What's your opinion? 43c- UPDATE

[Breakaway500]

Ive got a 43c and it use to misfire occasionally. I bought a replacement main spring from Numrich for a 43c (they are different than other centennials) and have not had a misfire in thousands of rounds,unless the round truly is a dud that even a 5lb hammer won't set it off

 

[RoyM52]

What I take away from all the threads on the 43c is to not buy a used one. So many report playing with the spring weights and firing pin length. {to lighten the trigger pull} First thing many seem to do is pretend that they are gunsmiths and then give up and sell it.

This appears to be a gun that should always be purchased new unless you have a friend to friend sale where you have shot the particular gun and your friend doesn't aspire to reinventing the wheel and using a 43c to experiment on before selling. {Just my 2 cents}

 

[Data]

@RoyM52

"What I take away from all the threads on the 43c is to not buy a used one. So many report playing with the spring weights and firing pin length. {to lighten the trigger pull} First thing many seem to do is pretend that they are gunsmiths and then give up and sell it.

This appears to be a gun that should always be purchased new unless you have a friend to friend sale where you have shot the particular gun and your friend doesn't aspire to reinventing the wheel and using a 43c to experiment on before selling. {Just my 2 cents}"

I concur. Caveat emptor!

 

[Anton Chigurh]

I have one and it's fine. No misfires. I bought it new and will NEVER mess with the mainspring/hammerspring. I smoothed the action and clipped one coil off the trigger rebound spring, so it's a very smooth pull.

 

[petepeterson]

Update- No luck

Got the 43c back 2 weeks ago. A three-week turnaround.
I was pretty stoked when the first seven rounds went off, then my balloon burst. Click.
I tried about 100 more rounds, three different types, and did manage one cylinder full to go off completely, but the problem seemed to worsen as I went. I cleaned it about halfway through.
Repair ticket says the cylinder was replaced, but if anything, it seems a bit worse now.
The primers are getting hits, just not enough to light them off.
Not sure what the next step is now.

 

[Mark 40]

petepeterson, its a shame that it isn't fixed after two tries. I have owned two that had to go back after the first range trip. My decision, on both occasions, was to sell them once they returned, never even gave them a second chance. My Ruger LCR 22LR (and the wife's 22LR LCR) have been flawless. Really disappointing because I liked the feel in hand of the 43C better. But I'm not willing to try a third time.

 

[petepeterson]

petepeterson, its a shame that it isn't fixed after two tries. I have owned two that had to go back after the first range trip. My decision, on both occasions, was to sell them once they returned, never even gave them a second chance. My Ruger LCR 22LR (and the wife's 22LR LCR) have been flawless. Really disappointing because I liked the feel in hand of the 43C better. But I'm not willing to try a third time.

Sorry for your troubles, but I'm glad I'm not alone!
I personally wouldn't feel right about selling it, even with full disclosure.

 

[Shibadog]

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?

No, expecting a wheel gun to go bang every time is NOT asking too much. Couple things here. (1) has there been an "action" job to lighten the trigger pull? These little Smith .22's typically have Awful triggers. If it's been played with with a spring kit that may be the issue. (Two very professional gunsmiths who I know have both told me they will NOT "lighten" the pull on a rimfire Smith because of reliability issues); (2) are the chambers which fail to fire always the same ones? If so, perhaps a cylinder problem. I'd check those things first. My 351PD (the magnum .22 J frame) always goes bang and the trigger has certainly smoothed with us, but it's a pretty darn stout pull. ( wife shoots my 638, model 60 and her 640 with no issues, but can't stay on target pulling the 351's trigger.)

 

[petepeterson]

No, expecting a wheel gun to go bang every time is NOT asking too much. Couple things here. (1) has there been an "action" job to lighten the trigger pull? These little Smith .22's typically have Awful triggers. If it's been played with with a spring kit that may be the issue. (Two very professional gunsmiths who I know have both told me they will NOT "lighten" the pull on a rimfire Smith because of reliability issues); (2) are the chambers which fail to fire always the same ones? If so, perhaps a cylinder problem. I'd check those things first. My 351PD (the magnum .22 J frame) always goes bang and the trigger has certainly smoothed with us, but it's a pretty darn stout pull. ( wife shoots my 638, model 60 and her 640 with no issues, but can't stay on target pulling the 351's trigger.)

1. Gun is as it came from the factory.
2. I've marked to cylinder to check for that issue. The 2nd time back they changed the cylinder.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

Have you tried Federal Punch? I know that works for the guy I know who owns one. Ammo is a big factor with rim-fire revolvers, I know he had tons of issues with Aguilla, but almost none with Punch.

 

[Shibadog]

1. Gun is as it came from the factory.
2. I've marked to cylinder to check for that issue. The 2nd time back they changed the cylinder.

At this juncture I'd try the longer firing pin. If you're not seeing Solid hits on the cartridge case then that's the issue. Longer pin "should" resolve. I'd love my 351 PD to have a lighter DA pull, but that's not in the cards for a rimfire J. Mine is reliable as a rock, but DA pull is "stiff"

 

[smoothshooter]

Sounds like the firing pin protrusion thru the frame is too short.

 

[petepeterson]

Revolver is home after 3 trips. 99 of 100 rounds went BANG. I find that to be acceptable.
Firing pin was changed this time, which I believe was the key factor.
I think only the frame is original now.
First trip out was 6 weeks, but the other two were 3 and 4 weeks, respectively.

I don't shoot it much until it's warm out, but I might have it tag along for the next few range trips for a cylinder or two.

Thanks to everyone who provided suggestions and opinions.

 

[Data]

Revolver is home after 3 trips. 99 of 100 rounds went BANG. I find that to be acceptable.
Firing pin was changed this time, which I believe was the key factor.
I think only the frame is original now.
First trip out was 6 weeks, but the other two were 3 and 4 weeks, respectively.

I don't shoot it much until it's warm out, but I might have it tag along for the next few range trips for a cylinder or two.

Thanks to everyone who provided suggestions and opinions.

Great news! Thank you for the follow-up.

 

[Nomadmax]

Great thread. Thank you to the OP for posting this. With an update no less.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

Revolver is home after 3 trips. 99 of 100 rounds went BANG. I find that to be acceptable.
Firing pin was changed this time, which I believe was the key factor.
I think only the frame is original now.
First trip out was 6 weeks, but the other two were 3 and 4 weeks, respectively.

I don't shoot it much until it's warm out, but I might have it tag along for the next few range trips for a cylinder or two.

Thanks to everyone who provided suggestions and opinions.

I am happy it is working as intended now A faulty firing pin will definitely cause issues. Out of curiosity, have you tried Federal Punch through it? If not, what ammo did you get the 99/100 results with?

 

[petepeterson]

I am happy it is working as intended now A faulty firing pin will definitely cause issues. Out of curiosity, have you tried Federal Punch through it? If not, what ammo did you get the 99/100 results with?

4 types-

CCI Mini-Mag 36-gr HPs
CCI Std velocity 40-gr lead
Winchester bulk pack 36-gr HPs
Federal 31-gr HPS, also bulk pack.

Haven't tried the Punch yet. This gun gets toted around the property or critters and plinking. Generally just shoot whatever I have lying close by. That's why I was disappointed in the first lace. Didn't want to buy specific ammo to make it run. An auto I could see, but not a $700+ revolver.

When I need "punch," it's the 442. Looks the same!

 

[Anton Chigurh]

Do we suspect Punch is made better or held to higher tolerances? It has a bit of a premium price, but not absurd.
And it extracts well, which a big plus

 

[Rodan]

Punch is allegedly held to a higher manufacturing standard, as it's marketed as a personal defense ammunition.

 

[Dump1567]

Do we suspect Punch is made better or held to higher tolerances? It has a bit of a premium price, but not absurd.
And it extracts well, which a big plus

I use it as my carry load. It seems to penetrate 12+ inches, meeting the FBI's requirements. And it works in my 43c. Based on what it is, I'd assume it's made to higher standards than your run of the mill .22.