Looking to purchase a shooter-grade S&W .22 magnum trail gun with a 6" barrel. I've already got a few S&W .22LR guns and guns with 4" barrels so looking to branch out. I tend to lean towards older models but not so old that they are a collector's item, however, I would never turn down an affordable good shooter based on age or lack thereof.

Here's what I know, so far:

J-Frame
Model 51 - steel; 6 rds
Model 650 - stainless steel; 6 rds; fixed sights
Model 651 - stainless steel; 6 rds; adjustable sights; 4” barrel


K-FRAME
Model 48 - steel; 6 rds; 4”&6” barrel
Model 648 - stainless steel; 6 rds; 6“ barrel; (ugly)full lug
Model 48 Classic - steel ; 6 rds; 4”&6” barrel

Are there any other models I should be on the look out for? Any additional info to add to my little chart?

TIA!

Well, I've got a no-dash Model 48 with 8 3/8" barrel that I love dearly but would never consider it a "trail gun" due to its weight. A 4" would be sweet though. I really wish S&W would make a 317-3 version in 22 mag.

Get your wallet out! They are hard to find and usually expensive. Anything under $600 would likely be pretty beat up.

I recently found an Interarms Rossi Model 515 (.22 Magnum) which is a great size & weight for a trail gun. Roughly the size of a J-frame but has a 4" half lug barrel with a wide heavy top strap. It's about 6 oz heavier than a 4" 651 and the extra weight makes it feel like a larger gun. It's quite accurate and has a nice trigger, though loading and extraction require a little extra care compared to a good S&W. I got it for $325 then found out it might be even rarer than the Smiths because it was only imported for one year. Grab one of you can find it.

All I got is this old Model 48,,,,



Someone drilled an extra hole in the front of the trigger guard,,,



We shot it,,, once,,, EVERYBODY went running for hearing protection!!

The best beater trail gun is a Ruger Single Six,,,
then you can choose between 22LR and 22 Magnum,,,

Thanks for all the good info!

Just food for thought - nothing wrong with your idea but feeding one can be bit tricky in that 22WMR is still one of the scarcest ammo's to find.
You need to be persistent when looking for the ammo.

Ditto on the ruger single six I have a stainless convertible with a 6.5" barrel.

I don't take my s&w in the woods or ccw carry. The value is getting way to high. They do go to the range. Someday I'll get a S&W m48 4".

Depending on the .22s you currently have you may be able to have a .22 Magnum cylinder fitted. I currently have a Model 35, 63 and 17 that have been fitted with 51, 651 and 48 cylinders and they are GREAT shooters...

Look on eBay and GunBroker...takes a while but they can be found. Not too long ago I had a 4" 617 that I really wanted to convert to .22 Magnum. Looked for a year+ for a cylinder to no avail... Sold the gun back in January and what turns yesterday on eBay...a brand new 648 cylinder...

As to buying a new one...don't know... Taurus Tracker is a nice gun. I have three in .41 Magnum. I've handled one in 4" stainless and it was a nice handling gun. If you want a 6" S&W Model 48s can be had for decent money as long as they don't have the Long Rifle cylinder with them...



Bob

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One not on your list is the model 351, a 2" J frame DAO...probably not the 6" trail gun you seek.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

BTW, does anyone know if any of the S&W J-frame .22 magnum guns came with 6" barrels? I am not finding any evidence that such a configuration was ever made by S&W.

No, only the model 35 or an earlier version, in .22 LR.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I just purchased a 351PD w/external hammer and I added the CT350G grips. Slapped it into a Milt Sparks PMK and it's sweet. Sometimes I forget that I'm even wearing it. Not so good for the outback so I also ordered a 48-4 that should be a little bit more punchy.

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Dan Ortego ~

This was my thought too. If I did find a 651 it would be too expensive to take into the swamp. Hence the Rossi.

I used to own a 60's vintage 6", Mod 48. It was a pristine and beautiful gun that shot like a laser beam. The love affair ended there though as I found it more expensive to shoot than 38 spl reloads and about twice as dirty. In fact, I never was able to get a box of 50 rounds through that gun without the action gumming up with unburnt powder. The gun ended up as a safe queen until it got sold off when I went through my "I'll keep what I shoot" period.

p.s. I would second the Ruger single six's as a trail gun. They cost half of what a mod 48 will run you and will get the job done nicely. You can also use it to pound in your tent stakes :-)
The SS seem to gum up less as well (likely due to more forgiving tolerances.) Most will also allow you the option to shoot 22 lr when you fall out of lust with the 22 mag. (and you will.)

Good luck in your search!

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Dave

I'm not sure the 22mag in a revolver is a good idea as a trail gun.

I had one. No more and never again.

Tried to plink a blue grouse out of a tree on a pack trip with mine.

Unpleasantly loud for the purpose.

My Woodsman or M 34 are both better trail guns. I've taken grouse with both with out the unpleasant, excessive noise.

The 22mag offers only trivially greater velocity in a hand gun than 22 lr. Hardly enough to matter for any practical application

Unless you are going to wear hearing protection on the trail, get something else.