AJ
US Veteran
What are the pro's and con's for the 351's. Was thinking of one for a CCW.
351's Pro's & Con's
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Lobster Picnic
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PRO:
Very lightweight. My 351C with minimal grips was 11-oz unloaded and 12-oz loaded. 7 shots. The extra shots could be a deciding factor.
CON:
DA Trigger is 16# or more. That's a really heavy trigger for any gun but seems twice as heavy on a 12-oz gun.
OTHER THOUGHTS:
It may be possible to lighten the trigger a bit without losing reliability. The 351PD has the option of a single action trigger, but if you use it for carry you should be training to shoot double action anyway.
The heavy trigger on my 351C makes it very safe for carry. It's not easy to shoot accurately but practicing with the 351C has improved my trigger control immensely. I chose the DAO 351C because this was strictly for carry. The SA/DA 351PD would be better for a general handgun which might be used occasionally for pest control, plinking or hunting as well as self defense.
Very lightweight. My 351C with minimal grips was 11-oz unloaded and 12-oz loaded. 7 shots. The extra shots could be a deciding factor.
CON:
DA Trigger is 16# or more. That's a really heavy trigger for any gun but seems twice as heavy on a 12-oz gun.
OTHER THOUGHTS:
It may be possible to lighten the trigger a bit without losing reliability. The 351PD has the option of a single action trigger, but if you use it for carry you should be training to shoot double action anyway.
The heavy trigger on my 351C makes it very safe for carry. It's not easy to shoot accurately but practicing with the 351C has improved my trigger control immensely. I chose the DAO 351C because this was strictly for carry. The SA/DA 351PD would be better for a general handgun which might be used occasionally for pest control, plinking or hunting as well as self defense.
Erich
Well-known member
I've never had a .22 WMR fail to ignite on me (but I've also never fiddled with the mainspring on one), but it's widely acclaimed that .22 LR rimfire priming is less reliable than centerfire priming. (I have shot enough of both .22 rounds to suspect the .22 WMRs are put together better than the .22 LR.) Of course, the heavy trigger that's been mentioned is required by the rimfire priming used by the 351PD's cartridge. Rimfire priming in the rounds is something that might make a person hesitate to pick this gun for a defensive purpose.
It's also a durned marginal round. And out of a sub-2" barrel? What kind of velocity are you really going to be getting? (I've got a 4" .22 Mag - it is just starting to get its legs under it at that barrel length - in a snub? I don't think so - certainly not from the range reports I've read.) I'd consult some chronograph reports from folks who already have 351s . . . and then I'd do some heavy thinking on how the bullets intended for high velocity .22 Magnum performance are going to behave at those low speeds. It actually might be a good thing - you'd be more likely to get adequate penetration than if they opened up right away and dumped all their energy due to a high velocity impact.
The .22 WMR is also really loud out of a handgun. And it's not cheap.
Just some thoughts. I know Bill Jordan's book idly speculates this kind of a gun would be a great idea, but I suspect the man never chronographed a .22 WMR round out of a snub.
It's also a durned marginal round. And out of a sub-2" barrel? What kind of velocity are you really going to be getting? (I've got a 4" .22 Mag - it is just starting to get its legs under it at that barrel length - in a snub? I don't think so - certainly not from the range reports I've read.) I'd consult some chronograph reports from folks who already have 351s . . . and then I'd do some heavy thinking on how the bullets intended for high velocity .22 Magnum performance are going to behave at those low speeds. It actually might be a good thing - you'd be more likely to get adequate penetration than if they opened up right away and dumped all their energy due to a high velocity impact.
The .22 WMR is also really loud out of a handgun. And it's not cheap.
Just some thoughts. I know Bill Jordan's book idly speculates this kind of a gun would be a great idea, but I suspect the man never chronographed a .22 WMR round out of a snub.
Last edited:
jarhead1991
Active member
I have one, the trigger pull was extremely heavy, was able to lighted the springs' but, had light strikes... Added an extra length firing pin and it is 100% reliable now. If you use the longer firing pin, I recommend DO NOT dry fire with snap caps or at least empty cases... The longer firing pin will strike the chamber edge/rim and peen it easily with the alloy cylinder. Love mine though now that it has the lighter pull and 100% reliable.
jarhead1991
Active member
Hornandy does make their Critical Defense round specifically for short barreled .22 magnums and claimed short barrel velocity is high than most would suspect... But it's still light for an "ideal" defense round.
JohnK
US Veteran
Did someone say that they are really LOUD !
I had a couple of .22 Mag snubs, and sold them because of the sharp, terribly loud report.
I think I would rather shoot a short barreled .357, than the .22 Mag.
I also wear hearing aids now..............
I had a couple of .22 Mag snubs, and sold them because of the sharp, terribly loud report.
I think I would rather shoot a short barreled .357, than the .22 Mag.
I also wear hearing aids now..............
CATI1835
US Veteran
I had one. Got it for my wife for EDC. The trigger pull was so heavy in DA she had a great deal of trouble with it. It is HEAVY. I replaced the main spring, lightened the pull but it was at the cost of reliability, about 25% failure to fire rate. Put it back to factory and sold it. My advice, try it before you buy it.
retired2006
Well-known member
This has been my experience with my 351PD, exact same thing, but it does make a great little gun to carry in my summer shorts, you don't even know it is there.
FWIW, I use the Hornady Critical Defense mag rounds, they seem to be the best on paper, around 1000fps according to their specs.
Lastly, I guess it is different for some, but I don't find this little revolver to be any louder than 38 special.
Lobster Picnic
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I still think the 351c is a great carry gun despite the trigger. It's very lightweight, safe, reliable, simple, and holds 7 shots. The recoil is minimal. There may be a tactical advantage if somebody is counting your shots and thinks you're empty at 5. The deep channel fixed rear and Big Dot front sight work extremely well, allowing quick snap shooting with the front sight and a very good sight picture for aimed fire.
Riverkilt
Well-known member
Just picked mine up today. Was able to get to the range after work for a quick 35 rounds. Dead on accurate at 30 feet. Really like the orangie front sight. I'm 71yo and bought it for the light weight and summer carry. Love that part. Easy to clean. Seven rounds, what's not to like? Not planning to hunt with it. Only personal defense, often as back up.
Knew the trigger pull was gonna be tough but was surprised still. What I found is that shooting double action - putting seven fast rounds downrange - that the heavy trigger pull allowed me to get better aim between rounds. Yes it costs a bunch, but my depression era parents taught me to buy quality - which equals value.
You can any two of price, quality, or service. I took the first two.
Have a Bullard Bodyguard holster in the mail for it.
Maybe will dig out my finger exerciser and build up my muscles on my trigger finger.
Handle is elegant!
Knew the trigger pull was gonna be tough but was surprised still. What I found is that shooting double action - putting seven fast rounds downrange - that the heavy trigger pull allowed me to get better aim between rounds. Yes it costs a bunch, but my depression era parents taught me to buy quality - which equals value.
You can any two of price, quality, or service. I took the first two.
Have a Bullard Bodyguard holster in the mail for it.
Maybe will dig out my finger exerciser and build up my muscles on my trigger finger.
Handle is elegant!
