351 PD Ammo Sensitive?

[JV_2108]

Ok, so I bought a new 351 PD on Gunbroker last July. Shot it a bit (not many rounds but probably 100 or less), and put it in the safe for about six months. Don't know for sure what I shot then.

Fast forward to now. Somewhere along the way I bought 500 rounds of Federal Champion 22 WMR and one box of Winchester Dynapoint 22 WMR. The Federal's work great - no issues. The Dynapoint's only go off in single action. Pull the trigger in double action and I can go all the way around - 7 rounds, and none fire. A little scary, yes.

The gun seems really clean. One odd bit (just in case it's related and I've got a lot more to learn). I have tended to clean guns with Hoppes # 9, not pass a dry cloth through them, reload, and put in the safe. So, this gun sat loaded for six months in the safe. And the brass, well, it was a little green. Since then, I've been wiping/drying out the cylinders on all my revos before loading (or leaving unloaded) and putting in the safe. I do keep an eye on the safe, and have several dessicant containers in there. So, no real moisture problems.

All in all, I suspect this 351 PD just needs some service. Am I on track here, and, do I do this locally or send it in to S&W?

Thanks,

John

 

[VA27]

That's why I sold mine. It wasn't 100% with any ammo I tried. After a trip back to the factory it would work with CCI MaxiMags, but was still too spotty with any other brand and I never completely trusted it, which is not good in a defensive arm. It wasn't accurate enough to be a trail gun, either.

I finally found an older 3.5" Model 51 and it's been 100% reliable with any load and is superbly accurate.

 

[JT'sDad]

My 351PD has had no reliability issues. I use CLP to clean all my guns so nothing special there. As you can see I shoot a wide variety of ammo through it and a couple of other rifles. Keep trying, maybe you had a particularly bad batch of ammo.

 

[JV_2108]

Sounds like I should send it back to the factory for a check, and see what comes of that. Till then, I'll stick with the Federal's.

Thanks,

John

 

[Stainz]

Your 351 likely isn't 'broken-in'. A trip back to S&W for their 'rimfire trigger job', which is likely still around $85 inc s/h both ways, will probably fix that problem. The 351 has a stiff trigger - and every bit of internal cleanup/polishing you can get will help. The hammer spring is considerably stiffer than a cf J-frame's spring. A lighter rebound spring will help - but the PC Shop won't change the hammer spring - to help insure it will pop WMRs, of course. Polishing the innards helps the trigger - and polishing/lubricating that internal hammer and side frame surfaces - will yield harder fp hits, too. Often, it improves through just use - but an accelerated dry-firing, even with snap-caps, isn't suggested with a rimfire, while it works well with a cf. Often times, they improve as you fire them - shoot your 1k of good ammo first. Naw, that trigger job will likely be less than what ten boxes of ammo runs - get the trigger job! Good luck!

Stainz