Hmmm. I’ll have to check my vintage Pathfinder when I get home this weekend.

From memory, the rifling on my 3” barreled model looks like normal rifling in depth and sharpness.

 

We have one (bought new) with the 'scratch rifling' and it wont group Anything decent enough to be a 'kit gun' but bought it to be a pers-def practice piece to emulate the S&W. It's an across the table/last ditch gun. Dbl action was stiff but 300+ dry fires (with a soft hammer landing) really helped.
It should have gone back right away . Guess they have a lifetime warrantee, Idk anymore.

 

I have a vintage Charter Arms that is surprisingly accurate for a small revolver with 3" barrel. I got it out and shot it a few days ago. It's mainly just hard to hold steady.

The rifling on it seems to be fairly shallow, although my eyesight is not good and I have no way to measure the groove depth.

If it's a decent price, I'd say, "Go for it."

I got mine because I wanted something bigger than an NAA, something with a real trigger and trigger guard.

 

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FWIW, CA introduced the stainless Pathfinder in 1982 - I had the first dual cylinder 4" stainless ("Target") Pathfinder in 2007, courtesy of CA's President, after 3 factory "repairs" to a new.22 Mag Target Pathfinder.

My 70's Pathfinder's 3" bbl has "norma
"l rifling - the same as my 2007 version.

Since worn rifling tools have been known to have been changed only after some barrels had been installed/sold, I would suggest contacting CA's Customer Service about your Pathfinder - who would IME do right by you. ( The CA Prexy told me he will stand by any CA revolver, during a phone call to him).

You have nothing to lose by trying them.

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If I can only find my 'round2it'.......

 

Alrighty, I just checked my 1970 Charter Arms Pocket Target (pre-Pathfinder name) and compared it to my 1982 Ruger Single Six.

The Charter Arms has noticeably shallower grooves compared to the Single Six. I haven't fired my Charter Arms much past 15 yards, but I've never seen it keyhole and accuracy has been plenty sufficient for plinking.

The biggest detriment to accuracy with my Charter Arms is the wide front sight. It's self defense sized and belongs on a .38 special snubby, IMO.

 

To be honest, I've never studiied how deep the rifling is on my Gen 1 Pathfinder.

That Pocket Target above is awesome !

 

To be honest, I've never studiied how deep the rifling is on my Gen 1 Pathfinder.

That Pocket Target above is awesome !

View attachment 590272

Is that a 6” barrel? That’s an awesome Pathfinder as well. Kit gun size size frame and adjustable rear sight, with a trim long barrel for accuracy potential.

Nice.

 

Thank you. Yes, sir, six inch barrel is correct. Rather barrel light so you have to aim carefully but the longer does help with precision. Very fun to shoot.