Best choice for .22lr revolver: Classic m63 or new Ruger SP101?

[BigBill]

I just picked up an older S&W masterpiece revolver K series in 22lr with a 6'' barrel. I love it. It wasn't cheap. But i wanted it bad. Its 100% on the bluing / grips and she looks like brand new. I see most of the others going for $800 to $1,400 too. My master piece is a C&R revolver now too as most of the older ones are.

I guess these were police/officers target models similair to there 38's for the feel of them but in the cheap 22lr to practice with. Most of the ones i see are 6'' barrels.

After owning a brand new colt python 357 in the 70's that had cylinder timing problems i would like the colt 22 revolver too but i don't want one with problems i been down that road with two new colt 1911's being bad too right out of the box.

A while back i picked up a taurus model 94 9 shot revolver with a 4'' barrel for the wife. Bill

 

[1 old 0311]

Hard to say. I have a 63 no dash and a 34-1, and love both. I handled the new Ruger 101 at Cabela's a couple of days ago. It was also very nice and seemed very well made. I believe it is a little heavier than the Smiths and this could be a consideration for you (+ or -). With the Smith you get a chance to play with a huge variety of grip options, something you might not get to do as much with the Ruger.

I guess one reason not to get the Ruger is that it is simply not a Smith and Wesson.

+1 When in doubt the call goes to the runner ( S&W.)

 

[CWH44300]

the 63 is on my short list

 

[Stainz]

If you check the 2011 S&W catalog, pg 40, you'll find J-frame rimfires, including my SS 3" 63 (bottom, below), SKU #162634; two 317 AirLites; and a hammerless AirLite 43C, all in .22 LR. Also, you'll find two 351 series AirLites in .22 Magnum. The AirLites are all Al alloys - except the 43C - it's apparently not to be produced. Go to pg 45 for the two K-frame 617 - a 4" & 6". You will find the partially lugged and blue steel K-frame 6" 17 and 4" 18 on pg 67 in their new 'Classics' offering. Interestingly, the partial lug of the 4" 18 only pares away 1.3 oz from the 'muzzle heavy' 4" 617, like mine - middle, below:

The top revolver is the first of the 8-shot 63's - available a couple of years ago, before the 3". I added grips to all three and HiViz sights to the top two, the new 3" 63 coming equipped with the HiViz sight. I have a sad admission... if I could only keep one - it would be the 4" 617... unless I had to tote it - then it would be the 3" 63 that would remain. Sorry about that, 5" 63!

Now, my latest buy was this '97 vintage LNIB 4" 651 - a keeper - and awaiting some 60 Pro grips like the 63's. Look at the barrel's forcing cone vs cylinder - the cylinder is longer than the 63's - to accommodate the longer .22 Magnum cartridge. Thus, the longer fc in the 63's and 317's.

Stainz

 

[Titan]

I've got quite a few Smiths and love them all, but I must say that I've been impressed with what Ruger has been doing lately.

My prioritized 'next buy list' turns out to be all Ruger:

SP101-22
Hawkeye Rifle Model 77/357
SR1911

I'd also grab an LCP if I could figure out how to acquire one at a decent cost from someone in-state. Not 'compliant' here in MA through dealers. For that matter, neither is the SP101-22 but it will be eventually. The LCP just doesn't have enough 'safety features' to satisfy our facist AG.

 

[Old cop]

I picked up a 5" M63 (all I could find at the time) w/lock over a year ago and have put thousands of rounds down range. It is my favorite shooter and the lock, albeit ugly, has been no problem.

 

[bigun]

The old school M63 that I'm considering has a pinned barrel and with a grooved trigger. When was the first year that a smooth trigger had come on these guns?

 

[thibaultfelix40]

22's

I have a 34 that I bought in 1985.It is the only gun I ever sent back to the factory and it went back twice.. It is now an absolutely wonderful revolver. It is a 4" nickle plated model. A few years ago I bought a 3" 317. I am amazed that I find my self often choosing the 317 over the 34.You might want to check it out.

 

[fyimo]

Ruger makes a very well built and strong revolver and I've owned two but neither was a 22LR. That said I own 8 S&W 22LR revolvers and I've long since sold my Rugers and the main reason was because of the better finish on the S&W revolvers and the smoother action.

 

[jspick]

I have had several 63's in 6 shot 4" and only 1 shot very well and I sold it to a friend of my sons. My 617's and 17's all shoot better.

I had a 18 that you could not hit a 12X12" box with at 25 yards. I tried everything to no avail. I got fed up with it and took it to a gun show and sold it to a dealer. I told him the problem I was having with it and he told me that I just wasn't a good shot. I smiled and sold him the gun. At the next gun show I went up to him and asked him how the gun shot. He said that was the biggest piece of junk he ever shot. At least I know it wasn't me! I really would like to have a nice shooting 18 someday.

All I ever had in the Ruger flavor is single sixes. They shoot OK but I am not impressed with them. I would like to try thier new SP101 though at some point.

John

 

[Jerry in SC]

Stainz, the cylinder on the 651 is the same length as a same vintage 63. The new 63's are built on the Magnum J frame (longer). Nice revolvers...

 

[roaddog28]

I like Ruger revolvers almost as well as S&W revolvers. But if your trying to decide between the new Ruger SP101 and a S&W model 17 or 18 I would go with the S&W. The double action trigger is better. Most new owners of the SP101 I have read about have had to do trigger action work to make the double action trigger work better. If you are going to shoot single action only then the SP101. But at about $550 for a SP I would buy a Ruger single 10 or like me I own a Ruger single 6. To me Ruger makes as good a single action revolver as a person can find for a reasonable price.
Good luck with your decision.
Howard

 

[MakeMyNight]

When I needed a good accurate 4" barreled 22lr all weather revolver, my S&W 617 no dash filled the bill very nicely, and still does that.

It's a bit on the heavy side to carry when wandering creeks and trout fishing, so I opted for the model 651, for coyote & wild dog protection.

The 651 WMRF is the cat's arse (imo) when it comes to a fishing companion revolver, though I wouldn't feel under-gunned carrying a model 63 filled with stinger 22 lr rounds either.

Plus, with a S&W 651, you can have an accessory 22lr cylinder fitted and have the best of both worlds!

 

[Bearcat]

Your investment in a Model 63 will hold value or increase. No so much with the Ruger.....

 

[rodsmith357]

So,was really never said,but what about the NEW 63 S&W compared to the Ruger SP101 22?

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Your investment in a Model 63 will hold value or increase. No so much with the Ruger.....

Apparently, you haven't followed the prices of Rugers much. They will both increase in value if cared for. The 63 MIGHT increase more. But that is certainly not a garantee. You should also be able to get into a new Ruger for about a $100 less.

I don't think you can go wrong with either.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I have handled the new 3" M63 and like it a lot. It has a nice weight and balance, and I even liked the fiber optic front sight. The presence of the IL made me put it down but that was a few years ago and I might not be so choosy now.

 

[DS-10-SPEED]

So,was really never said,but what about the NEW 63 S&W compared to the Ruger SP101 22?

I have both new models 63 8 shot and the SP101 8 shot. The quality and accuracy is good on both models. Both have fiber optic front sights, red on 63, green on the SP101. The trigger was tough on both when new, but replacing the return spring can fix that. The one thing I don't hear any discussion about is the difference in grips, trigger and frame design. Comparing out of the box on both 8 shots, I find the 63 fits me the best. The SP101's grip is too small for my hand and the different frame design (wider frame/thin trigger) causes my trigger finger to hit the frame when firing. A larger grip may help the SP101.

I like the Ruger but it does not fit my hand well with the stock grip, I haven't tried any other grips yet.

 

[nossew]

I got my M63 a couple years ago. I didn't care for the lock but, have since forgot about it. I wouldn't want the lock on a defensive gun but, on a .22 who cares? It is a quality made firearm.
I never go to the range without it. Minute of Baseball @ 25 yards with bulk ammo.

I got the "M60 Pro" grips on the advice3 of Stainz, they are perfect.

 

[Tom C]

I have examples of a number of .22 revos: a very nice 1958 vintage Model 17, and 617s with 4”, 5” and 6” barrels. I consider them terrific range guns, but a bit heavy to carry. I also have 3” and 5” Model 63s and one of the new 4” SP101s. In my case the 5” 63 is a bit more accurate than the 3” and the 101 is equal to the 5” 63. The 101 had a rougher trigger, but I smoothed it internally and played with springs and now it is very similar to the 63s. If I were to carry one in the field, it would be a 5” 63 or the 101. They both weigh 30 oz. Any choice would be based on personal preference.