Smith & Wesson 43C, .22LR

[skwchock]

I purchased a S&W Model 43C, .22LR, 8-shot revolver. After I took it to the range to test fire it, I felt that it had serious safety concerns that it was unsafe and possibly dangerous to shoot. So I contacted S&W Customer Service. I explained my concerns and why it had serious safety issues/problems. I was told to send it back to S&W and their gunsmiths would check it out. I had my local gunshop ship it back to S&W on Friday, 11 Oct. Will see what they discover. Has anyone else had problems with a Model 43C?

 

[Rodan]

Many, many threads here on the 43C and it's general lack of reliability... search and you will find.

 

[Dave Lively]

What was it doing?

Spitting lead due to a timing issue?

There have been a few threads recently about 43x that were not reliable but I don't remember any reports of their being dangerous.

 

[bobsguns]

What was it doing?

Spitting lead due to a timing issue?

There have been a few threads recently about 43x that were not reliable but I don't remember any reports of their being dangerous.

Spitting lead IS dangerous. No one wants to stand at a range right next to a guy whose gun is doing that.

I've got a 43C, but I've never shot it.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I purchased a S&W Model 43C, .22LR, 8-shot revolver. After I took it to the range to test fire it, I felt that it had serious safety concerns that it was unsafe and possibly dangerous to shoot ...

... I explained my concerns and why it had serious safety issues/problems.

Can you share your concerns with us?

 

[413Maxwedge]

I must be one of the few 43c owners who hasn't had issues with mine. I bought it for the kids and gun-shy adults to shoot when we go to the range. It has always worked well.

What is yours doing that seems unsafe?

 

[Rodfac]

Here's my saga...which worked out well in the end...but made me wonder about S&W's quality assurance program...or the lack thereof...the gun really should never have left the factory.

I bought my M63 in Dec of '20 planning on using it as a fishing companion in my fly vest. On my first range trip, however, it locked up after the firing the first several cylinders. In addition it was spitting lead on half of the chambers, peppering my face and firing hand.

A call to S&W, (then doing service in the old Springfield MA factory), got me an understanding technician & a FEDEX shipping label and I had the gun back, fixed, in less than 3 weeks, IIRC.

The service guys had replaced the cylinder, hand and yoke...and done a rudimentary action job while they had it. Their fine work resulted in a first rate, walk the dog, light plinking and fishing gun that I now really enjoy.

Accuracy runs to ~ 1" at 10 yds from an unsupported "Weaver" stance with CCI Mini-Mags and Federal Auto-Match ammunition, which I can barely beat shooting off sand bags.

Here it is below, in its alternate role as an understudy for my usual CC piece, the M60 with Hogue "Monogrips". The grips on the M63, BTW, are an early set of Smith Combats that really fit my hands. The only thing lacking to make it perfect would have been a Baughman Ramped front sight, like the M60, to replace that abomination fiber optic.

Best regards, Rod

 

[VictorLouis]

I must be one of the few 43c owners who hasn't had issues with mine. ... It has always worked well.
?

Ditto. 'Twas my BUG while grocery shopping this a/m,

 

[Gater]

I have a M43c that I have put 1200 or more rounds through and have have few misfires. This early spring I took it to Northern Virgina Gun works for a trigger job. I use it for pocket carry when I’m doing yard work. I carry 4 rounds of snake shot and 4 rounds of Federal punch. I have killed 1 groundhog with it.

 

[Gater]

Skwchock I sent you a PM.

 

[ClintH]

I have a M43c that I have put 1200 or more rounds through and have have few misfires. This early spring I took it to Northern Virgina Gun works for a trigger job. I use it for pocket carry when I’m doing yard work. I carry 4 rounds of snake shot and 4 rounds of Federal punch. I have killed 1 groundhog with it.

I also use it around the farm , one predatory bird in the chicken coop two squirrels 25 yards one rabbit I think three chickens that didn’t need to be here. and many shots in the middle of the night, scaring away coyote and other four-legged creatures. My little guns got blood on its hands and I love it ,good shooting gun after I change the springs. I’ve only had one misfire in last 700 rounds. I used blazer ammo at homeand punch and stinger when about town .the gun shoots everything now except for CCI 1200 ft./s. Target . The fun challenge is hitting targets at the 50 yards at 25 getting pretty consistent but at 50 all hell goes I can’t hit the broad side of a barn.lol I get about 4 of 8 on the gong. definitely helps you work on your trigger squeeze.99.% of my training is up close 1 to 10 feet and this girl works just fine. I was kind of pissed that I had to send my brand new gun into the shop get it back and then had to change the springs myself to get it to work but all working now

 

[skwchock]

My problems: (1) cylinder was difficult to open when the release lever is pushed. Had to wiggle the cylinder to get it to open. (2) slow fire: only 6 of 8 rounds would "fire". Last 2 rounds did not fire. (when I put the rounds into my other pistol, they "fired"). The cylinder would open and rounds could be ejected. (3) rapid fire: all 8 rounds would fire. Cylinder would NOT open-- initially. Waited a few minutes, was able to wiggle the cylinder and actuate the release lever. Cylinder opened finally. BUT the cylinder was warm and the EJECTOR ROD was frozen solid and would not move to eject the rounds. Waited a couple of minutes and had to forcibly push the ejector rod to get it to eject the 8 spent/fired rounds. This is totally UNSAFE and DANGEROUS. I contacted S&W Customer Service and was informed to ship it back to them and their gunsmiths would check on it. I had my LGS note in the return form to S&W that is gun was "defective" -- the explanation I would have had to write would not fit into the small space on the form. It has been more than 2 weeks now. I have not received any notifications at all from S&W. Should I be concerned that I have not gotten any contact from them?

 

[bobsguns]

Should I be concerned that I have not gotten any contact from them?

Not IMO.

They're busy, probably short staffed as well?

 

[ADP3]

I understand your frustration, but the warm cylinder is a non-issue. It’s made of aluminum and quickly heats up. Sticky/difficult extraction is also common with the aluminum cylinder. The chambers need to be spotless for best extraction and the hotter .22LR ammo with higher pressure adds to extraction problems. Don’t use a bronze or steel bristle cleaning brush on the chambers. It will score the aluminum. I use patches soaked in Kroil to loosen chamber deposits and then a brush with synthetic bristles followed by more Kroil patches and then dry patches. It takes quite a while to clean 8 chambers but my pair of 43C’s have been 100% reliable and reasonably accurate. I only use CCI Mini Mags in mine. I don’t think you have a dangerous, unsafe revolver just one with sticky opening and extraction. The light strikes are a frequent problem with rimfire ammo and appear in internet accounts of folks with the 43C’s. S&W will address your revolver’s issues just keep your chambers clean after it returns.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[Gater]

I have shot 2 groundhogs with my M43c.