path finder 22lr thinking about it

[jakeemt]

Hey fella's. Wondering if anyone here owns one of these pathfinders. Been sniffing around for a little field, practice, plinker gun for a bit and have looked at these. They are sin ugly I think and I certaily like the looks of taurus better but, they are american made and that means some thing to me. Anyway long story short I was thinking for a knock around gun it might not be too back. For 350 bucks i can shoot the piss out of it and carry it up the sides of ravines, drop it in the water, get fish slime on it, throw it in a backpack or glove box, pop a squirrel if I can indian up close enough and never cry if it gets messed up cause it wasn't too expensive and I can just ship it back to the factory. Does this gun fit the bill? I have heard some quality issues on these but called them and they seemed like decent people.

[Bigeasy]

Had a Pathfinder back in the early 80's.  It was a 3 inch barrel, if I remember right, with adj. sights.  Great gun for what you want it for.  Was not real accurate, but each gun is different, and this was 30 years ago.  Another similar sized gun to consider is the Ruger Bearcat.  Small and accurate, but kinda too pretty to toss in a tackle box...

Larry

[spruce]

Sounds like a good choice for your stated requirements.

I have one of their Mag Pugs and I'm happy with what I got in return for my money.  Fit and finish is not up to a S&W, double action pull is a little stiff, single action is decent, but it shoots everytime I pull the trigger.

[Crow Juice]

I have had one for about 4 years and I estimate I have put about 1200 rounds through it . They are solid and reliable.Off the bench you can get a 2" group with most ammo at 25 yards and I have shot as small as a 1" group  with bulk Federal 36 gr stuff from Wallmart . Single action pull is OK ,double is a little heavy which seems to be a common problem on the less expensive revolvers. I also have a Taurus 941, 22mag and it preforms to a similar level. My Pathfinder has one main function : Be with me regardless of the weather conditions ( mine is STAINLESS). It stays in the car during the winter months and has spent many a day getting soaked while  I go through streams and mud riding my ATV. My only gripe is it only holds 6 shots while the Taurus holds 9 (the Taurus 22mag holds 8 ) . If you stop to plink or get into a "running gun battle" with a squirrel the extra ammo is nice. 

As far as being ugly goes I say UGLY is the new KOOL . Do you want to be on top of ridge waiting for complements on a gun you can't afford or do you want to be sending lead down range?   

I also have a single six which is a better balanced gun for shooting but the slow load rate makes it less desirable for plinking . I carry it when I am slippin around the woods predator or squirrel huntin.

[gunpilot]

The pathfinder is a beautiful gun and comfortable. I have a 22 mag and am thinking of getting a 22LR. I had a new Taurus that lasted 2 cylinders then locked up.

[pastorp]

Jake,

Guess I have a different take on this than others here. I would save a little more and buy a S&W revolver. They will hold up to a lifetime of shooting. And generally be more accurate and reliable.
I think the pathfinder would be fine for someone who wants to plink occasionally but not for heavy use.
As far as getting a more expensive gun dirty. You will need to clean either one. The smith k22 was originally made as a target gun. And they generally are more accurate than the shooter. I'd look for a older k22 mfg in the 60s or70s, you can still find them in about the same price range or maybe $100 more. But it's a better made firearm. And generally will be more accurate.

Regards,

[gcrank1]

For all the notion of 'throw it in the glovebox, tractor toolbox or tacklebox' most of us just wont bring ourselves to do it, we just respect 'em too much, even if they are inexpensive (which I dont consider $350 to be!). Oh for the old days of $79 High Standards and H&Rs.
Little revolvers are way more twitchy to get good accuracy out of them; it can be done, but you gotta work at it.
About the size & weight of a Bearcat,.... oh gee, just get a Bearcat..........should be able to find one for that price. (UPDATE that 6-13: the Bearcat prices are getting outrageous, IMHO)

[Rangr44]

   One Stainless Dual Cylinder Pathfinder, one blued .22 Mag.
 
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[ohiobenito]

I recently picked up a pathfinder with 2'' barrel in 22lr.  I got the piece for practice ccw work.  I am very happy with the pistol except I cannot get any type of consistent groups with it at 15 feet.  SA/DA.   . . . I have only tried two types of ammo. so maybe mine's picky.  No other problems yet about 200 rds fired.  Got it for 320$ so look around you might be able to break the 350 mark if you're lucky.   It does have a plastic grip frame, bummer

[gcrank1]

Plastic trigger guard, etc., that does help keep it light.....and new gen. plastics are holding up really well.
Last warm spell I took a walk down the 50yd. range and stepped off 15 from the two 9" gongs, pulled the 2" PF from the strong side holster and grabbed a two hand hold, a quick sight picture and dbl. actions 3 shots at each, missing just off the edge with one, but most shots were within 4-6". A center of chest hold on a perp and they would have all been 'in there'. It is easy to 'float' the front end/ramp sight on anything (IME) and get high shots; thus the need for practice (for me anyway) and this one allows me cheap, easy goin'.

[coyotejoe]

Many moons ago I ran a trapline and bought an S&W kit gun for that use. I was constantly digging in the dirt and springing traps which threw up dirt and my gun would get so dirty I felt guilty about abusing the fine S&W in that way. I sold it and got a cheap Excam copy of the Walther PPK and it served my needs much better. Autos have fewer openings for dirt.  Handloading is my major hobby so I much prefer revolvers in centerfire calibers but in rimfire I feel the auto makes a much better trail and knock about gun. I have a S&W 22A with 4" barrel which is light, very accurate and 100% reliable and for actually hard use I wouldn't trade it for any revolver.

[Rangr44]

Plastic trigger guard, etc., that does help keep it light.....and new gen. plastics are holding up really well.

  I dunno what gun YOU're referring to, but the triggerguards of both my 1970's & 2008 Pathfinders are integral with their STEEL gripframes.

I know the new Ruger 10/22's have plastic TG's, though.................................................   





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[gcrank1]

Why, Im referring to the Charter Arms Pathfinder.......
No idea when Charter Arms changed, but the 'new' ones have the plastic.
Glad YOUR's are steel.

[Mtwoodson]

Had one in the 80's and sold it in a moment of stupid. Regretted it ever since.

[gcrank1]

This last Sat. we set up the chrono and target frame at 13+ ' from the benchrest and shot the paper first to warm up the gun & shooter, then also knew how not to hit the chrono screens.
The little snubbie PF grouped basically a couple of inches for six from a casual sand bagged two-hand hold, though a bit low and right for me from POA with the accepted, traditional sight picture. Holding some 'front blade' would put it into the bull, as may have one handed, but centering the group was not what I was after that day.
The Win. Xpert bulk-pack HV-HP 22LR averaged a tad over 900fps for six shots; now that surprised and pleased me. I am a lot more confident that it will 'serve the purpose' for more than just  'a plinkin' and practice for the CF's.
The 'Target model' looks like I could have fun with it, though it is pricey here at around $400. I might (?) be able to hold out and find a S&W 63 for $100-150 more, but they are spiking beyond belief too. And at this point I can still reload 38/357, 44s and 45s with cast bullets for less than the current cost of 22LR (if you can find it).