Smith Wesson Model 43C 22LR – Superb Lightweight Revolver

Description

The Smith Wesson Model 43C 22LR is an eight shot 22 LR on the Centennial AirWeight frame. It is the rimfire answer to the hammerless J-frame: a revolver light enough to carry anywhere, simple enough that anyone can operate it, and cheap enough to feed that you will actually practise with it.

Smith Wesson Model 43C 22LR Eight Rounds of Rimfire

Because 22 LR cases are small, the Smith Wesson Model 43C 22LR fits eight rounds in a cylinder that would hold five in 38 Special. That is three more chances before a reload, in a gun that weighs about the same as its centerfire siblings.

The frame and cylinder are aluminum alloy with a stainless steel barrel, which is what keeps the weight so low. It disappears in a pocket, a purse or a pack, and the entire argument for a gun this light is that you never leave it behind because carrying it is inconvenient.

It is hammerless with a snag-free internal hammer, so nothing protrudes to catch on a pocket lining or the inside of a bag. It is also double action only, so every trigger press is the same long, deliberate pull with no cocking to think about.

Sights and What It Is Good For

Sights are an XS white dot front against a fixed U-notch rear. That is an unusually good sighting system for a small revolver: a bright white dot is far easier to find quickly than a plain milled ramp, and a U-notch rear frames it cleanly without competing for attention.

The practical roles are trail carry, small game, plinking and training. Twenty two LR ammunition weighs nothing, costs almost nothing, and produces essentially no recoil, which makes this an excellent revolver for teaching a new shooter the double action stroke without any flinch to unlearn.

It is also a legitimate choice for shooters who cannot manage centerfire recoil at all. A 22 revolver you can shoot accurately and repeatedly is a more sensible option than a centerfire one you cannot control, and eight rounds is a meaningful number.

A word on rimfire reliability: 22 LR produces the occasional failure to fire from a dud rim. That is a property of rimfire priming rather than a fault in the revolver, and a revolver handles it far better than a semi-automatic does. Pull the trigger again and the next round comes up.

Carrying and Shooting the Smith Wesson Model 43C 22LR

If you carry the Smith Wesson Model 43C 22LR in a pocket, use a pocket holster. It keeps the revolver oriented consistently, covers the trigger, and keeps lint out of the action, which matters more on a rimfire than most people expect because 22 residue and pocket debris combine into something that will eventually cause trouble.

On the range this is one of the easiest guns to learn on. There is essentially no recoil and no muzzle blast to flinch at, so a new shooter can concentrate entirely on the trigger stroke. Dry fire is equally valuable and costs nothing, though rimfire firearms should generally be dry fired with snap caps to protect the firing pin and chamber mouth.

Eight rounds changes how you think about the gun compared with a five shot 38. It is enough for small game work without constant reloading, and enough for a defensive role to feel less marginal than a five shooter, though the cartridge remains what it is.

Maintenance Notes

The Smith Wesson Model 43C 22LR runs dirtier than a centerfire revolver would, because rimfire ammunition is dirtier. Twenty two LR leaves unburned powder and wax residue everywhere, so plan on cleaning more often than you would with a centerfire revolver, particularly around the cylinder face and the forcing cone where build-up can eventually bind the cylinder.

Check that the ejector rod stays tight. It can back out over time and lock the cylinder closed at exactly the wrong moment, and it is a thirty second check that saves a frustrating afternoon.

The aluminum alloy frame and cylinder are what make the revolver so light, and they are also softer than steel. Treat the gun as the light-duty tool it is rather than something to abuse, keep it clean, and it will last indefinitely.

Smith Wesson Model 43C 22LR Specifications

• Manufacturer part number: 103043
• UPC: 022188030433
• Caliber: 22 LR
• Capacity: 8 rounds
• Frame: aluminum alloy J-frame
• Cylinder: aluminum alloy
• Barrel: stainless steel
• Sights: XS white dot front, fixed U-notch rear
• Hammer: snag-free internal
• Action: double action only

Why Buyers Choose the Smith Wesson Model 43C 22LR

Weight and ammunition cost together are the argument. A revolver this light gets carried, and 22 LR is cheap enough that you will actually shoot it enough to become good with it.

Rimfire is inherently less reliable than centerfire, and that matters if this is your only defensive firearm. Many owners buy it as a trail gun, a training gun or a companion to something larger rather than as a primary.

Twenty two LR is lot-to-lot inconsistent, and a short barrel makes that more noticeable. Try a few brands and settle on the one your revolver likes rather than assuming all bulk pack ammunition is equivalent.

Who Should Buy It

The Smith Wesson Model 43C 22LR suits hikers, campers and trail users, new shooters learning the double action stroke, shooters who cannot manage centerfire recoil, and anyone who wants a genuinely pocketable eight shot revolver.

Learn more from Smith and Wesson, or browse the rest of our firearms selection.

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