Jimmy's Collection: Smith & Wesson 43c

This will be the first entry into a new series called Jimmy's Collection. A chance meeting with a fellow revolver enthusiast at a local shop has led to an invitation to review a full of wheel guns that he has collected. One of his favorite small framed revolvers is the Smith & Wesson 43c. Here is a little more about this nifty little J-frame!

Smith & Wesson has produced small five shot revolvers chambered in .38 Special for decades. Historically, pocket sized J-frames have been carried for protection by law enforcement and private citizens alike, but few have been chambered in .22 Long Rifle. Luckily, Smith & Wesson is producing a small handful of small framed rimfire revolvers and one of them is the 43c!

Weighing less than 12 ounces unloaded, this aluminum alloy revolver sports an eight shot cylinder. XS Sights has supplied a pinned white dot front sight to mate with the U-notch  rear which provides a great sight picture. The ejector rod is protected by a barrel shroud and matte black finish is a nice touch. There is also small groove cut into the back strap with a post at the bottom of the frame that appears to be for a lanyard. Not sure how I feel about that, but the milling saves a tiny bit of weight. This I like. All of these upgrades help justify the slightly higher MSRP of the 43c! 

Speed Loader

Finding speed loaders for the S&W 43c was easy as Speed Beez produces the model 317-08 which is compatible with eight shot J-frames. While they are a little pricey, they are extremely high quality and worth the price. Speed Beez also offers several Loading Blocks so you can get away with only one speed loader while practicing on the range and/or a shooting match like Steel Challenge. I also encountered the 5 Star Firearms J2-22 online, but the description indicated it fit the Ruger LCR and & SP101.

Holster

The 43c is incredibly light, even for a J-frame. I've pocket carried several revolvers, but after becoming spoiled to slightly longer stocks, pocket carry has become a bit more challenging. I felt like the short rubber stocks would make it an ideal candidate for pocket carry. On the range, the 43c was riding comfortably in this pocket holster, a Safariland Model 25. There isn't a ton of retention outside, but the pressure put on the holster in the pocket keeps everything in place. The holster keeps the revolver oriented correctly and it draws quickly from a pocket.

Reliability

Due to it's rimfire design, the .22 long rifle cartridge is not always the most reliable. As revolvers have relatively heavy double action triggers, there is a slightly better chance for ignition. I was curious to see what kind of issues the 43c might have with commonly available rimfire ammunition. 

To test reliability, the revolver was loaded with eight rounds of each type of ammunition and a first attempt to fire each round was made. For rounds that did not fire the first time, a second attempt was taken with varying results. Unfortunately, the 43c has some reliability issues. The following loads were tested with the following results:

Needless to say, there were several reliability issues. The Federal HV Match and Remington Automatch both functioned incredibly well, but there were some issues with other loads. 

Shooting Impressions

I've always found light weight double action revolvers to be a bit challenging to shoot well. This particular model is lighter than most which made it particularly challenging to fire! The trigger was a bit heavy and for with good reason, increased reliability. Unfortunately, the trigger of this particular sample pulled between eleven and twelve pounds! This made shooting at distance difficult, which may be why my target was only five yards away. Even at shorter distances I found myself pulling low right, but this helped me work on my trigger control as recoil is incredibly light. The sights were very visible and I prefer pinned sights to milled slides any day. In all, I fired  300 rounds in one range session and it didn't cost me an arm and a leg!

Conclusions

The Smith & Wesson 43c is a really neat J-frame chambered in .22LR! Not only is this light weight revolver a fun range gun, but it is a fantastic training aid for those that carry small framed wheel guns. Accessories are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. I think the reliability might be the one factor that keeps me from adding this one to my list. While two of the six loads did manage to fire all eight rounds, this only happened after a second strike. Shooting this revolver was challenging because of the heavier trigger weight. I really like the visible front sight and the lack of recoil. 

If you are looking for a really neat .22 revolver, you might want to give this one a try! Jimmy, thank you again for letting me shoot this revolver from your great collection!

As always, if you have any suggestions for future posts or would like to share your experience on the current topic please post below!

Rogers Enhanced Ruger LCR Grip

 

Over the course of the last weekend of September, I attended the Pat Rodgers Memorial Revolver Round Up hosted by Hardwired Tactical Shooting in Carrollton, Texas. The 2018 course focused on snub nosed revolvers and I contacted several companies for products designed with the Ruger LCR in mind for test and evaluation. HolsterOps responded to my request for a Rogers Enhanced LCR Grip and quickly shipped one for review!

In addition to the two days of coursework, I was also able to run these grips in a local match. At the beginning of December, one of the local clubs hosted an IDPA BUG (Back Up Gun) Match. This division is restricted to five shot revolvers that are under 22 ounces, and fit into the test box (6 1/2'' X 4 5/8'' X 1 3/8''). Unfortunately, these grips are a bit too large for the box. For range use and concealed carry, these grips are awesome!

An Improved Design

The Rogers Enhanced Ruger LCR Grip was designed to improve on the factory issued model. HolsterOps opted for a material change and constructed the grips out of hard plastic rather than softer rubber. Fabric often clings to rubber, which can be bad for concealed carry as it can reveal the firearm. The smooth material prevents any snags, but the side panels are textured to reduce the revolver from shift in hand under recoil.

Aside from the material change, the most noticeable difference is in length. The dimensions are only slightly larger than the original grips, but do allow for the full grip. Palm swells are also present to fill the hand and provide a more complete grasp of the grips. Enlarging the stocks on a revolver can lead to concealment issues; however, in my experience, the size does not make the LCR any less concealable than the the standard rubber grips.  

Grip Comparison

The Ruger LCR ships from the factory with Hogue Tamer grips. Tamers feature a squishy recoil pad positioned under the web of the shooting hand to soften recoil. Shooters with averaged sized hands can squeeze two fingers on these rubber grips. Out of the box these are very comfortable, but I don't particularly like finger grooves.

I'm not super fond of the factory LCR grips because of the finger grooves, so I purchased a second set for the Ruger LCR. The Hogue Tamer Bantam Boot grips don't have the grooves and are very concealable. The only negative is allow a one and three quarter finger grip...if you have normal sized hands. Folks with larger hands might only get a finger and a half. On the plus side, I think the boot grips would be great on the Ruger LCR .22LR/.22WMR models.

Compared to both the factory and Hogue Bantam grips, the Rogers grips allow for a full three finger grip. A larger gripping area allows most shooters to fire faster and more accurately. The side panel texturing and palm swell also provide more contact with the stock, providing a more stable grip. 

 

Shooting Impressions

I'll be honest, when I first popped the Rogers Enhanced Ruger LCR Grips out of the box, I was worried they would be very uncomfortable to shoot. The hard material seemed like it would beat up my hands. After two days of coursework and an IDPA match, I can say that this is not the case with .38 Special ammunition. While .38 Special + P ammo is also controllable with a bit more effort, I'm not willing to fire .357 Magnum out of a 17 ounce revolver.

The slight palm swell of the grip fills your hand so recoil translates a bit differently. The added length also allows the third finger to rest on the grips and assist in recoil mitigation. The texture on the side provides additional control without being to rough. In my opinion, the features of the Rogers Enhanced positively improve the shooting experience of the Ruger LCR!

Speed Loader Fitment

Unlike automatics, revolvers have the ability to accept different grip shapes. Not all grips are relieved to fit different loading devices. In the previous two posts, two different LCR speed loaders have been showcased: the 5Star Firearms J2-357/38 and the Speed Beez LCR38-05. Thankfully, the Rogers grips are recessed to allow both loaders function without issue! 

 

Conclusions

The Rogers Enhanced LCR Grip is a great upgrade for the Ruger LCR. The slightly increased size over the factory option allows for better control without influencing concealability of the  revolver. These are now my preferred grips for the LCR and I don't plan on changing any time soon. I'm glad the match director let me shoot the IDPA BUG match with my these grips, even if they don't quite fit in the box. I guess I'll have to return to the stock grips for future matches, but we'll see.

I am sad to report that the grips are currently unavailable. The direct link to the product page is missing from the website as of this post. If enough people show interest, maybe the company will produce them again. Please visit the HolsterOps website for their other great products and to one of these grips when they are in stock!

As always, if you have any suggestions for future posts or would like to share your experience on the current topic please post below!

Speed Beez Speed Loaders and Carriers

Over the course of the last weekend of September, I attended the Pat Rodgers Memorial Revolver Round Up hosted by Hardwired Tactical Shooting in Carrollton, Texas. The 2018 course focused on snub nosed revolvers. In anticipation of the event, I reached out to several companies for products designed with the Ruger LCR in mind. Speed Beez answered my request and sent both a speed loader and a matching kydex carrier for test and evaluation. 

In addition to my experiences at the course, I was also able to do a bit more testing at a local match. Last weekend, one of the local clubs hosted an IDPA BUG (Back Up Gun) Match. The current rules permit five shot revolvers under 22 ounces. Those requirements fit my Ruger LCR .357 perfectly AND a fellow shooter had a few extra Speed Beez loaders and carriers for me to borrow! After some challenging (but fun) days on the range, here are my thoughts on these two products.

Speed Loader

The Speed Beez Model LCR38-05 is designed for the five shot Ruger LCR. The loaders feature an aluminum construction with large brightly anodized handles. The bases are slightly relieved to mimic the cylinder and use an external spring to retain the loaded rounds. The handle rides on a guide that is under spring tension. The handles are milled with posts that push the rounds into the cylinder. In the case of center-fire ammunition, the posts contact the rim of the case to avoid ignition. The opposite is true in their rimfire speed loaders. Best of all, the loaders are manufactured in the USA!

Speed Loader Function

The Speed Beez speed loader design is intuitive in both the loading and reloading processes. Simply orient the rounds to the chambers and continue to push the handle until the rounds click in place. This requires a firm push to release the cases, but also prevents accidental release of the rounds. This system works well, especially in a competition environment. There is just enough tension in the external spring to hold the rounds securely in place while in a carrier; however, rounds can pop out if thrown into a pocket without protection. If you intend to carry these for self defense, make sure they are riding around in a carrier!

Speed Loader Performance

The range portions of the Revolver Round Up were shot on a concrete range. Over the course of that weekend, this loader was dropped at least a dozen times from waist height. Aside from a few dings and a little finish wear, the Speed Beez loaders continued to function. I also wanted to get the loaders a little dirty and found that opportunity at the BUG match. I dropped them into mud and sand during each  course of fire. I gave them a quick shake and loaded them up for the next stage. No problems over six stages. That's the sign of a good product!

  

Speed loader fitment can occasionally be an issue with certain models of grips/stock. When I first received the loader, I was a little worried about the speed loader clearance with my selected grip from Holster Ops. Thankfully, this proved to be a non issue with the precision milled base matching the cylinder exactly.

Kydex Speed Loader Carrier

In addition to the large variety of speed loaders in their inventory, Speed Beez also offers three sizes of speed loader pouches. I really appreciate it when companies provide quality accessories for their stuff. These carriers are manufactured by Comp-Tac and are constructed of injection molded plastic. Tension is adjustable and is controlled by the screw at the bottom. The model I received arrived at the perfect setting, no adjustments needed. These are a great design!

Conclusions

I really like Speed Beez products! This is certainly not my first (or last) experience with their gear. My Smith & Wesson 929 competition rig currently sports a Moon Clip Belt Rack and holster. I have also purchased several .22lr loaders and the associated loading blocks, so I expected the center-fire versions to function well.

The all aluminum construction of these speed loaders was a wise decision for Speed Beez, albeit an expensive one. Polymer loaders can be had for half or even a third the price with a hunting. While their loaders are a bit pricey, you are receiving precisely milled parts that are manufactured in the United States. Quality gear is expensive, but a worthwhile investment for the advantages this design offers. If I continue to shoot the LCR in IDPA BUG, I might need a few more loaders and carriers. Speed Beez, any chance you could manufacture a double speed loader carrier for IDPA? 

If you are in need of a speed loader, loading block, or other revolver gear then please visit their website for more information. I know I'll be making another order soon! 

As always, if you have any suggestions for future posts or would like to share your experience on the current topic please post below!

5 Star Firearms Speed Loaders and Accessories

Over the course of the last weekend of September, I attended the Pat Rodgers Memorial Revolver Round Up hosted by Hardwired Tactical Shooting in Carrollton, Texas. The 2018 course focused on snub nosed revolvers. In anticipation of the event, I reached out to several companies for products designed with the Ruger LCR in mind. 5 Star Firearms responded to my request immediately and graciously sent a care package with several LCR accessories my way. Here are some of my thoughts regarding the speed loaders, kydex speed loader carrier, and two different loading blocks.

Speed Loaders 

Prior to receiving the 5 Star speed loaders, most of my LCR reloads were conducted with HKS Model 36 speed loaders. HKS loaders feature a plastic body and knurled handle that releases the rounds with a clockwise turn. I have encountered two issues using HKS loaders. First, the plastic body of the HKS contacts the stocks and does not allow the loader to completely line up with the cylinder. It often requires a little wiggling for the rounds to fall into place. Second, as a lefty, turning the knob clockwise often resulted in the speed loader rolling towards the gun and cluttering up the reload process.  In my opinion, 5 Star has addressed both of these issues.

No contact with the grip.

5 Star Firearms speed loaders are made entirely of aluminum rather than plastic. Model J2-357/38 are designed to fit the slightly smaller Ruger LCR cylinder. As you can see in the picture above, the loader body does not contact my preferred grips during the loading process. Additionally, these loaders feature a counter clockwise turn to release the rounds.  As a lefty, activating the knob also send the loaders to the left and away from the revolver. I think both of these features are huge improvements to the turn release speed loader design! While I used other loading devices during each block of instruction, the 5 Star speed loaders quickly became my most frequently used device.

Speed Loaders Performance

Range work at the 2018 Revolver Round Up was conducted on a concrete bay rather than dirt or fluffy grass. How did the 5 Star Firearms speed loaders hold up to two days of repeated drops onto hard surface? Pretty well. As you can see in the photos above, The concrete left some dings on the aluminium loaders. Despite this abuse, all four devices continue to function flawlessly. I was a little bummed the concrete marred the red anodizing, but now the loaders have character and I know they can stand up to hard use!

 

Speed Loader Carrier

5 Star Firearms also offers the Kydex Speed Loader Carrier for the J2-357/38. I was most excited about this product as finding speed loaders for certain models can be challenging, but finding kydex carriers can be next impossible! 5 Star must have recognized this and manufactured a carrier for what I would guess is their most popular device. The clip is  low profile and reversible to make inside the waistband carry comfortable...especially at the center-line position. I really like this carrier and this has been riding around on my belt since the course.

Range Stand and Bedside Block

  

5 Star Firearms also included a Range Stand and a Bedside Block to make reloading between strings of fire much faster. Simply load the bases with rounds, load the speed loaders, and then top off the bases with additional rounds for future use. Both bases are precisely milled to fit the footprint of the speed loader, so the speed loaders fit over the rounds perfectly.

The Range Stand is designed to hold both your revolver, prepared loaders, and extra rounds. The base is wide and heavy enough to hold the wheel gun at the ready between strings of fire. At the time of this post, the Range Stand is only available in the natural finish, but that finish sure is shiny! The theory behind the bedside block is simple; the block is a great way to have spare ammunition loaded and accessible on your nightstand, should you need it. The bedside block can also be anodized in the same finishes as the speed loaders. 

Conclusions

5 Star Firearms produces some fantastic accessories, particularly for the Ruger LCR. The speed loaders performed well in a semi-stressful environment and after taking a bit of abuse. I plan to continue carrying a red 5 Star J2 in their kydex speed loader carrier. The option to color the aluminum loaders is really neat. If you are like me and would like to color code your gear for different firearms, the anodizing option might be exactly what you are looking for! 

Special thanks to Kim at 5 Star Firearms for sending me all of this gear to test at the 2018 Pat Rogers Revolver Round Up. The company also manufactures loaders and accessories for six, seven, and even eight shot revolver so if you are need of a quality turn release loader, please visit their website!

As always, if you have any suggestions for future posts or would like to share your experience on the current topic please post below!

Taylor's & Company Short Stroke Smoke Wagon

Taylor's & Company

Taylor's & Company is dedicated to producing historically accurate replicas of firearms designed between the mid nineteenth century through the beginning of the twentieth century. As an importer, quality control is taken very seriously and every firearm is inspected before it leaves the facility. I am a huge fan of these single action revolver and Taylor's was kind enough to send a Short Stroke Smoke Wagon out for testing & evaluation. The model requested for review (Item Number 556202) features a five and a half inch (5.5") barrel and is chambered in .45 Long Colt. 
 

Smoke Wagon

The Smoke Wagon line of revolvers is likely named after a line in the film Tombstone (1993). During an argument, Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russel) challenges Johnny Taylor (Billy Bob Thorton) to draw his revolver referring to it as a smoke wagon. These models have a deep blued finish with a case-hardened frame. This firearm also comes with a short stroke action and a low profile hammer spur for faster manipulation. Rather than selecting traditional smooth side stock, the Smoke Wagon's stocks feature deep checkering that provides a bit more control and comfort during use. The rear sight notch has been widened to allows for a better sight picture. While none of these updates are period correct, they improve the handling of a classic design. 

What is a "Short Stroke" action?

For those unfamiliar with the single action design, the Smoke Wagon's hammer must be cocked by the shooter for each shot. In many revolvers with this type of action, the throw of the hammer is relatively long. While a normal hammer can be cocked quickly, anytime saved in the shooting process is beneficial whether on the range or in a showdown at high noon (even if this sort of thing never happened in the Old West). This is the reason that Taylor's selected this enhanced action. As a bonus, shooters with larger hands who suffer from hammer bite will enjoy this improved design.

  

Short stroke versus full stroke

The photo above is a comparison between the standard length action and a short stroke action. There is a clear difference between the two action types. With a little tinkering, gunsmiths shortened the hammer's length of travel while maintaining reliable ignition. Short stroking actions has become popular in cowboy action shooting to shave time off the clock. Milliseconds matter. I plan to shoot a few cowboy action matches in the next year or two and I see the appeal of the short stroke hammer. I'm glad Taylor's chose to include this type of action on the Smoke Wagon.

Stocks

Impressive checkering!

   

Most revolvers manufactured in the single action army pattern are equipped with smooth wooden stocks. I've found that the smooth stocks are a bit too slick when shooting heavier recoiling ammunition. I recently discovered that replacing stocks on the single action frame is a labor of love and often requires refinishing the frame. The Smoke Wagon ships with checkered wooden stocks, which provides more traction during recoil. This upgrade makes this revolver just a bit better than some of the Taylor's other offerings. There is just enough texture to maintain a good grip without being uncomfortable.

Sight Picture

The original single action army was designed with a very utilitarian sighting system. This is basically a tall front blade and a thin rear notch at the back of a trench milled into the top strap. For someone spoiled with fiber optic front sights, or red dot optics for that matter, shooting with these rudimentary sights is challenging. As my readers know, I am one of these shooters who has had access to these modern sighting systems. Red dot sights ride on many of my revolvers and almost all my handguns have fiber optics front sights installed. 

Taylor's & Company manufactures the majority of their replicas to the original specifications. Despite the temptation to make changes to the design, the company focuses on historical accuracy. The decision to widen the rear sight notch slightly on this improved model should appeal to both competitive shooters and fans of the single action design. This is a clever upgrade that further enhances the shooting experience.

Ammunition

Aguila (left), Buffalo (center), and Hornady (right)

For testing purposes, I purchased three different brands of ammunition to run through the Smoke Wagon. The first round was manufactured by Aguila Ammo (Item Number 1E454319). This is a 200 grain lead round nose flat point bullet going about 600 feet per second. The second round was made by The Buffalo Cartridge Company (SKU: BCC00017). While it is also 200 grain lead round nose flat point bullet, the velocity is a bit faster at 685 feet per second. The final round selected was Hornady Cowboy (Item Number 9115) and propels a 255 grain lead round nose flat point bullet 725 feet per second. I wanted to shoot a decent variety factory ammunition through the Smoke Wagon to test for reliability as well as shooting experience.

Shooting Impressions

Five rounds of each on a cowboy silhouette.

 

I really enjoyed shooting this replica of a historical firearm!  While I do have a bit of experience with single action guns like the Ruger Bisley and my single action army, the majority of my revolver shooting experience is with modern Smith & Wesson wheel guns in double action. The grip frame design is a bit short, but still comfortable even if my pinky finger hangs off the bottom. Due to the shape, the Smoke Wagon rolls in your hand during recoil.  This is different than what I'm used to, but Colt was on the right track when this frame shape was designed. Here are some of the targets showing the results of my ammunition testing!

  

The first rounds loaded into the cylinder were the Aguila Ammo "Cowboy Action Load." Full disclosure, this is actually the round I keep on hand for use in my single action army manufactured by another Italian firm. The lead bullet is loaded into Starline brass, but I don't recognize the primer.  

My previous experience with this ammunition lead me to believe it would be the lightest recoiling round of the bunch. This ammo is something that you can shoot all day through the Smoke Wagon and I ended up shooting two boxes during the testing process.

The Buffalo Cartridge Company produces a product line designed for cowboy action shooting called "Outlaw." Buffalo is affiliated with the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) as of 2017, so I figured what better round to test in a revolver ideal for cowboy action shooting!

Buffalo claims to use only "high grade components" and I believe it. Presentation matters as much as performance to some shooters and this ammunition receives top marks in both categories. These rounds look very pretty out of the box. While recoil is slightly higher than the Aguila Ammo, this ammo loaded lightly enough that you should be able to shoot an entire match without issue. I'll be picking up a case when I need to restock!

   

The Hornady round tested was also marketed as a lighter cowboy load. Compared to the other two rounds, this recoiled the hardest of the three. It actually surprised me after firing two very mild offerings back to back. All that being said, Hornady Cowboy was still very was manageable. The higher velocity bullet resulted in the projectile striking slightly higher on the target. I didn't save any of the targets I shot at the 25 yard mark, but the bullets were impacting closer to the center at that range. 

Conclusions

All told, I fired 190 rounds through this wheel gun and enjoyed every minute! My parent's generation grew up watching westerns. I didn't. Instead, one of my first encounters with the single action army revolver was in the video game franchise Metal Gear Solid on the Sony PlayStation. A key character named Revolver Ocelot wields a pair of single actions, often spinning them in dramatic fashion, in several of the games. Ever since this gaming experience I've wanted to own a similar model.

There is another variation of the Short Stroke Smoke Wagon, known as the Short Stroke Gunfighter, that features an extended grip frame and similarly checkered wooden stocks.  I hope to test this model and it's unique grip in the future as well. Special thanks to Ashley of Taylor's & Co. and Steve of Evatt Marketing Group for making this review a reality. Please visit the Taylor's & Company website to view all of their product offerings. I hope to review a more models from Taylor's large catalog of firearms soon! 

As always, if you have any suggestions for future posts or would like to share your experience on the current topic please post below!