I recently (less than a week ago) bought the S&W 15-22. Before doing so I tested in the showroom dry fire only with snap caps) a Webley and Scott X2 copy of the Ruger 10/22, a second hand but 90%+ condition blue steel/laminted stock 10/22 and a brand new stainless/composite stock 10-22.
The new Ruger had the worst rigger of the four. The second hand ruger was better. The S&W had the best trigger. The W&S had the best of the three 10/22 model triggers and the rubber stock was so very comfortable but there were no iron sights, meaning I cold only shoot it in Rimfire Optics division. The two Rugers and the S&W both came with iron sights but the S&W's were much better (pop up peep rear and winged front post).
The S&W cost the most, about 2 1/2 times the W&S and second hand Ruger, 1.75 times the price of the new Ruger.
Seven of my club mates have also bought S&W 15-22's in the last few months. It has cost them the base price plus a red dot. One has bought a Ruger. He also bought a match trigger and a high comb stock plus a red dot. Overall cost was about NZ$100 under the S&W.
Why did I buy the S&W if it was the most expensive?
Ready to compete out of the box. Both the W&S and Ruger require modifications especially to shoot the W&S in Iron Sight Division.
No real cost savings over Ruger after necessary modifications made.
W&S cannot be shot in iron Sights division. Ruger and S&W can.
Ruger open sights less accurate than S&W.
Spare mags (25 rounds) for the S&W can be bought for under US $20 from Brownells who will export them to me (if total cost under US $100). Ruger 25 round 10/22 mags US $55.
With the S&W I can remove the red dot for Iron Sight division then reattach the red dot, pop up the sights and check that the dot is sitting right on the front post again before lowering the sights and shooting Optics Division.
As for ammo, searching online I found neither really likes hyper velocity (Stinger type) ammo for feeding. Same for Winchester especially the bulk box stuff. S&W will spit out CCI ammo, including Mini Mags all day. I buy bulk CCI Standard Velocity to run in my .22 pistol.
S&W is more than accurate enough for competition work. If I want accuracy way out past 50 yards with a .22 I have two bolt actions that will perform all day.
Horses for courses is my motto.
The new Ruger had the worst rigger of the four. The second hand ruger was better. The S&W had the best trigger. The W&S had the best of the three 10/22 model triggers and the rubber stock was so very comfortable but there were no iron sights, meaning I cold only shoot it in Rimfire Optics division. The two Rugers and the S&W both came with iron sights but the S&W's were much better (pop up peep rear and winged front post).
The S&W cost the most, about 2 1/2 times the W&S and second hand Ruger, 1.75 times the price of the new Ruger.
Seven of my club mates have also bought S&W 15-22's in the last few months. It has cost them the base price plus a red dot. One has bought a Ruger. He also bought a match trigger and a high comb stock plus a red dot. Overall cost was about NZ$100 under the S&W.
Why did I buy the S&W if it was the most expensive?
Ready to compete out of the box. Both the W&S and Ruger require modifications especially to shoot the W&S in Iron Sight Division.
No real cost savings over Ruger after necessary modifications made.
W&S cannot be shot in iron Sights division. Ruger and S&W can.
Ruger open sights less accurate than S&W.
Spare mags (25 rounds) for the S&W can be bought for under US $20 from Brownells who will export them to me (if total cost under US $100). Ruger 25 round 10/22 mags US $55.
With the S&W I can remove the red dot for Iron Sight division then reattach the red dot, pop up the sights and check that the dot is sitting right on the front post again before lowering the sights and shooting Optics Division.
As for ammo, searching online I found neither really likes hyper velocity (Stinger type) ammo for feeding. Same for Winchester especially the bulk box stuff. S&W will spit out CCI ammo, including Mini Mags all day. I buy bulk CCI Standard Velocity to run in my .22 pistol.
S&W is more than accurate enough for competition work. If I want accuracy way out past 50 yards with a .22 I have two bolt actions that will perform all day.
Horses for courses is my motto.
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