Lightweight, Reliable .22WMR Revolver?

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tawcat

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I own a S&W 351PD (.22WMR), my gunsmith tells me to get rid of it. Says this model was made by the "new" owners and basically is a piece of crap.

So, if this be true, and I still want a .22WMR lightweight revolver, who offers a reliable revolver?

I just happen to love the .22WMR, used to own a Grendle (sp) P-30, what a good shooter, sorry I got rid of it, but it would never had made a good CCW.
 
Does it work? Can you shoot 200 rounds through it with all of them going bang? Can you keep it to within minute of basketball at 10 yards? Is it comfy to carry? I have S&W's ranging from 1937 to 2007- and they all do the job. I tend to disagree with your gunsmith.


Of course, I'll be happy to take that "piece of crap" off your hands... Heck, I'll even throw in $50 so you can tell your friends that you got some money back.:p
 
While the Old Fuff much prefers older Smith and Wesson's, he would hesitate to call the current ones "crap." While they lack the fit and finish of earlier ones, they are generally reliable and reasonably accurate. As has been pointed out; if it goes bang! each time you pull the trigger, and the bullet goes to the point-of-aim, you can't ask for much more. If you feel that the gun has relibility or accuracy issues, S&W will fix them, and usually do it for free - including shipping.

Taurus makes a similar line of revolvers, but at this point I see no reason you should switch. I would ignore the gunsmith's opinion, unless or until you have a specific problem.

Do understand that because of the way the .22 WRM case is formed, it is necessary to have heavier hammer and trigger springs, and the effect on marksmanship shows up most in ultra-light/small revolvers - but this is true regardless of make or model.
 
I wouldn't mind making one improvement to the little 22.Mag snubby...Adjustable rear.

I think the gunsmith was trying to seperate you from your pistol.
 
+1 to what everyone else has said. There's just no pleasing some people and your gunsmith sounds like one of 'em!

If it shoots every time, hits close to point of aim at your selected distance, extracts the emptys without having to use a hammer and pleases you with it's looks and light weight, keep it and never mention it again to your 'gunsmith'.
 
Thanks to all

Well let settles it, I'm keeping the Smith. I felt the piece was pretty good, yeah the trigger pull is pretty stout, but when the adreniline is running I doubt I even notice that.

I really like the gun, and just concerned me when my gunsmith told me that.
 
tawcat, as far as the new Smiths being crap, I only have this to say;

I've been shooting Smith and Wesson revolvers for more than 40 years. Like has been said, the new ones don't have the art level fit and finish of say, my 1962 Model 17. But two years ago I bought a new 4 inch 617 with the 10 shot cyclinder, and it is a better shooter than my old 17. The trigger pull was a bit rough towards the end of the double action pull, but smoothed out after a few thousand rounds. So far I've put a box of Federal bulk pack .22's through it a week for the two years now, (being retired leaves me time to go to the range twice a week) and it's one of the best guns I've ever had.

The new Smiths need make no appology to anyone. Great guns with great factory suport.

PS- Find a new gunsmith.
 
Well Cr.. is certainly no thread title suitable for the High Road.
 
I've got one. It's not crap. About that stiff trigger, the mainspring is super heavy in S&W rimfire J frames but mine has been flawless with a regular spring I took out of my 60 so I ordered a new one and made the change permanent. That and a lighter rebound spring made my 351PD a very nice shooter. It got completey submerged in salt water for about 10 minutes and the only thing that rusted inside or out was the hammer which I replaced after that.

Whenever I hear crap like this I'm happy about three decisions I've made in my life. First was learning to reload or order ammo off the internet. Second was to order all my firearms off the internet and have the fishing tackle store I frequent do the transfers. Third is learning to work on my own guns. If someone besides me has to work on my guns it will be the manufacturer.
 
The "issues" with the key-lock S&W revolvers have been recoil-related. Rimfire revolvers don't recoil much, so I would not worry. You have a wonderful little beast. I want one for myself, when I manage to have money in my pocket at the same time my local dealer has one in stock.
 
I have a 351 & love it! We must have gunsmiths who are brothers...mine told me NOT to shoot it much because it was alum.I laughed & said forget THAT!!It's a Smith & is supposed to be shot.....many...many times!! I keep & carry mine,you would be surprised how many LEO friends try & buy it!
Jim
 
The 351pd is one revolver I've been wanting for years. Don't worry about people saying new smiths are crap and 22 wmr is pointless. These revolvers aren't all that common and you should feel lucky you actually have one. 7 rounds of maxi mag at +/-1400 fps in an 11 ounce revolver is nothing to sneeze at. Keep it, definitely do not sell it.
 
All the alloy .22 S&W's need is a set of Wolff springs so you don't dis-joint your finger bone while trying to shoot them DA!

rcmodel
 
I am another happy 351PD owner. Tell your smith to go spin. I would like to hear more about replacing springs though. My shoots fine but would love a lighter DA pull that will still set off the rimfire rounds.
 
I agree with the above post, "How much did your Gunsmith offer you for the revolver?"

I'm glad to hear you're keeping your current revolver. If you add a set of Wolf springs and buy a set of snap caps and "dry fire" it a lot your trigger will smooth out quite nicely.
 
I also own a 351PD and I like it a lot. It's so compact and easy to carry and would serve as a good BUG or woods roaming gun where one may encounter coyotes or feral dogs. I carry it easily concealed in my front pocket. With CCI Maxi Mag 40 gr. JHP's its fairly accurate within snub nose range and has surprising penetration and no real recoil. Its not an ideal self defense weapon and not a substitute for a bigger caliber but the 351PD can be effective if you do your part. The one drawback is that it is very loud. Louder than my 32 mag.
 
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