S&W 43C & 351C questions
- Thread starter Dogmann
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I own a 351PD, the model with the exposed hammer, I have had zero problems with it. It is a really nice pistol. Very loud though with the magnum rounds.
I’d say a very heavy trigger, not very, very heavy.
I don't have a 351C yet, but I giggle every time I pull the trigger on my 43C -- too much fun. I shoot about 95 percent in DA mode, even with SA guns, so I don't notice a heavy trigger. I'd say my 43C is probably a bit lighter than my .38 or .357 or 9mm Centennials.
I think it's impossible to say every 43C is lighter than every 351C. I believe each undoctored revolver has its very own pull, no matter the caliber, and they all seem to improve with use.
I think it's impossible to say every 43C is lighter than every 351C. I believe each undoctored revolver has its very own pull, no matter the caliber, and they all seem to improve with use.
Kollector03
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My 43C trigger is a feather compared to my 351PD. Like them both, but I really like the 43C. Weighs basically nothing and I can hit reliably with it. People will po-po the .22LR as a defensive round, but I have yet to encounter one of them that will let me put one in their chest to prove their point.
If your on the fence on the 43C...All I can say is get it...IMHO its well worth it and its stupid amounts of fun to plink with as well as walk the dog at night.
Lobster Picnic
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I have the 351C. No issues whatsoever.
TomkinsSP
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I own both, use the 43c for practice and carry the 351c ( just kidding). Love both, JMO the differences are the differences you find in any two new revolvers, as stated previously, the actions of revolvers smooth out in use. My EDC is a M640, rimfires require good strong springs, but I don't notice the pull being more than on the 640.
Lobster Picnic
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Smith & Wesson claims the 351c is for Concealed Carry and Personal Protection. Just kidding? That must be why they didn't put the lock on the 351c. I guess they figure let the kids play with it since they can't hurt themselves with such puny ammo.
Also, Bill Jordan and Skeeter Skelton were just kidding about the .22 magnum. Skeeter even joked in 1967 that .22 WMR was the frequent choice of professional predator control hunters after big cats and bears. Can you imagine? Bears! They sure told some thigh-slappers back then.
Also, Bill Jordan and Skeeter Skelton were just kidding about the .22 magnum. Skeeter even joked in 1967 that .22 WMR was the frequent choice of professional predator control hunters after big cats and bears. Can you imagine? Bears! They sure told some thigh-slappers back then.
RichCapeCod
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I have a 351C, friends have a 43C. Both really nice guns. I will carry my 351C when too lazy to carry an actual firearm (joking, just joking!!).
Ammo I keep in the 351C for carry is either the Speer Gold Dot or the Hornady 45 grain FTX. Pocket carry (Alabama pocket holster). Handgun is light as a feather.
Rich
Ammo I keep in the 351C for carry is either the Speer Gold Dot or the Hornady 45 grain FTX. Pocket carry (Alabama pocket holster). Handgun is light as a feather.
Rich
raylan007
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The answer
Yes and yes. Before I shelled out the money for the M43C I would look into a Ruger LCR.
RichCapeCod
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Really two different size handguns. Fired both. The Ruger (own an LCR .38) is somewhat larger than the S&W J frame. Enough to make a difference.
Rich
SquarePizza
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The rimfire ruger LCRs that I have fired have nicer triggers than J-Frame rimfires, but like RichCapeCod said, they are not the same sized guns.
I've been carrying my 351PD lately as a deep concealment gun, loaded with gold dots. Even though all of my water tests show the GD doesn't expand out of these guns.
What I love the most about my 351PD is the weight, and the sights. That orange hi-viz sight is the best front sight I have ever used. I wish the orange was a standard option for any of their other sights, but its not. If I could get one of the airweight 32 H&R j-frames and put one of those orange sights on it I would be in heaven.
I've been carrying my 351PD lately as a deep concealment gun, loaded with gold dots. Even though all of my water tests show the GD doesn't expand out of these guns.
What I love the most about my 351PD is the weight, and the sights. That orange hi-viz sight is the best front sight I have ever used. I wish the orange was a standard option for any of their other sights, but its not. If I could get one of the airweight 32 H&R j-frames and put one of those orange sights on it I would be in heaven.
TomkinsSP
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Like I said, I have and love a 43c and a 351c. The 'just kidding' was in reference to practicing with the 43c (you know, so the recoil doesn't wear you down). With 8 CCI Velocitors ("HP design derived from Gold Dot technology") in the LR, I would figure it equal to 7 Gold Dots in the Maggie. Love 'em both. And, if shot placement really is everything either is more than adequate.
I've never cared for the looks of the Ruger LCR revolvers, but they do get good reviews.
As to the 43c trigger pull, mine was manageable when the gun was new but I'm frankly shocked at how well it has lightened/smoothed in only a few hundred rounds.
My wife rips through a cylinder with no problem now, and she hates hard trigger pulls.
My 63-5 has a similar round count and the trigger on that one has gotten remarkably better.
I think that you won't be disappointed if you get a 43c.
At the worst, you could get a good smith to smooth out the trigger a little, but if you will just shoot it, I think you will be pleased.
As to the 43c trigger pull, mine was manageable when the gun was new but I'm frankly shocked at how well it has lightened/smoothed in only a few hundred rounds.
My wife rips through a cylinder with no problem now, and she hates hard trigger pulls.
My 63-5 has a similar round count and the trigger on that one has gotten remarkably better.
I think that you won't be disappointed if you get a 43c.
At the worst, you could get a good smith to smooth out the trigger a little, but if you will just shoot it, I think you will be pleased.
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REP
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I have a 351C and it’s awesome. I took it apart and using a YouTube video I polished where instructed and I also polished the front face as well as the edges on the trigger. I also started inserting my finger so the inside of the first finger joint is just pass the off side of the trigger, this helps keep a straight line of pull. Shooting Hornady Critical Defense and Speer Gold Dots extraction is nice and smooth but with CCI Maxi Mags I do get a little resistance but nothing difficult.
