351PD .22 Mag

ctkenc · Apr 21, 2009

Wondering if any of you have considered the little 351PD .22Mag as a Home Defense weapon for a woman who has not done much shooting and would be bothered by much recoil when practicing at the Range.
Seems like if loaded with Hollow Point 22 Mags it could be a moderately effective defensive weapon, and, easy to practice with, plus the ammo is cheap.

ctkenc · Apr 21, 2009

Wondering if any of you have considered the little 351PD .22Mag as a Home Defense weapon for a woman who has not done much shooting and would be bothered by much recoil when practicing at the Range.
Seems like if loaded with Hollow Point 22 Mags it could be a moderately effective defensive weapon, and, easy to practice with, plus the ammo is cheap.

ENH · Apr 21, 2009

Loud, extremely LOUD, excessively loud, too loud, etc. Search this forum, there are several good threads on the topic. Some feel it is adequate others don't, go figure. Mine sets in the safe.

Frizzman · Apr 21, 2009

A .22 mag fron a snub barrel has no real advantage over a .22 LR. If I were to use a .22 rimfire for a SD weapon, and I wouldn't, I would chose a reliable auto in .22 LR. Since concealment is not an issue for home defense, a Ruger or S&W or other larger auto would be easier to shoot well and quickly since you will probaly need more than one shot to stop an intruder.

Repellere · Apr 21, 2009

Actually 22 mag is a SIGNIFICANT advantage over 22LR and puts the ballistics out of the 351 in standard velocity 32ACP ranges.

noshow · Apr 21, 2009

Your question has been raised several times in the past, but it is a valid one. Many others, myself included, have had the same thoughts. Unfortunately, there is not enough data available out there. In theory, the 22 MAG has much more umph to offer above the 22LR. That is very true in rifles. But, the 22 MAG is a rifle cartrige and was not intended for handguns. Yes, there are many handguns offered in this chambering, but the ammo manufacturers have not come up with a handgun loading. Because it is a rifle cartridge, it is loaded with a slow burning powder designed to use up all of the 24" barrell to burn the powder. To date, no one has loaded a 22MAG cartridge with a fast burning powder that will expell all of it's energy through a short barrelled handgun. The end result is a dissappointment for the handgunner.The increase in ballistic terms is small as compared to the decrease in user friendly advantages. Todays 22 MAG offerings by all manufacturers are intended for rifle shooters ONLY! If any manufacturer (Aguila most likely) would offer a 22 MAG pistol round with a slower burning powder,that would change the game and level the playing field, it could become a viable alternative. When I dispatched a 54" rattler(2 head shots) with my S&W 650, just outside my opened door garage, my ears were ringing for three days! I was concerned that I might go deaf! I would also add that it took the better part of an hour for him to stop all movement. He just kept squirming about without any measurable movement. I guess snakes dont die right away. I hear that 38 shotshells shread the head and vitals of most reptiles, but not the 22 MAG! Also, the muzzle blast was a ball of flame not unlike what emits from the muzzle of my 6" 357 MAG. In short, until ammo mfgrs come out with a handgun loading for this cartridge, we are best off staying with 22LR or going to 38SPL. Sorry for the long winded post, but I have given you my own first hand feelings on the subject!

Originally posted by ctkenc:
Wondering if any of you have considered the little 351PD .22Mag as a Home Defense weapon for a woman who has not done much shooting and would be bothered by much recoil when practicing at the Range.
Seems like if loaded with Hollow Point 22 Mags it could be a moderately effective defensive weapon, and, easy to practice with, plus the ammo is cheap.

AKAOV1MAN · Apr 21, 2009

I would say NO! reason is the very hard trigger pull required for this little gun, and the very difficult cocking for SA fire. The gun apparently needs lots of hammer oomph to reliably ignite the rinfire rounds, thus the harsh trigger/covking action-which not helped by the tiny hammer spur. I had one for a while till the original owner wanted it back. I could handle it OK as could my wife, but she is a high ranking Black Belt with great hand strength. My daughter who is a Naval Aviator and is deadly with here M10, ahd some problems with it at first.
I have a 650 and a 651 2" that I really like, but the trigger/action on both is vastly superior to the 351PD.

RAMS · Apr 21, 2009

A 22 Mag is far superior to a 22 LR in any barrel length. The gun mags say so, the ballistics say so and, after many tests, I know so.

My 22 Mag revolvers (I've owned just about every type of 22 Mag S&W made) are about as loud as a standard 38 Special, so of course wear ear plugs when inside, even in a doorway. Why the Mag decibel level surprises people is beyond me, unless they think a Mag is just a fancy 22 LR. Even a 22 LR requires hearing protection indoors. (I don't need protection when using a 22 Mag for a finishing shot or two outside, but that's just me).

A gunsmith can slick up the trigger on a M 351. Mine isn't bad at all.

As a self defense weapon, a M 351 (1 7/8 inch bbl.) with magnum rounds such as 40 Gr. Win. Super X or Maxi Mags JHPs is the equivalent of a six inch 22 LR with Stingers--the most powerful 22 LR rounds made--and a lot handier. The sound and fire ball alone made by a M 351 in the dark is more than enough to make most perps turn and run.

A M 351 is designed for deep cover carry by LEOs, not as a primary weapon, so it's not a first choice house gun. But it's very handy, holds seven rounds and beats a 22 LR or a 25.

Louie · Apr 22, 2009

If any of you that are interested, go to the North American Arms web site and they have ballistics tests done with their little 22 short, LR, and mag guns with the 1" to 4" barrels. By their testing, the .22 mag does outshine the .22 LR out of the short barrels by a cosiderable margin. It is noisy and if that ballistic advantage is enough to make it work better is still up in the air. Personally I like the .22 magnum, but I live in the woods.

noshow · Apr 22, 2009

Would Wolff Springs help the Mod 650 and Mod 351 as much as the Mod 317 discussed in this thread? http://smith-wessonforum.com/e...0103904/m/6851026723

Originally posted by RAMS:
A 22 Mag is far superior to a 22 LR in any barrel length. The gun mags say so, the ballistics say so and, after many tests, I know so.

My 22 Mag revolvers (I've owned just about every type of 22 Mag S&W made) are about as loud as a standard 38 Special, so of course wear ear plugs when inside, even in a doorway. Why the Mag decibel level surprises people is beyond me, unless they think a Mag is just a fancy 22 LR. Even a 22 LR requires hearing protection indoors. (I don't need protection when using a 22 Mag for a finishing shot or two outside, but that's just me).

A gunsmith can slick up the trigger on a M 351. Mine isn't bad at all.

As a self defense weapon, a M 351 (1 7/8 inch bbl.) with magnum rounds such as 40 Gr. Win. Super X or Maxi Mags JHPs is the equivalent of a six inch 22 LR with Stingers--the most powerful 22 LR rounds made--and a lot handier. The sound and fire ball alone made by a M 351 in the dark is more than enough to make most perps turn and run.

A M 351 is designed for deep cover carry by LEOs, not as a primary weapon, so it's not a first choice house gun. But it's very handy, holds seven rounds and beats a 22 LR or a 25.

ctkenc · Apr 22, 2009

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the info and opinions ... it really helps.
Decided to stick with the .38 and in the unlikely event she ever has to pull the trigger, "hopefully", one pull would be enough.

As for getting her to practice with it on the Range, I don't think it is in the cards ... but, I'm hopefull she may come with me one time and fire a shot or two.

rburg · Apr 22, 2009

Originally posted by ctkenc:
As for getting her to practice with it on the Range, I don't think it is in the cards ... but, I'm hopefull she may come with me one time and fire a shot or two.

Don't give up!

Just last night my youngest took his wife to the range while we babysat. I never thought I'd see the day. I didn't intrude to ask what she thought, I'll get that later from my son.

All it takes is one good scare and they rethink self protection. Just like all the libs who changed sides after 911. Suddenly they realize the cops aren't going to be there in time.

With my DIL, it was getting a few obscene phone calls at 04:30. This may cost me big bucks.

3 1/2 years ago at Christmas, I made sons and DILs an offer. Anyone getting their CCW, I'd buy them a suitable carry gun. The offer holds until I run out of money.

RAMS · Apr 22, 2009

3 1/2 years ago at Christmas, I made sons and DILs an offer. Anyone getting their CCW, I'd buy them a suitable carry gun. The offer holds until I run out of money.

Hey, Dick, I've got a CCW and I've always thought of you as a father. Does that count?

351PD .22 Mag

ctkenc

Member

ctkenc

Member

ENH

US Veteran

Frizzman

US Veteran

Repellere

Member

noshow

Member

AKAOV1MAN

US Veteran

RAMS

Member

Louie

Member

noshow

Member

ctkenc

Member

rburg

Member

RAMS

Member

Similar threads

Latest posts