Saw one in a gun shop yesterday I liked the size and heft what does SW make that's similar? I have a snubby model 19-5 that I didn't like but now shooting .38 through is just plain fun. I'm a you g guy and get funny looks sometimes from the younger crowds with the Tupperware.

S&W makes the 617 with a 3", 4", or 6" barrel. They also offer the 317 which has a sub 2" barrel. There's a 617 on my list.

The closest S&W are the J frame .22s - in Stainless Steel would be a Model 63.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

I like how the SP is K frame almost

Got to be a 63.

The Model 63 is available in a 2" version, but good luck finding one. They are rather scarce, and somewhat more expensive when found. The 4" 63 is just plain fun to shoot. The Model 18 is a K Frame .22, but they have not been made for quite a few years, and were only available in 4". I think the Ruger is smaller than the K and just a teeny bit bigger than the J Frame.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Guess maybe ill hunt down a Model 18 or at least try.

The Model 18 is a sweet revolver.

How many does a model 18 hold not that it really matters just curious?

Model 43c J-frame 8 shot no lock XS front sight

I've been looking at one for awhile.

6 rounds. It is a fine gun!
Ed

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1360796299.265415.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1360796320.513959.jpg

I found this model 63 used for under $500 recently. Better than the $675 price tag I saw on a ruger sp101 I saw in another gunshop.

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It's harder if you're stupid

There is a new ("Classic") model 18 available, the -7.

The Ruger is closer to a 4" J frame in size but weighs closer to a K frame .22.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

A new 63 or 617 will run $700-850

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It's harder if you're stupid

I had this one at the range today.I only recently hunted it down.

I don't know how well these photos show it but the SP101 fits between the J (63) and K (617) frames. Of the bunch the Ruger is my all-around favorite. The Js can feel a little small, the Ks a little large, but the SP101 feels just right with aftermarket stocks. The factory stocks were too small for me. The Smiths have nicer triggers but while the Ruger's is heavy it's also smooth. I can shoot the SP101 about as well as my 4" 617-1.





All targets shot in an unsupported standing isosceles stance. SA at 50 feet, DA at 25 feet.

Fall of 2011 found me meeting an old friend at a local range for some shooting fun. I had my new to me 4" 651 (.22 WMR) and year old 3" 63, having left my 4" 617 & 5" 63 at home. He had, among other things, a brand new 4.2" SP101 in .22 LR. I will admit to not liking the SP101, having had a new .32 H&RM 4" one years ago that was a QC nightmare. I also hated it's sights, the rear being a cheesy windage-only-adjustable, it's grips, and it's chamber bores being at the upper limit in ID. Ultimately, it made my mind up to divest myself of my Rugers. The new 4.2" SP101 in .22LR was a different animal.

The SP101 has a HiViz front sight, a new fully adjustable rear sight, 8 hole cylinder, decent older GP100-style grips, evidenced good QC, and had a serviceable trigger NIB. I was impressed. Then I A-B-ed it with my year old 3" 63. There was no comparison - my 3" 63 grouped better - with the same ammo. It had a better DA pull, too, than the SP101 - but mine really was a year old and the SP101 was new. SA on my 63 was also more crisp - again, the Ruger wasn't broken in. Clearly, I liked the 3" 63 better. They oddly cost nearly the same, too!

Below are my 5" 63, 4" 651 (looks like a 4" 63), and the currently available 3" 63 (SKU #162634):



The 5" 63 has an added HiViz sight and they all have added S&W '60 Pro' grips. The 5" 63 was canned before the 3" 63 was finally delivered 10/10. The 4" 63 hasn't been available for over a decade. The 3" 63 is currently available. The 5" & 3" 63's are 8-shooters. The 3" 63 may have passed my 4" 617 as my favorite revolver - it is that much fun!

Stainz

i'd say the no-lock,4 in. model 63 is the closest to the ruger.

Thanks for all the responses gentleman ill have to shop around see what I can find.

If you don't mind, where did you come by your grips? Are they Altamonts or something else? My understanding was that the Altamonts are only available on TALO distributed specials.

I love those grips and a 3inch 63 is at the top of my must have list.