S&W 350PD 22mag shooting low

[CaptJack1]

I just picked up a used but like new 351pd 22 magnum and it's shooting about 4 to 5 inches low at 20 ft. I'm shooting Federal classic 22 mag ammo.

I did call Smith & Wesson and they said they'd be happy to send me a label and fix the gun ...before I do that, thought I'd get some comments about possibility it's ammo related. Also, before I spend a ton of money on different brands of ammo I thought I'd get an opinion here.

I appreciate the knowledge on this forum.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Aim higher.

 

[CaptJack1]

Aim higher.

now why didn’t I think of this…
so unhelpful

 

[WR Moore]

4-5 inches low at 20 feet may well be your trigger press rather than sights. Has someone else shot it? Have you shot it with the gun supported? Or, wonder if the original owner "improved it"?

 

[CaptJack1]

ransom rest is pretty definitive
looking for comments about possible ammo consideration…not my shooting setup
been doing this a long time
thanks

 

[CaptJack1]

just looking for comments on possible ammo effect on the issue
otherwise, do need any other helpful hints
thanks
capt jack

 

[HardToHandle]

My experience is the S&W .22 caliber revolvers are very picky, gun to gun, on what ammo they like. I tested eight loads in my 351PD. It was factory new, but had lots of sharp machining and had a rough trigger pull.

In my 351PD, it really liked a Browning labeled and CCI round, shooting to POA. About four loads were in the vicinity of POA, within an inch at 15 yards. A few loads were absolutely a disaster.

I would suggest testing a variety loads to ascertain the best load in your gun.

 

[bigggbbruce]

now why didn’t I think of this…
so unhelpful

I have short barrel fixed sight guns. Sometimes you need to adjust your sight picture.

That is what I do.

 

[Forefinger]

Im no expert marksman, but I doubt being 5" low at 20' with a ransom rest is ammo related. Experiment with different factory ammo to be sure. Me thinks your front or rear sights need adjustment.

 

[Jerry in SC]

Might try CCI Gold Dot, or Federal Punch. They are a little hotter and might raise the POI. The range of 20 feet is pretty close for sighting but I understand why. You might also try some other stocks, they could make a difference. Even your hold makes a difference in a gun that light.

 

[Dano]

1. Use a rest, preferably one that prevents barrel dip when you press the trigger.
2. Try different wts. and brands of ammo. Some do like the better quality ammo over cheaper range ammo.
3. Have someone you know that shoots and knows what they are doing shoot it.
A range officer if you know one.
4. Using a good barrel rest, raise your front sight above the bulls eye in small increments and note how much you raised the sight and the bullet strike. I
use a small note book and pencil. When the round starts hitting the bullseye
constantly, using a set of calipers measure how much of the front site you had
to use to do it. After that you can purchase a new sight to fit those dimensions
or have a competent gun smith mill the sight down to those dimensions.
5. And this one I've seen done but don't recommend, clamp the gun barrel
wrapped in leather in a vise and file it down yourself. This one I've seen done
way back in the late 60's and 70's done by the armory officers of the PD I
was working for at the time when officers complained about their issued
model 10's. He's shoot them, reshape the site (Those 60's model tens had those big tall blade front sights) and then re-blue it to prevent rust. Not sure if it was
kosher with the brass but it seemed to work for him.
Dano

 

[Oldsalt66]

I'd try a hotter loading before sending the revolver to S&W.

 

[gwpercle]

I would try a few different brands of ammo ...

Every load / brand will be sighted in for at least ... One Distance

Find the one you like and stick with it !

Gary

 

[kilo charlie]

I have never shot any Federal Classic in mine, but Federal Punch, CCI, and Gold Dots all shoot POA. Good luck with your 351PD. Mine is one of my favorite revolvers.

 

[a5werkes]

.............

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I don't own a 351PD but my son does & I chronographed some ammo for him. I don't remember that there was a POI -vs- POA difference at 8-10yds but I could be wrong.

Using faster ammo will typically have a lower POI (than slower) so if you're consistently lower than you want to be try slower velocity ammo (the bullet leaves the barrel slightly later in the recoil arc & hits higher on the target).

Here's what I chrono'd for him:

.



.
Not an earth shattering difference in 22LR -vs- 22 MAG energy in these short barrels, IMO.
Even cheap 9x19 ammo blows them away.
.
.
Carry what you feel safe with.

.

 

[CH4]

Aim higher.

By chance, we’re/are you a US Air Force recruiter?

 

[richrd]

OP, it's amazing how many responses you get that don't address the issue.

The gun is in a ransom rest!

The real answer is no. At 20 ft the ammo will not cause a 5 inch difference. I have never seen a 5 inch discrepancy at 25 yards.

 

[Yendor357]

Some people just can’t process the fact that Smith and Wesson turns out junk; at least occasionally. My personal experience is 66% junk. (New stuff) Your experience may be totally different. If it is, I’m envious.

It’s shooting low. Give the guy a little credit. I have 4 S&W 45 autos. Two shoot 6 inches high, one shoots 2 inches low, one shoots 4 inches to the left. The one that shoots left, you’re thinking “no big deal, just drift the rear sight to the right a bit”. Great theory, but S&W must have used a 50 ton hydraulic press to mash those sight into the dovetail. They may as well been welded. That rear sight isn’t going to budge, and I have a sight pusher tool.

My advice from experience: NEVER buy a fixed sight anything unless you plan on just pointing the thing.