JFrameTwitch
Member
Looking for a suggestion for a J Frame size .22lr for under $400 that is not an LCR.
J Frame sized .22lr
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JFrameTwitch
Member
Hey Weblance, nice piece. Any idea if one of my sets of j frame grips will fit it? The ones I am seeing online say they are six shot. Do you have a link for the 8 shot?
Thanks
Thanks
MedWheeler
Member
I, too, didn't know they made an eight-shooting Pathfinder...
JFT, they do sell other stocks on their web site, and ones for older Pathfinder models should fit, too; they can often be found on eBay.
JFT, they do sell other stocks on their web site, and ones for older Pathfinder models should fit, too; they can often be found on eBay.
aarondhgraham
Member
I have the 6 shot Pathfinder,,,
I have the 6 shot Pathfinder,,,
I bought it before I heard of the 8-shot versions.
I bought it brand new,,,
At first it was tight and gritty,,,
But I flushed the innards with CLP,,,
Now it's very slick and dare I say, Smith-Like.
Charter is funny about their website,,,
One day something is there,,,
Next day it's gone,,,
Then it's back.
In any event I have three J-frame S&W 22's,,,
My Pathfinder isn't as pretty as they are,,,
But in all honesty it shoots just as well.
Aarond
.
I have the 6 shot Pathfinder,,,
I bought it before I heard of the 8-shot versions.
I bought it brand new,,,
At first it was tight and gritty,,,
But I flushed the innards with CLP,,,
Now it's very slick and dare I say, Smith-Like.
Charter is funny about their website,,,
One day something is there,,,
Next day it's gone,,,
Then it's back.
In any event I have three J-frame S&W 22's,,,
My Pathfinder isn't as pretty as they are,,,
But in all honesty it shoots just as well.
Aarond
.
Onward Allusion
Member
Under $400 is going to be a bit tough, IMO. The only other one that come to mind is Taurus. I have the Taurus 94 snub. It's a 9-shot, which is nice. Solid steel too. I've never had any issues with Taurus revolvers and I've had a couple of dozen through the years. They're ok, but nothing like my S&W 43C's.
You may also want to take a look at the older, out of production - NEF's & H&R's - R92 and 929, respectively. They are just slightly larger than the J-Frames, but also solid steel. Plain guns. Built solid.
You may also want to take a look at the older, out of production - NEF's & H&R's - R92 and 929, respectively. They are just slightly larger than the J-Frames, but also solid steel. Plain guns. Built solid.
Tallball
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Taurus and Rossi are in your price range. Taurus owns Rossi now, I believe. They both make small framed 22's. Their revolvers are generally pretty good. Hold one before you buy it. Some have smooth triggers and some don't.
Harrington & Richardson and their sister company New England Firearms made tons of 22 revolvers. They are available on Gunbroker very regularly. The NEF Ultra looks like the fanciest one. I recently paid $115 for one in good condition, then "splurged" by spending $200 for one in nearly perfect condition that my daughter wanted. Their triggers and sights are so-so, but they have been reliable and fun for plinking.
I have read very good things about the old High Standard 22 revolvers. They seem to go for $200 - $300 on GB.
I have a couple of Charter Arms revolvers. They work just fine. I do not love the way that they feel in my hand, but some people do, and they are in your price range.
If you want to try single action, I could not recommend the Rugers enough. They are probably just in your price range new, and easily less used. My single six had outstanding sights and trigger.
Harrington & Richardson and their sister company New England Firearms made tons of 22 revolvers. They are available on Gunbroker very regularly. The NEF Ultra looks like the fanciest one. I recently paid $115 for one in good condition, then "splurged" by spending $200 for one in nearly perfect condition that my daughter wanted. Their triggers and sights are so-so, but they have been reliable and fun for plinking.
I have read very good things about the old High Standard 22 revolvers. They seem to go for $200 - $300 on GB.
I have a couple of Charter Arms revolvers. They work just fine. I do not love the way that they feel in my hand, but some people do, and they are in your price range.
If you want to try single action, I could not recommend the Rugers enough. They are probably just in your price range new, and easily less used. My single six had outstanding sights and trigger.
bannockburn
Member
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Picked this one up a couple of years ago LNIB for just under $400. Added the Hogue Monogrip for my wife because she wanted something a little more than just the factory round butt grip.
weblance
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The J Frame grips dont fit, The Pathfinder has a grip alignment pin in a different place than the J Frame. There are lots of different grips make for the small frame Charter. Im pretty sure they all interchange from model to model.
I had no idea the Pathfinder had changed to an 8 shot. I was in my LGS killing time one day(always an expensive mistake) and they had my Pathfinder in the case. I asked to see it because Im a 22 revolver junkie, and as as soon as I opened the cylinder, that was all it took.
The Charter websight still shows the Pathfinder as a 6 shooter. Mine is certainly an 8 shot. I started a thread right after I bought it, asking when the Pathfinder became an 8 shot, and someone contacted Charter, and the response was they were in the process of converting all Pathfinders to 8 shot.
Its an excellent little revolver. The trigger is one of the best 22 revolver triggers I have ever felt, in stock form. The lockup is rock solid, even better than my Ruger SP101-22. I did have to send it back to Charter because it shot very low. The front sight was very tall, and when I received it back from Charter, most of the front sight is shaved down. They paid shipping both ways, were very pleasant to deal with, and I had my Pathfinder back in 2 weeks. It now shoots perfectly to POA. The 4" and 5" models have adjustable sights, so that wouldnt be an issue.
Its a fun little revolver, feels very well made, and I dont see any issues with it for many years to come. Recommended.
I had no idea the Pathfinder had changed to an 8 shot. I was in my LGS killing time one day(always an expensive mistake) and they had my Pathfinder in the case. I asked to see it because Im a 22 revolver junkie, and as as soon as I opened the cylinder, that was all it took.
The Charter websight still shows the Pathfinder as a 6 shooter. Mine is certainly an 8 shot. I started a thread right after I bought it, asking when the Pathfinder became an 8 shot, and someone contacted Charter, and the response was they were in the process of converting all Pathfinders to 8 shot.
Its an excellent little revolver. The trigger is one of the best 22 revolver triggers I have ever felt, in stock form. The lockup is rock solid, even better than my Ruger SP101-22. I did have to send it back to Charter because it shot very low. The front sight was very tall, and when I received it back from Charter, most of the front sight is shaved down. They paid shipping both ways, were very pleasant to deal with, and I had my Pathfinder back in 2 weeks. It now shoots perfectly to POA. The 4" and 5" models have adjustable sights, so that wouldnt be an issue.
Its a fun little revolver, feels very well made, and I dont see any issues with it for many years to come. Recommended.
weblance
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No, Charter did the front sight. Thats why I sent it in. They shaved down the sight, then bead blasted it, so the finish matched again. You would never be able to tell anything was done to it. They provided the test target they used. At 10 yards, it groups to Point of Aim, and is very accurate.
This is the original height of the front sight, and the grip it ships with. I got the 2 finger boot grip from Charter directly.
This is the original height of the front sight, and the grip it ships with. I got the 2 finger boot grip from Charter directly.
Cocked & Locked
Member
You could also look around for one of the early model Charter Arms Pathfinder guns.
I found this two years ago for $180 at a LGS. It is my favorite .22 revolver.
I found this two years ago for $180 at a LGS. It is my favorite .22 revolver.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
I stumbled accross an old NEF 22, 2 years ago. I have many others but this one has become my favorite for some reason.
cluttonfred
Member
Taurus makes their Ultra-Lite series revolvers in 9-shot 22 S/L/LR and 8-shot .22MAG models, blue or stainless finish, only 18 oz empty, with adjustable rear and red-ramp front sights that can be had new for well under $400. Buds has the blue one in stock at just $320 right now. Seems like a great "kit gun" or something for recoil-sensitive shooters, no personal experience to offer, just passing on the info. Cheers, Matthew
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CajunBass
Member
I had one of the old Taurus 94's, from back when they had wooden grips. That was as nice a 22 revolver as I've ever owned. I was never as impressed with the newer, rubber gripped ones however.
Yesterday I was going to buy a Harrington & Richardson 929, but I had to leave the shop before my background check came back. I'll pick it up tomorrow. That's about the size of a J-frame, but a lot less expensive of course. About a 3 1/2, 3" barrrel, Nine shots, swing out cylinder, D/A-SA, and it was cheap. Which is the real reason I'm going to get it. The trigger was a long way from a K-22, but it wasn't awful. H&R used to sell a lot of those little 22's.
Yesterday I was going to buy a Harrington & Richardson 929, but I had to leave the shop before my background check came back. I'll pick it up tomorrow. That's about the size of a J-frame, but a lot less expensive of course. About a 3 1/2, 3" barrrel, Nine shots, swing out cylinder, D/A-SA, and it was cheap. Which is the real reason I'm going to get it. The trigger was a long way from a K-22, but it wasn't awful. H&R used to sell a lot of those little 22's.
DNS
Member
Beware the loose rear adjustable sight on the 929 Cajun. I've made two over the years and loctite is your friend.
Yeah, why not an 8 shot LCR? Abolutely my favorite DA gun.
Yeah, why not an 8 shot LCR? Abolutely my favorite DA gun.
Onward Allusion
Member
I was able to pick up a refurbished Taurus 94 snub over the summer for $265 out the door. It's a shooter, nothing more. Trigger is rough and gritty. After a couple of hundred rounds the cylinder starts to stick a little. Who knows, maybe more use will smooth the action out.
I think you are better off buying a higher quality used piece than one of the low cost brands if you intend on using it for anything other than plinking.
I think you are better off buying a higher quality used piece than one of the low cost brands if you intend on using it for anything other than plinking.
JFrameTwitch
Member
Hey Gents thanks for the suggestions. I am liking the looks of the pathfinder and the H&R.
It looks like the H&R's are around and affordable so I will look for one. I also liked that older pathfinder as well.
So, Buds has a pathfinder on their website but it still says 6 shot. Charter's website still says 6 shot as well. Do you think that if I just go ahead and order one from Buds it will show up with 8 holes in the cylinder?
I have nothing against the LCR, it's for my wife and the LCR is "too ugly."
Story is she saw my 642 and really liked it. She is not into guns at all and never has been. She has never shot any of my guns and for some reason took a liking to the 642. She has seen it before so I am not sure why the breakthrough all of the sudden. She wants to shoot it and I explained that it's not the best thing to start out with. I told her about the M43C and she agreed that would be a good place to start. So I went online to order one and she saw the price tag and flipped out. She has no interest in anything that does not look exactly like the 642, but she can't stomach me dropping another $600 on a gun for her. Naturally I showed her the LCR .22lr. "No way, too ulgy." Showed her some with longer barrels, "no way, too big." So that is why we are where we are. If it were completely up to me I would drop the $$$ for the M43C. But, some of these suggestions seem to fit the bill for now which I am fine with. This will also give her room to upgrade before/if she moves up in caliber once she becomes hooked like the rest of us.
It looks like the H&R's are around and affordable so I will look for one. I also liked that older pathfinder as well.
So, Buds has a pathfinder on their website but it still says 6 shot. Charter's website still says 6 shot as well. Do you think that if I just go ahead and order one from Buds it will show up with 8 holes in the cylinder?
I have nothing against the LCR, it's for my wife and the LCR is "too ugly."
Story is she saw my 642 and really liked it. She is not into guns at all and never has been. She has never shot any of my guns and for some reason took a liking to the 642. She has seen it before so I am not sure why the breakthrough all of the sudden. She wants to shoot it and I explained that it's not the best thing to start out with. I told her about the M43C and she agreed that would be a good place to start. So I went online to order one and she saw the price tag and flipped out. She has no interest in anything that does not look exactly like the 642, but she can't stomach me dropping another $600 on a gun for her. Naturally I showed her the LCR .22lr. "No way, too ulgy." Showed her some with longer barrels, "no way, too big." So that is why we are where we are. If it were completely up to me I would drop the $$$ for the M43C. But, some of these suggestions seem to fit the bill for now which I am fine with. This will also give her room to upgrade before/if she moves up in caliber once she becomes hooked like the rest of us.
weblance
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JFrameTwitch said:
Im starting to think my 8 shot Pathfinder might be the only one they made. The thread I started about the 8 shot, where someone contacted Charter and they said all Pathfinders would be 8 shot soon, was in 2013. If you look at Gunbroker, they are all still 6 shot. If you ordered a 6 shot Pathfinder from Buds, I can almost guarantee it will be a 6 shot. I dont know what happened to the switch over. Maybe if you are really interested, call Charter and ask whats going on. They always answer the phone, and were very pleasant to deal with.
Onward Allusion
Member
Hey JFrame... Those 43C's are great guns. Super super super light and holds 8 rounds. IIRC, it's right around 11oz fully loaded. We have 3 of 'em. Two of 'em have Crimson Trace lasers on them. The third one has the LaserLyte side plate laser. It's my backup most of the time and my wife's coat pocket gun. Love the fact that it can be fired from inside a pocket. Most of the time I don't even know it's in my jacket's inside breast pocket. It is soooo darn light.
CajunBass
Member
I had a 999 that had a missing rear sight, but it looks like the rear sight wasn't a problem with this one. They're fixed. It's the front that fell off, to be replaced with a "field expedient" half a penny glued in place.
I'm going to try it like that and see how it does. Reminds me of the old half nickel sights on Smith & Wesson M&P's. If it doesn't work, I'll try to find a front sight for it at Gun Parts or someplace like that.
frankiestoys
Member
I have a Rossi Plinker 4" 8 shot and I really like it . Functions well and reasonably priced under 400$ check one out!
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