Hello All,
I am new to this forum and could really use some advice asap. I just bought a new 351PD 22mag on Friday. I have always carried a J-frame as my back-up gun. But I am a bit old school and have always carried a steel model 36. I had been considering a lighter back-up for a while now. Then I saw the new Critical Defense 22 mag ammo from Hornady will be out soon. This kind of sold me on the 351PD. I have always been a real believer of the 22 mag as a back-up carry round. (At least compared to an unreliable .380).
Well to get to my question. I took the gun home Friday and really didn't' have a good chance to inspect it and do an initial cleaning until today. So needless to say it had hardly been handled. When I was looking it over today I noticed that the black coating over the scandium was already wearing. It is only a small section on the cylinder arm where the cylinder pivots and touches the frame. The mark is obviously a result of the cylinder arm touching the frame. (I could take a picture if needed) I have maybe opened the cylinder 4 times. I can see bare alloy under the missing black coating. I know this is very minor but if it could cause issues later on I want to take car of it now. I do a lot of business with my dealer so I am sure they would take it back and get me a new one if this is abnormal. I had a family member that is a gun smith look at it today and he didn't seem to be concerned. In fact he and another family member ordered two more 351PD's today. His advise was to cover the area with a sharpie. This will be a "work" gun that will more than likely get a few bump's and bruises over its lifetime. But as most of you know the first imperfection on a new gun is hard to get over. And this being only two days old and never fired I am a bit worried. So if anyone has experience with this issue please let me know what to do.
I am very happy to be a part of this forum. I have read many posts but this is my first question. So I want to thank everyone on here for all the great info.

I also have a 351PD and had other S&W's with the black finish and it does not seem to hold up too well in certain areas like where the cylinder stop is on the frame that keeps the cylinder from falling off when open. This area is usually the first to get scraped off. At least the gun won't rust in these areas but it does not look very good. Either use the Sharpie or learn to live with it. I have been dissapointed in this finish and have sold or traded almost all the S&W's with it. Back to good old stainless steel.

I wouldn't worry about it. So long as the cylinder opens freely all is well. The fit between the yoke and the frame is pretty tight so if there is a burr or if something got in that space that would cause the scratches.

Welcome to the forum.

In my post I put cylinder arm and I meant to put yolk. The scratch is where the yolk touches the frame. Just an ascetic problem but a hard pill to swallow on a 2 day old never fired $750 gun. I hope if I use a marker to cover up the scratch that it wouldn't rust. S&W is a fantastic company and I am sure they would fix the issue but its always such a pain to send guns back for service. I tried to post a picture but can't do it on my blackberry. Will add one soon. Thanks for the advise so far!

I agree the finish is a weak point. But the guns are just amazing. I really like mine and can overlook a few minor finish issues to enjoy the rest of the gun. I put laser grips on mine and they seem to compliment the gun well.

As a side note, I loaned it out to my youngest son so he could take the CCW course. He wasn't so sure about it at first. But then after the range session he came back saying everyone, including the instructor loved it. Then a couple of months ago he came back and wanted to borrow it again. I didn't mind, but told him to leave my grips on it. He took his wife and another couple to the range. Again, it was an instant favorite.

The only weakness I see is the round and how noisy it is. I think you will end up liking the gun. I'd suggest you buy a permanent magic marker and use it to touch up the finish issue you find fault with. Just my opinion, but sending the gun back will be a loser for you. The finish is a weak point, but you won't ever be able to make it durable. Enjoy the gun for what it is. A great lightweight revolver.

Oh, and do yourself a favor. Never even consider shooting it without ear protection. OK, unless your life is in danger.

I just wish the ammo makers would produce magnum ammo designed for short barrel guns. I'm going to guess you'll end up buying several varieties of ammo before you settle on one you like. Most are designed for long barrel firearms. The 351 isn't one of them.

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Dick Burg

Thanks rburg. You listed all the reasons I got the 22mag. Oh and btw Hornady will have the new 22 mag short barrel 45 grain Critical Defense ammo out next month. If you look on the Hornady site you can see they used the 351pd for ballistic testing. Also Speer Gold Dot will have the new short barrel 22mag ammo out any day. Both show very similar results as 38 special and 380 ammo out of a 22 mag. Should be a great option for us 351 owners!

I can't wait to try that short barrel ammo in my PMR-30 (it will be like having a bucket of 380's with me....coool

S&W.jpg

In the middle of the picture you should be able to see the area. Let me know waht you think.

Nothing to worry about. As you carry it, you'll get even more wear, and it'll look gooood.

That's the beauty of aluminum, you don't have to worry too much about rusting. I've got blued revolvers with a lot of wear in the crane pivot area, no sweat.

If you use them in a pocket or holster often, all guns will show it.

Thanks for your thoughts. So far everyone on this forum has been very helpful. I shot a friends 351c today. Really liked it. However I am happy I got the PD. And I am really considering using it as my duty back-up/back-up ankle gun. As far as a back up I always have a Glock 26 but as a back-up/back-up I have not settled on a gun. I have gone through almost all the small 380's. And they have all let me down. And I am sorry to say the bodyguard 380 is on that list. I was having good luck with the Kahr p380. I was using Ranger T-series ammo. It broke in great and didn't start jamming until about 500 rounds. I have no use for guns that jam so I sold it. Now I'm back to the tried and true J-Frame. And I didn't even think about a 22 mag until I saw all the new ammo that will be out this year. And little did I know how many LEO's in my area carry a 351PD/C as a deep carry back-up. So I guess ill do what a few of you have told me to do. Ill just deal w the scratch issue. Its just hard to get over the first bump or bruise. And its weird that most people could never notice the scratch but I could see it across the room

Are you sure that is the finish missing and not dust collected in that crevice?

I agree with using a Sharpie.

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NRA - All Day

Yes its the finish. I can feel it when I run my finger over the area. I wonder if all coated guns do this? I am thinking they may