While compact double-action revolvers are popular choices for personal protection, one of their drawbacks is recoil. Even when chambered in relatively low-recoiling cartridges, like the .38 Special, the combination of their lightweight and short barrels can make them difficult to shoot. Charter Arms has sought to solve this issue by chambering one of its revolvers in .380 ACP, with the new-for-2024 Coyote.
The Coyote provides a low-recoiling option in a compact self-defense revolver.
Charter Arms has a history of making innovative revolvers, from the company's original .44 Special Bulldog to its Southpaw revolvers for lefties. The Coyote series is not even the company's first wheelgun chambered for a semi-automatic pistol cartridge, as it has already done that with 9 mm Luger and .40 S&W. The basic features of the Coyote are those of a conventional double-action revolver with a swing-out cylinder and exposed hammer. Its frame is made of 7075 aluminum and the barrel, cylinder and other components are formed from 416 stainless steel. With a five-shot cylinder capacity, the Coyote has a 2” barrel and weighs 14 ozs. To further help mitigate recoil, the barrel is ported.
Recoil reduction is also aided by the Coyote’s barrel ports. The revolver has lightening cuts in the barrel’s underlug to reduce weight.
The Coyote’s .380 ACP cartridge will produce about half the recoil of a .38 Spl., in the same size handgun, while still providing adequate ballistics for self-defense with the many premium loads available. To handle the rimless semi-auto pistol cartridge, the Coyote uses a “moon clip” loading system. While the clips allow the empty cases to be extracted from the cylinder, they act as a speedloader, allowing all five cartridges to be loaded at once. Two clips are supplied with each revolver, and additional clips are available for $8 each.
The Coyote is available in three finish options with the pink anodized and polished stainless version shown.
The Coyote is available with three finish options. These include a matte anodized frame and matte stainless steel components, or a pink or lavender anodized frame with polished stainless steel parts. All three versions have diamond cuts in the barrel’s underlug and checkered rosewood grips. Charter Arms Coyote revolvers in all three finish options have an MSRP of $448. For more information, visit the Charter Arms website.
