DA 22's

[sjs]

I am in the mood for a new .22. I own a single ten and have owned single sixes but now I want a double action.

I have owned many Ruger double actions but they were all center fire. I am not able to locate any double action 22's in LGS's that I can handle, so I would have to order one sight unseen.

I can see and read the differences in size and weight, and I have read reviews of all of them, but I am interested in a comparison of the LCR, LCRx, SP101 and GP101 in .22LR from the standpoint of action and trigger feel out of the box.

I would appreciate any comments from those who have shot more than one of these Ruger models in .22LR.

I don't think accuracy can be predicted in advance, I don't care how many rounds the cylinder can handle, and I don't mind the DA only on the LCR, so it really comes down to the better trigger and action. Thanks.

 

[arfmel]

I've had an SP-101 .22, an LCR .22, and a LCRx 3" .22. I liked the SP-101 best of those 3. The two light weight revolvers were more difficult to shoot accurately, for me. None of them had what could be termed a good trigger, out of the box. At least there are some aftermarket springs available for the SP101 if you want to experiment with them.

To me, the DAO LCR .22 is not of much use as a "Kit Gun" or for plinking.

 

[sjs]

Thank you arfmel. I understand about the triggers. How about the actions? I have a .38 lcr and the action is very smooth. Other than the trigger, does the 22 version of the LCR or LCRx have a smooth action? How do their actions compare to the 101?

 

[WIL TERRY]

Save your money. Buy a S&W K22 and be done with it !!
Have four, all tackdrivers, all smooth as a babies sweet pink patootie, and DA's that spin BR,sr in his grave in wonderment.

And so it goes...

 

[arfmel]

The LCRx has the smoothest action of the 3 I have experience with. All the rimfire LCRs have heavier actions than the centerfires do.

A vintage S&W model 17 or 18 (K-22) is a better gun in every way, like Wil Terry says. They generally have a really sweet single action pull, and a smooth DA pull. They hold their value, too. In fact, the ones I bought used in the 1980s and 90s are worth substantially more than I gave for them.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

Agree, the S&W K 22 Masterpiece is one of the most "naturally pointing" revolvers out there. With a tuned up and smoothed trigger system, along with a more comfortable set of grip panels, the K 22 is one of the most pleasant revolvers to shoot that you will ever use. Here again, if it's for bullseye shooting, I would install a bright orange insert in the front sight and a white-outline rear sight blade to provide a contrast against the black bullseye target.

The only other double action revolver that I wish would have gotten past the prototype stage was the .22 caliber Colt Python that was featured on the front cover of the Colt 1981 (?) yearly firearms brochure. Sadly, that version never made it into production and the one on the cover was absconded by a Colt VP.

 

[Snake45]

Agree, the S&W K 22 Masterpiece is one of the most "naturally pointing" revolvers out there. With a tuned up and smoothed trigger system, along with a more comfortable set of grip panels, the K 22 is one of the most pleasant revolvers to shoot that you will ever use. Here again, if it's for bullseye shooting, I would install a bright orange insert in the front sight and a white-outline rear sight blade to provide a contrast against the black bullseye target.

The only other double action revolver that I wish would have gotten past the prototype stage was the .22 caliber Colt Python that was featured on the front cover of the Colt 1981 (?) yearly firearms brochure. Sadly, that version never made it into production and the one on the cover was absconded by a Colt VP.

Another vote here for S&W K22, especially an older one, if you can find one.

And Colt DID make a ".22 Python," sort of. It was called the Trooper. Didn't have the fancy vent rib barrel, but due to the smaller bore, the weight and balance on my 4" .22 Trooper are almost identical to my 4" Python.

Of course if you MUST have the fancy vent rib barrel, there was the Diamondback. Different gun in size, weight, and action feel, but still a lovely .22 DA revolver nonetheless, and some might argue even a more practical .22 than a Python-sized one.

 

[falrifles]

I have a full lug 4" SP101 .22. I bought it used in the late 90's. No box or papers, but like new. Went to the LGS that day to find a S&W model 63 kit gun. They had none. What they did have is two four inch full lugged SP101 .22 revolvers. One new and one used. I bought the used one.

My SP101 is one of the most accurate, reliable compact .22s I have ever owned. I will never sell it. In fact I went back to that gun store a couple weeks later to buy the second one that they had; which was new in the box. It was gone. That's the way it goes. I'll bet the current version is a great gun.

I have not messed with the trigger on mine. Not all that light, but .22 revolver triggers need to be firm to be reliable. Not a big deal with me.

I love how the rear sight is a simplified blade recessed in to the top of the frame. Provides a great sight picture, yet does not snag on anything and is protected. What a great Bill Ruger design.

My son gave me some elk horn grip inserts for it one year. I believe they were made by a member here. Not only a good shooter but an outstanding looking .22 revolver.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

Agree, the S&W K 22 Masterpiece is one of the most "naturally pointing" revolvers out there. With a tuned up and smoothed trigger system, along with a more comfortable set of grip panels, the K 22 is one of the most pleasant revolvers to shoot that you will ever use. Here again, if it's for bullseye shooting, I would install a bright orange insert in the front sight and a white-outline rear sight blade to provide a contrast against the black bullseye target.

The only other double action revolver that I wish would have gotten past the prototype stage was the .22 caliber Colt Python that was featured on the front cover of the Colt 1981 (?) yearly firearms brochure. Sadly, that version never made it into production and the one on the cover was absconded by a Colt VP.

Another vote here for S&W K22, especially an older one, if you can find one.

And Colt DID make a ".22 Python," sort of. It was called the Trooper. Didn't have the fancy vent rib barrel, but due to the smaller bore, the weight and balance on my 4" .22 Trooper are almost identical to my 4" Python.

Of course if you MUST have the fancy vent rib barrel, there was the Diamondback. Different gun in size, weight, and action feel, but still a lovely .22 DA revolver nonetheless, and some might argue even a more practical .22 than a Python-sized one.

There was NO "sort of" about it. They made three Colt Pythons with 8-inch barrels in .22 rimfire caliber. The one on the left is a .22 Caliber and clearly marked on the barrel. The Trooper trigger was a dismal attempt compared to the out-of-the-box Python, and the Diamondback and Troopers both used a sintered metal ( compressed steel powder ) hammer. The Python is a much better built, fit and finished revolver, hands down.

 

[Cholo]

^^^ The Colt Trooper (pre MKIII) used the same I Frame and hand fitted action as the Python. It was made in .22 as well as .38 Special and .357 mag. I can't speak for Snake, but I believe that's what he's referring to.

 

[Snake45]

^^^ The Colt Trooper (pre MKIII) used the same I Frame and hand fitted action as the Python. It was made in .22 as well as .38 Special and .357 mag. I can't speak for Snake, but I believe that's what he's referring to.

Thanks, Cholo, you beat me to it. Yup, mine's a real Trooper, NOT a Mk III or V. No sintered metal on it, it's all real steel. I ran the serial number and I think it was made in 1966 or so.

And I've never seen any sintered metal parts on either of my Diamondbacks. They look like all real stuff to me, too.

 

[eveled]

I have an early sp101, a Smith 317, and a 617. The 617 is by far the nicest one to shoot. The sp101 is second. I prefer my single six to all of them.

 

[Snake45]

I have a full lug 4" SP101 .22. I bought it used in the late 90's. No box or papers, but like new. Went to the LGS that day to find a S&W model 63 kit gun. My SP101 is one of the most accurate, reliable compact .22s I have ever owned. I will never sell it. In fact I went back to that gun store a couple weeks later to buy the other one they had; which was new in the box. It was gone. That's the way it goes. I'll bet the current version is a great gun.

I have not messed with the trigger on mine. Not all that light, but .22 revolver triggers need to be firm to be reliable. Not a big deal with me.

I love how the rear sight is a simplified blade recessed in to the top of the frame. Provides a great sight picture, yet does not snag on anything and is protected. What a great Bill Ruger design.

My son gave me some elk horn grip inserts for it one year. I believe they were made by a member here. Not only a good shooter but an outstanding looking .22 revolver.

I've never owned or even shot one, but I handled one in a gun shop a few months ago (could it have been a half-lug? It was a 4" barrel, though) and was VERY impressed. I think it was 8 or 9 or 10 shots, too--don't remember. If I had to start all over with .22 DA revolvers and couldn't find an older Smith K-22, I'd be happy to buy one of these. It really felt "right."

 

[area51guy]

I have an Sp101 in .22 LR. It has the 8 shot cylinder and 4.2" barrel. The two things I have changed on the gun are the grips (changed to Hogue) and the hammer spring (changed from a 16 lb spring to a 13 lb spring). Now, I find that it is one of my favorite .22 revolvers. I also have a couple of the pre war Colt Officers Models in .22 LR. They are great handguns, but I wanted a revolver to shoot in .22 steel plate matches and no one makes a speed loader for the Colts. A company named "Speed Beez" does make an 8 shot speed loader for the Sp101 which I why I bought an Sp101.

 

[Captain America]

I've said many times that my 8 shot SP101 goes with me to the range every single time I go. I've smoothed up the action and have tried several spring combinations but the stock springs work best for me, a Hogue rubber grip fits me perfectly. My wife likes to shoot from 7 yards so i shoot beside her quite a bit and a 3" shoot-n-c repair patch is what I shoot at in single action. That gun makes me look good at the range.

 

[charlesappel]

I can see and read the differences in size and weight, and I have read reviews of all of them, but I am interested in a comparison of the LCR, LCRx, SP101 and GP101 in .22LR from the standpoint of action and trigger feel out of the box.

I would appreciate any comments from those who have shot more than one of these Ruger models in .22LR.

I have owned and fired all four revolvers.

I use the LCR 22 as a practice companion to the LCR 38. It does a decent job but the trigger pull is heavy. As a stand alone plinker/shooter I would not recommend it.

I have the 3" LCRx and I like it. It makes a decent trainer and a great kit gun. I have had to replace the front sight as the gun shoots very high with the original. Assuming the sight replacement solves this problem I will be very happy with it.

The 4.2 SP101 is going to take a lot of getting used too. The trigger is quite heavy. Overall I like the gun well. It makes a nice companion piece for the SP101 4.2 357.

I did not have the GP100 very long. It shot fine and had the best trigger of. But it did not fill a need and somebody I like wanted it - so it has a new home.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

No two ways about it the S&W model 18 is a fine revolver. Much prefer it over the 17 due to barrel length. I only see the 17 as a target gun. If you want something smaller than a K frame I'd consider the J frame Smith, either 34 or 63. 63 is stainless, 34 is blue. Nice guns no doubt. The closest Ruger to those are the Ruger SP101 the most current model. DIfference is the Smiths are 6 shot and the SP101 4" is an 8 shot. Unless you want to go much heavier that's pretty much the limit of guns that are still manufactured. Sure you can get a Colt but you are going to pay an arm and a leg. I have an LCR 22, but I'm mostly a single action guy and really like my Single sixes. For the double action IMO it's hard to beat the Ruger SP101. Ruger is on their game. If you want an older Smith 34 or 63 you are going to have to step up to the pump on those to get a nice one. I've had them all over time and I kept the Ruger SP101. Good luck with your choice.