Charter Pathfinder .22 lr 8-shot snub?

[lowercase]

I'm eyeing a Charter Pathfinder snub in .22 lr. Haven't looked at them for a while, and noticed that they are now 8 vs 6 shots.

Just wondering if anyone has one and if so, how have your experiences been with it? Specifically, I'm looking to see if it has light primer strikes, shaves lead, keyholes, or any other bad habits that would make a .22lr not fun to own.

Also, I noticed that this snub is 19 ounces, vs 12 listed for the Undercover .38 spl. I know that a lot of the extra weight is from the barrel being thicker than a .38, but am also wondering if the grip frame is aluminum vs plastic like on some of their small frame revolvers. I have a modern Charter Off Duty, which has the same basic configuration as a Smith 642, and it has a plastic grip frame. A plastic grip frame isn't necessarily a deal killer for me. However, if I'm stepping up to 19 ounces, I'd rather have a metal grip frame.

I've had good luck with Charters both new and old, and own 10 of the things, but have never had one in .22. I just want it for plinking, and want it to be able to digest pretty much anything...Thunderbolt, Stingers, whatever. I know that the longer-barreled target model would probably be better for plinking, but I like snubs.

Thanks in advance.
lc

Pretty sure this is a 6-shot gun pictured, but it is the pic from Charter's website.

 

[Biblethumpncop]

I had the 4.2" Pathfinder Target 8 shot. Mine gave me fits. Light strikes/misfires 4-5 chambers so it went back to the factory, twice. The barrel cylinder gap was .20" and at first they said it was in spec. They replaced the barrel the second time it went back. I shot it when it came back after the second trip to the factory and it spit lead back at me which hit my cheek, so I sold it.

 

[12Bravo20]

I looked at the Charter Arms when I wanted a new 22LR revolver two years ago and ended up buying the Taurus 942. I know Taurus is not top of the line but it is still better made with a better fit and finish when compared to the Charter Arms. Plus if you search for Charter Arms, there has been plenty of people that have had issues with them in all calibers in the last 2-3 years.

I recommend a Taurus 942 over the Charter Arms. And before anyone mentions S&W, not everyone can afford one.

 

[ontarget]

I looked at the Charter Arms when I wanted a new 22LR revolver two years ago and ended up buying the Taurus 942. I know Taurus is not top of the line but it is still better made with a better fit and finish when compared to the Charter Arms. Plus if you search for Charter Arms, there has been plenty of people that have had issues with them in all calibers in the last 2-3 years.

I recommend a Taurus 942 over the Charter Arms. And before anyone mentions S&W, not everyone can afford one.

Ditto.

 

[ATCDoktor]

I looked at the Charter Arms when I wanted a new 22LR revolver two years ago and ended up buying the Taurus 942. I know Taurus is not top of the line but it is still better made with a better fit and finish when compared to the Charter Arms. Plus if you search for Charter Arms, there has been plenty of people that have had issues with them in all calibers in the last 2-3 years.

I recommend a Taurus 942 over the Charter Arms. And before anyone mentions S&W, not everyone can afford one.

I concur with 12Bravo, I looked at the Charter Arms snub 22LR and it did not inspire confidence reference its build quality

My Taurus942 has been flawless in function and firing through many hundreds of rounds.

 

[Mark 40]

About a year ago I purchased an 8 round Pathfinder snub. It keyholed right off the bat with CCI mini-mags. Previously had .32 and .38 Charters and they shaved lead. Three strikes and they're out.

However my first Charter about 6-7 years ago was a 6 shot Pathfinder Target. It was the only Charter to work right out of the box.

 

[lowercase]

Thanks everyone for the replies. That's exactly the information I was seeking.

I'm going to pass on the Pathfinder. I've heard and read good things about the Taurus 942, but right now, they are very hard to find. I believe at one point, they were discontinued, but Taurus started making them again. I'll keep an eye out for one. I have plenty of other firearms, so I can wait. I'm also checking out the S&W 43C.

 

[JERRY]

About a year ago I purchased an 8 round Pathfinder snub. It keyholed right off the bat with CCI mini-mags. Previously had .32 and .38 Charters and they shaved lead. Three strikes and they're out.

However my first Charter about 6-7 years ago was a 6 shot Pathfinder Target. It was the only Charter to work right out of the box.

That shaving lead thing occurred with two of my three bulldog 44s. Seems cylinder timing and alignment are difficult for some manufacturers.

 

[Biblethumpncop]

You might consider a 3" Ruger
LCRX.

 

[desmobob]

That shaving lead thing occurred with two of my three bulldog 44s. Seems cylinder timing and alignment are difficult for some manufacturers.

It's been going on for a long time, I guess... too bad. I had my eye on a Bulldog Classic years ago but could never find one to look at, in person. A local shop finally got in a used one and it still had uncleaned lead built up around one side of the forcing cone. I noticed the shop owner watching me carefully as I examined it. I quickly handed it back without a word and that was that.

I put the Bulldog out of my head and started thinking about the Pathfinder .22. Then, I start thinking about the Bulldog Classic again. I still want one, and every time I start getting brave enough to order one, another ten people tell their Charter Arms horror stories.

 

[JERRY]

It's been going on for a long time, I guess... too bad. I had my eye on a Bulldog Classic years ago but could never find one to look at, in person. A local shop finally got in a used one and it still had uncleaned lead built up around one side of the forcing cone. I noticed the shop owner watching me carefully as I examined it. I quickly handed it back without a word and that was that.

I put the Bulldog out of my head and started thinking about the Pathfinder .22. Then, I start thinking about the Bulldog Classic again. I still want one, and every time I start getting brave enough to order one, another ten people tell their Charter Arms horror stories.

C.A. is a 50/50 out of the box good gun.

 

[TTv2]

Been looking for a .22 double action for years, Taurus 942 is the top of my list, below that is the Taurus Tracker and I can't find either of them new. My fallback is the Ruger LCRx. Ruger QC isn't up to snuff like it was before Covid, but Charter's QC is apparently disaster level currently.

I would avoid the Charter. Their quality may improve over time, but right now they are problems waiting for owners to pay for only to ship back and fix multiple times.

 

[jstert]

after much trial and error, i’ve learned the hard way that a 22lr handgun is best configured either as a semiauto pistol or single action revolver. here are my 22lr double-action revolver experiences:

taurus 94: absolutely awful trigger pull; maybe 20lbs double-, 15lbs single-action.

s&w 317: alloy cylinder heat-binds by 50 plinking rounds, even outdoors on a freezing winter day.

ruger lcr: rapid double taps (the best way to defensively employ a 22lr handgun) lead to short-stroking the trigger and binding the cylinder.

 

[chicharrones]

after much trial and error, i’ve learned the hard way that a 22lr handgun is best configured either as a semiauto pistol or single action revolver. here are my 22lr double-action revolver experiences:

taurus 94: absolutely awful trigger pull; maybe 20lbs double-, 15lbs single-action.

s&w 317: alloy cylinder heat-binds by 50 plinking rounds, even outdoors on a freezing winter day.

ruger lcr: rapid double taps (the best way to defensively employ a 22lr handgun) lead to short-stroking the trigger and binding the cylinder.

That right there is why I've always wanted a larger framed DA/SA .22 revolver, but have yet to do anything about it.

 

[Tallball]

Like the other poster said, good semiauto 22's and good SA 22 revolvers aren't that expensive or hard to find.

I wasted money on several DA 22 revolvers before I went ahead and bought a S&W K22 Masterpiece. It was affordable because of worn finish and black rubber grips. It's an outstanding handgun and I shoot it more often than any of my others. It took some months of scrounging through GB every day to find it, but it was well worth the hunt.

 

[JERRY]

Like the other poster said, good semiauto 22's and good SA 22 revolvers aren't that expensive or hard to find.

I wasted money on several DA 22 revolvers before I went ahead and bought a S&W K22 Masterpiece. It was affordable because of worn finish and black rubber grips. It's an outstanding handgun and I shoot it more often than any of my others. It took some months of scrounging through GB every day to find it, but it was well worth the hunt.

I agree on your choice. I had a model 63 that I sought after for a while. Well it's trigger pull was adequate at best; I was disappointed.

 

[lowercase]

Like the other poster said, good semiauto 22's and good SA 22 revolvers aren't that expensive or hard to find.

I wasted money on several DA 22 revolvers before I went ahead and bought a S&W K22 Masterpiece. It was affordable because of worn finish and black rubber grips. It's an outstanding handgun and I shoot it more often than any of my others. It took some months of scrounging through GB every day to find it, but it was well worth the hunt.

I'm 100% with you on the K22. I own one that dates to about 1950 and it is an amazing shooter. For a decent semi-auto, I own a Ruger Standard (I believe made in 1959). The Ruger looks almost mint and is a joy to shoot.

One the budget side of my .22s, I have a couple Heritage Rough Riders and a Kel-Tec P17. They perform well, and are fun little plinkers. I also have a Phoenix HP-22a and while decently accurate and fun to shoot (when it does shoot), has bad extraction issues and ridiculous safeties. I certainly wouldn't recommend the Phoenix.

It's a shame about the Charter Pathfinders, but it was helpful to hear about problems straight from people who have owned them. I've rolled the dice on too many unreliable guns over the years, and I'm glad I asked about this one.