S&W 351C

General Firearms Handguns - Semi Auto
1

So, my pre-lock 337PD was sent back the the factory, and it’s unfixable. S&W is going to replace the gun with a J frame of my choice since the 337 is no longer made.

There are now so many choices in J frames that I find myself a bit challenged by the decision.

I am not a fan of the guns with locks on them, but everything I have seen indicates the issue with the locks occurs during heavy recoil.

I am seriously considering taking the 351C as my choice. It is the centennial style .22mag, 7 shot cylinder, 11oz J frame.

I already have a couple of pre lock 642s, and a 317 2" for training, and the idea of a 7 shot, low recoil, lightweight pocket gun interests me.

Has anyone shot one of these yet? In the past I have seen .22mags with issues of either being able to cap off the rounds, or extracting the cases.

2

I have handled them but not fired one. The samples I handled had pretty heavy trigger pulls which, I assume, were intentionally heavy (mainspring) to ensure they set off the rimfire rounds every time. I would like to shoot one.

3

Yeah, I’m kind of used to the heavy trigger since the 317 .22lr I have for cheap snub training is basically the same.

4

I just picked up a S&W 351C today. I’m very impressed with the overall quality of the revolver.
Fit, and finish is excellent. The revolver locks up very tight, and is very light weight. Best of all NO LOCK!
I’ll try to get out next week for a range report.





5

Standard production without the lock or a special run?

6

Looks like they could have stuffed another cartridge in the cylinder. Maybe two.

What’s up with the strange rebated crown? What’s the purpose of that?

Tim

7

I imagine that it’s due to how they screw those two piece barrels together.

8

Well, did you end up getting the 351C?

I’ve been looking at one for a friend. Speer released a .22 Mag Gold Dot, that’s geared specifically towards self defense in a 2". An 11 ounce gun with no recoil and 7 shots of somewhat effective ammo could be interesting.

http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/short_brl.aspx

9

I’ve had a lock deploy in a 642 on its own. I don’t want it on anything. Period.

10

Got one for my granddaughter, added CTC grips and sent it off to Teddy Jacobs for trigger job. .22mag Gold Dots on backorder, but inbound whenever the dealers finally get them in. The other link is at https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=76928&page=2

Also, scroll through this part of the S&W forum for several threads: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/

11

It’s cool the 351’s are no-lock guns.

I keep reading that the trigger is REALLY heavy. Heavier than the .38 J-frames?

I’m guessing the APEX kit is not an option for the 351. Any other trigger improvement options?

12

I think the Apex Kit will work with these guns, but have not tried yet.

C4

13

.22 J’s have always had heavier triggers. Rimfires need heavier mainsprings to insure ignition. A good Smith can smooth them up, but they won’t turn out as nice as a .38 will.