Best choice for .22lr revolver: Classic m63 or new Ruger SP101?
- Thread starter bigun
- Start date
I own several SW .22s all Js with one exceptin and love them all for different reasons. I handled the Ruger and just couldn't get past the size and weight. If it is being sold as a "kit gun" its size is a deal breaker (for me). Then again, if Ruger offered it up in a 2" version I would certainly be way more interested in plunking down the coin for one. Otherwise, I'll just stick with my little SW J-frame kit guns and if I need something a bit larger, just grab my Pre-18.
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I own several SW .22s all Js with one exceptin and love them all for different reasons. I handled the Ruger and just couldn't get past the size and weight. If it is being sold as a "kit gun" its size is a deal breaker (for me). Then again, if Ruger offered it up in a 2" version I would certainly be way more interested in plunking down the coin for one. Otherwise, I'll just stick with my little SW J-frame kit guns and if I need something a bit larger, just grab my Pre-18.
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M3Stuart
Member
I have the 34-1 in 4" and would recommend it or the 63. Let me throw out something from my experience.
In all the .22 revolvers I've ever owned, 6 shots is actually BETTER than 8 and here is why: The .22 brass expands a bit when you shoot it. After 100 or so rounds through the gun, ejection tends to get 'sticky', i.e. it's hard to eject the spent cases. Ok, bear with me here, this, IMHO, is due to the friction. More rounds = more friction - harder ejection. Again, IMHO, all the Ruger SP101s, Taurus 94s (9 shots), etc, were all harder to eject the spent cases than my 34.
In fact, I recently (albeit briefly) switched to the Ruger SAs - like the single six - because I wanted the ejector rod. Well, I am not a fan of the Single Six anymore so I bought the brand new Ruger Bearcat Shopkeeper.
Ruger Bearcat Shopkeeper Stainless 22 LR
Well, I really like the Shopkeeper buuuttt (didn't somebody say something about Ruger QA?) out of the box it wouldn't fire on 3 cylinders, sent it back, a month later I get it back and it has horrible timing and lockup issues, not to mention the cylinder gap throws stuff EVERYwhere GRRRRRRR. So, back to Ruger it went today. I haven't even had an opportunity to take a picture. Here's a stock photo.
Edit: I've been promising to do a review on the Shopkeeper but haven't been able to yet. FYI: posters on other forums have reported nothing like my experience with the SK, so don't let my experience sway your opinion. I gotta say; it is one really, really cool little gun.
In all the .22 revolvers I've ever owned, 6 shots is actually BETTER than 8 and here is why: The .22 brass expands a bit when you shoot it. After 100 or so rounds through the gun, ejection tends to get 'sticky', i.e. it's hard to eject the spent cases. Ok, bear with me here, this, IMHO, is due to the friction. More rounds = more friction - harder ejection. Again, IMHO, all the Ruger SP101s, Taurus 94s (9 shots), etc, were all harder to eject the spent cases than my 34.
In fact, I recently (albeit briefly) switched to the Ruger SAs - like the single six - because I wanted the ejector rod. Well, I am not a fan of the Single Six anymore so I bought the brand new Ruger Bearcat Shopkeeper.
Ruger Bearcat Shopkeeper Stainless 22 LR
Well, I really like the Shopkeeper buuuttt (didn't somebody say something about Ruger QA?) out of the box it wouldn't fire on 3 cylinders, sent it back, a month later I get it back and it has horrible timing and lockup issues, not to mention the cylinder gap throws stuff EVERYwhere GRRRRRRR. So, back to Ruger it went today. I haven't even had an opportunity to take a picture. Here's a stock photo.
Edit: I've been promising to do a review on the Shopkeeper but haven't been able to yet. FYI: posters on other forums have reported nothing like my experience with the SK, so don't let my experience sway your opinion. I gotta say; it is one really, really cool little gun.
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Stainz
Member
finesse_r
Member
.22LR is one caliber I prefer Ruger to Smith
I considered both and went with the SP-101 and I absolutely love it. Admittedly it has a heavy trigger pull, which will take some work to lighten up. Otherwise it is just about perfect. I love the high visibility sights and the solid feel of it. Shoots great and the 8 round cylinder is not aluminum as the M617, but heavy stainless steel and should last several life times.
Also no Internal Lock to fuss with and since I own other SP-101s it is a great practice gun. The balance and feel of the gun is excellent.
My only regret is that two were available at the great price of $510, and I only picked up one.
I considered both and went with the SP-101 and I absolutely love it. Admittedly it has a heavy trigger pull, which will take some work to lighten up. Otherwise it is just about perfect. I love the high visibility sights and the solid feel of it. Shoots great and the 8 round cylinder is not aluminum as the M617, but heavy stainless steel and should last several life times.
Also no Internal Lock to fuss with and since I own other SP-101s it is a great practice gun. The balance and feel of the gun is excellent.
My only regret is that two were available at the great price of $510, and I only picked up one.
My only regret is that two were available at the great price of $510, and I only picked up one.[/QUOTE]
What has the world come to when $510 for a .22 revolver is considered a "great price"? Clearly my age is catching up with me!
What has the world come to when $510 for a .22 revolver is considered a "great price"? Clearly my age is catching up with me!
Jayhawkhuntclub
Member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2011
- Messages
- 740
- Reaction score
- 318
double post
Jayhawkhuntclub
Member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2011
- Messages
- 740
- Reaction score
- 318
Then you don't want to know what a new 617 goes for!What has the world come to when $510 for a .22 revolver is considered a "great price"? Clearly my age is catching up with me!
I still think it's worth it.DS 10 speed: In regards to the stock grips on the sp101, I hate them too. But for about $20, Hogue makes some very nice replacements that I find very comfortable.
Then you don't want to know what a new 617 goes for!
DS 10 speed: In regards to the stock grips on the sp101, I hate them too. But for about $20, Hogue makes some very nice replacements that I find very comfortable.
The SP101 grips are much too small for my large hands. I put Trausch grips on mine. (See #40)
Jaffo
Member
Picked up a SP-101 today (my first Rugur) and absolutely love it. I Admit it has a heavy trigger pull, which I hope will lighten up. Otherwise, I'll look into getting a 10# wolf spring. I love the high visibility sights and accuracy. Feels good and balanced in my hand.
Still plan on picking up a model 63 if one comes available to compare.
Still plan on picking up a model 63 if one comes available to compare.
Redlegvzv
Member
I picked up an SP101 .22LR and I am pretty happy with it. The trigger pull is pretty darned stiff, but on my copy it is also very smooth, and I am able to shoot very well with it either DA or SA. In fact this is a revolver that cries out to be fired in DA and I enjoy doing that.
The fit and finish on my copy is just fine. Heirloom quality and this gun will last generations.
I like the 617 but it is just too big for a 22 revolver IMO. It is a fine handgun.
The fit and finish on my copy is just fine. Heirloom quality and this gun will last generations.
I like the 617 but it is just too big for a 22 revolver IMO. It is a fine handgun.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
What has the world come to when $510 for a .22 revolver is considered a "great price"? Clearly my age is catching up with me!
[/QUOTE]One of my LGS has a new s&w 22 revolver for $850.
When looking for any gun we need to look how it feels in our hands first. I have a colt positive police 22 revolver that doesn't feel right in my hand, while the s&w k22 feels perfect. The colt officers target revolver is the same size as the 38 special but it's built on the 41 frame it's heavy but it's a practice revolver for the 38 special duty revolver. I did notice the newer s&w revolvers are offered in 22 lr and In 22 WMR for the same $$ and there pretty much the same size.
There is a reason why we don't really see any used s&w, ruger and colt revolvers in the used gun case. Everyone is hanging on to them because there good quality guns. I don't think you can go wrong with either one.
kit gun choice
Had a friend with a 63 as and it was awesome. Wish I could find one reasonable. For years I carried a Beretta 70 in 22lr until it got stolen from my car. Now using either my 22 mag NAA mini revolver or SR22. After I finish testing my PMR30 it might take over. The NAA mini master with 4 inch barrel might be just the trick.
Had a friend with a 63 as and it was awesome. Wish I could find one reasonable. For years I carried a Beretta 70 in 22lr until it got stolen from my car. Now using either my 22 mag NAA mini revolver or SR22. After I finish testing my PMR30 it might take over. The NAA mini master with 4 inch barrel might be just the trick.
