22 caliber revolvers
 

I'm thinking about picking up a .22 cal revolver. I'm a fan of stainless steel so looking at Ruger SP101 and Smith & Wesson # 63. Any of you guys/gals own either or both ? Or have shot either or both ? Looking at reviews online the Smith is more money but not many complaints other than price. Ruger looks solid, is less money but needs a trigger job right out of the box due to excessive pull pressure ( per several reviews ) . Any other SS revolvers to consider ?

I have an older Ruger Single Six I bought from one of the good guys here.

It is plinking heaven.

My only regret is I don't have a second cylinder for .22 WMR

Ruger® New Model Single-Six® Convertible Single-Action Revolver Models

I have a 3-screw Ruger Single-Six with the original .22 and .22WMR cylinders from 1968.
Definitely plinking heaven.

I don't have a lot to say about guns. I am a huge fan of the .22LR round. I have laid away a large stash (1000 +) for a small amount of money.

I'm no big fan of revolvers...but they look cool. Autos are the cat's ass. The ability to reacquire target rapidly is beyond criticism....it surprises me at less than a second and I don't practice that much. I've had 0 jamming events with my P-22. Sure there is a lack of stopping power with one round, but not with 5 or 10.

Well that makes three. Ruger Single-Six. My dad bought it in the 70's. First handgun I ever shot, and I still have it.

The S&W is nice but expensive for a .22. I looked at a Ruger and Taurus for my son and thought they both felt cheap, especially the Taurus. I cheaped out and ended up buying him a Sig Mosquito instead, big mistake.

I would never part with my Colt diamondback in .22lr.... Maybe my all time favorite...

KC, my brother has one of those. You can have a gunsmith smooth out the trigger pull and make it even better than it already is.

Another old Single-Six here. My dad's, now mine, I guess it is 40 years old. I remember wearing it, in a holster, as part of a Halloween costume. Those were different times.

SW 617

Do luv 22 L R of all varieties.

Colt Woodsman
SW 41
High Standard
Ruger auto
Colt Officer Model Official Police Police Positive Target
SW K22, Model 17
Berreta 72
Freedom Arms SA

Love the Single Six. Absolutely top notch device for introducing a new shooter to handguns.

OK back to my original question :D.......anyone have hands on experience with the two that I mentioned ?

I have not shot either, but my experience with Ruger and Smith mimics your OP. Smiths cost more and have the better trigger. I will say that I have shot older Ruger double-action revolvers that have triggers I find superior to newer Smiths I have shot. SP 101's do not have the reputation of an excellent out-of-the-box trigger, regardless of the caliber. Either will likely hold their value over the long term, however you will have people who turn their nose up at the Smith's lock. I highly recommend you take tabs' list with you and look at used revolvers.

I think what the guys are trying to tell you is to forget about the SS requirement and buy a nice used Single Six ... :)

G

Problem is .22 LR is unobtainium nowadays - "real" rounds have gotten damn expensive so there's a lot more demand for "cheap" .22 LR so it's usually gone before it shows up (I think the store employees are probably scarfing it up and selling to their buddies or using it themselves - or hoarding it).

I'm buying as much of ALL calibers as I can get my hands on in anticipation of a Hitlary presidency and ensuing efforts to criminalize any ammo bigger than BBs and enact widespread gun confiscations.

If you think it's expensive now, just wait. I'm hoping to sell my stash of .50 for a tidy profit in a year or two. I don't even have anything that'll shoot it - I'm just hoarding it for now and looking to make a killing on resale.

Have we (you) learned nothing?. Just like the center fire pistol ammo shortage, the AR shortage, the 223 shortage, this 22LR shortage will pass. And just like all the people who bought lots of those at peak prices, anyone stocking up on 22LR at current prices will be feeling silly.

As Tabs mentioned a S&W 617. You may have to pay quite a lot for a really nice one, but it's money in the bank. AND what a great gun to shoot with. There is a guy called "Mike Clare faster than his own shadow" ;) who has one and he is very fast with it on the steel plates.

It sounds like you've narrowed it down to the smaller frame stainless steel models models (63 and SP101). It will be much harder to get a nice trigger pull out of them than it would be with a larger frame model. If you're looking to do some serious target shooting I'd recommend something else but for general plinking either will be fine.
Jim

Unless you are a woman or a boy why the small frame revolver?

Buy the best quality you can afford.

Colt Diamond Backs have gone over the moon and are prohibitively expensive. Next choice for right outa the box better than you can ever hope to shoot accuracy is a Colt Officers Match in 22 LR made from the late 40's through about 1970. Most are very clean as they were highly prized and thus well taken care of. Also back in the day quality was expected. They run right around $600 or so, which is close to what you will be paying for those other lessor quality pieces.

If you buy a quality piece from my list and you take care of it and not beat it to death you have an appreciating asset which you would be proud to hand down.

I have a Colt Peacemaker with 4 3/8 inch Barrel 2 cylinders 22lr and 22mag. Serial number starts with a 6, anyone have an idea of value?? Thanks