Description
Pick up the Smith & Wesson 351PD Airlite and the first thing you notice is what you don't feel. This J-frame tips the scale at a feathery 10.6 ounces thanks to an aluminum alloy frame and cylinder wrapped around a stainless steel barrel. You get strength where the round needs it and weight savings everywhere else. In a pocket or on a belt, it disappears in a way steel-frame snubs never will, and the 22 WMR chambering means recoil is a non-issue even in a gun this light.
Seven Rounds of 22 Magnum in a True Featherweight
The smaller rimfire case lets Smith & Wesson fit seven rounds in the cylinder instead of the usual five you get from centerfire J-frames. That extra capacity matters with rimfire, and 22 WMR out of a snub still hits with real authority when loaded with quality defensive ammo from Federal, Hornady, Speer, or CCI. The exposed hammer gives you a true double action and single action trigger, and that single action option is a genuine bonus if this ends up riding along as a trail or kit gun. The chambers are countersunk so case heads sit flush, and spent brass drops free cleanly on the ejector stroke.
Sights and Grips That Punch Above the Snub Class
Most pocket revolvers make you squint at a tiny ramp. The 351PD wears a HiViz orange fiber optic front sight that gathers light and jumps out against the fixed U-notch rear milled into the topstrap. The finger-grooved wood grips look sharp and fill the hand nicely without adding bulk, and their smooth finish lets the gun clear a pocket without hanging up.
Where the 351PD Airlite Earns Its Keep
This is a revolver for people who want to carry all day and forget it's there: deep concealment, backup duty, hiking, fishing, or knocking around camp. Recoil-sensitive folks in particular will appreciate a defensive wheelgun they can practice with comfortably. There's even a lanyard point on the butt for anyone working around deep snow or water. Light, simple, and well made, it's the premium option in the pocket 22 Magnum class.
Key Specifications
- Model: 351PD Airlite
- Manufacturer Part Number: 160228
- UPC: 022188602289
- Caliber: .22 WMR (22 Magnum)
- Capacity: 7 Rounds
- Action: Double/Single Action, Exposed Hammer
- Barrel Length: 1.875 in
- Barrel Material: Stainless Steel
- Frame/Cylinder: Aluminum Alloy
- Frame Size: Small (J-Frame)
- Overall Length: 6.19 in
- Weight: 10.6 oz (unloaded)
- Front Sight: HiViz Orange Fiber Optic
- Rear Sight: Fixed U-Notch
- Grips: Finger-Grooved Wood
- Finish: Matte Black
What’s Included
- Smith & Wesson 351PD Airlite revolver
- Factory-installed finger-grooved wood grips
- Cable lock
- Owner's manual
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Smith & Wesson 351PD suitable for concealed carry?
It's one of the best-suited revolvers out there for it. At 10.6 ounces unloaded with a 1.875 inch barrel and a two-finger grip, it rides comfortably in a pocket holster or on an ankle all day. The smooth wood grips also draw cleanly from a pocket without snagging.
How does the recoil of the 351PD Airlite compare to a lightweight 38 Special snub?
Night and day. Ultra-light 38 Special and 357 Magnum J-frames can be punishing to practice with, while the 22 WMR in the 351PD produces very mild recoil even in a gun this light. That makes it a great fit for anyone with reduced hand strength or sensitivity to recoil, and it means more practice time without fatigue.
Why does the 351PD hold 7 rounds instead of 5 like other J-frames?
The 22 WMR cartridge is much slimmer than centerfire rounds like the 38 Special, so Smith & Wesson can fit seven chambers in the same size cylinder. That's two extra rounds over a typical J-frame, which is welcome insurance with any rimfire cartridge.
Does the S&W 351PD have single action capability?
Yes. The exposed hammer lets you fire in double action for quick defensive work or cock it manually for a light, crisp single action pull. That flexibility makes the 351PD equally at home as a carry piece or a trail and camp gun where deliberate, precise shots come into play.




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