Charter Arms Pathfinder .22

[ACP230]

I picked up a stainless steel Charter Arms Pathfinder .22 revolver today.
It's the day before Michigan's deer season so the store was a bit busy, but things went pretty quickly, considering.

I remember reading about the Pathfinder's introduction in gun mags when I was younger. I always figured it would make a nice woods gun. The gun has a three-inch barrel with a ramp front sight. It is light but has adjustable sights that are easier for me to see than fixed snubby sights. A former owner painted the front sight red which helps me pick it up. The grips are black rubber, probably made by Pachmayr. They fit my hand well.

When I first heard about the Pathfinder, I thought about it almost exclusively as a small game gun. Now I see mine as an understudy for my snubbies. My daughter has an Undercover in .38 and the Pathfinder would be a good understudy for it. It is also close in size to my Smith and Colt snubnoses with cheaper ammo. I plan to use it in informal matches as a backup gun, or as the gun you have to shoot dry, before moving to a bigger handgun, shotgun, rifle, or subgun.

Haven't shot it yet, and might not till after deer hunting for a while. I am looking forward to shooting it. It's been a long time coming.

 

[Confederate]

How much did it set you back?

I've always wanted to know how well they worked. When you have a chance to shoot it, please let us know.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

Back in the 1980s I had a .22 Pathfinder with a set of those big Charter Arms stocks on them. You know, the one's that came with the Bulldog .44. I actually had the Bulldog .44 too, but the wood stocks were too painful when firing a 16 oz .44 Special, so I put Pachmyers on the .44, and switched those grips out to the Pathfinder. I loved both of those guns, but unfortunately don't have either anymore. The Pathfinder was a great little gun. You will enjoy it. I always liked it better that the Smith & Wesson Kit Gun.

 

[461]

I've been looking for one of those in .22Mag for years. I have high hopes that the new Charter Arms will makes them eventually.

 

[ACP230]

It cost me less than $200 and had been back to the current Charter factory to be refurbished.
I thought it was a good deal.

 

[ACP230]

Here's a pic of the Charter Arms Pathfinder.

 

[grayelky]

461
I've been looking for one of those in .22Mag for years. I have high hopes that the new Charter Arms will makes them eventually.

Keep looking. I stumbled across a nickled 3", w/ a spare .22LR cylinder a few years ago. I did not know they made such an animal.

 

[ACP230]

I finally shot the Charter Pathfinder yesterday. Deer hunting and bad weather were the main reasons it took so long.

I shot it with a variety of .22 ammo, starting at 10 feet and going out to 50 feet. Ammo tried included Remington Thunderbolt, Federal 36 grain plated HPs, and Wolf Match Target. The Pathfinder shot all of them well but made the best group with Wolf Match Target. I put two cylinders (12 rounds) into an inch and three quarters at 10 feet. I brought some other ammo. but ran out of time and couldn't try it.

Accuracy was almost as good at 50 feet, as at 10, with the Remigton and Federal ammo, until my eyes got tired and I started having trouble seeing the sights well.

Overall, I was impressed with the handling and the accuracy of the Pathfinder. If I get out rabbit hunting this week I may take it along.

 

[JERRY]

great little guns, good price on that also.

you are lucky indeed.

 

[JERRY]

any chance of selling it?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Originally Posted By 461
I've been looking for one of those in .22Mag for years. I have high hopes that the new Charter Arms will makes them eventually.

The Pathfinder is already available in both .22LR and .22 Magnum.
http://www.charterfirearms.com/products/Charter_Pathfinder.html

 

[ACP230]

No plans to sell the Pathfinder.
Feels too solid, shoots too well.

 

[JERRY]

.

 

[JERRY]

well, i couldnt find a s.s. 3" pathfinder, so i had to pony up the dough for a 4" J frame.......