), this region is home to some of the world’s top weapons manufacturers. The fact that the American revolver producer is headquartered in the New England Gun Valley has surely helped them stay on their feet. At the end of the day, Charter has been in good company, and that’s what has kept them enduring. Take one look at Charter Arms and you wouldn’t believe the road they’ve had to take to get to where they are now.