Charter Arms Pathfinder .22

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milemaker13

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I have an older CA Pathfinder .22lr. It was working ok, my wife had it in a drawer for awhile (didn't shoot it at all) now it's locked up...
Is anyone familiar with this revolver? Suggestions on what the problem could be? Date info?

I'll go dig it out for better info.
 
I've only had a couple CA revolvers, and it was years ago, so take this with a grain of salt: if they operate the same as a S&W, first thing I'd check is the ejector rod unscrewing, making it too long to disengage from the underlug's lock.

Larry
 
Oddly enough, it seems to be operating ok now... I'll have to take it to the range and see what happens. I don't exactly remember what the issue was...

S/N 541xxx
Charter Arms Corp
Stratford, Conn.
3" barrel, 6 shot .22
 
Call Charter and ask if they can help.....Their customer service is outstanding and I have no doubts they'll come through for you. The lady that answers the phone is super sweet.
 
Shoot it (or try) and get back to us here. Right now, it's too hard to guess exactly what the issue was between the vague phrases "locked up", "wouldn't shoot", and "operating ok now".

I own three Undercover models (.38 Special snubs) from prior to 1987. The only issue I've had, and only with one of them, is the screw behind the ejector rod assembly, in the recoil shield, sometimes works itself too deep. This makes it difficult to open the cylinder with the latch. I don't know about the Pathfinder, but the cylinder can be opened on the Undercover using an alternative method of pulling on the end of the rod as well.

If this describes your complaint, make sure the screw in the center of the recoil shield face is flush with the shield surface.
 
I found a mention online that being mfg in Stratford Conn puts mfg date between 1970-1980. Seems about right. I'll take it to the range and see what happens. Thanks.
 
Clean under the star extractor with a toothbrush soaked in solvent. If that area gets gunked up it can affect the cylinder rotation and can lock up the gun.
 
Cocked & Locked writes:

What MedWheeler said. That mentioned screw in some CA revolvers has a tendency to move inward s l o w l y as the gun is shot over time. Never heard of it happening while in a drawer though.

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That is downright pretty. Excellent trail hiking gun I'd like to have..
 
Thanks! If I decide to get rid of it someday I’ll let you know. Bought it in LGS 6-8 years ago.

Older than that though with the Bridgeport address and fairly low serial number.
 
If it was oiled with WD-40 and then sat for ages it can solidify and make an action lock up. I once held a S&W that had been sitting for at least 14-15 years after being cleaned with it and the action felt like it had been welded in place.

A very good cleaning should rectify your issues if you got it moving again.
 
Have not gotten to the range to test fire yet. I'm picking up something new and well, figured I'd make my range fee go as far as possible This Pathfinder has been sitting awhile, it can wait another week.
 
Oh boy, I went a little crazy I'm afraid.. I picked up two Browning buckmark pistols at Bass pro this morning (sequencial s/n's), then just wheeled across town and picked up an old Marlin 88-22 from the LGS.
Picking them all up next week. Range next weekend.
 
Follow up- The CA Pathfinder seems to be functional. No problems at all during the range trip. I dunno... Its a great little gun.

The buckmark is an amazing little pistol. Tighter groups than I've ever gotten I think.

The Marlin 88 is also a nice rifle, but was very finicky about ammo. Would only feed reliable with CCI. I shot old mini mags, stingers and Blazer with no issues.
Jammed with everything else.
 
The little screw in the center of the recoil shield sometimes moves inward causing difficulty opening the cylinder. I would remove it,degrease and apply some blue Loctite and seat flush. I had the same problem on an older Pathfinder like the one one pictured above and the Loctite did the trick.
 
I have the same gun in stainless. It's a great little pocketable gun for the field /around the yard.
Mine has run flawlessly for decades.
That said, I did once encounter a long neglected CA Undercover that would "lock up" occasionally when you pulled the trigger. (Trigger would just stop and nothing would move).
Turned out a good liberal lubing of the trigger and cylinder lock pawl freed it up to run 100%. Yours may have a similar issue
 
Myself I would check that little screw on the right side of the frame, if it came loose the hammer would have a hard time falling or retracting. Had to repair one of those for a friend about a year or so ago. After retightening never had a problem with it locking up per se.
 
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