Traded my SP101 .22LR for a Model 17-4

[BB57]

I bought a 4.2" SP101 in .22 LR a couple years ago, mostly because I got tired of waiting for a Model 17 to turn up and thought I'd give the SP 101 a try.

Unfortunately, I had to send it back to Ruger due to an improperly cut forcing cone and excessive leading - so bad it would start key holing after about 20 rounds.

After sending it back twice, Ruger eventually replaced it with a new one - about 6 months after I bought the first one. I shot a few cylinders worth in the new one to verify it worked, noted it wasn't all that accurate, cleaned it and put it back in the box and stored it in the safe.

I haven't shot it since, so when a 6" Model 17-4 showed up in the local gun shop, I took it in and traded it (and $170) on the 17-4. Yep, I disliked that SP101 $170 worth.

The 17-4 has a pinned barrel but the 79K serial number places it in 1980. It has a target hammer, target trigger and trigger stop.

I'm happy and the SP101 might find a good home with someone who'll like it enough to shoot it on a regular basis.

It should get along well with the other S&W targets in the safe:

 

[RobertJ.]

I love the SP101, but they're still pretty easy to come by. That treasure you traded it for, not so much!

My last SP101, my friend Kip and I traded it back and forth several times! He still has it.

 

[Twiki357]

I would have made that trade in a heart beat.

 

[Drm50]

I would have made that trade in a heart beat.

Ditto, no brainer. Have a buddy with a SP101, doesn't shoot worth a hoot. He is to stubborn to take a loss on it. He has it
tucked away on a back shelf. I hack on him all the time about it.
When he bought it he was ridiculing me for the money I spend
on K22s vs what he paid for Ruger. He thought he was getting
equal gun, for less money. I have shot several SPs, some good
some not so good, never one that came close to K22 proformance.

 

[19leben]

I don't think the SP101 should be considered a target gun. Maybe not fair to compare to the K Target guns?

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[RILEY31]

You came out way on top in that trade

 

[Wee Hooker]

Have owned several of both, I can tell you that you have made the right decision. The S&W 17 has SO much more quality built in than the Sp101. It is also much easier to shoot well.
Enjoy your new revolver. You did good!

 

[model17]

Good move. You def moved up in a .22

 

[BB57]

I don't think the SP101 should be considered a target gun. Maybe not fair to compare to the K Target guns?

Oh, I agree that it is not a fair comparison, thus the trade and the $170.

But the fact is that neither of my 4.2" SP101 .22 LR revolvers ever shot better than about 4" at 15 yards. That's horrible accuracy for a 4" .22 LR revolver, even by Ruger standards when you consider that both my Single Sixes will shoot 3" at 25 yards with .22 LR and 2" at 25 yards with .22 Mag. The first one had forcing cone issues that no doubt contributed to poor accuracy even before the leading got bad, but the replacement still shot poorly.

Townsend Whelen once said "Only accurate rifles are interesting". I agree with him and while my accuracy standards are much lower for a handgun, I apply that as well to my handguns because I'm a good shot and I expect my pistols and revolvers to hold up their end of the deal.

 

[Bastogne71]

That's called trading up! Now you have a beautiful revolver that will keep your shots in the black. I would have dumped the SP101 also if that's the best accuracy you could get out of it.

Now you can start looking for its downsized companion, a nice M34!

 

[19leben]

I agree that 4" @ 15 yds isn't acceptable, even for plinking.

You made a great trade for the K22!

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[Lobster Picnic]

Now you can stop looking for a great rimfire revolver and start enjoying your 17-4.

 

[lscocoa]

I'd say you did good. Nice 17-4 !

 

[DocB]

Rugers have always been the same. Been through a dozen in 30 years. The Bearcat I got a year ago is a typical Ruger. To cock the hammer you have to point it toward the sky. Otherwise, it's locked up. I could likely fix it, but don't feel like digging into a piece of junk. It's in its box somewhere. . .who knows where.

 

[clang444]

It's interesting how many complaints I've heard about the newer SP101s in .22. I have a 4" .22 lr SP101 I bought about 20 years ago and it is very accurate. I prefer the double action pull on my K frames, but the Ruger is no slouch in the accuracy department.

It makes you wonder what they are doing differently on the newer production guns.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

You are in high cotton now!! Good Swap!!

 

[larryofcc]

I had a SP101 and I never liked it. I don't know why I bothered to buy it in the first place. My Ruger Super Single Sixes are great guns. Finally, I was able to dump the SP101 on some unsuspecting soul for a lot less than I paid for it. I have a little M63 that really shoots well. If the Ruger hadn't sold, I would have used it for a boat anchor. Big Larry

 

[BB57]

It's interesting how many complaints I've heard about the newer SP101s in .22. I have a 4" .22 lr SP101 I bought about 20 years ago and it is very accurate. I prefer the double action pull on my K frames, but the Ruger is no slouch in the accuracy department.

It makes you wonder what they are doing differently on the newer production guns.

I agree. I'm a big fan of my Speed Six, Security Six and Service Six as well as my two Single Sixes and my Mk I and II Targets - but they are all older Rugers.

I have been very impressed with my SR1911 LW Commander, and my 3" SP101 in .357 Magnum is on par with my Model 60 accuracy wise, even with the more mechanical feeling Ruger trigger. However, the other two SP101s I've had have not been impressive.

Basically, Ruger has been batting .500 recently. Unfortunately .500 is fine for a batting average but not so good for customer satisfaction.

 

[BB57]

Ok, it's official - this Model 17 absolutely rocks, and it got really dirty because it got shot a lot...

I'd planned to give equal time to my my Mk I 678T, and Mk II Target, but they didn't get much range time.

I'm 52, a little jaded, I have pretty high standards, and I tend to be hard to impress but I took it to the range this afternoon and it impressed me. I started with a B-27 at 15 yards and it easily held the X-ring with any of the various ammo I brought - normal stuff like Federal Auto Match, Remington Golden Bullets and Aquila Super Extra.

I threw up some target dots to see how the now pretty dirty revolver handled 12 shot groups and it did equally well with the same variety of blaster grade ammunition.

The point of impact changed slightly with some of the ammo but this 12 shot, one and a half (ish) inch off hand group was typical, and to be fair, I suspect about half the group size is my fault:

But...where it really blew me away was shooting at a 24" long section of 8" diameter welding tank that is set up as a ringing target. It is set in the back corner of the 100 yard line so it's actually 107 yards from the firing line. Out of the dozen or so cylinders I fired at it, I may have missed 5 or 6 times.

It's exceptionally well balanced, points well and has a superb trigger that makes it easy to shoot offhand. I haven't had this much fun with a .22LR in years.

 

[steelslaver]

and your never going to look back on that trade with any regrets.

 

[Mack_C85]

OK, you've got your sweet 17.....time to start searching for it's 19 brother.......

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[shakyshoot]

You made a great trade. I have nothing but good things to say about my Ruger revolvers (Single Six, Security Six and GP100 .357) I'd have no use for an SP101 though. It's basically a plinker, and I don't really plink. I did buy a semi-auto near-equivalent, the Smith M&P 22 Compact. The gun is just fine, I just don't really shoot it. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a Smith DA .22 to trade for some day.

 

[BB57]

OK, you've got your sweet 17.....time to start searching for it's 19 brother.......

It's currently sharing the safe with a 4" Model 15, a 6" Model 66 and a 6" Model 19, all with target hammers, target triggers and target stocks.

What I actually need is a 6" Model 14 to complete the family.

 

[Mack_C85]

It's currently sharing the safe with a 4" Model 15, a 6" Model 66 and a 6" Model 19, all with target hammers, target triggers and target stocks.

What I actually need is a 6" Model 14 to complete the family.

My bad, so you had the 19, and found his little brother, the 17.....congrats!!!

My 17 was a College Graduation gift from my parents in 1978. I purchased my 19 in May of 1984, when I completed my probationary period with the Federal Govt. Will be starting my 35th year the 3rd of May.

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[Dillyp]

Ya done good. I would trade a match grade accurate sp101 for a k22 that shot 6" groups all day. I detest Ruger firearms. I've NEVER got a good one. I've tried a dozen or so 1022s, a couple m77s and various revolvers. I've had exactly one poor S&W. A 629 that the internal lock would bind up the action.

 

[glenwolde]

I had an SP101 .22. I would have taken that deal too.

 

[DD357]

I would have made that trade in a heart beat.

You aren't the only one!

 

[Bikes]

I have a sp101 and I like it....however, I'd trade in a heartbeat for a 17 or a 19 or a ......etc...etc.....

 

[fyimo]

My favorite is a 17-4 with 8 3/8 inch barrel and its my most accurate S&W revolver.