- The character of New England’s rich tradition for all-American-made guns is distinguished by the Charter Arms Company.
- The “Undercover Lite” is a 12-ounce revolver model in .38 special caliber that has become a highlight for ladies that need protection.
- The Charter Arms Company mission: craft reliable, affordable revolvers for concealed carry customers, with more than 15 different revolver models chambered in 10 calibers.
By Zach Smith
In 2025, the Ecker Family has charted the course to celebrate 60 years of American-made firearms. “Heritage” isn’t a word used lightly along New England’s Connecticut River Valley. Despite the recent exodus of some of the most famous names in firearms manufacturing, a few remain in business and the family.
At Charter Arms Co., now located in Shelton, Conn., the Ecker family was there almost from the beginning. Founder and gun designer Doug McClennahan formed Charter in 1964 after stints with some of Gun Valley’s original residents, including Colt, High Standard and Ruger. Doug’s friend, David Ecker, became Charter Arms’s business partner and later owner. The manufacturer made its mark on the industry with a .38 Special called the “Undercover” — a five-shot, 16-ounce revolver known for its lightweight, reduced number of moving parts and patented safety features.
Present-day president and owner Nick Ecker learned the family revolver business from the factory floor when he worked for his father in the 1980s. He spent two years on the production line running milling, buffing and drill press machines, which dated back to World War II. Even among the employees, a rich gun tradition was in the company’s blood. Nick recalls many of his coworkers were retirees of then Singer Co., which had converted from building sewing machines to manufacturing weapons during wartime.
“With firearms back then, there was a lot of work that went into any gun to get the finish right,” Nick recalls. “You see a lot of composites now, but even until the ’90s, a lot of labor was involved.”
Nick’s years spent learning the engineering and machining processes of gun-making served him well. He stayed with the new owners of Charter for a short time after his father sold the business but eventually, in a path not dissimilar to Doug McClennahan before him, worked as a designer with other companies, including Henry, Mossberg and Harrington & Richardson. Despite the time away, the legacy of Charter was never far from his mind.
With help from two business partners, Nick purchased the company’s dormant assets in 1999 and officially brought Charter Arms back to the market in 2000. Progress, he remembers, was slow, with production turning out only a few guns per day. “When we restarted, fighting back into the market was difficult because our reputation wasn’t there anymore.”
Despite outside offers to purchase the reborn company and the pressure of a bankruptcy filing in 2005, David instead bought out his partners, feeling he had to stay the course. In 2006, Charter Arms took its Undercover Lite — a 12-ounce model of its signature Undercover .38 Special revolver — and gave it a makeover, adding highly polished hardware set off against a pink adonized aluminum frame. Dubbed the “Pink Lady,” the finished product’s fall debut was laughed off by fellow arms makers at its first wholesale show.
“That was October,” Nick said. “By Christmas, our phones were ringing off the hook.”
The Chic Lady, as it is now known — Nic found as the gun caught on with female customers that they wanted more color options than just pink — revitalized sales. Nick credits several factors to the resurgence. For one, the multi-colored selection of shining revolvers stood out at gun shows (to customers and, thus, dealers) against a sea of black polymer semi-automatics.
“At the same time, women were becoming more involved in self-defense,” Nick says, adding that the Chic Lady’s lightweight and safety features offered practical appeal to new firearms owners beyond the eye-catching paint job. “There’s still a need for that, especially today.”
Charter Arms notes that accuracy testing of a short-barreled hand gun at 25 and even 50-yards is not relevant to the firearm mission for personal protection. According to FBI data, life-threatening attacks rarely happen at ranges beyond 5 yards away. Charter Arms has tested their 2-inch barrels at 50 yards (hand held off a rest) and the rounds stay in a 6-inch circle. They stay in a chest size target at 200 yards! More than enough accuracy to protect your life.
The innovative approaches that inspired the patented features of Charter’s earliest successes, coupled with taking the pulse of the gun-buying public, remains. The company’s left-handed Southpaw revolver is designed with Nick’s youngest daughter in mind. Today, the company offers more than 15 different revolver models chambered in 10 calibers. These include Charter Arms revolvers offering powerful loadings in compact and lightweight revolvers that include: 32 H&R Magnum, .38 Special +P, .327 Federal Magnum, .357 Magnum and .44 Special calibers. Typically a 2” barrel will lose only 30-85 fps velocity over a 4-inch barrel, so snub barrels are not a significant velocity disadvantage. Revolvers are easy carry and provide a quick-to-action advantage.
What was once a production run of only two or three guns per day when Nick restarted his family’s business a quarter-century ago has grown to roughly 50,000 guns manufactured yearly. The focus on the company’s original mission of crafting reliable, affordable revolvers has kept Charter Arms relevant, particularly to conceal-and-carry customers.
“It wasn’t a lot of marketing research; it was simply listening to what people told you,” Nick says. He adds that this philosophy carries through to the company’s 40 employees and customers. “Our phones are answered by human beings and our techs are trained, ‘don’t email people, call them.’ You get to the bottom of the problem, No. 1, and No. 2, they’ll tell you things that aren’t in the email.”
Nick is also proud that the company his father once owned remains part of New England’s rich tradition of all-American-made guns.
“We’re still in Gun Valley,” Nick says. “Most of our part suppliers are only 25 miles from here, and that makes us unique in today’s firearms industry.”
Editor Note: Charter Arms does NOT sell firearms directly to consumers. This includes online and in person. The Charter Arms online store is strictly for the purchase of accessories. To purchase a Charter Arms revolver, you must visit your local dealer or a dealer’s website. For more information or any further questions, please feel free to contact us. Our physical office is located at: 18 Brewster Lane, Shelton, CT, 06484; Phone: (203) 922-1652; Toll free: (866) 769-4867; Fax: (203) 922-1469; Customer Service, Eric Wagnblas: csupport@charterfirearms.com. Their website is at Charter Arms | Reliable revolvers made in the United States of America.
Right now, I am closing in on catching my 50th member of the sunfish clan where each fish measures a minimum of 9-inches. Several approaching 11-inches, too. None have come from fishing from a boat, either. Not one. If you want, I can repeat that fact. It’s important to remember.
Case in point. Of course, live bait works better when the water cools. It doesn’t take a Sherlock to figure that one out. Yet even though I was doing just fine with tipping a jig with a trio of maggots, I got to wondering if this methodology could be improved upon. In short, I revisited my thinking in midstream for no other reason than because I wanted to test a thought.
Consequently, I hit on adding those small artificial products that come in those always leaking bottles of artificial “live bait” that Berkley makes. So, I began using Berkley’s pink-colored artificial grubs, two of them along with three real live maggots.
hase big game hunting. As honest hunters, we all like that phase of the rules and regulations managed to maintain a healthy population of wild critters.
Matt is living his dream after he retired from the sheriff’s office. Besides their Sage Wood Campgrounds, he competes in Major League Bass Fishing Tournaments and is also a well-known and respected fishing guide on Kentucky Lake. If you like fishing, I highly recommend a trip to Kentucky Lake and booking a fishing trip with Matt for your choice of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, striped bass, black and white crappie, sauger, redear sunfish, and more.
The best time to view a sunrise or sunset is mid-fall when sunrises and sunsets shine through trees covered with autumn leaves. Late in fall and in winter when air is cleaner is also good. Drier or less humid environments can produce brilliant sunrises and sunsets due to lower water vapor. Snow cover on the ground in winter makes the sunrise and sunset moments even more beautiful.
Question: Should a Governor represent the values of the citizens or be a
If you travel to hunt here, pack deer tick protection to be extra safe. Deer ticks live everywhere these days. Three of my grandkids have had to fight Lyme disease delivered by deer ticks. We use Sawyers Permethrin spray for exterior clothing and boots (not for skin exposure) and Sawyers Picaridin lotion for exposed skin. Deer ticks are repelled upon contact. The Picaridin formula is people-friendly. Visit 
state. Northern pike are another popular spring target for anglers. These fish can also be found throughout much of the state, and opportunities for trophy-size fish are available in a number of waters, especially in the northeast and west.
DEC reminds New Yorkers that boats, trailers, waders and other fishing equipment can spread harmful 
To avoid spreading invasive species, 
Q: For many turkey hunters, a grand slam is the Holy Grail, something they hope to accomplish once in their lifetime, yet you have done it more than 100 times. What drives you, and how were you able to record that many?
By 10 am, we both have our limit of crappie. Fish looks up and sees an eagle sitting on a limb watching him. He tells me it is there every time he goes fishing. He smiles and thanks God for his last day on the water. He also thanks me for coming with him. A tear runs down his cheek and mine. His doctor has told him his heart is getting weaker. He has, maybe, six more months to live.
When we get to his home and pull into his driveway, Fish stops to look at Old Glory proudly flying on a pole in his front yard. It is there every day, not just on Memorial Day. He only takes it down when there is bad weather or replaces it with a new one.
He smiles because he knows I will take his place and do the things he does to honor our veterans on Memorial Day. He wonders how long it will take people to thank Veterans for serving when they see them wearing their Veterans Branch of Service cap. He asked me to speak at his funeral. I agreed to do that. He wonders if anyone will come to his grave but me on Memorial Day. I told him I would be there talking to him. I know he will be listening.
and Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan veterans the Underestimated Generation. Every generation has proved itself worthy of standing up to the precedent of the Greatest Generation. Since the American Revolution, American military men and women have been the best in the world. Let us all take the time to remember all veterans who served or are serving, peacetime or wartime, gone or still with us. May God Bless America and all veterans.” 
As life goes on and my body starts to wear down, my hands still hold me up and lay me down. My old wrinkled hands continue to fold in prayer. When my time comes, my hands are what God will take to lead me home. I like to think my grandmother will be there to put my face in her hands and tell me she loves me.
On Monday, April 8, starting just after 3 p.m., a total solar eclipse will be passing through about one-third of NYS, from the southwest corner near the PA border through to the northeast corner up by VT. While this total solar eclipse travels over NYS, the entire state will be able to see at least 88% of a partial eclipse: Albany is 96%, Catskills between 90-95%, NYC 89%, and Montauk 88%.
To view the eclipse safely, remember the following tips:
What can hunters expect across state regions this spring? All regions of the state had decreased reproduction from 2021 to 2022, but the Coastal Plain regions in the southern half of the state had the biggest dip due to the high production in 2021. The Blue Ridge, Ridge & Valley, and Piedmont regions had slight decreases but have still hovered around the same 1.5 poult-per-hen average.
Sportsmen contribute nearly $9.4 million every day, adding more than $3.4 billion every year for conservation.
Today’s fishermen are gearheads, no doubt about it. There are a myriad of specific rods, reels, lures, terminal tackle, and accessories to help them be successful in freshwater and saltwater, no matter the targeted species. Regardless, there are three tools all anglers should always have – pliers, scissors, and a hook remover. The Anglers’ Best Tool Kit conveniently combines all three, each of the highest quality designed to last a lifetime. All for under $45.
In some ways, Jake is just an average 15-year-old boy. Although his hunting and shooting abilities are comparable to an adult level of participation, he, like many 15-year-olds, thinks he is a “top dog”. I think it’s great when a youth has an outlet for his energy and takes an interest in the outdoors. Jake won’t see his 16th birthday. Jake won’t be out for the deer season, and we will never know what Jake may have been able to offer the youth of future generations.
One of the first seasons to open every year is the September 
All too often, turkey hunters fail to operate, or play, this instrument correctly. Pressing the paddle onto the box may help increase volume, but will likely cause you to loose the desired pitch. Quality custom-built box calls are designed for the weight of the paddle to be sufficient pressure to make the box play. Most paddles will have a sweet spot. Find this spot and you have found the key to your spring success.
The classic Steelhead Outdoors Nomad series offers ceramic fire insulation rated to 2300 degrees and is non-moisture trapping. That means no dehumidifier is required (and will not release steam into the safe in the event of a fire). How cool is that?!
but it’s also the traditional season opener for black bass (largemouth bass and smallmouth bass) in New York. They’re considered the state’s #1 sportfish for good reason – they’re a lot of fun to catch and they’re found throughout the state.
and stack it next to your shooting position for quick and easy access, the Ulfhednar UH110 Versatile Ammunition Folder is made from water-resistant Cordura nylon. It features a durable carrying strap and holds up to 40 rifle cartridges. It can be set up in a triangle and locked with Velcro. There’s also an exterior waterproof table pocket that can be removed and replaced with the four included cartridge strips, each holding 10 rounds each. Two and two cartridge strips can be mounted together so that you get two cartridge strips with 20 shots in each.
You also need a rifle case. Usually, a rifle case is a rifle case, but how about a gun case that doubles as a top-end shooting mat? That’s what you get with the Ulfhednar UH040 BASE CAMP. Sporting backpack straps on the underside in addition to a top carrying handle. The UH040 is easy to sling on a shoulder and tote to the range or into the field. Once there, the bag folds out to reveal a full-length shooting mat measuring 41 x 79 inches. While an integrated shooting mat is pretty useful on its own, Ulfhednar takes it to another level by utilizing a rubber material (like you’d see in car tires) on certain surfaces of the mat to add friction. The rubber is laid specifically on the mat to give shooters a little resistance while shooting, so shooters’ elbows and/or the firearm itself doesn’t slip when firing. The product also has a lot of storage pockets, Molle web for attaching extra pockets or other equipment, a zippered inner storage pocket, a channel for storing your cleaning/push rod, and a detachable pocket for tables, and it also comes with a two-foot extension lower leg mat and extended bipod mat. It’s made from Cordura nylon and features covered YKK zippers.
40-year champion shooter, Ulfhednar is producing a line of products that are incredibly innovative, durable, and exactly in time with the growing PRS market in the US. Long Range/PRS are the largest shooting sports in Norway boasting 6,000 registered competitors.