Ruger GP100 22LR or Smith and Wesson 617?

I have received the GP100. What a thing of beauty! I'm looking forward to trying it but both clubs I belong to on either side of the Quebec/Ontario border are currently closed.

Ruger has changed the OEM case from the rigid gray Flambeau case to something a little more modern but quite large for the size of the revolver.

The only faults I could find my new GP100 are the wood inlays do not line-up flush with the outer rubber grip. The second fault is that the small disassembly pin, which is supposed to be stored behind the wood inlay panel was missing.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in!
 
Beauvais98 said:
I'm on the cusp of buying my first rimfire (22LR) DA/SA revolver.

What are you guys' thoughts on the Smith & Wesson 617 and the Ruger GP100 22LR?

Intended use is just casual plinking at the range. No competition.
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If you are shooting a Ruger CF revolver, then get the Ruger; if you are shooting a S & W CF revolver, then get the Smith and Wesson. When I was looking for a .357 revolver I looked at everything available. Based on the triggers and over all quality I decided that either the S & W or Ruger would be a great choice. The triggers on both are great right out of the box, but different. If you can handle both, or better yet shoot both; get the one you like best. Either would be a great choice.
 
Beauvais98 said:
I have received the GP100. What a thing of beauty! I'm looking forward to trying it but both clubs I belong to on either side of the Quebec/Ontario border are currently closed.

Ruger has changed the OEM case from the rigid gray Flambeau case to something a little more modern but quite large for the size of the revolver.

The only faults I could find my new GP100 are the wood inlays do not line-up flush with the outer rubber grip. The second fault is that the small disassembly pin, which is supposed to be stored behind the wood inlay panel was missing.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in!
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My .357 came with the one piece rubber grips; I got a set of the ones with the wood inlay a bit later as I found the rubber ones were interferiing with my speed loaders. I did not like the feel of of the wood inlayed ones as good; so I ground a bit off the left side of the grip to accomodate the speed loader, switched from SWC bullets to RNFP, and things are about perfect now! You should not have to take your gun apart for cleaning very often, but being able to do so is a great feature that the S & W does not have.
 
hatman1793 said:
Buy neither. Both are quality revolvers, but if you are just plinking & having fun, why spend upwards of $1000.00 on a platform that most semi-autos easily beat.
Buy the Ruger Wrangler 22 revolver for C$300.00. Sure, its slower to load & unload, but fast reloads for 22’s in competition is dominated by semi-autos.
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Hey @hatman1793, look what you did. Your suggestion got me to take a second look at cheaper single actions and I ended-up with a Ruger Single Ten (Lypseys Exclusive Stainless 4 5/8") to keep my GP100 company.

It came out to cost twice as much as a Wrangler, by it's a nice small mechanical marvel of a gun that is worth every penny!

Thanks a lot. LOL!

 
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To the OP you will be glad you went with the Ruger and it's 10 round limit. I have the SP-01 8 shot version and wish I had waited for the GP-100. If the gun is not shimmed (Trigger and Hammer) have them shimmed. The trigger pull will improve and even more so with a competition kit installed. Smart buy.

Take Care

Bob
 
Canuck44 said:
To the OP you will be glad you went with the Ruger and it's 10 round limit. I have the SP-01 8 shot version and wish I had waited for the GP-100. If the gun is not shimmed (Trigger and Hammer) have them shimmed. The trigger pull will improve and even more so with a competition kit installed. Smart buy.

Take Care

Bob
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I sold my SP-101 to buy a GP 100, which has yet to happen. I guess one thing that keeps "bothering" me, is that my .357 GP 100 was cheaper than a .22LR one is now. I know, different time, different price, but it doesn't make it any easier.
 
Prices have gone up for certain. I may put my SP-01 .22lr up for sale and choke down the difference in price. I do like the size of the SP-01 though/ Nice little camp gun if it were legal to take it with me.

Take Care

Bob
 
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Beauvais98 said:
I ended-up going with the Ruger GP100.

What tipped the balance in favour of the Ruger was the front fiber optic sight and the half-lug.
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Congrats! shows how much personal preference in esthetics comes into play when making a choice. For me half lug was always a drawback as i much prefer the modern look of a full under-lug.
 
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