Wife will be using for self defense. Of these two which one do you think would be the best pick and why? Thanks.

IMO the 43C. Ammo is cheaper, so I assume that'll mean you'll practice more than with the 22 magnum. And you really need a longer (rifle length barrel) to take advantage of the 22 magnum; handgun barrels just aren't long enough to generate the velocity needed to make the 22 mag that much more effective than the 22LR in a handgun. Plus, there's alot of extra muzzle blast (noise but especially flash) with the 22 mag in a snub nose. It may be good to scare perps, but it'll also be more likely to scare your wife and she will probably be less likely to practice as much as she would with a milder-shooting 22LR.

Let me be the first to say are you sure you want to trust your wife's life to a 22LR?? Is this a current wife or an ex? I don't have much room to talk, I just picked up a 317 to carry when walking the dog and for summer vacations on the beach... you just can't beat the size and weight, especially under circumstances when something bad is so unlikely to occur.... I know, I know, flame on

you may want to read this before you rule out a 22mag

S&W 351 PD: rule No. 1 of Gunfighting is: Have a gun. Everything else is negotiable | Guns Magazine | Find Articles at BNET

Thanks NZ. And no.... we're not going to be flaming anyone here about .22 for self defense . Just looking for thoughtful feedback like you offered comparing the two.

I got my wife the 351C for several reasons. First and foremost, there are no 43C's out there, we are all still waiting on that one. The 351C is very light, small, and reliable. 7 22magnums that work may be better than a 380 that doesn't. I installed a set of 405 LaserGrips on her 351 and one can hit anything one can put the dot on. I can get 2 boxes of 22 Magnum ammo for what a box of 380 cost. She already has a 9mm M&P compact, a 20 gauge coachgun, and a 7mm-08 A bolt rifle. The 351 is pocket size, so it's easy to have with one while going outside on the property. Ammo wise, it's loaded with 50grain Federal Hp's and Hornady is introducing 22 Magnum Critical Defense soon. A 43C is one my list as a training gun, if they ever make any. BTW, I carry a 340M&P no lock with 405 LaserGrips and Hornady's 357 Critical Defense ammo. My 2 cents worth. Bob!

How does the muzzle flash and noise with the .22mag 50gr Federal compare with a non +P .38?

I guess the 351PD (or 351C) is OK, certainly concealable and light enough, but a 4" barrel gives you lots of advantages with the 22Mag and turns it into a pretty potent little round with the right ammo. I'd look for a 651. They certainly aren't falling off the shelfs these days like a 351 is, but I have been pleased with mine's performance. Shooting the hotter light bullet loads into soft clay banks while plinking and seeing the cavities that result is pretty impressive! And the good old 50gr Win JHP seems capable of providing some decent discouragement incentive for social use.

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In addition, Speer has announced a new 22WMR Gold Dot loading optimized for handgun use. Don't forget that the Winchester 22WRFs are an excellent less expensive way to practice with your 22Mag. They deliver much less blast and flash. I would go the WMR route.

I had a 3 inch 22 mag, and to me, the flash and noise were worse than a typical 38 fired from 3 inch barrelled K frame. The 22 mag's noise is "sharper" for lack of a better word.

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I agree, but different is in the recoil. Almost zero with the 351PD

I can believe that. Subjectively, my NAA Black Widow is at least as loud as my .38 snubbies firing standard pressure ammo, and the flash is impressive.

I think I'd base my choice on whether I though the added flash/bang would be an advantage or a disadvantage. In the case of my Black Widow, I actually consider it a plus--the "noisy cricket" effect.

A 22WMR will penetrate 7 inches into ballistic gel out of a revolver with a 4" barrel. Seen it....done it.
I taught my 70 year old mother to shoot her Taurus 22mag. She picked it up quickly, and now loves to go to the range a couple if times a month.

I'm a .22LR guy. Pull the trigger 8 times and that ought to do the job-just me.

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Thanks everyone.