durability of 43c aluminum cylinder

[hyena]

My primary carry is a 642. I also have a 640 Pro. I like shooting snub nose revolvers, and shoot them nearly every time I go to the range. It occurred to me to buy a 43c. Same frame, more economical to practice with 22LR. And I think it will be fun to shoot.

I called my LGS, and they have a new one in stock. I'm going to look at it tomorrow.

My concern is durability because of the aluminum cylinder. I suspect I will put a LOT of rounds through this gun. (I shoot my 617 a lot too.) Will the aluminum cylinder hold up to that? Any special precautions needed for cleaning?

Feedback welcome from those who have a high round count 43c.

I have considered the LCR with the steel cylinder, but having the same frame as my carry pieces appeals to me.

Thanks!

 

[MickeyR]

43C is just FUN

 

[Bob512]

Probably have over 700 rounds on mine and love it.....fun gun.

Durability doesn’t seem to be an issue.

Also have a 351c that I shoot often as well and is also a very fun gun to shoot.

 

[colt_saa]

The aluminium 22LR cylinder for the J-frame came out about 25 years ago

So far I have never heard of anybody wearing one out

 

[smoothshooter]

One problem is that with an aluminum cylinder you are limited to non-metallic brushes to remove the fouling crud that accumulates in the chambers and cylinder face because copper bore brushes will permanently rough up the chambers. Takes much longer to clean with nylon brushes.
Another problem with aluminum cylinders in rimfires is that if the firing pin protrusion is ANY too long, any intentional or unintentional hammer drop on an empty chamber will make a divot of displaced metal in the rim recess of the chamber, requiring removal. An unknowing wife of a friend of mine did it to one of my guns I had loaned him to try out some time back. He fired the gun until all rounds were fired, ejected the empties, handed the empty gun to his wife, and turned and walked a few feet to get more ammo. When he heard some clicking noises from behind him he turned and saw his wife dry-firing double action. By the time he got her stopped she had already dropped the hammer at least 12 times, with the firing pin damaging the champers bad enough that I am going to have to send it back to S & W for repairs.
If they would replace the aluminum cylinder with a stainless one, I would prefer that. Doubt if they would do it though.

When I get it back I will sell it and be done with aluminum cylindered revolvers.

 

[hyena]

Well I went to the LGS and looked at the 43c. Even without my reading glasses, I could see the barrel was slightly canted.

And I'm still struggling with the aluminum cylinder.

They had a Taurus model 942. Eight shot, all stainless steel, snub nose, exposed stubby hammer. I put stacked the two up and they appeared to be identical dimensionaly. $349. Very smooth trigger in both DA and SA. A heavy little gun, which bothers me not at all since this is not a carry piece. Rear sight drift adjustable. It's exactly what I want, except it's a Taurus. On the other hand, last year I bought a Charter Arms Pit Bull .45 snubby, and I love it. Never thought I'd buy a CA either. So I'm going to sleep on it.

 

[wetdog1911]

43C is just FUN

I also have a 43C and carry it as a NY reload.

But, my 34-1 snubby is a funner pistol and also my primary carry piece. It gets shot *A LOT*.

The 43C gets shot much less, but enough to retain proficiency.

Rob

 

[VictorLouis]

It's also alloy in the model chambered for .22WMR, so I don' t think you will ever have to worry about 22LR.

 

[jcelect]

Al Cyl?

S&W discontinued the Al. cyl in the 617! Why?
jcelect

 

[mikerjf]

I've heard of S&W retrofitting steel cylinders to problem 317's.

My first 317 chewed up the front of the cylinder against the forcing cone when closing the cylinder. Second one was fine, no problem.

I use nylon brushes for cleaning. Don't forget there's a clear-coat finish to not damage too... kind of a PITA.

And that great heavy 22LR trigger pull...

While they're cool little guns, I like my 637 a lot better.

 

[hyena]

It looks like Taurus is filling a market niche or gap with that 942, since S&W doesn't sell a steel (blue or stainless) frame .22 snubby. Correct me if I'm wrong, please. The closest they come is the 3 inch model 63. (I believe I got the number right.) Guy at the LGS showed me one, but I want a 1 7/8" barrel.

I looked at prices of used 63 snubbies on Gunbroker and they are astronomical.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

An old deputy told me he asked the S&W rep about the aluminum cylinder. The S&W guy said it can wear out with enough use, but most people will never shoot enough to have that problem and the few who do can send it back for repair.

 

[hyena]

Thanks everybody for all the feedback.

I bought the Taurus 942 this afternoon. The 43c they had in stock dropped from consideration with the visibly canted barrel. Truth is, I just liked the Taurus better. The LGS has been in business forever, probably stocks and sells more guns than every other gun store combined, and the owner told me it had been years since they had to send a Taurus revolver back to the factory, so hopefully that string continues with me. The $349 price was just icing on the cake. Not really a factor, but nice.

Had I planned on carrying this gun, I would likely have looked for a different 43c because it's such a featherweight, and hoped for the best regarding the aluminum cylinder. The Taurus is a real chunk of steel weight wise.

 

[riverrat38]

I took my 43C to the range today, and put about 200 rounds through it. The only problem I have is that after about 100 rounds, extraction becomes difficult. I have to tap the ejector rod with a length of wood to get ejection. My old hands can't take much of a smack on the rod. When I get home, I soak the cylinder in M Pro7 solvent overnight and the gun will function fine again. The problem is not so bad with shorts as with long rifle rounds.

Best,
Rick

 

[GeoJelly]

Once again, I am a late arrival to the show here. That said, I have a Ruger LCR in both .22 LR and Mag and couldn’t be happier. Very lightweight with high quality cylinders and aluminum frames. They are cleared for dry-firing. The .22M version does have a heavier trigger pull. The only downside, and it’s kind of a biggie, is limited aftermarket grip selection. I have handled two of the S&W lightweights in years past, and they both had yoke-shake. I just couldn’t justify $600-ish for a revolver that was that poorly fitted. Good thing SWF doesn’t have an ‘unlike’ button for posts!!