I put the cart before the horse here as I’ve alrady ordered it but who has one and what are your impressions of it?

Also looking at the smith 351C in 22 magnum as a possible carry gun for my mom. How bad is the trigger?

Can’t speak to it specifically but in my experience most .22 revolver triggers are pretty heavy, probably as a consequence of reliable ignition.

I have the 22mag version.

The trigger is smooth but very heavy. Its good in that it's smooth and fairly short but it is heavy.

I've had sticky ejection issues with mine. I mean sticky to the point of having to remove the fired cases with a brass rod.

I don't know if I'd consider it a beginners gun due to the very heavy DA trigger and sticky extraction.

Good work can be done with it in DA experienced hands but it comes with some drama.

Awhile back I did a dozen trigger pulls on my 351C and it averaged 10.4 pounds on my Lyman scale. That's decent for a rimfire revolver. The fireball display with magnum ammo is incredible.

quote:

Smith 43C .22LR.

Don't have one, but have owned other small smith revolvers, they are all difficult to aim and some hard on the hands like 357, but, conceal well and work very well.

22Mag would be my preference, but 22LR will do well and probably best due to low recoil.

Found a good article on it..

https://americanhandgunner.com...el-43c-22-for-carry/

Far lighter trigger than anything else in its class {Small, .22, revolver}. Mine is a frequent BUG, and walk-the-dog piece. Federal's PUNCH ammo.

I have 2, and carry one of them daily, alternating cylinder holes with Stingers and Federal Punch. It's a good trigger, very easy and accurate to shoot, and people who have not done so should not compare them to other small revolvers.

I have had 2 of the original Model 43's (both sold now), and I prefer the newer Model 43c. Good luck finding one, they are so popular most LGS in my area can't get them.

I don't have one, but I want one. Wish they weren't so expensive. I've seen a few locally but they've all been $700+. Quality, small .22 revolvers are a super handy thing to have. I have a 3" model 63 that I really love and use regularly for varmint control. Trigger is a little heavy, but it's smooth.

The 43c appeals to me as it would offer similar capabilities in a lighter, easily pocketable package. I just have a hard time justifying the price when I already have the 63.

I’ve got a 351c, I carry it quite a bit in cargo shorts pocket. I bought it right at the start of “covid” bullshit as I always wanted one and there was one available at my gun shop. I really don’t have an opinion on it either way, it’s certainly a joy to carry but all I get is an “mehhh” out of it. I honestly thought I’d enjoy it more than I do, trigger is not terrible, it just hasn’t wowed me like I was hoping it would. I think if I were to do it over again I may have went for the LCR in .22 mag for the price difference. Again I’m not saying it’s bad by no means, just for the money, I think the LCR is a better option. It takes a lot for me say that as I’m a die hard S&W revolver fan, I carry a 360 pd or a 642 or both an awful lot. I’m certainly not trying to discourage you from one but I’d also take a look at the LCR

I’m a Ruger guy (see my screen name) but I just don’t care for the LCR. Grip is too big, don’t like the lock up and cylinder play.

For what it’s worth, I ordered it from Buds. Decent price these days.

I’ve researched ammo and it seems to come down to Punch and Stingers. On paper Stingers seem like the runaway winner but in real life, they seem pretty close. What say you?

I have one. Great little gun. I swapped the mainspring to a lighter one. I forget which kit I bought. It has been 100% reliable in regard to light strikes. It still isn’t a “light” pull. It is smooth and if you get enough finger on it it’s not too bad. Although if I’m honest after awhile my trigger finger does a little tired. I know, hit the gym. Lol.

Here's a consideration, and why I sold mine. It is extremely loud, one of the loudest pocket guns on the market. That's easy to overcome on the range, but if you use it defensively, you won't have hearing protection. If you wear hearing aids, that will amplify the noise/damage. Other guns are loud, but none reasonable for carry that loud.

I don't know about the 43C but the 351C has the heaviest trigger pull of any J frame I've ever tried. It's not the handgun for any person who has the slightest weakness of strength in their shooting hand. The pull is smooth, bu, it's not for grandma or girly men.

But, for me, it's a fantastic lightweight revolver. The pull on the 43C might be a bit lighter, but I wouldn't think by much, if at all.

Well it came in. A very svelte little gun. Very light. Fit and finish is great. A very handy little gun that should be a joy to carry around in The woods. Trigger is smooth and fairly heavy but not ridiculous.

Already considering the 351c in 22 magnum next though I don’t know why. Ha!

+1 on the 43c having a better trigger than the stainless models.

quote:

Originally posted by ruger357:
I’m a Ruger guy (see my screen name) but I just don’t care for the LCR. Grip is too big, don’t like the lock up and cylinder play.

For what it’s worth, I ordered it from Buds. Decent price these days.

I’ve researched ammo and it seems to come down to Punch and Stingers. On paper Stingers seem like the runaway winner but in real life, they seem pretty close. What say you?

CCI velocitor
I observed an extensive test of 22 ammo in gel/ denim covered gel specifically in snub guns.
The velocitor consistently penetrated to within fbi test penetration standards ( NONE of the hollow points expand at snub velocity) and Carries a 40 grain bullet, while most other “ hyper velocity” 22 achieve high velocity through a 25% or so light bullet. ( stinger 32, punch just 29)

quote:

Originally posted by captain127:

quote:

Originally posted by ruger357:
I’m a Ruger guy (see my screen name) but I just don’t care for the LCR. Grip is too big, don’t like the lock up and cylinder play.

For what it’s worth, I ordered it from Buds. Decent price these days.

I’ve researched ammo and it seems to come down to Punch and Stingers. On paper Stingers seem like the runaway winner but in real life, they seem pretty close. What say you?

CCI velocitor
I observed an extensive test of 22 ammo in gel/ denim covered gel specifically in snub guns.
The velocitor consistently penetrated to within fbi test penetration standards ( NONE of the hollow points expand at snub velocity) and Carries a 40 grain bullet, while most other “ hyper velocity” 22 achieve high velocity through a 25% or so light bullet. ( stinger 32, punch just 29)

I've been really unimpressed with Federal Punch. I bought a box to play with and shot some of it on steel. It carries very little energy and wouldn't knock down plates that will consistently fall with other .22 ammo.

I thought, "well, its only 29 grains and maybe their goal is penetration." I had to put down a raccoon the other day and used my MkIV with the punch ammo. It killed it, but bulk pack will do that. I was shooting downward and fully expected the rounds to penetrate into the dirt, but they did not. It's not very potent stuff.

I have a 43C, and was blessed with a very smooth trigger pull. It didn’t seem terribly heavy as manufacturered and some dry firing and use has lightened it up a bit more. I also snipped a coil off the trigger rebound spring, which knocked another pound off the pull weight without affecting ignition.
I once had a 351PD, and the double action pull on that was just ridiculously bad. Maybe Smith & Wesson’s decided they don’t need a 15 pound pull to get reliable ignition.

Well went ahead and ordered the 351C in 22 magnum also. Am I crazy to consider giving it to my daughter for protection?

quote:

Originally posted by ruger357:
Well went ahead and ordered the 351C in 22 magnum also. Am I crazy to consider giving it to my daughter for protection?

No you're not crazy, after all you are qualified to instruct. The 351C has a heavy but manageable trigger IMO and I love the revolver. I think she'll do fine and I'll bet you say the trigger is pretty close to your 43C. Make sure you report back if you will.