I found my 'Holy Grail', a 4" 651 (.22 WMR)!

[PabloJ]

I have wanted a 4" 651 longer now than I wanted a 'Blood Work' 8-shot .357M snubbie - since 1999. I never saw one in a gunshow - or at a dealer's - before this one. I found one last month - a 4" 651-1 circa 1997-98 ANIB - considered it for weeks - even ordered a 60 Pro wood grip for. I finally relented - and wrote a check for it Saturday. Here is a picture of it as it looked at my house Saturday:



It was clean as a whistle - only a hint of a blast line under the topstrap/over the b/c gap. I imagine that it was test-fired only, it was that clean. Most of a box of CCI MaxiMags (40gr JHP) later, it definitely looks used now! My shooting observations: hits coincident POI/POA at 12-28yd with no adjustable rear sight change; no recoil; it's loud; it's stiffer DA than my 3" 63; crisp DA. Most importantly - I am happy... I have my 'Holy Grail' revolver!

Stainz

PS The 60 Pro grips I have on back order will be an asset - as will the HKS 51-J speedloaders I am awaiting.

Very nice weapon but the Holy Grail for Smith & Wesson guys is lowly Highway Patrolman dash-NOTHING. When I read that I spilled coffee all over my desk.

 

[JFrame]

I did make an impromptu trip to the range yesterday to meet an old friend. He brought along his new Ruger 4" 8x .22LR SP101. It was misting rain & heavy overcast, so we shot from 'under the shed'. I borrowed my 60 Pro's grips for the 651 to better A-B it with the 3" 63. The 651 is a bit more stout with it's DA pull - probably a combination of both not being broken-in and the .22 WMR's rim primer needing more oomph than that of a .22 LR. But, most illuminating was watching my friend shoot it. Oh, the 3" 63, with 36gr copper washed HP Fed 550 pack ammo, was 'polite'... but the MaxiMags, 40gr HP, from the 651 produced an impressive flash. They were LOUD, too, under that shed

Stainz -- yep, those .22 Maxi-Mags are definite attention-getters at the range. When I pop away with my Black Widow, people not only ask me what gun I'm shooting, but what ammo I'm shooting.

It makes me wonder if, in a defensive posture, they may have some benefit as a quasi-flash bang grenade...


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[Stainz]

PabloJ - Note I said my Holy Grail S&W...

While old 27/28 S&W's are nice - if you like blued revolvers - I prefer SS 627's - especially that 'Blood Work' snubby, which I finally bought. The 651 was 'on my list' longer.

Stainz