NRA Gun of the Week: Smith & Wesson 351c Revolver

by
posted on October 3, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

The .22 WMR has often been discredited as a worthy self-defense cartridge. In fact, the .22 WMR exhibits ballistics comparable to those of a .380 ACP. And when it comes to concealed carry, the objective is concealment and reliability.

Enter the Smith & Wesson 351c—a Centennial family pistol built on the “J-frame”—a seven-round-capacity, double-action only (DAO) revolver weighing in at 11 ozs. empty with an overall length of 6.25”. Smith & Wesson appropriately labels the hammerless revolver "AirLite," and the gun serves well tucked into an ankle holster, pocket or purse.

The aluminum frame 351c features a composite barrel shroud with a 1 7/8” steel barrel liner that saves on weight. The grip frame, wrapped in rubber stocks, yields ample purchase during handling. Its DAO trigger staggers the scale at around 15 lbs. of breaking pressure—a far cry from any precision trigger on the market today. The significant trigger pull should be considered an added safety benefit. Sighting the pistol is provided by a U-notch at the top rear of the frame and an installed XS Big Dot up front, designed to stand out and be easy to find during high-stress situations.

Suggested retail is $689. For more, and to see the gun fired on the range, watch this video hosted by American Rifleman's Mark Keefe. 

For more, visit smith-wesson.com

Specifications
Model: S&W 351c
Manufacturer:  Smith & Wesson
Caliber: .22 WMR
Action Type: rimfire revolver
Frame: aluminum
Barrel: 1 7/8”, composite with a steel barrel liner
Rifling: six-groove, 1:18¾" RH twist
Cylinder Capacity: seven rounds
Sights: U-notch rear, XS Big Dot front
Trigger: double-action only; 15-lb. pull
Overall Length: 6.25"
Width: 1.31"
Height: 3.75"
Weight: 11 ozs.
Accessories: owner’s manual, lockable case, lock
MSRP: $689

 

Latest

Gotw Wilson Combat Divison 77 Project 1 Web
Gotw Wilson Combat Divison 77 Project 1 Web

Gun Of The Week: Wilson Combat Division 77 Project 1

Join American Rifleman staff on the range in this video to get a closer look at Wilson Combat’s somewhat cryptically named “Division 77 Project 1.” 

The Armed Citizen® July 18, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Review: POF-USA LMR BASE Rifle

The Patriot Ordnance Factory LMR Base offers a .308 Win. chambering in a lightweight, AR-15-size package, which makes it a capable platform for today's new gun owner. And it comes at a fair price.

2025 Accessory Of The Year: Wyoming Sight Drifter

For each of the past 23 years, the editors of American Rifleman have convened to select our top picks for the past year’s best and most innovative products. Here are the most recent winners.

Henry Donates Rifles To Support Young Leukemia Victim

Henry Repeating Arms has donated a limited run of 50 “Team Keane” Golden Boy .22 lever-action rifles to support 13-year-old Keane Rhodes of Universal City, Texas, who is currently undergoing aggressive treatment for ALL T-cell leukemia.

Rifleman Review: Springfield Armory Echelon

Springfield Armory introduced its Echelon in 2023, bringing a modernized, chassis-style, striker-fired handgun to the market that has since seen several notable line extensions.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.