Model 51 .22 Magnum...

I have worn the bluing off of two carrying them in the woods. They are the second best snake medicine behind a shotgun.
 
I have an early flat latch Model 51 round butt Kit Gun that I acquired about 20 years ago. I never shot it but bought it because of the limited production run of only 600 round butt models ever being produced. This post has inspired me to dig up a box of .22 Mags and try it out.
 
Back in the late 80s I picked up a 4" 651 to go along with my 5.5" Single Six convertible and Marlin 783. Loved the performance of the .22 WMR but as with life only still have the Ruger.

CD
 
I have a 650 I got a few years back.

Good shooter and accurate.

It has a 3" bull barrel and fixed sights.

After shooting 100 rounds or so, powder residue builds up and I start having harder extraction.

I plan to bring a cleaning kit with a brass brush and mop to the range with me from now on.

Perhaps I can find a cleaner shooting ammo. But you can't shop for different brands and usually have to shoot what you can find these days.

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Kit guns really neat guns. I have a Pre model 34 and it is a lot of fun to shoot. If you can find the ammo, 22 mag is a blast to shoot. Beautiful gun and the grips look really nice, congrats.
 
I've always looked at the 22 mag as a great revolver cartridge. I like the extra range and power for self defense.


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I have had two model 51s and a no dash 651. The most accurate round in all 3 was the Winchester 40 gr hollow point load. All were accurate although the 651 was unusually so. Frequently under an inch at 25 yards with the Winchester ammo. Never chronographed any of them. I used them as companion sidearms when big game hunting and enjoyed their size, weight and the small amount of space a box of 50 shells took up in the day pack. Eventually I retired them in favor of a 3" pre lock 60-10 in .357; same size, pretty much same weight. Ammo weighed more, but the bigger hole it left in things was important to me due to living in brownie country at the time. I usually had a .338 mag, 9.3x62 or 45-70 along when hunting. If just hiking or stream fishing, I would usually carry the 45-70 SRC Browning and either one of two model 29s or a 10mm Delta. Although those 6/51s were accurate, they seemed to be just as loud as the 60-10, and loud noises don't impress brownies. I kind of wish I had kept the 651 4". It shot so darn well. Every S&W rimfire revolver I've ever owned dumped empties easily until I began using Break Free CLP. Then they started getting sticky and occasionally needed to be poked out with a cleaning road, one at a time (please don't pound on the extractor rod). I'm not sure if the BF is indeed the cause, but I have been told it can get gummy with age. I'm guessing that Ed's Red might work better.
Best, Dave
 
That extra-sharp crack that .22 Magnum handguns make is just brutal to my ears. Don't want to fire even 1 shot in a hunting situation without very heavy hearing protection. Plugs AND muffs.
A shot will increase the ringing I already have in my ears by 100%, at least.
Sounds almost as bad as a .357 to me.
It must be a higher frequency of blast or something, sorta like people say the Ruger Blackhawk in .30 Carbine is. A real eardrum mangler.
 
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smoothshooter said:
That extra-sharp crack that .22 Magnum handguns make is just brutal to my ears. Don't want to fire even 1 shot in a hunting situation without very heavy hearing protection. Plugs AND muffs.
A shot will increase the ringing I already have in my ears by 100%, at least.
Sounds almost as bad as a .357 to me.
It must be a higher frequency of blast or something, sorta like people say the Ruger Blackhawk in .30 Carbine is. A real eardrum mangler.
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I'm with you on this I learned a long time ago to avoid all .22WRMs, started with a Ruger Single Six convertible.
Steve
 
I owned this M51 for a short time. Sold it because its market value was about twice what I had into it, the 22 mag is a lot pricier than 22LR and didn't seem to provide much advantage. FWIW, when wearing muffs it didn't seem to bark much louder than the 22LR either.
 

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BC38 said:
I owned this M51 for a short time. Sold it because its market value was about twice what I had into it, the 22 mag is a lot pricier than 22LR and didn't seem to provide much advantage. FWIW, when wearing muffs it didn't seem to bark much louder than the 22LR either.
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Market value means virtually nothing to me when buying handguns(probaly why I'm always broke), I pay more attention to personal tastes.
Steve
 
I'm just in the process of getting a M48-4 with a 6 inch barrel TTT's. I have a pre M34 Kit Gun, Pre M17 and a Combat Master piece. I thought my 22 fever was cooled off now I see this thread and will have to look for a M51 to go with the M48. Geez thanks fellas LOL
 
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