I frequently have students in my Beginner's Safety Class who due to either age or hand issues can't manage centerfire recoil in a compact revolver.

.22 Mag would work for them, but rimfire revolver actions are extremely stiff.

Does anyone know of a gunsmith who specializes in action work on S&W .22 Magnums like the 351C or other similar revolvers.

Thanks

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Professional Trainer

I own both a 351PD and a 637. I have a LOT of experience in tuning S&W actions for myself, and I can tell your that the action on the 351PD can be improved, but it will not be as light as a centerfire. The problem is that the mainspring has to be heavy on the rimfires to work reliably.
Maybe the best thing would be a steel frame revolver in 38 spec that has been tuned. There are some pretty light recoil loads available that should be manageable.
You might call Frank Glenn in Arizona, he is a revolver smith, and has a good reputation. His website is Frank Glenn-Glenn Custom Complete Gunsmithing Service Glendale AZ

Thanks for the info on Glenn.

I'm messed with my 63-1 enough to make it manageable, but I don't have confidence that I could accomplish the same on a 351.

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Professional Trainer

This is the reason I do not own any of the S&W snubs in .22 either LR or mag.

Try a Model 18, just the same as centerfire.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Good advice, and Frank is my go to if something beyond my capability would come up.

Funny this is mentioned because the other day I had my 17-4 out to the range. This model 17 is the only gun I have not done any tuning to. In fact, I never even opened the sideplate yet which is very rare for me. Although I really only use it to dispatch rodents in my yard, so tuning isn't necessary.

Anyway, when at the range I was testing the SA/DA function and was happy with the weights. However, when I got home and cleaned it, I checked the strain screw which ended up being loose and took a few turns to tighten. I then played with the SA/DA again which was now overly heavy. Still, it doesn't need any work to serve its purpose, so it will stay as it is, factory.

Maybe some day down the road I might do some minor polishing, but I won't be lightening anything.