Charter Arms Pathfinder 4" 22 WMR

[BracketRacer_57]

I saw a Charter Arms Pathfinder 4" 22WMR for $319 at a LGS and had a couple of questions:

- is $319 a reasonable price?

- will this model do "LR"also? The description on the tag had "LR" penciled in next to the WMR.

- Any function checks I can/should do prior to purchase?

I don't have much experience with .22 revolvers and would appreciate any additional insight. Thanks.

 

[kcofohio]

As for the "LR", I don't see anywhere that Charter Arms offers their Pathfinder with inter-changeable cylinders. And it isn't recommended to shoot LRs out of WMR chambered guns.

From my experience with CAs, they are not refined revolvers, but generally are durable.

$319 seems reasonable for new.


Hope that helps.

 

[BracketRacer_57]

Thank you - that definitely helps! The revolver is actually on consignment so it sounds like its not a screaming bargain. I am looking for something to use for plinking/target and am not in any hurry so I think I'll pass on this one and keep looking.

 

[MedWheeler]

You can shoot LR ammo from WMR-chambered revolvers without hurting the gun, but will likely have problems with both accuracy and with case extraction.

As for the latter, WMR cases are of a greater diameter, since they crimp around the bullet, so the extra space in the chamber gives the LR case room to swell and bulge when the rounds are fired. (LR cases only crimp loosely around a narrowed base of the bullet, so their diameters are slimmer.)

If it was a Target Pathfinder in .22LR, that would be a decent price, and I probably would have picked it up.

 

[BracketRacer_57]

MedWheeler -thanks for the additional info. How can I identify a "Target" model?

 

[Ron James]

Shooting .22 LR ( or 22 Short or Long ) in a .22 WMR cylinder is possible in some cases. Some guns do not handle the smaller cases very well a at the very least they will budge, some times the firing pin will only hit the primer just right about 50 Percent of the time.. However some ammo will split and it is possible to get fire and unburnt powder blown backward. I would only do it in an emergence and would never make it a habit. Just my opinion.

 

[BracketRacer_57]

Thank you for clarifying the LR/WMR differences - I thought it was odd that the printed description on the price tag had "/LR" penciled in next to WMR.

 

[Jim Watson]

If it were MEANT to shoot WMR and LR, it would come with two cylinders.
I think some did. When my Uncle went into assisted living, he gave me his Pathfinder and recalled a spare cylinder, but could not find it.

 

[kcofohio]

There was a CAs in LR/WMR listed as #62240. Everyone that list it shows no stock and Charter Arms no longer list it on their site.

Not any of the old listings, does it specifically mention about interchangeable cylinders.

 

[BracketRacer_57]

Thanks for the additional info - I'll try to get by the store tomorrow and see if it has the additional cylinder.

 

[Jim Watson]

Here is a set for sale. It might be a "comprised set" rather than a factory package, I guess.
http://www.gunauction.com/buy/6014338

 

[MedWheeler]

BracketRacer, the "Target" models are marked as such, have a fiber-optic front sight, and adjustable rear sight.

 

[BracketRacer_57]

Jim Watson - Thanks for the link - interesting firearm.

MedWheeler - appreciate the reply. I'll have a better idea of what I'm looking at when I get back to the LGS.