S&W Model 351 PD .22 Magnum

[roscoepc]

Does anyone own one of the little J-Frame Beasties?? I'm thinking of getting one for a BUG/Concealed Carry and would like some advise from people who've owned one..

Model 351 PD | Smith & Wesson

 

[Kollector03]

I have a 351PD and a 351C. Really like them. Resonably powerful cartridge with minimal (negligble) recoil. They are barky though. Brass does not eject cleanly from my 351C where the 351PD has no issues and the brass drops free. Like any rimfire, ignition reliability can be an issue, but a 7 shot cylinder gives you some relief with a sedond round ready at the pull of the trigger. I like them both. For a camp revolver, the 351PD would be idea, but for a CCW gun, the 351C Hammerless is the clear winner.

 

[kc-130nav]

I also have a 351PD and carry it occasionally. Super light weight and loaded with short barrel 22 mag ammo. It has been a fine revolver.

 

[ScottN]

I have one and like it quite a bit. If you perform a search for “New 351pd” you will find my post about it.

For me the 351pd fills the following roles where it’s light weight really shines:

1. Carry when wearing gym shorts or sweats.
2. Ankle carry when dressing up.

The DA pull is heavy and it may be difficult to gain proficiency. Other than that it is a nice, lightweight revolver with no recoil.

 

[22hipower]

I bought one of the 351Cs and took it to the range with eager anticipation of what a great little pocket gun it was going to be. The DA trigger pull was atrocious and I couldn't hit much of anything at more than a few yards. Maybe ok for a last ditch effort for personal protection from a close range big target. I'm pretty sure I'd run out of bullets before I could make a head shot on a rattler a few yards away. It went with me to the next gun show. Might have been happier with the SA of a 351PD. Just my two cents. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[VAPA]

I had one, really liked it but I am noise sensitive and it is really loud.

 

[lscocoa]

I got one and surprisingly accurate with 45gr. Critical defense rounds. I also like having single action capabilities.

 

[cometpx4]

351PD

I have the 351PD. Great revolver. Fun to shoot, light weight, 7 shots, and you now have carry ammo made for them. I carry the 40 grain Speer gold dots. Trigger pull is a little heavy but ignition is perfect in mine and with the hi viz front sight and zero recoil, I can shoot fist size groups to point of aim as fast as I can pull the trigger at 7 yards. Also, I have a couple 5 star aluminum speed loaders they make specifically for the 351 that work perfectly. Very good quality.
Check out the you tube video of comparitive ballistic tests between the .380 hollow point and .22 mag Speer gold dot. It will help put your mind at ease if necessary about carrying .22 mag for self defense. While not best option on any given day, if .380 is a valid option then so is .22 mag.
Lastly, as much as I like the 351PD, I am not a fan of the 351C. Extraction is an issue with the C, not at all with the 351PD, you don't get hi viz sight in the C, and the trigger pull is heavier or at least feels it. I pocket carry the PD all the time and with the thumb over hammer technique there is no problem with snag, so it really negates any advantage over the hammerless feature on the C.
Go with a 351PD. It's one of the best CCW options in the market today IMO.

 

[Breakaway500]

Just one of those models that don't make me smile.