Time for a 22LR wheelgun... Choices... S&W 17/ Ruger 101/ Alpha steel... Inputs...

caramel

caramel

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Time for a 22LR wheelgun... Choices... S&W 17/ Ruger 101/ Alpha steel... Inputs...

I will buy a 22 LR revolver, i have 3 choices readily available...
S&W Model 17 SS 6 inch 10 shots...
Ruger 101 SS 5 inch, 8 shots...
Alpha project steel black 6 inch, 9 shots...
Not going by price point here, just want the most reliable... Inputs appreciated... JP.
 
The trigger on the Ruger is atrocious. Go S&W, you know you want to.... :)

Haven't held an Alpha... don't really like the looks of them.
 
bollox said:
The trigger on the Ruger is atrocious. Go S&W, you know you want to.... :)

Haven't held an Alpha... don't really like the looks of them.
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On american sites, they stated that the Alpha steel is very good with a nice trigger, but having real members owning one would be a lot better... Just saying. JP.
 
I have both the S&W(older) and the SP101 4.2". Bought them within a few weeks of each other figuring I would sell the one I liked the least. Well its been a year or so and still have them both, really like them both. The trigger on the smith is better but the SP101 is not that bad in my opinion and the Ruger is more fun if that makes any sense. I tend to shoot the Ruger more as I really like the small frame and short(ish) barrel.
 
The S&W is double the money of the Alfa but there is a reason why S&W is THE standard. Outside of some older or far higher priced options there isn't a better rimfire DA revolver out there. If you intend on buying a gun that you will own and use frequently for many years to come, if not the rest of your life, then live a little and buy the S&W. Every time you take it out it will confirm that you did the right thing.

I really like the Alfa 9mm I bought but I went into it knowing that it was a $500 gamble. As it turned out it handles and shoots fine. But there is no way of knowing if parts will be available over the long term like we know we'll have with the S&W. So if the company goes away and something major inside lets go I may be stuck with a paper weight shaped like a revolver. On the other hand I know that I'll always be able to get parts for my S&W.

I was also able to install a Wolff spring kit in my 17 which made the trigger so much nicer that it could be called "decadent luxury". The reports I've read about the Ruger SP101-22 indicate that it's a good bit of work to get the DA trigger on that one down to what the S&W provides out of the box. So while I was hot and bothered over the SP101 when it was announced the reports put me off a bit.
 
I'm contemplating a wheel gun as well, and the 617 is at the top of the list for me. They are very nice pistols and feel great for my hand.
 
I agree with BCRider in regards to the Alfa. Find a Smith and Ruger to compare in person if you can. Just for looks alone the 617, in fact do not mention that gun ever again lol must resist...........
 
ive got the ruger and really like it.
go into it knowing that its a real work out for your thumb!!!!
by far the stiffest wheel gun ive ever used, which surprised me considering its a 22.
but after shooting it a lot it is getting better.
i hear replacing the springs with some after market ones and doing a little polish to it makes it dream like, on my list of things to do this winter.
the front site on the Ruger is a excellent FO one that makes shooting nice as well.

the Alpha ive fondled and shot once and i would never buy.
feels cheap and like mentioned above if you had any problems with it youd be high and dry.

the smith i have not tried but its a smith so a person has to assume its nice.
id like to try one to compare it to my Ruger.

the main difference i can see between the Ruger and the Smith are that the Ruger SP is a smaller gun as the SP is their line of carry wheel guns.
i didnt know that when i picked mine up, for some reason i thought it was gonna be the size of my GP100, in fact i was expecting it to be what the alpha is for size.
but now that i have it the size is really nice for a 22.
the fit and finish on my Ruger is super nice too.

where i you id cross the Alpha off your list and stick to either the Ruger or Smith.
if your able have a fondle and see if you prefer the full size or smaller size - that may well be your deciding factor.

SP-101-22 compared to the GP100 i have.

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This tread did not last long, just ordered from Bulleyes a S&W 617 6 inch at a great pre tanking dollar price... Thanks to Bulleyes for the great deal... JP.
 
Nice.

I've been looking at the single actions, but wondering how long before the novelty wears off when it comes to dealing with those tiny rounds
 
Mark-II said:
Nice.

I've been looking at the single actions, but wondering how long before the novelty wears off when it comes to dealing with those tiny rounds
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Shooting any 22 LR is an important and fun part of shooting, still love to shoot my little Single 10... Just saying. JP.
 
Mark-II said:
Nice.

I've been looking at the single actions, but wondering how long before the novelty wears off when it comes to dealing with those tiny rounds
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It wore off pretty fast for me....sold all my .22 wheel guns not long after buying them. Single action are worse then the double actions though.... Too long to load and unload, and accuracy was not as good in either flavor as my auto loading pistols....
 
caramel said:
This tread did not last long, just ordered from Bulleyes a S&W 617 6 inch at a great pre tanking dollar price... Thanks to Bulleyes for the great deal... JP.
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You've made the right choice JP. Owned a bunch of .22 revos; SP 101, 617's, 17's, Colt Diamondback etc... S&W's are the best rimfire revolvers out there... Unless you can find a Korth in .22!

Good Shootin'

H.C.
 
Harry Callahan said:
You've made the right choice JP. Owned a bunch of .22 revos; SP 101, 617's, 17's, Colt Diamondback etc... S&W's are the best rimfire revolvers out there... Unless you can find a Korth in .22!

Good Shootin'

H.C.
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H.C. After having both the 17 and 617, which did you prefer and why? Do you still own them?
 
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