Any 43C or 351C users here, how do you like them?

[Eagle1*]

Was looking on the S&W site and these 22 caliber scandium J frames caught my eye. Was wondering if any of the forum members had either one and how you liked it? Also wondering if the standard 22 long rifle (8 round capacity) is fine or would having the 22 magnum (7 round capacity) be a plus.

If any of you have one of these and could post pics and chime in, that would be great. Thanks E1...

 

[tlawler]

I had a 351C for awhile. Took it to the range twice and although I liked shooting it, it had major extraction issues. I think some owners have finish reamed the cylinders which took care of the problem. I sold mine to a forum member and I guess he's happy with it.

 

[D Brown]

Model 43C

I have a Model 43C and really like it. I recently upgraded the stocks to a set I acquired from forum member Masterbuck54 and I think they really look good on this model.

 

[Eagle1*]

very nice sir...

 

[wetdog1911]

I have a Model 43C and really like it. I recently upgraded the stocks to a set I acquired from forum member Masterbuck54 and I think they really look good on this model.

Those really do look nice! I put regular Magna J frame stocks on mine and it improved the look 1000% over those factory rubber grips. They are totally un needed on a .22lr IMO. They also seem to conceal better.

To the OP, with the super short bbl, the .22mag (IMO), is not going to give you much more than the .22lr other than expensive ammo and a muzzle blast you won't believe. I have a High Standard Derringer in .22 mag for experience there. It is also a contact weapon, since even at 10' hitting a man sized target is 50/50 at best with this derringer. The 43C is a huge improvement and I love mine.

Rob

 

[SAFireman]

I have a 351c. It is a joy to carry. The Big Dot sight system is quick to pick up, but not for 25 yd shots on clothespins. The action is smooth, but heavier than my 63.

I would certainly have another.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I have a 43c waiting for me when my FFL and I have time to deal with it. It is not a priority right now but I really like that little gun.

I have a High Standard Derringer in .22 mag for experience there. It is also a contact weapon, since even at 10' hitting a man sized target is 50/50 at best with this derringer. The 43C is a huge improvement and I love mine.

I am sure that's true!!!

I have two of those derringers:

ATF approved:

The black one is totally NIB, unfired. The white one is the one in the holster. Its sole job as a pocket pistol in a robe pocket is to go bang twice as suppressive fire while I get myself to a larger gun, depending on the room I am in and when the dreaded home invasion begins.

Hitting the target is unlikely unless we're up close and personal. The 43c will do a lot better job.

 

[PeterJ]

My customized 43C,,, love that little gun, have it with me constantly as you usually forget it's even there.

 

[tops]

With a short barrel pistol I think the only thing a .22 Mag. gives over a .22 LR is a more expensive and louder sound. I had rather have 8 .22 LR than 7 .22 Mag. Larry

 

[Cal44]

Also wondering if the standard 22 long rifle (8 round capacity) is fine or would having the 22 magnum (7 round capacity) be a plus.

..

43c -- better for plinking. 22lr is cheaper.

351C - better for defense. Good 22 mag defense short barrel ammo available these days. Critical Defense or Gold Dot.

There is a difference in performance, even with a short barrel, and you need all the help you can getting when using 22 for defense.

 

[Erich]

Tamara Keel was talking about a prospective use for the 43c on her blog today:
View From The Porch: Easy Rider


This is a long ramble, but I promise it turns out to be relevant: I considered the 43c but wound up getting a much better deal on a Ruger LCR-22 (and I already had the LCR-38), so that's what I went with. The Ruger has proven to be reliable and a great training aid for my usage of small DA revolvers (its heavy, smooth trigger and feather weight make a user really pay attention to get good hits) but I am really coming to regard the Ruger LCR trigger reset to be a flawed design.


I'm talking about the reset that gives a false positive feel and frequently causes those unfamiliar with it to resume their pull too early and miss a chamber. (If you don't know about it, go play with one in the store: dry-fire (Ruger says it's okay, even on the .22s), then slowly release the trigger until it clicks - pull the trigger again . . . it fooled ya, didn't it? The reset was an issue with a lot of early DA Ruger revolvers of my experience, but the problem seems to be completely absent from the fine 9mm SP-101 I bought recently.)



I bought the LCR-22 with an eye toward it being a gun that would make an easy introduction to fundamentals for newbies, and I really no longer think it's useful in that capacity.


In fact, I have to say that I think I made a mistake in not holding out for the 43c. If anyone reading this is tempted to go with the LCR-22 instead, please give some consideration to the Ruger's reset issues.

 

[PeterJ]

The only real issue I have had with the 43C has been the fact that you can't fire much more than 3 cylinders of ammo quickly as the cylinder expands and drags on the forcing cone. At least I think that's what's happening. I don't plan on getting into any drawn out firefights with it so that doesn't really concern me.

 

[David Lee Valdina]

I have both and I like both. These have the short grip allowing them to be carried in a front pant pocket. I need larger grips for the recoil of the centerfire versions of the S&W Centennials. The 43C is used for practice at less expense with training benefits for when I carry one of the others. The .380 S&W Bodyguard fits enough lower in the pant pocket it gets carried the most. Very few pockets are made deep enough for my liking. The grip on the Centennials can be seen looking down into the pocket at times, discouraging my carrying it more. But I prefer the shootability and reliability of the revolver over the pistol.

 

[HardToHandle]

Have a two inch SW 317 in .22LR and a newer 351PD in .22WMR.

The 317 will not shoot to POA, tumbles nearly every round, sticky extraction, needs to cool down between one cylinder and the next, and has a rough trigger. The 351PD is much, much more refined revolver. Heavy trigger, but otherwise a tack driver.

I don't endorse the equating.22LR to .22 WMR. Lucky Gunner covered the topic fairly well https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/22-magnum-is-pretty-good/

So we've got what looks to be some pretty decent performance here. The penetration depths look very similar to what we were getting with some of our .38 Special loads from our big test a while back. Of course, with the .38s, you've got the potential for a lot more expansion, and even if it doesn't expand, the bullets are much heavier and probably less likely to deflect if they hit bone. But the little 40-grain .22 Magnum seems to be punching way above its weight, especially when you consider the almost non-existent recoil.

 

[deriter]

I have both the ruger 38 cal lcr and sp101 357 cal. I shoot mainly 38 ammo in both, but I have to say I very much enjoy the sp101 a lot more than the lcr but its so blooming heavy to cc. I don't care for the recoil and sting the lcr gives. This makes me more inclined to consider the 22 cal for practice, and maybe even cc. Now I know a lot of you would disagree with me on the cc, but I don't live in a rough and tumble area even though it ain't what it used to be. I have been looking at s&m revolvers and would really like to own one in a j frame size. It would seem to me that one could use a feather lite with little or no recoil in 22 cal or am I wrong and if going with a standard frame, hardly any recoil at all. In 22 cal, I believe I would just stick with the 22 lr, but that's just me.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I have the 351c and it has never given me any problems. I use Gold Dots for practice and carry.

 

[The_Truth]

No, but I'm looking to trade my Bodyguard Airweight for a 351C!!!!!

 

[brunk]

I have a 43c it's a fun little gun. I keep it loaded with CCI mini mag 40gr round nose. Not my first choice for carry but better than nothing. Usually grab it if I'm to lazy to carry a gun or if I want to carry a second gun I'll throw it in my pocket. I'm happy with mine and not to mention cheap ammo. Being cheap to shoot it make's a good little trainer or plinker at the range.

 

[mgriffin]

I had the 351C and sold it. Worst trigger ever on a S&W at least for me. Even tried lighter rebound spring and that didn't help. It was light and ammo cheap but could not stand the trigger.