351C VS 43 C

mgriffin · May 4, 2023

I'm a fan of the Air Weights and thinking about a 351C .22WMR or 43 C in .22LR. My question is, with a 1 7/8" barrel, am I really gaining anything by shooting .22WMR vs .22lr? My EDC is 442. The .22 probably would be more for plinking or could be dropped in my pocket while working in yard etc. Thanks!

noah228 · May 4, 2023

Check out Buffalo Outdoors on YouTube. Reviews on both 351c and 43c.
this guy, IMO, does great reviews.

tflt · May 4, 2023

I have a 351PD that I've had for years, If I was going to do it over again I'd go with the 22LR. You can get 22LR now that's not giving much up to 22 magnum in the short barrel, but my main reason for going with 22LR would be to shoot the hell out of it without breaking the bank.

Autonomous · May 4, 2023

At that barrel length the WMR mainly makes a lot more noise and costs a lot more per round.

Bill Lear · May 4, 2023

Follow the links below to see ballistic gel testing of a randomly selected .22LR load fired from a M43C, and another .22Mag fired from the M351.
37gr. Winchester Varmint HE
Cheap 22 LR Ammo For Sale - 37 gr Copper Plated Hollow Point Ammunition - Winchester Varmint HE - 50 Rounds

30gr. Vmax .22Mag
Premium 22 WMR Ammo For Sale - 30 Grain V-Max Ammunition in Stock by Winchester Varmint HV - 50 Rounds

The guns are virtually identical except for caliber with the 351 holding 7 shots versus 8 shots for the 43C.
Anyway you slice it, a "high capacity" airweight revolver makes a great CC choice. Light, can be fired from in the pocket, used as a striker, malfunction brings up a fresh round, and a full 8 rounds put where they need to go will take out the biggest, "stwongest" manly man around, no matter how mad he is!

Speed loaders are available for both. I picked up some revision cv Ammo Pod (Speed Loader), Caliber 22LR, 8-Shot, for Ruger LCR and LCRx that coincidentally fit the 43C - $15.

Data · May 5, 2023

I think the J Frame Model 43C chambered in .22 LR will suit your needs the best, plus it's economically feasible. Also, it's an excellent understudy for your J Frame Model 442. I consider the Model 351C more as a "niche" gun. I own both the 43C as well as the 351C. Both have been reliable out of the box.

Best,
Data

hyena · May 5, 2023

I bought my 43c to serve as a low cost practice substitute for my 642. Going with the .22 Magnum would somewhat defeat that purpose. I actually first bought a Taurus .22LR snubbie. I think it was a 942. Excellent little gun. But not a J frame. Traded it back in on the 43c

Model 15-4ever · May 6, 2023

While .22 LR ammo specifically for defense use is catalogued, finding those two loads mentioned in nearly impossible now and for the foreseeable future. You will be limited to whatever ammo - usually foreign - makes it to your dealer's shelves.

Any old .22 WMR, on the other hand, has more energy and most have decent penetration. Ballistic gelatin testing varies greatly depending on who is doing it, and the manner conducted. I've done quite a bit of it myself.

For example, in my S&W 351PD, Speer 40 grain Gold Dot .22 WMR penetrated 12" and expanded to .312" with 100 ft lbs of energy. CCI 30 grain +V HP penetrated to 15" with 130 ft lbs of energy - it didn't expand but it tumbled.

I would take the WMR is self-defense was the primary issue. Also, the .22 WMR shot capsule holds more shot than the .22 LR variety, for use against yard pests like snakes and mice.

For plinking... .22 LR is less expensive, less noisy and just as much fun.

mgriffin · May 8, 2023

After a lot of reading (probably too much), now considering the 351PD. But still a lot of good arguments for the 43C.

petepeterson · May 8, 2023

I use my 43c for your intended use. Goes in a pocket while I'm slumming around the house.
Unfortunately, mine goes bang an average of 7 out of 8 times. I probably have 3-400 rds thru it, so I doubt it's a break in issue, and I've tried 7 or 8 different types of ammo.
It is a handy little thing though.

Data · May 8, 2023

There is no such thing as a "break-in" or period concerning the function and reliability of Smith & Wesson 43C.

Nomadmax · May 8, 2023

I have often been tempted by the 43C, but never jumped. It isn't that it's a 22LR, it's the rimfire thing, ie sometimes you gotta pull the trigger more times than there are cylinders. That's a non starter for me.

saemetric · May 8, 2023

I like the 43C

Data · May 9, 2023

Rightfully so, but consider the fact that problems do exist with centerfire ammunition, via the semi-auto handgun.

There are 4 typical malfunctions that exist in semi-auto handguns.

1. Tip-Up Malfunction
2. Double-Feed Malfunction
3. Stovepipe Malfunction
4. The "Click" ... Albeit, a firearm or ammunition issue and perhaps a magazine issue.

I think it's safe to say that most if not all firearm training involves malfunction-clearing instruction. And not to forget that semi-auto sights now have ledges built in the rear sight to help aid in slide operation to help mitigate the ease of a malfunction clearance operation in which an arm limb perhaps becomes immobilized during a shootout.

With modern powder and primer technology, it can be argued that the .22 LR is just about as reliable as centerfire ammunition. Granted that there is quality control during the manufacturing process. You get what you pay for; however, there are certain companies that produce high-quality rimfire ammunition. Most importantly, I think as long you don't mess with the trigger lb. pull in a rimfire revolver I think you can have excellent
reliability. But as with any firearm whether it be centerfire or rimfire there is always going to be a caveat.

petepeterson · May 9, 2023

Data said:
There is no such thing as a "break-in" or period concerning the function and reliability of Smith & Wesson 43C.

Thank you for the correction.

Lobster Picnic · May 9, 2023

I have the 351c and it has been flawless. I think if the use is mainly for concealed carry, get the .22 WMR. Buy a case of Speer Gold Dots and call it good. If it's for plinking, training or casual carry, like around the yard, the 43c would probably serve better.

jjmIII_Ruger · May 11, 2023

hyena said:
I bought my 43c to serve as a low cost practice substitute for my 642. Going with the .22 Magnum would somewhat defeat that purpose. I actually first bought a Taurus .22LR snubbie. I think it was a 942. Excellent little gun. But not a J frame. Traded it back in on the 43c

I also bought a 942 before my 43c. I kept them both though. Not many rounds through the 43c yet, but the 942 seems more reliable for sure. Need to sort out the 43c's favorite ammo. Any one find it's favorite?

riverrat38 · May 11, 2023

I had good luck with CCI's 40gr Velocitors in my 43c. Says HP, but I don't expect or want any expansion with a 1.9" barrel. Just give me full penetration. I think the HP talk is with 6" barrels or rifles. Rat guns!
I had better reliability with CCI than Federal when shooting bulk ammo.

73,
Rick

Rpg · May 11, 2023

I wouldn buy a handgun in 22 mag.

It offers no practical improvement over 22lr particularly in a snub. All you get is expensive ammo and enough noise to deafen you and anyone else near you.

Don’t get caught up in self defense ammo for these revolvers. The most important thing you need to have is the skill to accurately place your shots.

I much prefer 22lr standard velocity ammo. It penetrates much better than the self defense styled 22 ammo.

Lobster Picnic · May 12, 2023

.22 WMR does make a difference out of these short barrels. The 351c delivers roughly the energy of a .22lr rifle shot.

351C VS 43 C

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