Anyone have any experience with a S&W M51 22 Mag revolver? I ran into one and may think about getting it.

I have one. Mine has been used. Original owner was a State of Texas Trapper.
I have shot this� little cutie� quite a bit using the 50-grain Federal Classic - my 22 Magnum load of choice. These run just over 1,000 fps and hit hard.
This is a well house gun and performs the task well. It will exhibit sticky extraction with the hot +V loads.

If I ran into one, it wouldn't take any thinkin'....

Paging RJM... Paging RJM...

Get it.

Mine is a 651 but it is my favorite handgun bar none. It kills sage rats to grouse to badgers to coyotes. Handy for badgers too.

I like the Winchester 40 grain in JHP and solids the best.

The CCI snake shot from a .22 WMR performs way better than I would have expected too.

Ive got the 651-1 my favorite handgun. given to me from my dad, and a new holster he made for it.

if hugh was a pal he'd give it to me

you had your chance up at the farm the other day

I could not resist. It shoots really well. Now I just need to find some more 22 Mag ammo. I am running a bit low.

I'm pretty sure when you get low on ammo you have to send that shooter to the next guy that has ammo... I call dibs, I got ammo!

..being in the middle of nowhere it sometimes takes a day or two to get a page....

51s are great little guns. I bought one two years ago from the estate of a friend who had two. Then found a Model 34 .22 Long Rifle cylinder for it...

Price for a nice one will run $650+...and they don't grown on trees either...it is in reasonable shape and a decent price buy it...you won't loose anything in the long run...

Bob

and slap a set of Hogue woods on it...

I have 2 of them....what's that tell ya I don't like you at all

I have more so you get trumped!

That's a COOL little S&W! Congrats!

I've got the new Ruger SP101 8 shot 4" 22LR, and would love to have one like it in 22 mag.

I was looking for a M51 and gave up and bought the Ruger.(kicks toe in dirt!)

Virgil B.

Notropilis: that's a very nice looking specimen. good find.

I will have to remember that. I still have some left from when I stocked up for my Single Six.

I have lots of 44/40 and 32/20 ammo in case anyone needs to get rid of some guns.

You did good! Those are slick little guns.

Whats the difference between the M48 and the M51?

Wouldn't the 50 grain bullets would be better in a pistol then lighter bullets?

The Model 48 is a K-frame - Think K-22 Magnum. It was offered in 4", 6" and I believe in the 8" barrel. [Edit] 8 3/8" barrel.
The Model 51 is a J-frame offered only in the 3 1/2" barrel length.
I believe the heavy bullet 22 Magnum is the way to go in the short barrel revolver.
From the 3" barrel Model 51 I average just short of 1,021 fps with the 50-grain bullet. This Federal bullet opens up and retains weight well. It has been a skunk stopper for us.
I do not care for the 22 Magnum for use on Raccoon in motion or Porkupine anytime but I know of others who have good success with the cartridge under these circumstances.
My Marlin 883 with 22" barrel will push the 50-grain bullet 1,470 fps. I consider this a good critter combination.
For the 40-grain bullets I prefer the 40-grain Winchester JHP load. These will just break 1,300 fps from the 6 1/2" Ruger SSX and it is a good load.
The Winchester bullets measure .2245" and are the most accurate 22 Magnum loads I have shot in a variety of rifles and handguns. The CCI 22 Magnum bullets run about .2235". Some 22 Magnum rifles have smaller bores and these shoot well in them.
Unless Ruger has changed they used a 1-14" twist. S&W used a 1-10" twist.

here are some comments by Elmer Keith on the then new 22 Magnum cartridge and the two Smith & Wesson revolvers chambered for it.

Smith & Wesson K-22 WRF Magnum
Guns Magazine November, 1959

We have now thoroughly tested the new K-22 Smith & Wesson for the new Winchester .22 Rim Fire Magnum.

The little gun grouped consistently in one ragged hole at 15 yards when I did my part. Just right for taking the heads off cottontails, grouse, or squirrel.

I next shot the little gun out to long range on old car bodies, and was surprised how well it carried up, being so much flatter than any other .22 rim fire I have ever used.

For anyone aspiring to learn long range sixgun shooting. I cannot think of a better gun and load with which to practice this sport. All that is needed is a suitable long range target with a safe background. The load is very flat and very accurate, and will offer very cheap long range practice in comparison with our big center fire sixgun calibers.

For anyone wanting a top-flight revolver for small game and target or long range shooting, I can without reservations, recommend the new Smith & Wesson K-model for the .22 WRF Magnum cartridge. Extraction of six cartridges simultaneously harder than a Model K in the .22 L.R. cartridge, showing conclusively that pressures are higher in spite of claims to the contrary; but one bump with the palm of the hand will knock all six empties from the gun.

.22 Magnum Smith & Wesson Kit Gun
Guns Magazine June, 1961
.22 R.F. Magnum Smith & Wesson

We have been testing a little Smith & Wesson Kit Gun for the new .22 W.R.F. Magnum Cartridge. This cartridge makes a real small game killer of the little gun. It seems just as accurate as a fine K-22 for the .22 L.R. or mag cartridge, but is a very much smaller and lighter gun to carry.

The little gun has ramp front and fully adjustable rear sight, and a perfect trigger pull. It would stay on a silver dollar at 15 yards, if you can hold it. Being smaller, it is a bit harder to shoot than a larger heavier gun, but the inherent accuracy is there and if you do your part it will account for any small game very nicely. It seems a far better killer even than the .22 L.R. high speed hollow point.

For anyone wanting a very light super accurate, target sighted .22 caliber pistol that will really do the work we heartily recommend this new Smith & Wesson Kit Gun for the .22 Rim Fire Magnum Cartridge. Jack Nancolas wants to kill some treed cougar with it, and it will do the job.

S&W .22 RFM Kit Gun

We have been testing a new S&W Kit Gun for the now popular .22 Rim Fire Magnum cartridge. This little gun is superbly accurate, seemingly just as accurate as the much larger and heavier K-Model S&W in same caliber. The little gun is amply accurate for a chickens head every time ay 15 yards, if you can hold it.

For the hunter wanting the shortest, lightest, practical small game pistol, this little gun should fill the ticket exactly.
I would say this is the finest small light weight sixgun I have seen, both cartridge and gun.