I've been on a .22 revolver kick lately. I'm getting older, and I guess I like recoil/expense/noise less now.

First was a 351C. I shot it with several different kinds of ammo. The CCI 30grain TNT shot right to the sights at 50 feet, and was the only one that expanded in wet mud, and it opened to about .40. Velocity was 1250 fps over my old PACT chronograph. None of the 40 grain loads or polymer tipped loads opened up at all. Gun had an extractor problem, however, in that the extractor slipped past the rims leaving them in the chambers. S&W fixed that however. I haven't tried any of the specialty "short barrel" .22 mag ammo, but don't plan to use anything but the 30 TNT since it shoot to the sights and expands and seems readily available. All the loads are LOUD. This was the only gun that I had when the weather was warm so that I could shoot outdoors and chronograph. My groups with this gun can't be compared with the others since I used a rest, but the 30 grain TNT went 2.2" for seven at 50 feet.

After I got the 351C, I learned about the 43C and watched for one for months until I finally got one off Davidsons Gun Genie through my dealer about 3 few weeks ago. I have shot it will 9 different types of ammo, and the only load that hits to the sights are CCI Minimags. SADLY, they back out against the breechface and jam the gun such that the cylinder would not turn without extremely excessive force on the trigger. Worse, 7 out of the 9 tried loads did this to some degree or another. CCI Stingers did not (I think due to the nickel case) and Remington Viper didn't. However, both those loads were really old and I wonder if the new lots would work. Viper hit close to the sights at 50 feet, but Stingers were 3.5 inches low (CCI Segmented 32 grain loads hit low as well). Also, these were all difficult to extract as well except for the Viper and Stinger. I shot some of the Aguila 60 grain ammo, and it hit high and tumbled, but I expected stability issues. I've written S&W for a return label. A $600 22 should shoot any normal 22 ammo. Right now, the Viper is the only load I'd use in the gun, but the accuracy is nothing to brag about at 5.8 inches for 8 at 50 feet.

The last gun was an LCR .22. It had the least problems of the .22 snubbies, and the best trigger of all, and was $200 cheaper. It also shot the Aguila 60 grain loads high with stability issues, but the group was still only 1.9" at 50 feet! However, since the bullets were already tipping, I would bet they wouldn't even be on paper at 25 yards. Mini Mags shot to the sights, but gave cylinder binding issues similar to (but not NEAR as bad) as the 43C. Ammo that gave no problems in this included CCI Velocitor, Rem Viper, Stinger, CCI 32 grain segmented and 40 grain segmented. Minimag and Aquila 60 grain bound up the cylinder rotation. The 32 grain loads hit 1.5" low, and Velocitor hit about .5" low at 50 feet, and Viper about 1" low and 1" left. So far, Velocitor is the load for this gun.

All shooting with the 22 LR guns was standing offhand at an indoor 50 foot range. While I feel S&W will fix the 43C, right now I could only recommend the LCR to friends.

I also picked up a new Ruger SP101 in .22 (I had one of the old ones). No problems at all other than a heavy trigger. I put in a spring kit and got misfires, so I left the light trigger spring in and returned the factory mainspring. A definite keeper even though the trigger is a bit heavy. Sights adjust great so I can adjust to hit with any load. I didn't try the Aguila 60 grain load in this (yet), so I don't know if it will be stable or not. I don' t have the targets handy, but groups were acceptable.

Over the years I have numerous .22 revolvers (S&W, Colt, Ruger and one High Standard), and I've never had this cylinder binding issue show up before. Maybe I was just lucky until now.

I've shot nothing but Minimags in my 43C without any problem. There have been varying reports on the 43C ranging from awesome to awful. I wonder if there are some quality control issues with this model?

Sorry to hear that 32. The 43c was at the top of my list.

I must have gotten lucky because I have never had a problem with a S&W or Ruger product. And I can't say that for other manufacturers.

I have a pre lock 317 snubby and have never had a single problem other than the heavy rough trigger. I just wish it didn't have the hammer spur.

I have a new LCR 22 also with over 500 rounds so far and not a single problem except a couple FT fire with Remington Yellow Jacket ammo. I'm sure it was the ammo because I tried about 10 other types of ammo with no failures. Hypersonic to cb. It is an excellent gun.

I have noticed in all my 22's that if there's any lube in the cylinders it will make for tight extraction until that lube gets burnt or blasted out of there. The extraction gets tight after a few cylinders then loosens up again.

My new 43c shot 250-300 rounds of CCI blazer fresh out of the shipping box with no issues except a hard to pull trigger. Shot POA at 25 ft one handed. new springs when I get home.

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T. Johnson

Thanks for the report 32special!

I really like shooting .22 in rifles, my Glock Advantage Arms conversion and Browning Buckmark. It seems that .22 revolvers are hit and miss . . .

Due to the illness many suffer here I am mildly ashamed to admit I have two 43C revolvers. Both have in excess of 500 rounds down their short weird barrels. They live on a diet of Federal value pack walmart ammo and shoot to point of aim. No problems in function in either. I have noticed the one with more rounds through it groups the Federal tighter than it's younger brother.
I had a Ruger LCR22 for 600 rounds and sold it. It just didn't seem as refined as the Smith and the trigger wasn't as smooth and the pull seemed heavier. The LCR22, is a heck of a gun and has a much more pleasent price tag. I would have kept it if I had a LCR38, I don't, I have Smith 442s.

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R Gitz

I have had my LCR 22 for almost a month now. I really like it. I like the trigger. I can shoot it well with one hand. It reloads with Tuff Products Model 1022 Quick Strips pretty well if you leave a round out of the speed strip between pairs.
You can only load 7 in this manner, but I am working on Tuff Products to make a different Quick Strip that will work with the 8 shot 22 revolvers better.

The 43C looks better than the LCR 22, but I do not see how it could possibly function any better. The 43C would need some Apex parts to get the trigger pull close to a factory LCR 22. I also like the steel cylinder of the LCR 22 better also. The aluminum cylinder might hold up ok?? I just do not like aluminum cylinders or titanium cylinders either for that matter. Steel works better from what I can tell.

I do like airweight guns, so I am adapting to practical progress. I have a 638, 310 NG and the LCR 22 as well as an LCR 357.
The rest of my herd is stainless at the moment though.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

Any of you guys want to trade your 43C or even better the 351C? I got a couple guns in the classifieds for sale or trade. I would like another airweight 22 in my stable. Shoot me a PM if interested....

I've owned a Model 63 5" for a couple of years and it is one of my favorite range guns. I'm on the lookout for a snub .22.

This is a great thread... I'm sitting here going crazy trying to decide between the LCR22 and the 43c, and it's really coming down to the trigger. I prefer the lightness of the 43c, the lifetime warranty (i like the peace of mind) and the front sight seems better for what I'm looking for, but I'm worried I'll end up spending an extra 150 bucks for a gun that's LESS fun to shoot because the trigger is worse

Grate Report! I've been having a itch to get a 22 revolver..

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Life is good!

I have had my 43C since last December. It was a replacement from S&W for my no-lock 317 that had a cracked frame. The 43C has a much better trigger than the 317. I have shot over 1000 rounds of 5-6 different brands of 22 LR ammo without any binding of the cylinder or FTF's. No problems at all. I really love this little gun!

I bobbed the hammer on my 317 snubby. So now I have two DAO .22 caliber snub nose revolvers. The 317 and the LCR22.

They are both excellent. The biggest difference I find is the LCR22 is somewhat larger to pocket carry than the J-frame and it is almost 50% heavier.

I'm saving up for the 43c.

Update on my 43Cs...I'm "torture testing" one that I keep in the truck...just doesn't come in for a cleaning and every weekend it gets a couple of hundred rounds through it.
So far no complaints. Still shoots to point of aim.

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R Gitz

Love my 43C. Great fun gun and cheap practice.

Have a 43-C with about 1K rounds down range. I believe the trigger is a little better at this stage than the trigger on a 317 with over 11K rounds. The 317 still shoots good,the finish is worn somewhat from carry. The 43-C and a 442 both have Crimson Trace grips for the same feel with both pieces.

has anyone had the D+L sights installed on a 351c, if so i would like your thoughts on them, good and bad

I have put about 350 rounds thru my 43c, no problems at all. I was carrying CCI velocitors because the dealer recommended then as being fast. I chronied them this weekend and got about 950 fps from them. I chronied the Winchester 555 36 grain hp and got just under 1000 fps. I'm going to save my money and use the 555 ammo.

I am also looking for the 351C to go along with the 43C. The 43C is a constant carry gun for now.

Update on my LCR-22.

It will shoot Federal 550 Value Pak all day.
Stingers shoot OK, but eject a little stiff.
Velocitors lock up the cylinder on the first shot.

I have not fired any of the Minimags or Yellow Jackets so far.

Overall I really like my LCR-22 after several months.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

32 Special,
Like you I've owned all 3 revolvers and I agree the Ruger has the least problems. I am admittedly more of a Smith guy and still like my 317 and 43c the best of the S&Ws and size wise I like them the best. That said the LCR has a better trigger and I think the steel cylinder will wear better over the years.Ruger LCR-22 1'st Shots - YouTube