What's your opinion? 43c- UPDATE

[smoothshooter]

I own a 43c, something I'd wanted for awhile, but never got around to buying. It's a great little gun to throw in the pocket while I'm mowing, walking around the yard in shorts, etc...

Problem is, it's not reliable. I get one or two light strikes per cylinder. I've tried 9 different types and brands of ammo. No difference.

Since it's not exactly a life-saving device, I've been pretty patient with it. I put around 6-700 rds through it before I decided to send it back to S&W, with a detailed note describing the problem. This is the first firearm I've ever returned.

After around 9 weeks, the FedEx truck comes up the drive. I was pumped! Note in the box said "Repaired yoke."

Loaded it up, and headed up to my range. Bang! Click. Click. Shot through the rest of the cylinder OK. 4 more types of ammo, same thing. Out of eight cylinders, I did get through one with all eight rounds, which is a record for that piece.

I emailed CS again, and they shipped me another return label. It's just disappointing to have to wait 8-10 more weeks to get it back, and not know what I'll be getting.

What's your opinion? Am I expecting too much? Seems like for the price of that revolver new, it should be able to shoot just about anything.
And what would you do if it doesn't improve after the 2nd trip back? I wouldn't sell it to someone knowing of the issue, unless they were OK with it. And in that case I would be taking a beating on the resale.

Anyone else run into this? What was the outcome?

Did you mean eight "chambers" instead of eight "cylinders"?
Quite a difference.

 

[smoothshooter]

I own a 43c, something I'd wanted for awhile, but never got around to buying. It's a great little gun to throw in the pocket while I'm mowing, walking around the yard in shorts, etc...

Problem is, it's not reliable. I get one or two light strikes per cylinder. I've tried 9 different types and brands of ammo. No difference.

Since it's not exactly a life-saving device, I've been pretty patient with it. I put around 6-700 rds through it before I decided to send it back to S&W, with a detailed note describing the problem. This is the first firearm I've ever returned.

After around 9 weeks, the FedEx truck comes up the drive. I was pumped! Note in the box said "Repaired yoke."

Loaded it up, and headed up to my range. Bang! Click. Click. Shot through the rest of the cylinder OK. 4 more types of ammo, same thing. Out of eight cylinders, I did get through one with all eight rounds, which is a record for that piece.

I emailed CS again, and they shipped me another return label. It's just disappointing to have to wait 8-10 more weeks to get it back, and not know what I'll be getting.

What's your opinion? Am I expecting too much? Seems like for the price of that revolver new, it should be able to shoot just about anything.
And what would you do if it doesn't improve after the 2nd trip back? I wouldn't sell it to someone knowing of the issue, unless they were OK with it. And in that case I would be taking a beating on the resale.

Anyone else run into this? What was the outcome?

Did you mean eight "chambers" instead of eight "cylinders"?
Quite a difference.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

A shooting client purchased one about 4 months ago. Worked fine, no issues at all. There's just no consistency or predictability of revolver QC at S&W anymore. Depends on who assembled it, on what day, at what hour. Based on my experiences with them, nothing gets inspected after assembly. It just goes out the door.

Most of the engineering is sound - not all - but assembly is a clown show. S&W bean counters have been trying to impart plasticated firearms assembly techniques to revolvers. It's not been successful.

All the revolvers are still being made in Springfield, as far as I know. Pistol, etc production is moving/moved to TN.

 

[petepeterson]

Did you mean eight "chambers" instead of eight "cylinders"?
Quite a difference.

Nope. Eight cylinders.

 

[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.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I'd like a nice 22 snub nose but refuse to pay the insane prices the 2" 34's bring. A popular as snub nose are I don't know why Smith and Colt don't introduce a 2" 617 and Colt a 2" King Cobra 22. I own both the 617 a as nd KC in 4" and think especially the Colt would be a perfect candidate.

My wife bought a 317 several years ago. It's a really nice lite weight compromise with a 3" barrel. She's gotten really good with it and can out shoot me all day every day. I liked her 317 so well I bought one too and have been super pleased with it. Hers was used and developed timing issues but Smith repaired it at no cost and turned it around in less than two weeks and since there hasn't been any issues.

I've been so pleased with my 317 I'm considering a new 63 that my dealer has.

My only complaint with the 317 is the finish. It's ugly and not terribly durable and you can't use solvents like Gun Scrubber or Hoppy's 9. I called Smith and they warned it'll take the finish off. I'd rather have seen them anodize it or Cerakote it. My wife's got looking so bad that she had it Cerakoted and put some fancy grips in it. She's a professional artist so you can see what an artist does to her revolver.

My wife's 314. I've thought about doing my 317 2 tone lake kaki and olive.

 

[Gater]

I'd like a nice 22 snub nose but refuse to pay the insane prices the 2" 34's bring. A popular as snub nose are I don't know why Smith and Colt don't introduce a 2" 617 and Colt a 2" King Cobra 22. I own both the 617 a as nd KC in 4" and think especially the Colt would be a perfect candidate.

I agree with you the S&W should make a 2" M617 and Colt should make a 2" King Cobra. If S&W would eventually make a 2" M617 they need to make it without the Hillery hole. Aka trigger lock.

 

[jcs266]

I agree with you the S&W should make a 2" M617 and Colt should make a 2" King Cobra. If S&W would eventually make a 2" M617 they need to make it without the Hillery hole. Aka trigger lock.

YES PLEASE on the 2" M617. I'd snap one up in a minute. My 4" M617 gets LOTS of carry and use around our rural home here. A wonderful companion.