Nick Ecker Says my Pathfinder was a Prototype and Not to Have Been Shipped

[weblance]

I bought a 2" Charter Arms Pathfinder in July of 2013. When I looked at it in the LGS, I noticed it was an 8 shot, and bought it right then. Its a nice little revolver, shoots well, and is accurate.

I recently bought a 4" Pathfinder in 22 WMR. It had to go back to Charter Arms for warranty work, for a barrel defect. Nick Ecker, the president of Charter Arms called me today to tell me the work on my 4" Pathfinder was done, and to expect another call tomorrow, to finalize shipping details. While I had him on the phone, I asked about my 8 shot Pathfinder.

He was surprised when I told him I had an 8 shot Pathfinder. He told me they were a prototype and were never supposed to be shipped. He asked how well it functioned, and if there were any issues with it. He also told me to hang on to it, because it was quite rare.

Seriously? I have a prototype? Yes. I should have thought to ask how many were made, but it didnt cross my mind.

Up until just a week or so ago, there was an 8 shot Pathfinder with a 4" barrel and adjustable sights, on GunBroker. It was there for a long time. I just checked, and its gone. Someone else just got a rare prototype, and probably doesnt know it.

Here is a link to my original thread about my 8 shot Pathfinder.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=723859

 

[tdstout]

That's awesome, better not let that one get away from you

 

[19-3Ben]

Fascinating. Usually Charter Arms don't become valuable collectibles, but I've never seen what would happen to a rare prototype of one on the collector's market.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I'm with BEN.

Strange paradox you've got there:
An "accidentally" shipped prototype pistol... Making it a future - potentially - "one of one".

But....

It's a Charter Arms and a .22 at that.


Don't get me wrong, I like CA and really like your "kit" gun but it's a bit like a "collectible" Ford Escort turbo-diesel prototype. Could be worth something - certainly a discussion piece and the particular oddity makes it much more practical for you to boot.

Wouldn't be paying for anyone's vacation in the future though.

Congrats on the wisdom to snatch it when you saw it and following through to determine its place in the CA scheme of things.

Todd.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Well now,,,

That explains why they were never on their website.

I had only owned my 6-shot Pathfinder a week or so,,,
When you first posted about your 8-shooter,,,
I was so jealous I could have chewed nails.

I feel better now.

Aarond

.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I wonder how many fellas have worn out CA directly...

or in an indirect manner, dealers?

"But, I've SEEN one with an 8 round cylinder!"

It'll also be great fodder for those ".... ****** NEVER made a *****." guys who always get the epizoodics because they haven't seen the item and can't find record of it. One of my favorites is (must be read in a yelling level of volume) ".... never made a chrome ******, EVER!"

Todd

 

[gp911]

Ford Escort TurboDiesel prototype! Such an apt comparison! Rare doesn't always mean high value, but there is still a coolness factor involved. Go to Ebay Motors and look up the weird 80's stuff like the Dodge Rampage, Yugo GVX, etc and when one pops up there is usually a buyer at a decent price, if only for the novelty. Cool gun there, and super cool that the man in charge of the company talked to you about it.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Hey that's cool man.

 

[weblance]

I wasnt thinking I would buy a beachfront house with the money if I sold it, I was just excited I have something odd. I like the little revolver, and will keep it. It really is actually a nice gun, has a nice trigger, and excellent lock up. Comparing it to my Taurus 94, its leaps and bounds better. My Smith & Wesson and Ruger revolvers have smoother actions, but dont shoot any better.

 

[bannockburn]

weblance

Pretty cool to have what could be a one of a kind prototype gun!

 

[tubeshooter]

I appreciate the explanation. I had seen the OP mention his 8-shot Pathfinder a few times in the past, but had not seen or heard of another one.


The mystery is now solved...

 

[BCRider]

Weblance, how have your Charter Arms guns held up so far? Round count?

I'm curious because up this way a few dealers have some of the nicer versions that I'd be interested in getting but the history of them being "second or third class guns" from years gone by still puts me off a bit.

 

[weblance]

Weblance, how have your Charter Arms guns held up so far? Round count?

Im not a good one to ask. My 2" Pathfinder only has maybe 200 rounds through it. There are lots of people who have many more rounds through their Charter Arms guns. I will say that my Pathfinder is well built, and everything is machined correctly. It shoots well, and hits what its pointed at. I liked it enough that I bought a second Pathfinder, a 4" in 22WMR. It had a defective barrel, but Charter has replaced it, and its on its way back to me, in 7 business days, including the fitting a Long Rifle cylinder, on my dime.

 

[TennJed]

That is neat. I wonder how many were actually shipped.

Here is an old (not active) listing for one from 12/17/13

http://www.armslist.com/posts/24598...finder-8-shot-2--snubby-revolver-trade--ipad-

here is one from 12/10/13

http://www.armslist.com/posts/3358962/northern-ky-handguns-for-sale--charter-arms-22-pathfinder

 

[weblance]

TennJed... thats cool. The first one, is the one made right after mine. As I mentioned, there was a 4" 8 shot on GunBroker for weeks. I kept looking at it, and thinking about grabbing it, but really wanted a convertible(22/22WMR) or 22WMR. If I had known, I would have snapped it up.

 

[PotatoJudge]

I remember a few years ago when I lived in Houston, Collectors Firearms took in a collection of rare and prototype Charter Arms guns.

I've been spoiled. When a place like Collectors is your LGS, where do you go from there?

Anyway, hope this gives you some idea that no, these haven't ever been expensive- even the prototypes, but some definitely bring a respectable premium.

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/charter-arms-undercover-38-special-pr9833/#.VNQ1YVqzDzI

http://archives.collectorsfirearms.com/?category=927&page=14&category=&product=pr11020

http://archives.collectorsfirearms.com/?category=927&page=14&category=&product=Pr15769

http://archives.collectorsfirearms.com/?category=927&page=13&category=&product=pr9824

http://archives.collectorsfirearms.com/?category=927&page=13&category=&product=pr4582

http://archives.collectorsfirearms.com/?category=927&page=13&category=&product=pr8969

http://archives.collectorsfirearms.com/?category=927&page=13&category=&product=pr8488

http://archives.collectorsfirearms.com/?category=927&page=13&category=&product=pr9744

http://archives.collectorsfirearms.com/?category=927&page=13&category=&product=PR4584

http://archives.collectorsfirearms.com/?category=927&page=13&category=&product=pr4588

http://archives.collectorsfirearms.com/?category=927&page=13&category=&product=pr4585

http://archives.collectorsfirearms.com/?category=927&page=13&category=&product=pr4583

http://archives.collectorsfirearms.com/?category=927&page=13&category=&product=pr4587

 

[dakota1911]

Interesting. On the car thing I was thinking Cosworth Vega myself.