Hi guys and girls, I'm new to this forum and handgun. I just bought a Ruger MK III 22/45 a few weeks ago want a .22 revolver to go along with it. I've narrow it down to two revolver, Ruger's single ten and the sp101 .22. What the pros and cons of each. Since I've never handle or shot a revolver before I figured I'll ask you guys. It'll generally be a plinking and trail gun. Thanks in advance.
Ruger .22 revolvers???
- Thread starter GRyder
- Start date
I'd suggest going to a range that rents guns, and try out some single action and double action revolvers and see which you like best.
Double action .22's tend to have heavyish double action triggers in order to reliably light off the rimfire rounds.
Shooting a double action revolver in double action mode is a very different experience than shooting a single action auto-pistol like the MkIII Ruger.
Get good with a double action revolver, and you'll likely be able to shoot anything well. If you really want to devolp good trigger skills, this would be a good investment as the cheap ammo will give you lot's of "trigger time". You can cock the hammer on the SP101 and shoot it single action, but it's a different experience IMO, than shooting a dedicated single action revovler.
The Single Ten is a great gun as well, and the feel and ballance of them is quite nice. These are a ton of fun to shoot , but not everyone digs single actions. The are slower to load and unload than a D/A but many of us (myself included) like the take your time approach of the S/A revolver. For longer distance shots, the longer sight radius of the Single Six/Ten and lighter trigger will be an advantage. The trigger will feel sort of similar to the MkIII as they are both S/A's
Both are nice examples of their particular style of gun.
Myself, I shoot a Colt Officers Model Target for a D/A .22 and on Old Model Single Six for a S/A .22 and love them both.
I can't say which one you'll prefer, but either way you'll be getting a pretty nice revolver.
Double action .22's tend to have heavyish double action triggers in order to reliably light off the rimfire rounds.
Shooting a double action revolver in double action mode is a very different experience than shooting a single action auto-pistol like the MkIII Ruger.
Get good with a double action revolver, and you'll likely be able to shoot anything well. If you really want to devolp good trigger skills, this would be a good investment as the cheap ammo will give you lot's of "trigger time". You can cock the hammer on the SP101 and shoot it single action, but it's a different experience IMO, than shooting a dedicated single action revovler.
The Single Ten is a great gun as well, and the feel and ballance of them is quite nice. These are a ton of fun to shoot , but not everyone digs single actions. The are slower to load and unload than a D/A but many of us (myself included) like the take your time approach of the S/A revolver. For longer distance shots, the longer sight radius of the Single Six/Ten and lighter trigger will be an advantage. The trigger will feel sort of similar to the MkIII as they are both S/A's
Both are nice examples of their particular style of gun.
Myself, I shoot a Colt Officers Model Target for a D/A .22 and on Old Model Single Six for a S/A .22 and love them both.
I can't say which one you'll prefer, but either way you'll be getting a pretty nice revolver.
Convertible or not?
I also own and enjoy a single 6. If Ruger makes the new single 10 in a dedicated .22 LR version I would purchase that vs. the convertible model.
My only disappointment with my convertible single 6 is it is more accurate with .22 Win mag vs. .22 LR.
The barrel bore is one thousandth larger to accommodate the .22 magnum round.
That larger bore has a negative impact on .22 LR accuracy. I can shoot tighter groups with Win mag vs. .22 LR.
My example is quite accurate with win mag, with .22 LR not so much.
.22 Win mag makes for expensive target practice, I think I can shoot my 9mm reloads cheaper.
I also own and enjoy a single 6. If Ruger makes the new single 10 in a dedicated .22 LR version I would purchase that vs. the convertible model.
My only disappointment with my convertible single 6 is it is more accurate with .22 Win mag vs. .22 LR.
The barrel bore is one thousandth larger to accommodate the .22 magnum round.
That larger bore has a negative impact on .22 LR accuracy. I can shoot tighter groups with Win mag vs. .22 LR.
My example is quite accurate with win mag, with .22 LR not so much.
.22 Win mag makes for expensive target practice, I think I can shoot my 9mm reloads cheaper.
Quite honestly, I'd just use the 22/45 for a plinking and trail gun. It doesn't get much better, especially if you remove the LCI and mag disconnect. (had to get that in 
)
I often carry my MKII era 22/45 with 4 in. bull barrel as a woods gun, but I also use the all steel MK II 5.5 Target for this as well. Both are accurate and reliable, and built like tanks.
) I often carry my MKII era 22/45 with 4 in. bull barrel as a woods gun, but I also use the all steel MK II 5.5 Target for this as well. Both are accurate and reliable, and built like tanks.
jason_iowa
New member
I have a Taurus 94 and a smith 617. I like both of em better then the rugers I looked at. The smith is worth 2x the price of the Taurus though imo
The 617 is in a different league than the SP-101.
It's a descendant of one of the finest target revolvers of all time, the model K-22 (later called the model 17).
In S&W speak 6 indicates stainless steel...
The 617 I used to own was one of the most accurate guns I've ever owned.
They are available in 6 and 10 shot configurations.
They are a good bit more expensive than either of the Rugers.
The basic ergonomics of the 617 are very good being that it's a mid size frame.
The K and L frame S&W's seem to fit most peoples hands very well.
The only drawback IMO, is that they used to (may still, but probably not) ship with those Houge rubber grips that may or may not fit your hand. There are a ton of aftermarket and stock S&W grips available to correct this.
The rubbers that the newer S&W's have been shipping are with a big improvement IMO.
SUPERB .22 double action.
EDIT TO ADD: looks like the new ones ARE shipping with the much improved (IMO) S&W rubber grips.
Figure on $750+ for a new one. Possibly a more for a used pre-lock version.
It's a descendant of one of the finest target revolvers of all time, the model K-22 (later called the model 17).
In S&W speak 6 indicates stainless steel...
The 617 I used to own was one of the most accurate guns I've ever owned.
They are available in 6 and 10 shot configurations.
They are a good bit more expensive than either of the Rugers.
The basic ergonomics of the 617 are very good being that it's a mid size frame.
The K and L frame S&W's seem to fit most peoples hands very well.
The only drawback IMO, is that they used to (may still, but probably not) ship with those Houge rubber grips that may or may not fit your hand. There are a ton of aftermarket and stock S&W grips available to correct this.
The rubbers that the newer S&W's have been shipping are with a big improvement IMO.
SUPERB .22 double action.
EDIT TO ADD: looks like the new ones ARE shipping with the much improved (IMO) S&W rubber grips.
Figure on $750+ for a new one. Possibly a more for a used pre-lock version.
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Zhillsauditor
New member
Having fired both the SP101 and 617, I'd give a large edge to the 617. However, in the 6" flavor, it is a heavy (and not well balanced IMO) gun. The 4" 617 is better. If you are not set on stainless steel, a model 17 can be had used for a lot less than a new 617 (although usually more than a new SP101).
I had problems with my k-22 (later designated model 17). Misfires and cylinder binding. Both were resolved with endshake bearings and a new mainspring, but if you want a revolver that just keeps working... I'd go with the SP101.
I'm not a big fan of SA revolvers. To me DA holds the greater advantage in shooting and SD. That being said the Single 10/6 is fun to shoot. I had one in my younger days and it was a fun plinker. Killed a lot of small game with my old Single Six.
I'm not a big fan of SA revolvers. To me DA holds the greater advantage in shooting and SD. That being said the Single 10/6 is fun to shoot. I had one in my younger days and it was a fun plinker. Killed a lot of small game with my old Single Six.
This is my Lipsey S10
Great shooter and less time to reload. Was over to a friends home who is trying to teach me to shoot and he is deadly with my S10. He has a blue 4" GP100 and a small Colt revolver, sorry don't know the model, and he shots my S10 better than his guns. Me I shot my 4" SS GP better than my S10, Lite or SR9c. Bought both the SR and GP used and the trigger on the SR is scary, it's so light. Think I like revolvers better than semi-auto.
Great shooter and less time to reload. Was over to a friends home who is trying to teach me to shoot and he is deadly with my S10. He has a blue 4" GP100 and a small Colt revolver, sorry don't know the model, and he shots my S10 better than his guns. Me I shot my 4" SS GP better than my S10, Lite or SR9c. Bought both the SR and GP used and the trigger on the SR is scary, it's so light. Think I like revolvers better than semi-auto.
Obambulate
New member
The Single Ten should provide a couple lifetimes of shooting enjoyment. Great choice.
A Ruger Single Six with the .22/.22 mag cylinder is a wonderful pistol, but if you can get a Bearcat that shoots to the sights it will be one of the best guns you will ever own. They are wonderful plinkers and fit easily in the hand. Women have no trouble holding them. They ride easily on your hip.
I've had two Bearcats. Both first models. One shot great and the other not so. The sights are fixed. You can work on a fixed sight some, to make it shoot point of aim.
I like the old west loading gate system, but the flip out cylinder is quicker to reload.
I am a big fan of Ruger 22's of all kinds. The autos are very nice pistols, but a little hard on the thumbs when reloading.
Bearcats are not cheap! I paid $36 for my first one!
I've had two Bearcats. Both first models. One shot great and the other not so. The sights are fixed. You can work on a fixed sight some, to make it shoot point of aim.
I like the old west loading gate system, but the flip out cylinder is quicker to reload.
I am a big fan of Ruger 22's of all kinds. The autos are very nice pistols, but a little hard on the thumbs when reloading.
Bearcats are not cheap! I paid $36 for my first one!
seeker_two
New member
dalegribble
New member
i have a 22/22mag single six that i like. having 4 extra shots can't be a bad thing
Hammerhead
New member
The old Singles Sixes are great.
The new Single 10 have a big, ugly plastic sight up front.
Sp101's are heavy, but nice. I have an older 6 shot half lug model I like. But again, the new version has a big, ugly plastic sight up front.
I would rather have 6 shots in an all metal gun.
The new Single 10 have a big, ugly plastic sight up front.
Sp101's are heavy, but nice. I have an older 6 shot half lug model I like. But again, the new version has a big, ugly plastic sight up front.
I would rather have 6 shots in an all metal gun.