Charter Arms Problem!

[powwowell]

Some weeks ago I posed the question "Should I buy a Charter Arms .22 Pathfinder?" There was not a lot of response. Not enough to persuade me either way.

Well, I did buy one today, a 4" target model. The third cylinder full empties were difficult to eject, but I can live with that. The next cylinder full, I had the cylinder bind on two chambers. The cylinder would rotate with a little help. This continued until my aggravation limit was reached. There is also some "spitting".

It appears that the cylinder is not the same length, for all the chambers, nor does it appear square across the face. When it binds, the top of two of the chambers are hitting the forcing cone. Not the flat of the cylinder, just the top of the cylinder. The other four chambers do not hit the forcing cone. It is not a bad feeling .22 to my hands and it's fairly accurate. I think it would be very accurate if the cylinder were true. Maybe the cylinder is true and the problem is something else?


Any suggestions? Has anyone had experience with their service? Is Charter Arms service any good? Do they pay shipping both ways? Should I return it tomorrow and try to get a refund?

 

[CajunBass]

I'd take it back and see if they'll exchange it. Some dealers will, some won't, some it depends on the circumstances. (The way it's was handled the one time I had something like that happen, the dealer simply bought the gun from me for what I paid for it, and I bought another one.)

If that doesn't work, call Charter and ask them how to handle it.

 

[hardluk1]

Was this a new revolver? I have a 38 that is a great little shooter. If new call CA and talk to there techs.

 

[rogertc1]

If you are using cheap ass bulk ammo your gun will get dirty fast.

 

[Wolfeye]

I'd call either your dealer or Charter. I have no direct experience, but I hear their tech support is pretty good. I've seen one where the cylinder or crane didn't sit flat and was always out of alignment with the barrel, but it sounds like your issue is different.

If you get lead spitting out your cylinder gap, you might see if any of the chambers don't line up with the barrel. I believe I saw that problem once with an NAA mini.

Hopefully it's an easy fix; it might be as simple as having them swap out the cylinder for you.

 

[Confederate]

The word that applies to most Charter Arms discussions is the word "bind."

I wish I had read your first post. I've had years of disappointments with Charter Arms guns. They just don't hold up. Back in the 80s, the standing joke was to put them in a sock and swing it at the bad guy! I transferred many Charter Arms to people who had nothing but problems with them binding. Pity they can't build even a .22 that works!

Good luck. Please let us know what happens.

 

[Nasty]

I've over 2350 rounds of Speer 200gr Gold Dot through my .44 Special Bulldog.

Still waiting for it to bind or have any issue whatsoever.

 

[powwowell]

It turned out all right for me. The dealer refunded my money. He said that Charter would repair the revolver, or send him a new one in it's place.

I really like the revolver's appearance and the way it feels in my hand. I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and get a Smith.

 

[8emem]

My local store in Illinois quit stocking Charter a numbers of years ago. Too many people bringing them back with problems. Same with Rossi. Won't take any used ones for re-sale either. They are getting more Taurus returns than they care to deal with but they are simply re-directing the item to Taurus and not exchanging or refunding them. They provide a shipping service back to Taurus at customer's expense.

 

[Nasty]

"A number of years ago..."

Those would have been the Charco and Charter 2000 that they had trouble with. Charter Arms is now back under the original ownership and quality has returned to high levels.

 

[powwowell]

The envelope, that came with my Pathfinder, that had the fired test round, was dated 2008. I wish I could remember the full date, but I can't. I won't sayI won't buy another Charter product, but I'm a bit leery of them now.

A friend on another forum, speaks well of the Taurus 94. He says the only drawback is the DA trigger pull. It's tough, he says. Another friends 94, bound up on the first cylinder and he refuses to own another Taurus product.

There has got to be a market for a good $300 to $400 DA .22lr revolver!!!! I wish Ruger would step up to the plate,

 

[jfh]

"...There has got to be a market for a good $300 to $400 DA .22lr revolver!!!!"​

Well--check the used-Smith & Wesson market. I suspect we are past the day when even $400.00 (or, about $57.00 in the 'real money' from 1967) represented enough cost and profit for all concerned.

Jim H.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I didn't contribute to your previous thread as to whether you should or shouldn't buy a Charter Arms weapon because I didn't want to start a charter arms "quality" war. I will chime in now though.

You want a firearm that can be trusted to work...Spend a bit more and buy a higher quality name brand other then the cheapies.

There are no charter arms, taurus', rossis or any of the other cheap, made out of country (or in country) firearms in my safe.

You get what you pay for.

 

[Nasty]

When you shop well for anything, there are bargains to be found where you get more than you pay for.

It's about what works, not bragging rights as to how much it costs.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

There are no charter arms, taurus', rossis or any of the other cheap, made out of country (or in country) firearms in my safe.

To each his own. Since I bought my first Taurus .38 revolver in 1973,I have owned 1-Charter Arms Undercover .38, 2-Rossi .38sp.,1-Rossi .357mag. 1-Taurus 85UL and 1-Taurus M44. I have never had any problems with them and never regretted buying any of them. I let folks talk me out of the ones that got away(except for the .357 Rossi that was stolen). I would love to have another CA Undercover.

 

[Hondo 60]

I had a spitting issue with my CA.
I sent it back & they replaced the barrel.
No more spitting.

But their quality isn't in the same category as a Ruger, or S&W.

 

[Big Bill]

There has got to be a market for a good $300 to $400 DA .22lr revolver!!!! I wish Ruger would step up to the plate...

Why don't you step up to the plate and buy a Ruger single six convertable? 22 LR and 22 mag is just the ticket. Otherwise you really don't have much choice other than Charter or Taurus.

 

[Nasty]

Jimmyray...your sig says it all!

 

[moxie]

powowell,

People have problems occasionally with brand new guns made by all the manufacturers: S&W, Colt, Ruger, etc. Lemons slip through. You have been treated very fairly by your dealer. Since you like the gun and it is accurate, why not get it from the dealer when he gets it back from Charter Arms?

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

The CA Undercover that my dad owns was one of the first ones they made still works great to this day. Bought it for around $60 and still works great.

 

[powwowell]

My replies to some of your replies:

1) My dealer did treat me very, very well. We go back a ways.

2) I did step up to the plate and buy a Ruger Single Six. Great revolver. But, it is not a DA revolver, with a 4" barrel. A used Ruger SP101, in .22lr, generally costs more than used S&Ws.

3) The used S&W market in eastern NC is hard to find. And, when found, it seems like $550, or so, is the going price for used .22lr revolvers.

4) Firearms, at any price, should work right out of the box! Sure, a bad one will get out every now and then. I understand that. But, it should be a rare occurrence. This Charter Arms and a Taurus 605 are the only two firearms I've ever had to return. I would never intentionally buy a firearm, while thinking there is a good chance I'll have to send it back. Nor a car, nor a TV, nor a computer, nor nothing.

5) I've accepted the fact that I'll just have to do without a quality, DA .22lr revolver, that I can afford. There are more important things in life.

 

[USBP1969]

I purchased a S&W 317 for my grand daughter. I found out quickly that it would only function (not lock up and extract properly) with CCI Stingers.

I returned to the gun shop and they confirmed that Stingers were the only round they recommended for the 317's they sell. Might try them if you haven't already and still have the the Charter.

kw