I shot my similar .22 WMR 351PD in the last week.
Wonderful revolver except for all the reasons you listed. It is a mechanically accurate revolver, but with the trigger weight, a rather difficult gun for a shooter to shoot to its full potential.

The aluminum cylinder heats up and is very difficult to empty after all seven, even in slow fire. The J Frame extractor shaft has insufficient throw to extract well. You need to wait for the cylinder to cool and then often pick out the cases.

That weight is glorious when it comes to concealment. In many garments it simply will not print at 12 ounces, where a heavier aluminum framed but steel cylinder 16 ounce J Frame will.

 

Another member asked for thoughts on the S&W 43C. Here you go @Boxer .45

The S&W 43 C is a revolver chambered in 22 LR. The capacity is 8 rounds. The weight is a nominal 11.4 ounces. Maybe 12 ounces fully loaded. How is that possible? The 43C is almost entirely made of aluminum including cylinder. Only the barrel insert is steel.

The sights include a Big Dot white front post and a classic u notch rear machined into the frame. The Centennial 22 includes an internal hammer and is noticeably absent the infernal lawyer lock. Trigger pull is heavy in part due to the heavier hammer spring required to achieve reliable 22 rimfire primer ignition. The trigger is gritty and atypical of j frame triggers. Not an issue for experienced double action revolver shooters.

The revolver is accurate enough, reliable with many brands of ammo, and will fit in many j frame holsters. Pocket and suit carry are effortless.

The negatives. This revolver is not a range gun. Either the cylinder or forcing cone heat up during firing. The action will bind from heat buildup after firing 2 or 3 cylinders of ammunition. This is the tradeoff for an aluminum cylinder rather than a steel cylinder. This issue is overcome by resting the revolver between volleys. Shoot 1 - 2 cylinders, go shoot another firearm for a while. Come back to it later and so on.

A reliable, light, low recoil 22 revolver. I carry the S&W 43C on days the arthritis is intolerable, the back doesn't want the weight of a full carry option, or a very light weight option is needed.

Fantastic write up, thanks so much.
I don't think there's a better idea than a Jframe in .22. I have a 63 on my list, but a snubnose would be ideal. I wish they'd put a steel cylinder in it, I wouldn't even mind a hammer model.
I'm still relatively interested in this model at some point.
Thanks again

 

I bought one for pocket carry when walking around the property. I considered an LCR, but the 43c fit all of the holsters I already had, so I went that route.

 

Here’s my 351c. It’s the 22mag dao version. It’s really a great little gun. I usually run a box of ammo per range session. Functions great and very accurate, this one holds 7 rounds

 

nicely done op. i don't think you meant to infer that the lock work is aluminum. i have a j-frame 22 with hammer (317-3) that is a treat to carry in the old 5bhl biachi. mine has an 8 shot ti cylinder, never had it lock up. also a 5 shot 38 spl, with the same hammer covering that your review covered. mine looks like it was dragged behind a pu down a rocky road. it think it is the 3rd one i've owned. great, useful revolvers. i am glad to learn about the aluminum cylinder.

 

Lock work is steel. Everything else is aluminum.

 

I love my 351C. It's obviously not a range toy, but I can't say I've experienced any difficulties with extraction, though I typically just put one box of ammo through it at a time when I go to the range, which is sufficient to keep in practice with it. I really like the pinned XS sight, and it's just too easy to carry not to have in my pocket all the time.