My wife has some arthritis, and her hand is extremely recoil sensitive. She just got a S & W 351C for "carry" (Yes, I know, but she can't handle even a 38 special with wadcutters). The marking on the bbl says .22 M.R.F. CTG.

Will it safely chamber and shoot a .22 WRF Winchester Wildcat? I'd like to get her comfortable with the mildest load possible before she tries hotter loads. She likes to shoot, but is not into pain.

Advice please.

Thanx,

Yes, .22 WRF will safely work in a .22 MRF. Either way make sure you use hearing protection during practice because that gun is loud!

Just how loud is it??? I'm shooting 38 Special (Ruger LCR) & 357 Magnum (DW w/2 1/2" bbl), in snubbies. Louder than those???

I see you're a civil engineer. Me too (1962), mostly structural.

I should clarify that I've only read about how loud the 351 is with .22 MRF, I haven't experienced it myself (yet). If you search the forum, you'll find threads about the noise levels.

A+, you’re the first person to catch that! I’m in Water Resources with PEs in NC, VA and MD.

As a owner of a 351PD, I have a couple of suggestions. First, replace the pretty wood grips with some rubber grips, there are several out there, Hogue "snap on" compacts, or S&W factory rubber grips come to mind.
Second, after your wife gets comfortable with the WRF load, move up to the Win dynapoints, they are not as hot as most 22 mag's, and she will be able to move up slowly to the regular 22 mag load.
My 351 likes the CCI 40gr HP's (load # 0024) or the CCI 40gr SP's (load # 0022).
I found the rubber grips were more comfortable for me to shoot, and I can save the pretty wood grips.

She wanted the laser grip, so that what she got... Anything within reason to insure that she's armed when she needs to be.

I've read some reports about 351C "failure to fire" with some ammo. I just got some WRF ammo today, and am itching to shoot some of it.