Charter Arms Pathfinder Target

[TheWhiteBuffalo]

You guys motivated me to find a target revolver to play with, on my limited budget. Someone in this rimfire section commented on the Pathfinder being a good, cheap alternative to the Smith & Wesson. I ended up finding one online for about $400, they seem to be out of stock at reputable retailers and I definitely wasn’t going to gamble on ordering from some place that I didn’t recognize.

The biggest disappointment is the horrible laser etching on the barrel. Why did Charter Arms feel like this was a good idea? It’s a fun plinking toy for me, so I don’t really care, but for many this would be a reason for them to find an alternative. It is horrible looking.

Anyways, I hope it is fairly accurate. It will definitely be fun to take into the woods and shoot cheap ammo.

 

[Gcs7th]

Looks nice even with the rather large laser engraving. Looks like the grips encourage a high hold on the frame. How’s the SA/DA trigger that’s my biggest complaint with the Taurus is the heavy hammer and DA pull. SA is great if you can cock the hammer. Many ladies don’t have the strength to shoot the gun DA and some can’t cock the hammer in SA.

 

[Gcs7th]

I see your a bit further south if you want to make the trek we have a pistol shoot tomorrow Sunday 9am-2pm at the AGC bring it out and any other pistols you have. It was originally scheduled for today but the weather was miserable this morning.

Arlington Rifle and Pistol Club

www.arlingtonrpc.com

 

[Gcs7th]

Range report on this one yet?

 

[RFBfromDE]

Looks nice even with the rather large laser engraving. Looks like the grips encourage a high hold on the frame. How’s the SA/DA trigger that’s my biggest complaint with the Taurus is the heavy hammer and DA pull. SA is great if you can cock the hammer. Many ladies don’t have the strength to shoot the gun DA and some can’t cock the hammer in SA.

...and if I want to shoot a .22 in SA I could get a $200 Heritage.

How's the CA tough OP?

 

[44man]

You guys motivated me to find a target revolver to play with, on my limited budget. Someone in this rimfire section commented on the Pathfinder being a good, cheap alternative to the Smith & Wesson. I ended up finding one online for about $400, they seem to be out of stock at reputable retailers and I definitely wasn’t going to gamble on ordering from some place that I didn’t recognize.

The biggest disappointment is the horrible laser etching on the barrel. Why did Charter Arms feel like this was a good idea? It’s a fun plinking toy for me, so I don’t really care, but for many this would be a reason for them to find an alternative. It is horrible looking.

Anyways, I hope it is fairly accurate. It will definitely be fun to take into the woods and shoot cheap ammo.

View attachment 408331

I like the looks of this pistol

How does it shoot?

 

[TheWhiteBuffalo]

I like the looks of this pistol

How does it shoot?

Range report on this one yet?

Not much to report as of yet. I’m a guy who hasn’t shot anything in many years and have no place to give it a good test.

I’m currently looking to purchase a piece of property just for plinking, but there is not much on the market and what is available is big $$$.

 

[SunnySky]

Pathfinder..., I hope it is fairly accurate...

View attachment 408331

How do you feel about your Pathfinder?

I bought a brand new Pathfinder (just like yours, 22LR, 4.2" barrel, 8-shot, optic fiber front sight) a couple of weeks ago. After 3 range trips and 150 rounds, I like it. The only issue is its sights. It shoots 2" high at 10 yards, with all 3 types of ammo (38gr Aguila Super Extra, 40gr Federal Auto Match, and 40gr Armscor). When I moved the target to 15 yards, it shoots 3" high, quite consistently. This is with the rear sight adjusted all the way down.

When I called Charter Arms, they said they were never aware of the issue. It looks to me that the front optic fiber sight is too low, compared with a typical iron sight of a typical revolver.

Just like to know your experience and your fix (if you had/have the same issue). Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[Brychan]

Might be way off here, but you might want to raise the back sight.

 

[SunnySky]

Might be way off here, but you might want to raise the back sight.

I'm a bit confused. It shoots high, and I need to raise the rear sight? Would that make it to shoot even higher?

 

[RFBfromDE]

No, lowering it would.

 

[SunnySky]

The rear sight has been adjusted all the way down already.

As I see it, either filing off the rear sight U-notch or raising the front sight post. But the rear sight U-notch is quite shallow already, and raising the front sight is even harder (need to find an iron sight base with the same foot print, but slightly taller).

 

[outrider58]

The rear sight has been adjusted all the way down already.

As I see it, either filing off the rear sight U-notch or raising the front sight post. But the rear sight U-notch is quite shallow already, and raising the front sight is even harder (need to find an iron sight base with the same foot print, but slightly taller).

Are you aiming combat hold or center hold? Maybe try 6 O'clock hold?

 

[RFBfromDE]

The rear sight has been adjusted all the way down already.

Problem Identified.

As I see it, either filing off the rear sight U-notch or raising the front sight post. But the rear sight U-notch is quite shallow already, and raising the front sight is even harder (need to find an iron sight base with the same foot print, but slightly taller).

Just raise the rear sight.

 

[outrider58]

From Wikiversity:

Vertical Adjustment (Up and down): If your shot is above (needs to be lower) your target using both sights facing directly at your target, the rear sight should be moved lower or your front sight should be moved higher.Jan 3, 2022

 

[Brychan]

Like I said I could be totally off base, but to me it would seem if you raise the rear sight, you would lower the muzzle to line up.

 

[SunnySky]

Are you aiming combat hold or center hold? Maybe try 6 O'clock hold?

Center hold. Or at least that is what I am trying to aim at.

I shoot bullseye width a diameter of 1". At 10 and 15 yards, combat and center hold are about the same. Even I can aim precisely at 6 O'clock, the difference is only 0.5".

 

[outrider58]

Like I said I could be totally off base, but to me it would seem if you raise the rear sight, you would lower the muzzle to line up.

Either you raise the front or lower the rear, the same is achieved: lower point of impact.

 

[RFBfromDE]

Like I said I could be totally off base, but to me it would seem if you raise the rear sight, you would lower the muzzle to line up.

Bu, bu buh, wha wha wha, oh, skip it!

 

[TheWhiteBuffalo]

How do you feel about your Pathfinder?

I bought a brand new Pathfinder (just like yours, 22LR, 4.2" barrel, 8-shot, optic fiber front sight) a couple of weeks ago. After 3 range trips and 150 rounds, I like it. The only issue is its sights. It shoots 2" high at 10 yards, with all 3 types of ammo (38gr Aguila Super Extra, 40gr Federal Auto Match, and 40gr Armscor). When I moved the target to 15 yards, it shoots 3" high, quite consistently. This is with the rear sight adjusted all the way down.

When I called Charter Arms, they said they were never aware of the issue. It looks to me that the front optic fiber sight is too low, compared with a typical iron sight of a typical revolver.

Just like to know your experience and your fix (if you had/have the same issue). Any feedback is appreciated.

Your timing is perfect. I was finally able to shoot the Pathfinder earlier today for the first time. I was using Norma Tac-22 and my experience was exactly like yours, it was consistently about 2" too high.

I'm going to take the advice from this thread and move the rear sight and try again tomorrow.