Charter Arms Target Pathfinder

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GunnyUSMC

GunnyUSMC

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Denham Springs LA
I’ve been wanting another double action 22lr revolver for some time. Not long ago I saw that Charter Arms had the Target Pathfinder with an eight shot cylinder. I tried to find one but they were out of stock everywhere I looked.
I told my buddy at the local paw and gun shop that I wanted one. He said that he had been trying to get one in the shop for months with no luck.
The day before yesterday I stopped by the pawn shop to see what they had and to visit a little. And sitting in the display case was a Target Pathfinder. The price tag was $399. I didn’t think that was all that bad because, the lowest price I had seen them listed at was $389.
I got the gun out of the display to have a good look at it. It was a little smaller then I thought it would be. The double action pull is about as heave as a dog that doesn’t want to be picked up. But the single action pull was nice.
I put it back in the case and asked my buddy when did he get it in. He said that he had just gotten it in and put it out earlier that day.
I went home without it, wanted to think about it.
Yesterday I decided, what the hell, my birthday was coming up so, why not. I drove to the shop and got a 4473 form from behind the counter and filled it out. I gave the forum to my buddy and he asked what gun was I getting. I told him the Target Pathfinder. I then got the key and got the gun from the display case.
I got it home and took a few pics and plan to take it shooting this coming Monday. I hope it’s a good shooter.
AC36D7FD-F515-4E4E-AB9E-45A0523E0BA3.jpeg D283B8D9-07FD-4154-BBC3-AAE42ADF9335.jpeg F127563C-15F0-4CAB-93EF-4DD9918671C3.jpeg
 
I look forward to the range report. I've been curious about these. From the different colors it looks like it might be the light version with aluminum alloy frame.

I handled one in the store a while ago, a 6-shot, and I thought the double action trigger was pretty decent and not all that heavy.
 
I wish you well. I had one this year and it made two trips back to the factory. I shot it last weekend and decided I didn't want to mess with it anymore. Not to sound harsh, but I decided to sell all 4 of my Charter Arms this year after repeated issues. PM me for details if you are interested.
 
Biblethumpncop said:
I wish you well. I had one this year and it made two trips back to the factory. I shot it last weekend and decided I didn't want to mess with it anymore. Not to sound harsh, but I decided to sell all 4 of my Charter Arms this year after repeated issues. PM me for details if you are interested.
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I know that Charter Arms has not had a stellar reputation over the years. I’ve known people that have owned them and loved them and others that just didn’t like them. I’m hopping that this one is a good shooter.
 
dh1633pm said:
Sweet. That was a great gun shop you took me too. Got the two rifles they shipped for me friday a week ago. I know it took me a while to get there. Enjoy the pistol. Should be a blast to shoot.
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Stop by when you’re in the area again, had a great time shooting the Bull and visiting. Maybe there won’t be a hurricane coming in next time.:)
I have that piece of Cherry ready to turn, but been so busy that I haven’t gotten to it yet.
BJ Pawn & Gun is not like other pawn shops where guns are just a part of the business. Jeremy runs a full service Gun Store within the pawn shop. What’s funny is that I worked for Jeremy’s dad and grandfather. His dad and I were good friends.
I know if I had asked Jeremy to come off the price on this revolver, he would have a little, but he had it priced good.
 
I like the looks of the full lug barrel on yours. Others that I've seen had no lug, and to my eye that just looks unfinished or halfa$$ed on anything but a Snub.
The pathfinder might look good with a half lug too.
 
John_R said:
I look forward to the range report. I've been curious about these. From the different colors it looks like it might be the light version with aluminum alloy frame.

I handled one in the store a while ago, a 6-shot, and I thought the double action trigger was pretty decent and not all that heavy.
Click to expand...
The frame is aluminum, but the gun has a nice balance. If it’s a good shooter I’m gonna get a new set of grips for it. I’ve got my eyes on these.
D3DDD6B8-9C1C-403D-9D36-6344503EB5D4.jpeg
https://charterfirearms.com/collections/frontpage/products/g10-grip-professional
 
Nice pickup Gunny! Once you get it out to the range let us know how it shoots for you :thumbup:.

Stay safe.
 
Very nice Sarge, BUT.... wait.... there is one drawback to an 8 shooter that you won't find in a six shooter. It takes longer to load! :)
Congrats on your decision to buy it before it disappears.
 
Well, I would love to give a good range review, but that will have to wait.
What I have today is a not so good review.
I got to the indoor range around 10am. I had my 30 cal. ammo can of assorted 22 ammo, filled with several types and brands.
I set the target out at 10 yards and grabbed a box of Federal Champion from my can. The first was a few inches low and about 4 inches.
When I went to eject the cartridge cases from the cylinder, I couldn’t push the ejector rod with my thumb, it was pretty stiff. I have to hit it with the heel of my palm to get the cases to eject. I shot three more cylinders and all were hard to eject.
I then tried some Federal Premium Hunter Match ammo. It was still shooting low and the group was not much better. But the cases were hard to eject.
I don’t blame the group size on the gun because I was having trouble seeing the front sight. The front sight is flat mat stainless steel and will need paint.
F16C4C10-603E-46CD-B100-AC99ECB8FA62.jpeg

I then tried some Aguila Super Extra with pretty much the same results, about a 4” group hitting low and hard to eject.
So I grabbed a box of CCI Quite from my can. It shot a little better, about 3” but still low. I was able to eject the cases from the cylinder using my thumb, with no problem.
I then grabbed a box of Geco Semi Auto. The group was about 4” and low. But when I went to eject the cases, I couldn’t get them to come out. So I packed things up and headed home.
I stopped at my buddy’s pawn shop to show him the gun. I had some of the fired cartridge cases and you could see a slight bulge just above the rim on most of the cases.
I had to use a punch and small hammer to knock the cartridge cases from the cylinder. Here’s what they looked like.
37668939-8F00-4B21-A452-FFC29EDBB18B.jpeg
C744ED8D-DC58-46C1-81DE-88926AB75565.jpeg DD5C5F62-4A34-49A5-A003-4858E030A0DC.jpeg BA1E1ECE-870C-45A4-BEA9-C5F067A0959A.jpeg

I’m going to contact Charter Arms and send the revolver to them.
As of right now, I’m not to happy. :(
 
GunnyUSMC said:
Well, I would love to give a good range review, but that will have to wait.
What I have today is a not so good review.
I got to the indoor range around 10am. I had my 30 cal. ammo can of assorted 22 ammo, filled with several types and brands.
I set the target out at 10 yards and grabbed a box of Federal Champion from my can. The first was a few inches low and about 4 inches.
When I went to eject the cartridge cases from the cylinder, I couldn’t push the ejector rod with my thumb, it was pretty stiff. I have to hit it with the heel of my palm to get the cases to eject. I shot three more cylinders and all were hard to eject.
I then tried some Federal Premium Hunter Match ammo. It was still shooting low and the group was not much better. But the cases were hard to eject.
I don’t blame the group size on the gun because I was having trouble seeing the front sight. The front sight is flat mat stainless steel and will need paint.
View attachment 1032514

I then tried some Aguila Super Extra with pretty much the same results, about a 4” group hitting low and hard to eject.
So I grabbed a box of CCI Quite from my can. It shot a little better, about 3” but still low. I was able to eject the cases from the cylinder using my thumb, with no problem.
I then grabbed a box of Geco Semi Auto. The group was about 4” and low. But when I went to eject the cases, I couldn’t get them to come out. So I packed things up and headed home.
I stopped at my buddy’s pawn shop to show him the gun. I had some of the fired cartridge cases and you could see a slight bulge just above the rim on most of the cases.
I had to use a punch and small hammer to knock the cartridge cases from the cylinder. Here’s what they looked like.
View attachment 1032518
View attachment 1032519 View attachment 1032520 View attachment 1032521

I’m going to contact Charter Arms and send the revolver to them.
As of right now, I’m not to happy. :(
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear you are disappointed. Do yourself a favor and check the barrel/cylinder gap. It isn't related to the ejection problem but mine was .020" and was one of many issues it had. If yours has a huge gap, you might have them fix it while it is back there.
 
Hope they get it right. I have always liked the looks of those Pathfinders. Seems like just the right size .22 revolver.
 
I'm pretty sure that these 8 shot .22's are kind of new for Charter and after the issues with the Professional .32 I'm pretty much convinced that anything new made by Charter should be avoided the first few years after release.
 
For the love of Pete thank goodness you’ve finally bought another firearm! Sorry it’s teething but I can say, with a quick glance left and right, that I’m a Charter Arms fan. My father’s .38 snub was far more refined than I would think possible at its price, with a very reasonable double action pull. Unfortunate he sold it for an SP101 as he simply prefers Ruger and Smith.

I hope Charter gets you squared away with haste.
 
Skylerbone said:
For the love of Pete thank goodness you’ve finally bought another firearm! Sorry it’s teething but I can say, with a quick glance left and right, that I’m a Charter Arms fan. My father’s .38 snub was far more refined than I would think possible at its price, with a very reasonable double action pull. Unfortunate he sold it for an SP101 as he simply prefers Ruger and Smith.

I hope Charter gets you squared away with haste.
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What are you talking about, I bought an Enfield No.1 Mk.III DP rifle in June.:neener: But it was a non firing rifle.
I did slow down when it comes to buying guns because of all the crazy prices this past year. Plus I’ve been spending money on woodturning tools. But don’t worry, I’m still checking out guns every week and will buy something if it catches my eye and the price is right.
 
TTv2 said:
I'm pretty sure that these 8 shot .22's are kind of new for Charter and after the issues with the Professional .32 I'm pretty much convinced that anything new made by Charter should be avoided the first few years after release.
Click to expand...
I’m not one to procrastinate when it comes to buying guns. I don’t mind being in the group that buys a gun right when they come out.
 
I was hoping to hear a good report, and I hope that Charter can make it right for you.

I also applaud you for giving a mid-tier manufacturer a chance, where many will not.


Making a good .22 DA revolver is a tall order that is generally underappreciated. That being said - the gun should be functional. Let's see what Charter does. Thank you for keeping us posted.
 
tubeshooter said:
I was hoping to hear a good report, and I hope that Charter can make it right for you.

Let's see what Charter does. Thank you for keeping us posted.
Click to expand...

I am curious to see how Charter handles things too. For some reason I really want a 32 H&R magnum revolver and Charter is the only one that currently makes any.
 
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