Models 43c and 63 so many fails to fire

[Shaky Town]

Hi,
I just purchased two Smith .22’s, the 43c and the 63. I took them to the range today shooting, (both pistols had just been cleaned), and was disappointed at the number of misfires I had in both guns, which makes me look at the ammo, which was the standard velocity CCI lead nose. The misfires seemed to be the same with both pistols. Sometimes 3 out of the 8 would not fire. Sometimes all 8 would fire. Some cases were hit, but didn’t fire. I didn’t have the tight case ejection problem that many have had. Then we put these “duds” into my son’s SR22, and they all fired. Also, the trigger on the 43c would stick all the way back, and fail to reset forward without me having to force it. This happened a bunch of times, even before changing the two springs. Today was the second day at the range for the 43c, and the first for the model 63. So the 43c had the same issues on the first trip as today.
Heellp!
I installed a #8, and a #13 spring in the 43c, felt great, but the model 63 is stock.
What do you think?
Thank you

Update on the model 63:
Problem found-the hammer is just knicking the hammer shroud before striking the pin, thereby reducing the hammer force, hence the misfires. Yes, brand new pistol shouldn’t have left the factory like this. Looking at the gun from the rear, I can see that the opening where the hammer enters the shroud, was not machined correctly.

 

[Kansasgunner]

First thing let me welcome you to the forum. I have 43c and Model 63. My 43c is bone stock purchased new and I have never had a failure to fire with any brand of ammo that I have run thru it. My four inch 63 was purchased used and someone had “lightened “ the trigger, it would exhibit the issues you are having. A trip to my favorite smith and new Wolf springs completely solved all my problems.
I bought a used 2” Mod. 63 this year and no issues at all with this one.
My recommendation would be a trip to a good revolver smith for complete strip, clean and new springs. If you purchased one or both new I would contact S&W directly for a factory inspection and repair.

 

[mikerjf]

I feel you're taking a chance with lighter springs in a .22. Go back to stock and retest... CCI is normally pretty good.

 

[Breakaway500]

I purchased a "like new" 43c of GB. First thing I noticed was the easy trigger pull. Sure enough..about a 50% failure to fire. I purchased a new genuine S&W 43C mainspring from Numrich (S&W would not sell me one..they wanted the gun sent to them) and FTF rate dropped to zero. Yes..it's now a "heavy" trigger..but it always goes bang.

 

[colt_saa]

Welcome to the Forum

Glad the problem with the 63 is resolved

I have to agree with testing the 43 with stock springs. The trigger sticking in the rearward position is almost always due to a rebound spring that is too light, had some coils clipped off it or both

Tuesday I had my 8 shot 63 to the range and it fired every round. I was not even shooting the good stuff in it, most of the ammunition was Winchester Wildcat and other partial boxes of 22 that were around the hobby room

I do always run at least a cylinder full of the Hollow Points before the day is out and they too ran just fine
I have been shooting 34s and 63s for 25+ years now and I can not recall having chronic misfire problems with any of them, but I have Never tried to lighten the trigger pulls on them

My oldest 22/32 Kit Gun left the Factory in 1954 and neither myself nor the previous owner has a bad thing to say about it

 

[Shaky Town]

Thanks everyone,
I mentioned that the 43c was jamming with the stock springs as well.
So, anyway I called Smith yesterday.
Both brand new revolvers are shipping back to them today for a look see, very nice.

 

[petepeterson]

I have a brandy new 43c that I'm not crazy about either. I get Mini-mags to go BANG everytime, but most of budget-type ammo is hit or miss.
It's ok for carrying around the property, where most of the shots are for fun, but not bet-your-life against some aggressive squirrel.

 

[riverrat38]

I have a 43C that fires CCI Velocitator and their standard velocity ammo every time, but I get 5% miss fires with some other "cheap" ammo.
I do get sticky extraction after 100 rounds though. I carry some cleaning tools in my range bag, and a little cleaning fixes the problem. I think it's because the Alum chambers and the brass cases experience "galling". A common problem with Alum.

73,
Rick

 

[Lobster Picnic]

My 63-5 and 351c (.22WMR) are bone-stock. The triggers are not great, the 351c being especially heavy, but they go bang with everything I feed them.

 

[ken158]

And so is the problem with J frame rimfire… The factory would rather have the gun fire every time and therefore install springs that will allow 100% then produce a light trigger that is not reliable. When individuals start putting J frame springs in a rimfire, this almost always happens.

 

[pharmer]

S&W also have made their guns with "round nose" firing pins. Rimfires should have "chisel" point FP's to cut down on misfires. Then again, the current crop of rimfire ammo seems to have a fail rate approaching 1%. Joe

 

[armorer951]

Looking at the photos in post #6, it appears someone cycled the action under spring tension with the sideplate off, causing the hammer to impact the frame.

 

[Pisgah]

Small frame .22's are bult with heavy springs for a reason, to make up for the lack of mass in the gun. It's like trying to use an aluminum anvil -- you have to use one heckuva hammer swing. For 100% reliability I long ago found it best to leave the springs alone, and concentrate on eliminating friction in the action as much as possible. The honing makes the action a bit easier to take, and it goes bang every time.

 

[ClintH]

Small frame .22's are bult with heavy springs for a reason, to make up for the lack of mass in the gun. It's like trying to use an aluminum anvil -- you have to use one heckuva hammer swing. For 100% reliability I long ago found it best to leave the springs alone, and concentrate on eliminating friction in the action as much as possible. The honing makes the action a bit easier to take, and it goes bang every time.

Me not being a gunsmith yes I could take the gun apart and put it all back together no problem but for $700 should I have to? I have never had to take a brand new gun apart and replace anything. My new 43C really makes me sad and I really really love the gun.