43c can’t make it threw a full cly.

[ClintH]

Man I thought I was buying a s&w and for 700.00 “the most I have payed for a pistol ever .” And yet a 22 ,bought it for training for my 642 ,first draw contact stuff ,
Ok love the way it feels ,much nicer than the ruger in my hands at least. but this can’t even get one cylinder all eight shots. I get one to two misfires every cylinder no matter what ammo I get and most of the time first shot nothing ,really really pisses me off. I thought was buying the best. I am on Social Security disability and money is hard to get. I had to sell a gun to get this gun and man. I’m sad.i realy wanted to carry this gun also. Seems to shoot fine when it works. Cleaned after about every 50-75 rounds got about 300rds threw it ,using cci,fed bulk,golden boys,target rounds from bullseye shooting all good ammo no way is the failure rate that high to get 10 to 15 failure rates in 100, if I could, I would return the gun and get another. Damn, I thought this was gonna be my last little pistol.. I have never returned a pistol to the factory and it’s really gonna kill me to do this.what to do. Oya this is my first post lol thought I was going to be happy because I hate whiners and complainers, but dammit. I don’t even know if I’ll keep the 642 after this and I’m just starting to get good with these stubbies so I don’t know what to do. I don’t trust the times right now of being able to send a gun off and eight weeks later get it back without, having problems with mail and other orderly things that I don’t believe we’re gonna be going too well in the next eight weeks so I don’t want to send this in dammit . Just thought I’d vent a little Smith & Wesson. You’re really pissing me off. You’re supposed to be the best..thanks Clint H.

 

[ClintH]

Ok maybe one or two time have I made it threw a whole cyl.allmost to a tee first shot no good ,I marked the cyl. But it’s not that doesn’t seem to be just one cyl.cleaned and cleaned, read every post and I ‘m not alone was hoping after some break in . I paid a premium for this gun expecting it to be premium. The weight is fantastic. You can wear it in shorts. I honestly. Love the gun but hate the gun. Not sure if I’m even gonna keep it now I hate selling things at a lower cost than what I just bought it for.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

A little more specificity please-is it the gun or the ammo? Does the gun function and the ammo just doesn't fire or is there something wrong with the basic function of the gun. I ask because I had an issue with an early Ruger revolver in .22. The revolver would lock up with fast firing. I sent it off and they basically replaced all the guts. Got it back and sold it and the experience has soured me on any of those little plastic/steel revolvers. If the gun functions perfectly and you are just getting Failure to fire, it may be ammo related. Check the revolver forum for the current revolvers and see if there are any threads on problems with the 43c. Me, I've got a 317 and other than a STIFF double action trigger-it works as advertised. Have never shot a 43c but if it's trigger is anything like my double action trigger in the 317, I would not want it.

 

[ClintH]

The trigger is a little rough, but nothing bad with it. It can be worked and seems to be getting better. About 10.5 pull weight by my trigger measure .I have tried about 10 different brands of ammo and always seems to be one not work .in every cyl full . most of the time if I double shoot the round it will go off, which makes me think it’s not that ammo. My gun is supposed to go bang. Every time I pull the trigger. I understand 22s. I have been a Bullseye shooter for many years and never have had a gun fail as much, I should’ve bought a steely . The 642 seems to shoot really really nice. i’ve had three Ruger revolvers never a Smith. Maybe I had it right the first time.lol I sold a sig365 for this witch worked every time. this little gun’s been around for a while. You wouldn’t think that they would let the quality go out.

 

[ken158]

Examine some fired cases and some cases where the firing pin hits the rim and the round does not fire. Post some pictures if possible. This has been a reported issue in the past so others may pop in here with their fixes. S&W will send you a prepaid shipping label and return after repair so don’t be afraid to send it back. The “mail” has nothing to do with it since it it will likely be traveling FedEx.

 

[ImDrRich]

I HAD (emphasis added) a 351c and got rid of it for complete malfunctions I experienced over and over again. I do miss having a .22 magnum in my stable but at this point I'm over it. Misfires galore turned me off.

 

[ClintH]

Ya did that but I’m no is an a light primer strike or did it strike hard enough kind of guy..looks like there a light hit on the brass 99% on second try they go off. I know $700 isn’t much to a lot of people but for that amount of money they should drive to my house and fix my gun dammit. I most likely had to send it back in, never have done that to a gun in my whole life had just about every brand. I want to love this gun I like it but at this point, I guess I don’t know. I’ll try some more break-in and I’ll call Smith today.

 

[smoothshooter]

A little more specificity please-is it the gun or the ammo? Does the gun function and the ammo just doesn't fire or is there something wrong with the basic function of the gun. I ask because I had an issue with an early Ruger revolver in .22. The revolver would lock up with fast firing. I sent it off and they basically replaced all the guts. Got it back and sold it and the experience has soured me on any of those little plastic/steel revolvers. If the gun functions perfectly and you are just getting Failure to fire, it may be ammo related. Check the revolver forum for the current revolvers and see if there are any threads on problems with the 43c. Me, I've got a 317 and other than a STIFF double action trigger-it works as advertised. Have never shot a 43c but if it's trigger is anything like my double action trigger in the 317, I would not want it.

I would not keep a handgun under any circumstances that was so ammunition-sensitive. Even if there was a brand or two of ammo that worked well, what do you do if you can’t get that ammo sometime in the future.
I have two Ruger polymer/steel rimfire revolvers never miss a beat with any brand. And two Airweight S & W snub nosed revolvers that are just as good, but I think I got really lucky with those, and I have had them for several years.
S & W quality control generally sucks nowadays, and their .22 revolvers are the worst.
I would like to have a 43C myself, but will not be buying one unless Smith quality improves, which I don’t expect at all.

 

[ClintH]

Just fired off some golden boys hollow point all seemed to fire ,20 strait ,but start getting misfire with cci ,like two per cyl.i hate this …..ammo picky ****.so gun is working but to tell you, honestly never mind

 

[ClintH]

Talked to smith their sending me firing pin,to start with …

 

[gmarshall99]

Poor .22 reliabilty is a given. If the gun was bought used, it may need a new hammer spring, or check the strain screw to see if it's in tight. In .22 matches, I have sprayed a little Hoppes cleaner/ lube in the chamber and the gun ran much better with no light strikes. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Dump1567]

If you look through old threads, you'll see several posters have had issues with the 43C. I picked-up mine used from a local shop. The original owner dropped in a great lighter spring combo for a .38 spl. Unfortunately, the combo doesn't work with .22 LR. I swapped in a heavier hammer spring, and it was off to the range. I took out 6-10 different loads to try out. My gun worked most of the time. I settled on the Federal Punch ammo that's worked 100%. And this load has done great in ballistic gel if used for SD.

A trip back to S&W may be warranted or order a new hammer spring from Wolff Springs. I believe the correct factory weight would be 12 lbs. for a rimfire. 8.5 lbs. are for centerfire guns.

 

[ClintH]

Poor .22 reliabilty is a given. If the gun was bought used, it may need a new hammer spring, or check the strain screw to see if it's in tight. In .22 matches, I have sprayed a little Hoppes cleaner/ lube in the chamber and the gun ran much better with no light strikes. Just my 2 cents.

Gun is new,

 

[ClintH]

If you look through old threads, you'll see several posters have had issues with the 43C. I picked-up mine used from a local shop. The original owner dropped in a great lighter spring combo for a .38 spl. Unfortunately, the combo doesn't work with .22 LR. I swapped in a heavier hammer spring, and it was off to the range. I took out 6-10 different loads to try out. My gun worked most of the time. I settled on the Federal Punch ammo that's worked 100%. And this load has done great in ballistic gel if used for SD.

A trip back to S&W may be warranted or order a new hammer spring from Wolff Springs. I believe the correct factory weight would be 12 lbs. for a rimfire. 8.5 lbs. are for centerfire guns.

Gun is new…worked with blazer all eight and golden boys, so ammo picky ..it just hates the best brand lol … they’re sending me a firing pin, but I just may order a titanium one if they’re not as soft now it’s a brand new gun should not need. I never changed any Springs.

 

[ClintH]

If you look through old threads, you'll see several posters have had issues with the 43C. I picked-up mine used from a local shop. The original owner dropped in a great lighter spring combo for a .38 spl. Unfortunately, the combo doesn't work with .22 LR. I swapped in a heavier hammer spring, and it was off to the range. I took out 6-10 different loads to try out. My gun worked most of the time. I settled on the Federal Punch ammo that's worked 100%. And this load has done great in ballistic gel if used for SD.

A trip back to S&W may be warranted or order a new hammer spring from Wolff Springs. I believe the correct factory weight would be 12 lbs. for a rimfire. 8.5 lbs. are for centerfire guns.

New gun, new springs I haven’t change nothing.

 

[ClintH]

If you look through old threads, you'll see several posters have had issues with the 43C. I picked-up mine used from a local shop. The original owner dropped in a great lighter spring combo for a .38 spl. Unfortunately, the combo doesn't work with .22 LR. I swapped in a heavier hammer spring, and it was off to the range. I took out 6-10 different loads to try out. My gun worked most of the time. I settled on the Federal Punch ammo that's worked 100%. And this load has done great in ballistic gel if used for SD.

A trip back to S&W may be warranted or order a new hammer spring from Wolff Springs. I believe the correct factory weight would be 12 lbs. for a rimfire. 8.5 lbs. are for centerfire guns.

New gun, new springs I haven’t change nothing.the trigger pull is fine, I like it the way the trigger is it’s harder than my 642 buy like 1-2lbs.ish..which makes my 642 feel like butter.no spring changes In either gun, the courts will tear you apart if you make your gun that way. Just saying,seen it….lol man up or shoot another gun type .,I just like my .22 to shoot all available 22s the same. I feel a little better that they’re shooting blazers and golden boys 100% bad or soft stock firing pen might be the ticket. I don’t know. I’m not a gunsmith. I do play one on tv and around here “lol”Been fixing guns for 30 years race guns ,simi-autos I understand missing cycling because of spring and bullet pressure.but they all go bang when firing. And especially a revolver every time but that’s just my whining and complaining. I’ve never had or seen a revolver not work .We’ll see if the new firing pin does-doesn’t works on CCI’s I hope so. I’ve got a lot of them if not my 10-22 will eat anything. I’ll buy blazer and golden boys,annd others and just because I spent $700 on this gun I will probably send it in if it doesn’t fix it with the firing pen.its hard to say ,it don’t work and then fire 30 rds of golden boys with out a hick-up “smith tec.” This guy is on drugs it worked with are ammo ?

 

[armorer951]

Could be shooting debris under the extractor. As you already know, .22 rimfire ammunition is notorious for being very dirty. This un-burned powder and bullet lube left behind can have a negative effect on reliability.

Try using an old toothbrush to clean the extractor, and under the extractor. This may help with reliability.

Just guessing here, but since S&W .22 rimfire chambers have a long history of being undersized, this may also be an issue contributing to your problem.

Hope you get it sorted out.




Carter

 

[Rodan]

Many threads here on the 43C and consistent failures to fire. I was a victim as well, but fortunately bought used so I didn't loose out as badly. IMHO there is some kind of design flaw with the 43C. Some folks have had success with factory warranty repairs, but many have not.

 

[PeterJ]

It took two trips back to the factory for mine, but they finally fixed it right. It used to be very ammo sensitive and even then, it might fail to fire a couple of rounds per cylinder. Since it's return about a year ago, it has been almost 100% reliable and shoots any ammo that I put in it. Give the factory a try and if they fix it right, you will love the gun. I carry mine every day and have complete trust in it.

 

[Yendor357]

Me personally, my advice to anyone contemplating the purchase of a 22 rim fire revolver is: Don’t!

A lot of guys will chime in and say how great their 22 revolver is. Good for them. I’m happy for them. Everything is being made as cheaply as possible nowadays. You’re just as likely to get a stinker of a 22 revolver as you will a good one. Just get a semi auto pistol.