model 651
 

I ran across an interesting gun today--a model 651 .22 mag. It's got a 4" barrel, target sights; the original box; and a letter from S&W. It was made in the mid '80's and is in pristine condition. What do you think a gun like that is worth? I've never seen one before.

Paul Moore

$600 in these parts.....

Buy it, You'll like it!

I have a copy of the S&W 651, but it's a later 1992 vintage, and I bought it new.

Back in 1982, the Shooting Times cover for November was graced with a pair of S&W J frame magnums (650 & 651), and I'll admit that I was lusting badly for one.

Took ten years, but I got mine! http://smith-wessonforum.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Here's My copy:

Thanks to both of you for the info. It's a beautiful gun, but the person selling the one locally is dreaming on her price. Oh well...I'll wait and keep my eye out.

By the way, what does .22 mag shoot like? Is it similar to .22 LR in a revolver or is there a big difference?


Paul Moore

The 22 magnum in a revolver makes about the same energy as a HV 22LR does in a rifle.

I've seldom had to shoot anything twice, if I aim properly.

It's potent little cartridge, and CCI & Federal have some hot rounds that really push the envelope!

"..what does it shoot like..."?

In terms of performance or otherwise? As stated, you will be able to achieve nominal 22LR ballistics from a 4" revolver.

I find my 4" one to be quite accurate at 25 yards, doing 1-1.5" groups with Win SuperX ammo. There is slightly more recoil, as expected from the increased velocity, but monumentally more report! They are loud. A good bit of flash too.

I had a good friend whose passion was handgun hunting of ground hogs. He used everything from .44 magnum down through .357 Magnum and finally the .22 Rimfire Magnum in an S&W Handgun (K-frame with 6" barrel). One summer he took over 60 groundhogs with a handgun.

He told me that the damage to the ground hog with the .22 magnum was quite similar to wounds with the .357 magnum with expanding bullets.

FWIW
Dale53

There's some extra hot 22 magnum ammo out there, and yes...it's well worth the extra cost.
Here's just 2 of the available brands, and they both kick arse!

I was never impressed with the .22 WRFM until I got my 651.

I never like to be specific about how my guns shoot because whenever I say my gun will shoot such-and-such a group at X range, people seem to come out of the woodwork saying I am a shameless braggart or a terrible shot - sometimes both opinions at the same time. :D I learned long ago just not to do that.

But... of my rimfire revolvers, the 651 will shoot with the best of them, and outshoot most. Its the only one I have ever been around, so I don't have much experience with the model, but if my gun is typical of most of them, they are great shooters.

When I was younger and could see better, I was not fond of the sights, but the rest of the gun was great. :)

Thanks for all the great info. My question "how does it shoot" was a little vague, but you have pretty much answered my questions. What I meant was, "how much more recoil is there than a .22 LR." It sounds like the .22 mag lots noisier than a LR, but not much that much harder on the hand.


Thanks again for all the info. Now if I can convince the current owner to sell it for a reasonable price (they currently want $895--a little bit steep if you ask me).

One other thought has just occurred. You can shoot .38 sp out of a .357 gun. Why do you need a second cylinder to shoot .22 LR out of a gun designed to shoot .22 Mag?



Paul Moore

Here's the answer to my question regarding why the second cylinder:

If you plan on shooting .22LR, make sure it does come with a .22LR auxiliary cylinder as you CANNOT shoot .22LR out of a .22 Magnum cylinder. It is not like shooting .38 special out of a .357. The .357 magnum is simply a lengthened .38 special case loaded to higher energy, which allows the shorter .38 special case to be safely fired in a .357 chamber.

The .22 WMR uses a larger case than the .22 Long Rifle, both in diameter and length. The .22 WMR case is a lengthened version of the older .22 WRF. The .22 WMR's case is thicker than that of the .22 LR, allowing higher pressures. The combination of more powder and higher pressures gives velocities over 2,000 feet per second from a rifle using a 30-grain bullet, and 1,500 feet per second from a handgun. A .22 WMR round will not fit into the chamber of a .22 LR firearm but is possible to chamber and fire .22 LR rounds in a .22 WMR firearm. This is potentially hazardous due to the difference in case diameter. When fired, the .22 LR case expands in the chamber, which can cause the case to split open or become stuck. Also, the long rifle bullet will travel in the magnum chamber unsupported for .4" before entering the barrel causing leading in the chamber.

So the best way for you to shoot both .22 LR and .22 Magnum is for you to buy a good S&W model 34 after you get your model 650. Which is what I did. After all - - life is too short not to indulge yourself once in a while.

I got this one, a late 1997 ANIB, at a lgs for $579 otd a month or so back. It really looked new, too!

http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u...2007/001-2.jpg

It'll likely never be that clean gain. I've shot it several times - cleaned it, of course, too - and no spring changes planned - it's DA trigger is as good as my year old 3" 63 already. Fun to shoot - hardly a bump, but boy what a flash and crack! It came sighted on the money 12-15yd with CCI Maxi-Mag 40gr jhp. I found some HKS #51-J speedloaders for it - and Hornady 45 gr FTX 'Critical Defense' .22 WMR ammo - so it, too, like everything else that I have that goes bang, could have a defensive role.

Like my 3" & 5" 63's, it now sports '60 Pro' grips, too. Great hand fit - and they look better than the Goodyears it came with. I lucked into this one - very fortunate find. I love my x8 63's - great plinkers - but this is a real find. Your $895 is a bit dear - maybe $600-$700 range. Mine was a deal! Great revolver... still cannot believe I finally found one!

Stainz

PS Remember the old saying about the purchase price of a really good firearm - the price paid is quickly forgotten. The corollary, you'll always recall the price paid for a poor example, is also true.

MakeMyNight
 

Nice 651 by the way, I'm looking at the photo you supplied and noticed the "J" Target Stocks do not seem to match up to the frame as most I have seen. Have they been modified or am I just seeing things? Not to hijack the original post, just curious! Thanks

Nice 651 I'll stumble across one eventually.
My 650.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w128/bobful/650l.jpg

My (2) Model 651'S
 

As a collector of S&W 22 revolvers, I ordered both variations of the Model 651 when they first came out from a local S&W stocking dealer. The first Model 651 I got was a 4" square butt which is in the "R" serial number range (first of 902 made) and I got it with the extra 22 long rifle cylinder. When they announced that they would be available in a 2" round but variation, I ordered that one too along with the extra 22 long rifle cylinder. There were less than 1300 total 2" guns made so I feel very lucky I ordered one when I did. I believe also that S&W does not offer 22 long rifle companion cylinders any more for 22 magnum revolvers. I have dressed both guns up with smooth Rosewood grips, and was lucky enough to have an aftermarket presentation case for the 2" gun.
http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/z.../case005-1.jpg

Mines a 1993 era gun with a BPZ serial prefix. It came with the aux .22 LR cylinder, wrapped in plastic in the factory box. Instruction to change out the cylinder is a small sheet that was taped to the inside, top of the box.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...guy375/615.jpg

I believe it came with rubber grips, I replaced them with the wood grips shown.

M-39, I really like your pair of 651's , especially the two incher.

FN in MT

Thanks for all the great photos. They are really nice looking guns. I'd love to have the one being sold locally if it was priced reasonably.
Paul

Those targets are actually a pair of "fits both grip frames" S&W stocks, they are not the stocks which came with the gun. I really need to inlet those just a bit.

Actually, I use a sweet pair of Mustang Grips for target shooting, and I only put those S&W target's on for pictures.

The gun arrived new from the factory with the usual magna style grips.

I really like my 651, it shoots 1 1/2 inchs from a rest at 25 yds, using winchester supreme 34 gn hp. One of my favorite camp & hiking guns.

Here is my 4" 651-1 with it's own set of '60 Pro' grips, 51-J speedloaders, and ammo:

http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u...2007/006-1.jpg

My first grouping - at 12 yd and SA with MaxiMags - was <2 inches. It's still relatively new - and I think it will do better. I hope I can!

Stainz