Seeking Info on an Inherited S&W Model 651 .22 Magnum

Hawg Rider said:

Welcome to the Forum, and congratulations on inheriting a nice revolver. The Model 651 (.22 Magnum Rimfire Target Kit Gun) is the target version because it has the adjustable rear target sight. It is a double action, stainless steel square butt revolver built on the smaller J-frame. It has a semi-target hammer and combat trigger. There were two production runs of this revolver, 1983-1988 and 1991-1999. You would need to provide us with the s/n (located on the bottom of the grip frame under the wood stocks and in the cylinder yoke area) to know when it was manufactured. The 4" bbl. was standard, although there were a few Model 651s manufactured with 2" bbl. in 1999. There were only 2 production models, the 651 and the 651-1, before the model was discontinued in 2000. The revolver and stocks appear to be in nice condition, although there are some swirl marks on the SS...if those bother you they can be minimized with some gentle polishing using a microfiber cloth and some Flitz Polish or Mother's Mag and Aluminum Wheel Polish. The stocks were probably changed out at some point. Originally they would have been smaller checked walnut Magna stocks with S&W medallions, and the ones on your 651 are more of the Target style stocks. According to the "Standard Catalog of S&W 5th Ed.", the value of your Model 651 would be in the neighborhood of $700-$750. .22 magnum ammo is plentiful, so go out and shoot that revolver. Enjoy!

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goldenboydd said:

Wow Thank you! that is a lot of great information! I have attached the photos individually, not in a pdf-booklet like above, showing all of the revolver. the SN under the stocks show a "ACL7750" and "MOD. 651" on the Yoke with no dashes. Thank you again!

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goldenboydd said:

here are 5 more as well!

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Jeep 1 said:

Welcome to the world of Smith & Wesson collecting, that’s a beautiful piece. If you took those pictures, they are great pictures! Please don’t tell me you did it with your iPhone, but if you did how!
Tom

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Bastogne71 said:

Your M651 is marked as a Mod. 651 (not Mod 651-1) that shows that it is from the first production run from 1983 to 1988. If you are willing to post the serial number on the bottom of the grip frame, we might be able to narrow the date range for you. I am glad to see you are going to keep it in the family as a remembrance of your grandfather.

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goldenboydd said:

I recently inherited a Smith & Wesson Model 651 .22 Magnum with a 4" barrel from my grandfather

Appreciate any insight you all can share. Thanks!

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SGT ROCK 11B said:

My condolences on your lost.

I had one and as I shoot a lot it was not a problem. But my wife and children never liked shooting it. They preferred the .22 LR and I sold the 651 for something else.

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