.22 Mag in J-Frames…What Models are There?? Would You CCW One??

[Nalapombu]

Hey all.

Question I need help with, if you don’t mind.

I’ve been watching videos on a couple different J-Frames chambered in .22 Magnum. I think both were labeled AIRWEIGHT and were 7-shot. One was hammerless and the other had a hammer.

Both looked like great options for CCW….especially now that ammo makers have made .22 Magnum rounds specifically designed for short barreled pistols.
I have been looking at getting a J-Frame in .38 Special, but now that I’ve learned about these j-frames, I’m gonna have to take a good look at these models and try to learn more about the ammo choices.

Does anyone carry one of these models? If so, how do you like them? Would you carry one or stay with the models in the larger calibers?

What models does S&W offer in .22 Magnum that are made specifically for CCW?

Thanks for your time.

MUHerd

 

[lihpster]

When it absolutely has to go bang, I prefer the reliability of centerfire over rimfire. JMHO.

 

[crc4]

Hey all.

Question I need help with, if you don’t mind.

I’ve been watching videos on a couple different J-Frames chambered in .22 Magnum. I think both were labeled AIRWEIGHT and were 7-shot. One was hammerless and the other had a hammer.

Both looked like great options for CCW….especially now that ammo makers have made .22 Magnum rounds specifically designed for short barreled pistols.
I have been looking at getting a J-Frame in .38 Special, but now that I’ve learned about these j-frames, I’m gonna have to take a good look at these models and try to learn more about the ammo choices.

Does anyone carry one of these models? If so, how do you like them? Would you carry one or stay with the models in the larger calibers?

What models does S&W offer in .22 Magnum that are made specifically for CCW?

Thanks for your time.

MUHerd

I wouldn't carry anything less than a .38 special in a steel frame J-frame. (I don't like airweights.)

The problem is you might be tempted to use a .22 and find it only makes someone mad.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Bill Jordan said, in his book No Second Place Winner, that an Airweight in 22 WMR would be desirable as a CCW option, describing the cartridge as a “wicked” little cartridge, or words to that effect. After the Combat Magnum did so well for the company, S&W paid no attention to his “other idea” until decades later, when they introduced the little Models 351C and 351PD. And Ruger has the lightweight LCR in the same caliber. The 22 WMR is “better than nothing,” and in Airweight J Frame guise would certainly carry easier than a full size hand gun.

 

[ken158]

Bad idea… J frame rimfires have heavy triggers, the rimfire ammo is nowhere as reliable as a primed case and a 30-40 grain bullet has minimal energy as compared to even a 38 special. You gain nothing in weight reduction compared to an airweight revolver or lightweight auto.

 

[D Brown]

Smith & Wesson makes a 351C Airlite based on the Centennial Series (hammerless) and some owners are very happy with them. I don't personally own one, but do have a similar model, the 43C chambered in .22 L.R.

My Model 43C

Here'a a link to a fairly recent thread discussing the 351C as well as the 43C. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/701044-351c-vs-43-c.html?highlight=Model+351C

Note to all. Forum members are better served when they try to offer the information that has actually been requested. Have a great day!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

For several decades Federal has been making a specific load for hand guns. Over the years it has jumped from one brand line but it always has the same moder# 757. 50 grain HP, I have a 50 round plastic box of with the older Blue label and two 50 round plastic boxes with the old old Red label. I finally used up my supply of cardboard boxed. I use it in 22 Mag derringers. My brother uses it in hit Stainless Single Six Coverable. He head shoots squirrels consistently with that ammo.

Several hundred fired and never a misfire or even a hang fire. Maybe you need a reliability report newer than the 1950's!

Ivan

 

[flgolfer29]

I don't carry this one regularly, however, I do occasionally. Taurus 942m, 8-shot 22 wmr. It's a great shooter, and I've never had a misfire (knock on wood) thus far.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[22hipower]

Any gun is better than no gun, when you need one. Reminds me of the line, I think on 1883, when the daughter asks the Dad why he needs a gun and he responds "I don't know, but I'd sure hate to not have it when we find out."

As has been mentioned above, the triggers on those little J frames are atrocious. And the 38s/357s don't weigh any more so why not carry the bigger bite? I frankly don't conceal carry very often, but when I do it is with a 340PD.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Cal44]

I have a 650 -- a 3" fixed sight all stainless.

Heavy compared to current air weights, but has a nice trigger compared to similar 38s and 357s.

I'd carry it if I had to, usually you would find a431pd or a 340pd in my pocket.
R

 

[dickydalton]

I have a Model 51 from 1970 with a 3 1/2" barrel that is fine.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I live in small town with very little violent crime but almost always carry a minimum of a 22LR when I go out and when traveling any distance carry a 1st model Ruger LCP 380. The little 22 that I carry is a North American Arms 22LR. I think it has the 1.5” barrel and load it with Stangers.

Anyone that doesn’t think a 22LR will do the trick is wrong. My cousin had a guy break in his house a few years ago with the intent of killing him, his wife and daughter. Fortunately my cousin was able to get his 22LR out of the nightstand and terminated the intruder with one round. I’d generally prefer more power but a 22 is better than nothing.

The first is my NAA 22LR and second my old Freedom Arms 22LR.

 

[smoothshooter]

I wouldn't carry anything less than a .38 special in a steel frame J-frame. (I don't like airweights.)

The problem is you might be tempted to use a .22 and find it only makes someone mad.

That bit about .22’s is far from a true statement.
You are kidding, I assume.
I suspect lots of EMT’s, LEO’s and ER people who post here would could attest to the stopping power of the rim fires.
As someone has previously alluded to, reliable rim fire ignition CAN be a problem in some guns with some ammo.

 

[smoothshooter]

We should remember that lethality and stopping power are not necessarily the same thing.

 

[steelslaver]

A 6 shot 32 beats a 22 mag every time and a good 32 H&R load is getting close to most 38 specials.

They are all better than nothing, but for light weight, low recoil, 6 shoot, concealable with decent power the 32s get my vote

 

[S&W629]

We should remember that lethality and stopping power are not necessarily the same thing.

This is the fact!!.....yes a 22/22mag will kill...but sometimes it takes long enough for terminal retaliation....

 

[rct269]

I don't believe anyone here has expressed an opinion that can be called wrong, but then again, look at it from S&W's point of view------which has absolutely nothing to do with any of thoughts presented here.

S&W's point of view is to make stuff that sells---to anybody---boys AND girls!

Now my "girl", age 86, has a .22 Long Rifle Kit Gun. She doesn't carry it anywhere, except outside to dispatch furry critters who have the temerity to mess with her gardens. I say outside, sometimes she takes them out from the kitchen window-----the one without a screen. I use that window every now and then too----but with a rifle to dispatch larger pests (wild dogs, Groundhogs, and Coyotes) who venture within range. It's 135 yards from the kitchen window to the edge of the back yard, which borders on what we call the cemetery field (so called because folks were buried there----a loooooooooong time ago). I don't know the why of it, but it's fairly common for these critters to come to this border----and you'd think they'd know better by now!

And speaking of furry critters--and I know I've told this story before, one Saturday afternoon---along about dusk, there were two Groundhogs lollygagging around at this border---135 yards from that kitchen window. BANG-BANG---two dead Groundhogs. We normally dispose of such right off, but it's getting to be dark, and besides that, they might attract some of those wild dogs. Almost exactly 24 hours later, I'm back at that window---and there's something tan sitting right where the Groundhogs were left---and where there's not supposed to be anything tan!

Peering through the scope, cranked up to 9, this something tan is a full grown Mountain Lion staring right back at me-----seemed to be saying, "Hey, there were two Groundhogs here last night for my supper; and now there's nothing!! What's up with that?!!" Now I'm somewhat flabbergasted at the sight of a Mountain Lion in eastern Tennessee, and figure it's somebody's pet that's gotten out. It's not wearing a collar, but I don't shoot---just sit and stare. The cat does the same. The cat and I continued that routine for a good 20 minutes, before it decided to disappear.

It turns out there are sure enough Mountain Lions in east Tennessee (according to the Zooology folks at the university)---and the range of a single cat is THIRTY FIVE square miles!!-----which probably explains why I'd never seen one---before or since.

It also turns out my neighbors were not pleased when they found out I didn't shoot---seems like this cat (or maybe another one like it??) had been dining on their beef critters.

Our Game Warden confirmed the presence of big cats---having seen tracks down at "the bluffs" by the river on our place where the deer that live here congregate.

Ralph Tremaine

And yeah, I know there are girls who shoot guns a bunch bigger than .22's and it doesn't bother them a bit! They might even enjoy it for all I know.

 

[steelslaver]

My brother and I saw a mountain lion on a rancher's place. The place was posted no hunting. Later mentioning it in the local restaurant we were criticized for not shooting it. I mentioned the no hunting signs and was told that don't mater for a lion. My brother who lives in the area said, "So, we should commit a crime and shoot a lion on a guys place because it might kill his stock, when he won't let us shoot any deer that are eating his hay on it? I don't think so" Silence. I won't shoot coyotes under the same circumstances even though around here almost every rancher wants them shot on sight, posted land or not. If I can't hunt on a place, why would I???

 

[twodog max]

I see coyotes and other vermin from time to time on land I have no permission to hunt. I always give them a pass just because if I can't hunt there I respect the landowner and don't shoot anything. It is their decision.

 

[crc4]

That bit about .22’s is far from a true statement.
You are kidding, I assume.
I suspect lots of EMT’s, LEO’s and ER people who post here would could attest to the stopping power of the rim fires.
As someone has previously alluded to, reliable rim fire ignition CAN be a problem in some guns with some ammo.

I am a former LEO detective and I can attest that the .22 can wound and kill, but as to stopping power, no, it doesn't have it. I can also attest that you can be shot with a .22 several times and still choke someone to death.

Snakes and rats are stopped reliably by a .22. But with criminal thugs and madmen, you might find that .22 is not very tasty when you're forced to eat it.

What's next? The stopping power of a Daisy BB gun?