Couple of 43C questions

[alank2]

I finally got a 43C at a price that wasn't too painful. For anyone looking for one riflegear has 1 left and they have it (1) on sale (or so they say) (2) 10% off with a coupon code SMITH10 (3) free shipping and (4) on top of that is the S&W rebate.

My big question is why is the barrel sunk in 1/8" or so. Is this how the sleeved barrels are? It would seem like they would want to maximize the barrel length given how short it is already...

Also, it came in a cardboard box - is that because it is a "classic" model? I thought that was interesting.

After scrounging up some #4 wall anchors to use as snap caps, I got to try the trigger. While it is heavy, I didn't think it was as bad as I've heard. Looking forward to shooting it soon.

 

[Gater]

S&W some time ago went back to the cardboard boxes. I think S&W “sunk” the barrel to protect the rifling. I want a M43c. With the troubles people have had with the M43c and having to return it to S&W multiple times. I can’t see spending $759 for it. What all the discounts you got what did you end up paying?

 

[alank2]

Once I get the rebate from S&W, it will be down to $615.

 

[Gater]

The cheapest I found it after the rebate it $637.

 

[alank2]

With the troubles people have had with the M43c and having to return it to S&W multiple times.

With the reports of problems I was a bit concerned, but it looks good so far. The chambers seem a bit tight, but new ammo does go in. I tried to put some fired cases I had in there for dry firing, but they don't want to go in. We'll see how it does when I get it to the range.

 

[Rpg]

Smith’s 22 chambers are notoriously tight.

It’s almost expected that they’ll benefit greatly from polishing or reaming.

 

[alank2]

Put about 60 rounds through it at the range with 6 or 7 different types of ammo; everything was great. Had two fail to fires, but both had a good punch on the primer and were ammo related. Rotated them and they both went off on strike 2.

 

[alank2]

I decided to go ahead and change the rebound spring on it to see if that might lighten things a bit and it did. I had a 15# rebound left over from another project. I left the hammer spring stock so its pound on the 22lr rim don't be diminished. I may try a 9# hammer spring at some point and see if it is still solid. Will give it a another range trip when I get a chance.

 

[Gater]

With the reports of problems I was a bit concerned, but it looks good so far. The chambers seem a bit tight, but new ammo does go in. I tried to put some fired cases I had in there for dry firing, but they don't want to go in. We'll see how it does when I get it to the range.

How is the trigger pull?

 

[alank2]

It wasn't awful originally, but I would like it lighter.

It is a bit better after I changed the rebound spring, but still I find myself wanting it lighter.

Maybe my trigger finger is tired from firing it so much in the last day though. I may still dry a lighter hammer spring too, but it is plenty workable where it is at now.

 

[Gater]

How is staging the trigger when you feel the wall before the trigger breaks?

 

[alank2]

I was actually impressed with the ability of staging the trigger even before I changed the rebound spring and smoothed things a bit. Afterwards it is even better, but it totally reminds me of how I can stage the trigger on my 442.

 

[Shibadog]

I decided to go ahead and change the rebound spring on it to see if that might lighten things a bit and it did. I had a 15# rebound left over from another project. I left the hammer spring stock so its pound on the 22lr rim don't be diminished. I may try a 9# hammer spring at some point and see if it is still solid. Will give it a another range trip when I get a chance.

For a range toy the lighter spring may be ok. I was looking to get the trigger on my 351 down and had two very highly respected ‘smiths tell me they “won’t touch springs on a Smith .22 revolver” because they can’t do it and guarantee reliable ignition- which made for unhappy customers. And these are guys that built custom .38 J’sfor me.

 

[ladder13]

riflegear does not add sales tax either.

 

[alank2]

No they do not!

 

[Gater]

My local gun shop had a used M43c. I purchased it. I put 325 rounds through this J frame. I took it completely apart for a thorough cleaning. Out of 325 rounds I had 4 misfires so I rolled the cylinder agin and the misfire went bang. I spent the afternoon shooting steel and bowling pins. The trigger is heavy. I will be ordering a spring kit.