S&W 617 vs Ruger SP101 vs Ruger Single Ten

S&W 617 vs Ruger SP101 vs Ruger Single Ten

  • 617

    Votes: 32 62.7%

  • SP101

    Votes: 5 9.8%

  • Single Ten

    Votes: 5 9.8%

  • Other (please specify)

    Votes: 9 17.6%
  • Total voters
    51
  • Poll closed .
T

TennJed

New member
I am wanting a higher end 22lr revolver for plinking. I am looking for accuracy above all else. I think I have narrowed it down to a S&W 617, Ruger SP101, or a Ruger Single Ten. Does anyone have any good or bad experiences with these? Other suggestions?
 
Accurate?

I voted "other".

S&W M17 or 18.

The two I have put the 617 I once had to shame.
However - in fairness to the 617 in general - mine was a lemon from the get go & even if it hadn't been, it wasn't at all what I expected it to be when I ordered it.
I thought about sending it back to S&W, but, decided I didn't want to keep it anyhow so why bother.
The only good thing I can say about it was that I got a lot for it on a trade in.
The 10 shot, round butt frame, full underlug 6" barrel and I just didn't get along.

Some time later, I lucked into a pair of older M17's. The seller was asking $395 ea for them - after some haggling.
I offered him $700 for the pair & he said "sold".

They shoot like a house afire, balance nearly exactly the same as my 6" M19 and have a rich "old" S&W blue.
 
Other: Model 17.

I have had a 6" 617 and hated the balance (I'll get a 4" one of these days). I have a Single Ten, and like it. I have shot a SP101 and its abysmal trigger prevents me from really assessing it's accuracy.
 
I had to vote other as well, though if pushed I could change to "617." In my mind there are the S&W K-frame .22s and then the others. Get ye to the local gun shop and prowl the used racks for a Model 18 and 17 S&W. The square-butt frame and lighter barrel balances better and looks sharper than the full-lug models to me.

My M-18:

18Cocobolo.jpg


I've owned and fired Ruger Single-Sixes and lets just say it never left the safe after the S&W came home. The difference is that obvious. I have no experience with the SP-101, but I highly doubt it could make me leave my S&Ws.
 
I had to vote other as well, though if pushed I could change to "617."
Click to expand...
That's what I thought too...it cost me a couple hundred dollars to find out I was wrong....
 
I voted "617". I shoot a M-18 in rimfire revolver competition. People with the 617 always eat my lunch. Not saying its more accurate then the Model 18.

Its the loading, 10 shots vs. 6. Plus the speed loaders for the 617 work better the my speed loaders for the Model 18.

Not going to get rid of my M-18 by a long shot, but the 617 is on my "short-to buy list".
 
I voted for the 617, but my Model 17 is probably more accurate. IME, the stainless guns from S&W and Ruger require significant barrel break-in before they shoot well. Mine have been a little rough, but when they were broken in, they were very accurate.
 
For purely accuracy, the 617 that I used to have was very nice. Even with cheap Remington Golden bullets it was wonderfully accurate.

For pure plinking fun, I like the Ruger Single Six that I have now. I haven't tried a single 10 but I figure they are just as fun, and since they aren't convertible models, maybe they would be more accurate than mine.

(My Single Six is still more than accurate enough for plinking fun though)
 
I am wanting a higher end 22lr revolver for plinking. I am looking for accuracy above all else.
Click to expand...

Of those on your list, I vote for the 617. I've never benched mine, but the target below was shot with my factory-stock 4" 10-shot 617, unsupported, 25 yards, double action. Accuracy wise, it's the equal of my vintage 6" K-22 Masterpiece.

SW617B-16Freestyle.jpg



Other suggestions?
Click to expand...

Higher end and accurate? Freedom Arms.
 
The only thing that I didn't like about the 617 was the 10 round cylinder.

Dumb as it sounds, one of the things that I liked least about it was the shorter double action trigger pull compared to a standard 6 round cylinder.

It was a much more "abrupt" action.

A 6 round cylinder is much more "smooth".
 
P1020160.jpg


With the price of ammo the last few years I have become a bit of a .22 fan. I have NOT owned, but shot the Ruger. The best ever? 617, mine is a no dash.
I paid $850 for mine without the target grips, they were switched at some time but with box, papers, and cleaning kit. I felt lucky to find one and would get another if I ever find one.
They are more accurate than 99% of the population is, and shoots everything well. If you can afford the club, join.:cool:
 
I have a 17 and a 617. The 17 is also my favorite, but only because I've owned it for a hundred years. The 617 was worth the price of admission, put 250 rounds thru it today abusing my portable gong thingy.
 
The single six is a must own relover, if there is such a thing. The single 10 is a head scratcher to me. Why try to squeeze in 4 more rounds into a single action of all things. You lose the ability to convert to 22mag. And SAs aren't meant to be high volume lead throwers. It also looks ugly. I guess I prefer a traditional 6 shot in a SA.

The sp101 would be a great option if the triggers weren't awful. Granted with a little work, the trigger can be improved all the way to mediocre.

The 617 is definitely the way to go. It will probably still need a trigger job and quality control at S&W is no better than any of the others. But once you get it up to snuff, it's awesome. Nothing wrong with 17s or 18s. But the stainless 617 is way more durable and you'll get a lifetime service agreement that won't come with a 17 or 18 (Or were some still made after 1989?).
 
I would recommend one of the older target topbreaks made by H&R. They are as accurate as anything and will simultaneously eject the 9 spent casings. Mine prefers standard velocity .22 ammo.

Smiths in particular get very sticky and hard to extract.
 
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