The only issue we encountered emerged once the revolver became overly dirty, at which point the fired. In all, we fired more than 300 rounds through the Pathfinder, and there were no malfunctions. Recoil was negligible, and the revolver was easy to keep on target while shooting quickly. Our best time was 1.89 seconds, and the average was around two seconds. Next, we stepped off 5 yards from a silhouette target and, with the aid of a shot timer, found out how fast we could place six shots within an 8-inch circle. Between 7 yards and 10 yards scoring hits proved simple, and even at 25 yards we averaged five hits out of every six shots fired when slow fire was practiced. This 10x 16-inch torso-shaped target has a 4-inch swinging head plate and a 3.5x 4.5-inch bullseye. The other loads, however, produced groups only slightly larger in size.Īside from accuracy testing, we also ran the revolver through defensive-type drills at distances between three and 15 yards using Action Target’s new Rimfire Tactical Hostage target. Of those, Speer’s 40-grain Gold Dot proved to be the most accurate, averaging 0.78 inches for five consecutive, five-shot groups. Additionally, all of the ammunition used in the Pathfinder during evaluation was purpose-built for personal protection, with those loads being Hornady’s Critical Defense, Speer’s Gold Dot and Winchester’s PDX 1. The single-action pull weight is decidedly crisp, breaking consistently at about 4 pounds.Īs we envisioned the revolver primarily employed for personal defense, we conducted accuracy testing at 7 yards. That being said, the action is relatively smooth, even though the double-action pull weight is 12 pounds. When the trigger is pulled, however, a plate rises up over the firing pin and when impacted by the hammer forces the firing pin forward.Īlthough it has a single-stage trigger, it feels more like a two-stage because of the stacking mid-pull. This prevents the hammer from hitting the firing pin. This system works well because the hammer has an extension at the top that rests against the frame when the hammer is forward. The Pathfinder incorporates a hammer-block safety system that was patented by the company in the 1960s. The revolver was zeroed at 7 yards right out of the box. The sights are, in snub-nose revolver fashion, small, but they are effective. The rear sight is a long trough that runs the length of the frame, but at the rear the notch is square. It is machined, button-rifled and then threaded directly into the frame. The barrel, underlug and front sight are one piece of stainless steel. The rubber stock panels are attached to the grip frame with a single screw and a stud at the bottom of the frame. The grip frame houses a coiled mainspring and slips inside the action frame. The frame consists of two pieces the grip and trigger guard are combined in one assembly, while the action frame around the cylinder is the other. Unlike some revolvers, the Pathfinder has no side plate. Depressing a grooved, sliding thumb button on the frame’s left side allows the six-round cylinder to swing out to the left for loading and unloading.
The Pathfinder’s frame is made from stainless steel and exhibits a smooth matte finish. Similarly, it would be a viable candidate for a survival pack as well. 22 WMR-chambered revolvers that are appropriate in size for concealed carry. The Charter Arms Pathfinder is among the very few. What it does bring to the table is controllable recoil and minimal muzzle blast, and for some shooters that’s a deciding factor. 22 WMR is suitable for personal protection is a question you must determine on your own. Charter Arms, which is American-owned and uses U.S.-made parts to produce handguns in its New England facility, has maintained that mantra since its inception. McClenahan’s goal was to produce a quality handgun that was also affordable. The company was founded in Connecticut by Douglas McClenahan, who had previously worked for Sturm, Ruger & Co., High Standard and Colt. Charter Arms has been making firearms for almost 50 years.