Love my S&W Model 63...But could this replace it?

Those new Ruger SP-101s are very well done. I'm glad Ruger listened to their customers on this one and gave us the features that made for a really nice field DA 22 revolver.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't give up a well liked old S&W Model 63 for one either. But there must be something else you could trade. For example -- have any Glocks? One of the most easy to get rid of/trade away guns in the world and no one ever misses one of those! (further proof that no one ever willingly trades away a quality gun who doesn't miss it later :D)
 
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I would not trade or sell any S&W .22lr revolver for another make (finally have 317,34-1,63,17-3 in 6" & 8-3/8",18-3, only missing a 43c). Traded a 34-1 once and regretted it immediately.
 
Keep the Smith.....leave the canoli.
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OK...You guys have convinced me. I will keep the S&W Model 63....and find the money for the Ruger elsewhere.....Once I shoot them both side-by-side, I can decide if it is advisable to sell one. I did take the 63 out for a walk in the woods today and did a little plinking with it...It sure is a smooth little revolver....
 
I have an SP101 in .22 and while a VERY nice gun-it does not replace my 63. If I had to get rid of one-the 101 would go based on the trigger pull and lighter weight. The SP101 is more akin to the 617 4" . Tough choice here as well, but I would keep my 617 because of the nice trigger.
The SP went back to Ruger when I bought it because the trigger was abysmal and what I got back was as nice a trigger as one has a right to expect from a Ruger. It is still not on par with the 63 or the 617 (or the 317-1 or k22 for that matter). The trigger IS better than my 317.
I flat out like the Ruger a lot I like how easy it is to take one down if it gets dunked in salt water and how well it's built-but it is not, nor ever claimed to be a Smith and I wouldn't sell one of my Smiths to buy one.
Tell you something else about Rugers, I also like my Super Redhawk and my SP101 in .357 too ;)
 
I started my revolver craze with Rugers, my first-ever DA revolver having been a 7.5" SRH in .454 Casull, which was my all-time favorite Ruger. It was far better than The Redhawk & SP101 I would later own - and they were better than any of the myriad of new SA Rugers I owned. They were all delivered - new - as 'works in progress' - I became adept at cleaning up pawl channels and properly reaming holes - including chambers! My 4" .32 H&RM was by far the worst QC example - it took a while to clean it up. Finally cleaned up, trigger-wise, I still didn't have much - the .22 & .32 H&RM SP101s back then only had a windage adjustment on the rear sight. Additionally, the two .32s I had - the 4" SP101 and 4.6" BHG SSM - had huge, almost .338" ID chambers, which overworked the brass - .32 H&RM and .32 S&WL alike - resulting in very short case life. I sold everything with Ruger on it - save my 'Old Army' bp revolver.

If you get an SP101, checkout the Ruger forum and their SP101 tuneup instructions. Take particular heed of the advice to put the trigger group in a Ziploc bag before further dissassembly. Cleanup helps - and some like the lighter weight Wolff springs, too, although I'd keep the OEMs for a rimfire revolver. Don't clip springs!

Still, from one to one comparison in shooting at the range - new 3" 63 and new 4" SP101 - both 8-shooters - my 3" 63 was the clear winner. Oddly, 2nd place wasn't that bad...

Stainz
 
I have two Ruger SP-101s in .357 Magnum that I bought at least a decade ago. Both are reasonably smooth double actions and the single action trigger pull is heavy, but crisp...no creep. I have dry-fired both a lot and put a couple of hundred rounds through each. No idea of the round count before I owned them, but they both looked like new when purchased.

They are one of the reasons that I thought a new SP-101 in .22 would be great. I'll have to test the trigger pull on the new SPs if the dealer will allow it. I know some guys are funny about that, especially with rimfires....
 
Its simple, add an ammendment to the "house rules" and get what makes you happy!
 
I would only buy the 101 if I could see and handle it first . No blind internet order . A guy on Rimfire Central was bitching up a storm because of the piss poor fit and finish on his new .22 101 . I think he said he had to send it back twice to get it corrected and working right .
 
Thanks, Nick. That is good advice with any modern handgun purchase. Ruger, Smith & Wesson, and others all seem to be lacking in the quality control arena.
 
Go lie down, the urge will pass, and you'll get to keep the best of breed. Ruger for a nice Smith? No.
 
Much as I like my new SP .22, I'd advise keeping your Smith.
It's a great little gun, better DA trigger, no lock, already stainless, and it's paid for. :)
If you can do both, go for it. Otherwise.... :)
Denis
 
i have a 63 no lock sistem 4 barell 6 shot,for me is little great pistol.the ruger is good prouduct but no can is the number one for now.
 
I got a Model 63 from the original owner of the gun along with a Model 66 no-dash a couple of years ago and love it. It is a P & R model but, unfortunately, the original grips are long gone on it. The Model 66 has the original grips on it. Here is a quick pic of my Model 63 taken when I got it. I have a few Rugers also but I would never sell this to buy a SP101 in .22. I am still looking for some S&W Target grips for it locally but in no hurry.

M63a.jpg
 
The club where I teach NRA Basic Pistol just bought 10 of the SP101 Targets... We have been using instructor donated guns for 20+ years. Most have been S&Ws with a few Colts, Dan Wessons and Taurus thrown in.

They are a very solid gun but off the bench at 5 yards the Rugers didn't shoot near the groups that the Smiths did even the Model 63s and 34s. And the DA pulls are very hard and we teach DA shooting in our BP Course...

I have two 63s that I use for training and although I plan on buying a SP101 the 63s are not going anywhere... Given a choice I'l take a 63...smaller, lighter and better balanced.

Bob
 
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