SP101 vs GP100

I might have to admit to being a bit biased (my S&W in .22 is a 1948 5 screw) but i just can't see choosing a Ruger over a S&W if the price is that close. Nice K22's come up on the EE from time to time in the 700-800 range. That's where I'd spend my money if i was looking for a quality .22 wheelgun.
 
azathool said:
Have the SP101 in 22LR, agree with this.. vs our semi's in 9mm, it was VERY VERY heavy.. almost thought something was wrong with it, but as stated, dry fire it a LOT (yes, it's ok on this particular firearm.. won't damage it), and it does "smooth up" a little... but it still feels heavy.

At the range I prefer to left thumb #### the trigger manually rather than pull it all the way.

Find it very accurate, easy to clean, light weight (it's actually my wives 22.. I have the Ruger 22/45 semi), and she loves the small grip and low weight.
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You should try the spring kit from Wolff. People say it helps a fair bit, you'll just need to see how low you can go without affecting the ignition of the rounds.
 
OldFrankHog said:
Congrats you found 1 website with outdated prices... Jump on it. So yes it can be as expensive and why exactly would the Ruger need an "advantage" to be price similar to the Smith? Just 'cause?... They are both good revolvers. I don't see why the Ruger would need something extra to be allowed to compete with the Smith.
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Well to be fair the SP 101 .22lr needs an extra spring to compete with the Smith in the Trigger pull category. Can't comment on the GP version.
In most cases Ruger's that don't come out of the box with a nice trigger can be made nice easily enough but sometimes it's an extra effort and expense.

I like Smiths and Rugers, traditionally the Ruger's have been less expensive which is a bonus.
 
I do love the looks of the Ruger revolvers over the S&W and Alfa's.

I prefer to shoot .22LR just because it's so cheap. yeah yeah, not as cheap as it used to be, but I have 20K+ rounds sitting at my place, so I'm good. :D
 
Have you checked out an Alfa in person? They are really well finished and have a nice design to my eye.
Take a look at the full line available through http://blsolutions.ca
For an extra $70 you can even get models with a second magnum cylinder. Stainless or blued, 4.5" or 6" barrels.
Rustywood sells a drop in spring but I'm not sure how it works on the .22lr models?
 
Look for an older smith and wesson 22lr revolver on the EE. They are cheaper, will hold their value and are made a lot better than any of the new ruger and s&w.
 
Mr. Friendly said:
I do love the looks of the Ruger revolvers over the S&W and Alfa's.

I prefer to shoot .22LR just because it's so cheap. yeah yeah, not as cheap as it used to be, but I have 20K+ rounds sitting at my place, so I'm good. :D
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You can analyse it to death but in the end you should just buy the one you like best. Sounds like in this case that's the Ruger.
 
Can-down said:
You should try the spring kit from Wolff. People say it helps a fair bit, you'll just need to see how low you can go without affecting the ignition of the rounds.
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If you get the Ruger SP-101, the factory hammer spring on the .357 is 14 pounds, and you can go with a ten pound spring with no issues...however I did install the stainless trigger shims from triggershims.com and I polished the hammer dog as recommended on the sp101trigger.com website. I've tried a variety of ammo and no issues...this info I can guarantee.
Now you're thinking about the .22LR version, which uses a 16 pound factory hammer spring. Wolff sells a kit with a 13,14, and 15 pound hammer springs, and without shims or the polish on the hammer dog I've been told from a couple of sources that you can run the 14 pound hammer spring...if you install the shims and do the polish you can run the 13 pound spring. If you find you do get the odd failure to ignite from your current .22 ammo with the 13 pound spring, you can switch to Federal/American Eagle ammo and you'll be fine. Federal is known for having the softest, or amongst the softest, primers in all commercially loaded ammunition. This info about springs I can't guarantee because I got it from two other people, and I don't own the .22 version, but I've no reason to question their word.
 
Thanks PG, good info. Like I said earlier though I've been using my Sp 101 .22 in the same way an old school hitter might swing two bats in warm up before stepping up to the plate.... :)
 
i picked up a GP100 several years ago and fell in love with the gun.
really liked the size of the gun and the fit and finish of it.
couple years after i decided i wanted the same gun but in a 22 and i wanted basically my GP100 in a 22 if i could find it.
unfortunately they did not have the GP100-22 out but i was lucky and the SP101-22 had just come out, so i picked up one of those when my local gun pusher for his first one in.
i was VERY surprised when i got the SP101-22 to find that it was smaller then the GP100.
upon doing some research i found out that the SP line is the carry line for Ruger hence the smaller size gun.
probably should have done my research BEFORE buying, haha!
anyways, when the GP100-22 came out last year i had to really sit back and think if i wanted to sell off my SP and get one of those instead.
then i saw the price!!!!
ive since decided to stick with my SP.

i did have to swap out the springs on my SP because it was KILLING my thumb.
that was just a brutally hard gun (for me) to shoot how it came stock.
i didnt have the will power to sit around and dry fire it 1000 times.
$5 worth of springs and im happy.

the SP really is a very sweet gun to shoot once you get it to the range.
the fiber optic front site is nice and the gun is smooth like butter.

here are some pics i took back when i got my SP comparing it to my GP for size.
hope that info helps ya!

oh, and i did look at the Alpha's when i was looking to pick up a 22 and i didnt like them, my gun contact (seller) has even stopped carrying them which says a lot to me, granted i havnt asked him why he dosnt carry them anymore, so i just of course assume the worst.

89BB66C0-5DCA-43B3-95EA-0ECDFA798FB5_zpsdbp4ie49.jpg

DD72C0D2-1EE5-4743-8FC1-314DF56D6F5B_zpse1bi2pfe.jpg

18288537-C49F-4603-B3A6-ACDA3871B726_zpsoxt3ykgo.jpg
 
oh, one more thing for ya.
from what ive been told you can replace the smaller grip that comes with the SP for the full sized one no problem, im going to probably do that with mine as i like to have my pinky supported, i just havnt gotten around to it yet.
 
If I didn' t own the SP-101, wanted a .22 revolver and had $1K I would go for the Ruger GP 100 in a heartbeat. The Smith is nice if you are into target shooting and six rounds at a time is fine by you BUT the Ruger GP-100 goes 10 times and that adds to the fun factor plus if there is a benefit to shooting 22 for practice ahead of shooting center fire for practice than having a gun the same size probably has some benefit. The SP-101 is a fun gun with 8 rds to bang away at tin cans or whatever else you fancy. The decision is do you have a grand or more to throw into the GP-100. If so go for it. If not the Sp-101 is no step down for a plinking gun and also note the Alpha for even less expense with no loss in fun factor.

Take Care

Bob
 
I bought an SP-101 in .22LR as a trainer for my GP-100 in .357, not quite apples to apples. The SP-101 will have a smaller grip and shorter stocks. The trigger of the SP-101 is also heavier and rougher, but that's no secret to anyone.
 
many recommend the S&W revolvers vs the Ruger and Alfa.

can the 617 be had in anything shorter than 6" in Canada? their site shows a 6" and 4" model...4" obviously wouldn't work here, so wonder if any special runs were done with legal barrel lengths for Canada?
 
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