I've got the SP101 & GP100 in .22LR. The Ruger revolvers get a lot of hate compared to their S&W counterparts due to inferior triggers, especially the rimfires. The Ruger triggers are definitely heavier than the S&Ws and they are not as smooth from the factory. I really haven't found this to have any effect at the range though. I shoot the Rugers as well as the equivalent S&W models (617-1 & 63-5). I like the Rugers and the S&Ws equally.

I've also found that cleaning & lubricating the Ruger internals can really smooth out the triggers. Both the GP100 & SP101 are pretty easy to disassemble. I planned to do some polishing of the internals later but found cleaning out the manufacturing debris and applying a thin film of grease on contact points made a big difference. I don't know if I'll mess with the polishing.

I do prefer the smaller models from both brands (SP101 & 63-5). I actually shoot the SP better than the GP (it's a heavy beast). It would be though choosing between the SP100 & 63-5 though. It would probably be the SP101. I think it's a great size & barrel length; I find it easy to shoot well.

I have a Ruger SP101 in 22lr. I had to send it back to the factory nearly immediately because it very quickly developed a severe drag that made the cylinder basically impossible to rotate. They fixed it fast and were very minimal on the details of the fix but I have shot it a ton since and it is a great 22. I also love that the 8 round SpeedBeez speed loaders that I use for my S&W 317 and 43c also work on this gun. Nice bonus.

I really only have a few small complaints. The SP101 would be amazing if it was a 3 inch barrel instead of 4. It just seems slightly longer than ideal. It would be the S&W 63 at 3 inches. I also don't like the fiber optic front sight. It works, nothing wrong with it, but not my favorite. That's it. Great gun otherwise.

Nice set! I almost bought an SP101 in .22 a few years back, but when I went back to the shop to buy it it was gone. I didn't see another for over a year, and finally came across a 63-5, which I bought immediately (it was $70 cheaper than the 101 would have been, too).

I am really happy with my 63-5, and now that I have it I wouldn't let it go for anything, but the SP101 is a great gun, too. You're absolutely right about it being pretty easy to clean up the action. I buffed and lubed my .357 SP101 and would have put it up against any Smith I own (except maybe my 69, that thing is just butter) for it's action, especially in DA.

That GP-100 is cool, too. Kinda big, but I like a .22 with some heft. Ruger knows how to make a rimfire that feels like a "real" gun, and I've always appreciated that about them.

Thanks to you I now have a Model 63 on my wish list. That is a beautiful gun.

Nice.

4" GP100. Best $575 I've ever spent.

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
I have a Ruger SP101 in 22lr. I had to send it back to the factory nearly immediately because it very quickly developed a severe drag that made the cylinder basically impossible to rotate. They fixed it fast and were very minimal on the details of the fix but I have shot it a ton since and it is a great 22. I also love that the 8 round SpeedBeez speed loaders that I use for my S&W 317 and 43c also work on this gun. Nice bonus.

I really only have a few small complaints. The SP101 would be amazing if it was a 3 inch barrel instead of 4. It just seems slightly longer than ideal. It would be the S&W 63 at 3 inches. I also don't like the fiber optic front sight. It works, nothing wrong with it, but not my favorite. That's it. Great gun otherwise.

I forgot mention that my SP101 had that issue. Ruger replaced the whole gun under warranty. That was back in 2013 I think.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
Nice set! I almost bought an SP101 in .22 a few years back, but when I went back to the shop to buy it it was gone. I didn't see another for over a year, and finally came across a 63-5, which I bought immediately (it was $70 cheaper than the 101 would have been, too).

I am really happy with my 63-5, and now that I have it I wouldn't let it go for anything, but the SP101 is a great gun, too. You're absolutely right about it being pretty easy to clean up the action. I buffed and lubed my .357 SP101 and would have put it up against any Smith I own (except maybe my 69, that thing is just butter) for it's action, especially in DA.

That GP-100 is cool, too. Kinda big, but I like a .22 with some heft. Ruger knows how to make a rimfire that feels like a "real" gun, and I've always appreciated that about them.

The 63-5 is really a great one too and a very convenient size. It's one I definitely wouldn't get rid of. I had a 63 No Dash at one point but really didn't like it. Sold it and kept the -5.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Huffman:
Thanks to you I now have a Model 63 on my wish list. That is a beautiful gun.

You're welcome
You won't regret it.

quote:

Originally posted by SigSentry:
Nice.

4" GP100. Best $575 I've ever spent.

I wouldn't mind getting a 4" version. My 617-1 is a 4". The 10 rounds in the GP100 is a lot of fun.

I hope to add a 3 inch .22LR LCRx to my inventory when I find one for the right $$$.

Was seriously considering one and then I found one of my grail guns; a 4" Smith 617, 10 shot steel cylinder without a lock.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
I hope to add a 3 inch .22LR LCRx to my inventory when I find one for the right $$$.

I just bought that gun, 3”. Not sure if it was a nice price, simple from Buds gunshop though. I have an SP-101 in 22 lr, older version. Of course it’s built like a tank.

I wanted lighter weight, I also have use for revolvers, at times shooting ammo that won’t cycle in a semi-auto.

I have some assorted S&W revolvers, many older ones are priced to ‘collector’ levels.

With a new shooter, hard to beat the simple manual of arms that a 22 revolver has.

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
Was seriously considering one and then I found one of my grail guns; a 4" Smith 617, 10 shot steel cylinder without a lock.

I'd have snagged that too.

I found last month a used SP101 22 LR with the Wolff Reduced Power Pak Springs - Including the Original 10/16#. The original owner left it with 8# Trigger and 12# Hammer and it is perfect with CCI's. Love this thing.

Nice looking revolvers and I wouldn't mind a .22 wheel gun myself.

But I'm old enough to remember, have a long memory, and tend to hold a grudge, about how Bill Ruger gave the 2A and gun owners the hairy bird back in 1993 or so when he supported the AWB and volunteered to cut his magazine caps back to ten rounds. Haven't bought a single Ruger product since. Same for S&W.
Darn shame, really. These are nice. Maybe I'll pick one up used some day.
And no, I don't care that Bill Ruger is dead.

I've got a 1st Gen SP101 in.2lr with a 4" barrel. It's a nice gun but I don't really shoot it anymore. I much prefer my S&W .22lr K-frame guns, a pre-18 being my particular favorite.

quote:

Originally posted by clang:
I've got a 1st Gen SP101 in.2lr with a 4" barrel. It's a nice gun but I don't really shoot it anymore. I much prefer my S&W .22lr K-frame guns, a pre-18 being my particular favorite.

You can't go wrong with that. I had a really nice 17-3 that I regret selling.

Love the SP101 version. Almost got an LCR but picked up a Smith 43C and couldn’t believe how light it was. Great little pocket gun. Then I got the 22magnum version.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/j-frame-103043

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/j-frame-103351

I bought a SP101 in 22LR through a deal here in NH with Ruger and a local shop. It shot like a 12 ga. No one could get it to group. After sending it back once for a unrelated item I sould it off.

I have both the 4" SP101 and the 4" GP100 in .22LR. They're both tack drivers, they're wonderful to shoot and a whole lot of fun as well. Especially with speedloaders and loading blocks. I can't imagine ever parting with them as long as I can still shoot.