Charter arms pathfinder .22lr questions

[Revolver fan]

I was looking for at a 22lr revolver, I looked at taurus QC and rep, very poor, I hear its a 30/70% chance you get a dud.

Was told about the S&W line of 22lr, really do not want to dol out over $600...

Does anyone have experience with the charter arms pathfinder's in 22lr not mag?

I have found very few complaints and hardly anyvideos on the internet of people shooting(is that bad!?) compared to the taurus model 94, lots of videos. I held a mod 94 at a gun store this last week, I disliked the DA pull, was terrible, must have been a dud? I didn't even get the hammer to move, must have been a 20~25lb pull.



No heritage's please, can not find any in my area and not willing to order one.

The down side to them is only 6 shot but if it works way better than a taurus I am in.

 

[22-rimfire]

I generally go for those $600+ 22 revolvers. Not to be a smartalleck. But it is possible to find a good Smith & Wesson for under $600. I have purchased two in the last couple of months each one new (M63) or as-new (4" M17). Not trying to convince you to spend more money, just keep an open mind.

I have never seen a Charter Arms Pathfinder in a gunshop. If I had, I'd look it over really close. I am always interested in newish revolvers. I believe Jeff Quinn (GunBlast) did a review of the 22 Mag version a while back. http://www.gunblast.com/Charter-Pathfinder.htm

If you buy one, I would love for you to summarize your impressions of the Pathfinder so that we all can learn.

 

[oldfool]

woobie alert, flame war imminent !
subject of Taurus 94/941 is prone to be controversial, and draw a lot of fire from friends at taurusarmed.net et. al., perhaps second only to da' Judge heat, you know
(but your general impressions of the 94 are not uncommon)

I have not had as much luck as 22-rimfire finding good deals on older model S&W rimfires, although I do openly admit to owning 3 k-frames, and one j-frame 63 (all bought used but in really excellent condition, pert near "unfired"), plus a really nice older model Taurus "k-frame" bought NIB back when.
My rimfire S&Ws all cost me $450-$600 at one time or another during the past 4 or 5 years, twice the price coulda'/shoulda' paid back when, but I ain't getting any younger, so did it anyway, and no regrets.

as a side note, Rossi (long before Taurus acquired them) used to do "j-frame" kit guns, models 511/515 in 22/WMR, and while scarce reviews do vary some, they seem to be have reasonably well regarded. Not oft seen, but generally less pricey than S&Ws if/when found. I might gamble on a 515 if bumped into one, but hesitant to do do if could not check it out in hand.

Mostly though, I too am very interested in 1st person reviews of currently manufactured NIB Charters in 22 LR and or WMR (especially WMR)

The Charter name has been passed around in circles for quite a while now, and there are a lot of complaints about at least some of the ownership transitions (Charco, Charter 2000, whatever). 'Tis said the original/reputable owners are back in charge once again, and QC is much improved.
How you tell "new" from "old" from "original" from "in between", I don't really know; insights on that would also be appreciated.

There are so few small frame DA rimfire revolvers currently offered, that any feedback on performance would be of great interest, especially if can identify "vintage" you know.

Here's hoping we can keep it Charter focused this time, and not just another "vs." thread, or brand war or shotguns or rifles or 45 acps. OP has already ruled out both the pricier flavors of S&Ws and the model 94, so let's instead hear about Charter rimfire revolvers, from those who own and/or shoot them.


PS
no offense to Mr. Quinn, a fine gentleman who runs a good site and is a pretty good gun writer, but I do not believe he has ever once reviewed any firearm on Gunblast that was anything but remarkably wonderful. Alas, not all were. Which includes not only the Charter offerings, but aforementioned Taurus 94/941, etc., etc., etc.
Hoping here for some actual owner/shooter experience, not just another on-line sales pitch, or another gun rag review of a gun chosen by the VP of Sales for a gun rag review.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I shot a Charter Arms Pathfinder and was pleasantly surprised at what a nice revolver it is. The fit-n-finish was good and it shot accurately, what's not to like?

I'm betting for right ~$400 you can find a lightly used S&W M17 or M18 and be very happy with it.

 

[sixgunner455]

You could also get a Ruger Single Six, or a Bearcat, for well under 500. I have a blued Single Six I got for 400. Used ones go for a good deal less than that.

Used Smith revolvers are getting more expensive, but are still not as much as new ones.

There are options to the Charter guns.

 

[22-rimfire]

Of particular interest in Jeff Quinn's review was the trigger pull weight which he apparantly measured. But Jeff Quinn seldom says negative things about a firearm he is reviewing or testing. As the saying goes.... I never shot a gun I didn't like....

I wish I could provide more information. Nobody responded to your thread and I thought at least my initial post would perhaps get folk's attention and perhaps provide some useful information. I should have said above that I have not seen any of the new Pathfinders in a gunshop in the last couple of years. I'm sure I have handled one years ago, but I am prone to looking at S&W and Colt products primarily.

 

[Revolver fan]

Does anyone own one and shoot reugular?



I went to a gun show, hangle a taurus mod 94, yes I know all the rants about them. So I went to test the trigger, DA sucked, I must haved handled a dud/lemon because It felt like 20lbs++

I saw a few charter arms .22lr pathfinders on some tables, I figure its a step above an taurus, but they where a bit over priced.

I really do not want to spend the money on a $650 S&W.

Is it that hard to find someone who own's one and shoots reugular?
I guess maybe no one likes them.

No Ruger please, I want a DA/SA revolver If I had the money I would buy a sp 101 in 22lr, very rare to find and on GB they go for $600-$750!

 

[22-rimfire]

I looked at both a new M94 and M941 in the last week and my impressions match yours exactly. But as you know, there are folks that like them and have found them very dependable.

Those Ruger SP-101's aren't worth $600 or more to me. I wouldn't even buy one when they were $300. While their trigger is better than the recent Taurus offerings, they were still very heavy and somewhat gritty. If like the GP, they will smooth out however.

If you find a Colt Trooper Mark III in 22LR at a price point under $600, you might be pleasantly surprised at the quality. But they usually run about at the same dollar point as the S&W M17's.

I think you might be very happy with a used H&R revolver. Many like them a lot and they are usually priced under $300. Yes, heavy trigger... The M999 is probably the best of the bunch. I had one that shaved lead and spit out a lot of hot powder fragments which turned against the whole product line. But like most generalizations, it was probably incorrect.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

From www.gunsamerica.com:

M-17 K-22 6" .22 LR Pinned & Recessed & 3-T's 930730520

Smith & Wesson Revolvers > Full Frame Revolver
99% original blue and condition. Excellent bore, action, timing and lock up. Exceptionally nice trigger pull and smooth double action! All 3-T's! too, target trigger, hammer and s... (read more)
Seller: CJS10 $595.00
GA Sales: 4955

M-63 4" .22 LR Stainless Stee 22/32 Kit Gun Red Ramp Like New in Box 939439165

Smith & Wesson Revolvers > Full Frame Revolver
99%+ original finish and condition. Perfect bore, action, timing and lock up. Very little fired. Serial M213,xxx, Model 63 no dash, transition gun, from 1982. Has recessed cylinder... (read more)
Seller: CJS10 $595.00
GA Sales: 4955

Smith & Wesson 617 10 shot .22 LR *NEW* 923970384

Smith & Wesson Revolvers > Full Frame Revolver
Brand NEW Smith & Wesson model 617 SKU: 160584 .Caliber: .22 LR .Capacity: 10 Rounds .Barrel Length: 4" .Front Sight: Patridge .Rear Sight: Adjustable .Grip: Synthetic ... (read more)
Seller: Oak Hill $639.00
GA Sales: 196

S&W .22 LR model 317-2 Air Lite NIB Smith & Wesson AirLite 22 Caliber model 317 953126073

Smith & Wesson Revolvers > Pocket Pistols
Advances in metallurgy that made this revolver possible began in earnest during the 1930s. It is the descendant of the Air Crewman series of ultra lightweight revolvers issued to ... (read more)
Seller: Robertson Trading Post $529.00
GA Sales: 4033

 

[Revolver fan]

I'm cheap, I don't want to spend $500+tax for a 22lr.... I know S&W will last a life time and pass to my kids..

I rather spend $300 on a cheaper gun and get a ruger lcp/bersa 380 auto as a bonus lol....


I might just buy a S&W.... a lot of money but I won't have problems

 

[H. Faversham]

"I might just buy a S&W.... a lot of money but I won't have problems "

Smart move, but S&W .22s are made by humans, so you may have a problem with one. The good news is that on revolvers made since 1989, the price you pay for one includes a lifetime of excellent, free service, including free shipping.

On the other hand, if you will just be plinking every now and then (as opposed to shooting a brick a week chasing the elusive 1" ragged hole at 25 yards) go ahead and take a chance on a new Charter; oldfool nailed it: "The Charter name has been passed around in circles for quite a while now, and there are a lot of complaints about at least some of the ownership transitions (Charco, Charter 2000, whatever). 'Tis said the original/reputable owners are back in charge once again, and QC is much improved."

If you are like most of us, eventually you will own both a S&W and a "lesser" brand anyway. Start with the S&W.

 

[Revolver fan]

including free shipping

OH then thats worth it right there... If I have to ship a taurus/charter arms back to the factory 2~4 times ill pay $30~$40 easy each time which will cost me a S&W

I would like to other a "lesser name brand" some day, I am sure they all make their lemons but more common. With the S&W I won't have to worry about too many problems, I have hardly heard anything bad about them.

 

[22-rimfire]

Revolver Fan. I guess you are 9mm on TFL. As in all things, you have to be smart about choosing a revolver. Any manufacturer can make a lemon. It is one of the reasons I prefer to handle my future purchase at a gunshop before buying. But the important thing is that S&W will make it right if necessary.

Keep talking like that and you will talk yourself into that $600+ S&W.

But honestly, I would love to hear about some first hand experience with recently manufactured Pathfinders.

 

[Revolver fan]

I would really like to hear about experience from pathfinder owners also... It just seams odd no one really has posted

Who are you on TFL?

 

[22-rimfire]

I use the same handle on THR, TFL, and RFC where you have started the same thread. I believe I only have responded here.

 

[H. Faversham]

This much I can tell you guys: Do NOT buy a Charco or Charter 2000. No one has anything good to say about those interim versions of Charter. The original Charter Arms Pathfinders (skinny barrels) were great, but not as accurate as .22s made by S&W, Ruger or, later, Taurus. Their triggers were not bad and they were lightweight and sort of good looking.
Don't know about the latest version, but I don't hear a lot of bad reports. Google "Charter Arms Pathfinder" and do the research.

 

[LC '92]

I have two Charters. They are the older models from Stratford. One is a stainless 3" .22 LR Pathfinder and the other is a stainless 3" .44 Special Bulldog.

While neither of them are S&W's, they have earned a permanent home in my revolver stable. The Pathfinder is smooth, dependable, and nicely accurate.

The Bulldog rides in a J frame S&W holster and I carry it a lot. Also have on order shot shells for it for snakes and vermin in my barn and hen house.

Both of these revolvers have pins and screws that back out during use. I have LocTited the offending parts and the Charters are good to go.

I prefer the stainless models as they don't have the alloy triggerguard

 

[Shaky]

I have a Target Pathfinder in 22 lr. The only real gripe I have with it is the front sight. Being stainless, it is horrid if you have much light on it at all (a quick smoking with a lighter is a good fix). The gun itself is accurate, though and has good lockup, etc.

 

[woad_yurt]

Why no H&Rs or High Standards?

How about an H&R 929 or nickel 930? They hold 9 rounds, come with bigger grips and 4" or 6" barrels, too.

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The 949, another 9 rounder:

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And, for you convertible folks, the 676:

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Finally, for those who must have 9 rounds in their convertibles, a double action High Standard Double Nine:

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