.22LR/Magnum 'stopping power'.....

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I see the Model 351PD Airlite on S&W's website, so it looks they solved whatever problems Jordan said they encountered-remember his book was written in the 1960s.
A lot depends on tactics-remember Charlie Askins definition of the belly gun-"you put it against your opponent's belly and pull the trigger."

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

Modern short-barrel .22 mag ammo is roughly equivalent to .32 ACP in power but probably penetrates better.

If Ruger makes the LCR in .22 Magnum, Jordan's wish may finally come true. I know S&W has the Model 351C Centennial 7-shot snub in .22 Magnum, but it is extremely scarce and reportedly beset with various problems.

I would probably choose a 7 or 8 round .22 WMR snub over a 5-round .38 Special for carry.

 

[Mauser lover]

As a belly gun, maybe I would take an eight or nine shot .22 WMR snubby over a 5 shot .38 of the same weight... I don't think that it would my primary gun though, although I would probably carry the back up more than the primary...

How about a two inch Hi-Standard nine shot .22 WMR? The one I saw at the LGS was a pretty nice specimen, I would have gotten it but for the LGS employee that saw it first.....
I think that it is a bit heavier than an airweight though.