CA Pathfinder keyhole problem.

[Algunner]

Yeah I know that many will say it’s because it’s a Charter Arms but suspect it just needs cleaning. This is a used 4” Pathfinder that I recently bought. Let me explain. I shot 18 rounds of Federal Match 22 rated at 1200 FPS with 40 grain bullet at a target to sight it in. None grouped unless you consider it a 24” group. But all was low and I found that I could not adjust the sight with the jewelers screwdrivers that I brought. So I decided to go with high velocity CCI Stingers with copper plated 32 grain bullets and use some Kentucky windage. I aimed at the top of the target and it hit about an inch below that. So I kept firing lower and lower till I hit two in a row in the bullseye. So there was a near straight line to the bullseye and one I pulled to the right. When I brought the target back I found the Federal Match ammo was keyholing. The Federal Match shot fine in two rifles I own.

It appears the previous owner never cleaned it and since it was sold on consignment the gun store did not bother to clean it. So figure cleaning it will solve this. But why does it shoot accurately on the Stingers?

[2damnold4this]

Let us know how it shoots after you clean it. You might want to try a variety of different flavors of ammunition as some might shoot better than others in your revolver.

[Algunner]

Well got to the range today. On the first cylinder it shot wildly but didn’t keyhole on the Federal Match. So tried Winchester Super X 40 grain copper plated and did much better. Also well on the Stingers. Went back to the Fed Match and did about the same. So I guess it had to burn off the oil. Even shot well on CB shorts.

Only issue is the cases stick in the cylinder after the third reload. Couldn’t eject had to poke them out with a screwdriver. Fell out easily that way on all but two cylinders. Should I lap those cylinders or will this wear in? Only revolver I had was a Pietta black powder I had 40 years ago. So no cartridge to eject.

[lunger]

For the sticky cylinders I would use a reamer as opposed to lapping
https://www.brownells.com/tools-clea...ering-reamers/

A little pricey but you will always have it.

[lunger]

I gave wrong link https://www.brownells.com/tools-clea...?sku=184051220

There are probably some cheaper options out there

[Jim Watson]

There is an outfit that rents reamers:
https://4drentals.com/product/reamer...2-lr-cylinder/

At $40 a week, you could clean up every cylinder in the house... or club.

[Bill DeShivs]

Using shorts in a LR chamber leaves a carbon ring that makes LR cases stick. A chamber brush will remove the ring.

If you are just using LR, do the cases stick?

[bamaranger]

Have you cleaned it yet?

Before I started in with a cutting tool, I'd take the cylinder out of the frame and soak it...submerged.. in a container of some type of gun solvent For about 48 hrs. I'd soak some very fine steel wool in oil and fit it into a loop patch holder and work and swab, Then would take an oversize brass bristle brush and go to work on it as well.

I'd plug the bore at the forcing cone, fix the gun muzzle up, and fill the bore with gun solvent as well, and soak for 48, then go to work on it with a "NEW" correct sized brass brush, eventually swabbing out with patches of course.

I've got a very early Ruger Bearcat, and just the other week, discovered that a a batch of .22 ammo with plain lead RN bullet bought back during the shortage (Super X stamp) is tight and some will not chamber. Might be the M-22 stuff. Never had any issues with any ammo before.

[Jim Watson]

My Pathfinder is fair with Minimags, everything else sticks.
My K22 is OK with everything on hand after heavy cleaning.

[Algunner]

Sorry should have mentioned that it was cleaned, which is why it took a few rounds to shoot accurately, though it could be better. The shorts was shot last so that’s not the problem. I think surface roughness might be more of an issue than size. Which is why I mentioned lapping.

[jetinteriorguy]

I’d contact the company, I believe they have pretty reasonable CS. Or like you say, just polishing the chambers would most likely take care of the problem. I have a S&W model 63 that after a box or so needs cleaning due to extraction getting sticky no matter what ammo I use.

[Algunner]

So though I haven’t had keyhole problems since cleaning it I have had problems with wide groups. The range firing line is a bit dim and I have trouble focusing on the sights. Last time I was at the range I complained out the lighting. Today it was much brighter, they must have replaced some lamps. So with better lighting it shot much better, and about the same as my new Mag Pug. So its me. I will paint the sights with fluorescent paint for next time.

I tried to upload a pic but file is too large I guess. Is there a way around that?

[Algunner]

BTW reclined the cylinders and they are no longer sticking, so I guess I must have missed some fouling the first time.