SP101 in .22LR?

[pabner]

I heard at the local gun shop that Ruger is reintroducing the SP101 in .22LR. Anyone know anything about it?

 

[rdf009]

No, but I REALLY hope that this is true.

 

[stantheman86]

Yes, we need to confirm this!

I have also heard for years that Ruger was introducing a scaled-up version of the Mini-30 in 7.62x51/.308 which never happened.

I'm gonna email Ruger and ask about this, because I have wanted this for years now The older ones are starting to touch the $900 mark.

If they do bring it back, let's hope for a LR/WMR convertible.

I had been hoping Ruger would see the desperate need for a .22 "trainer" version of the SP101. The only other viable alternative for a new DA .22 revolver are the S&W 617's and the J-frame .22 they make, both are pretty much target guns.

 

[pabner]

The gun shop owner that told me about the reintroduction of the SP101 .22lr usually knows what he is talking about.

I was looking at a S&W 617. I told him the 617 was a little heavy and I would prefer something more the size of a J frame M63. But I can't stand to look at the little glass bead on the end of the M63. He mentioned that I might want to wait and see the SP101 .22lr.

He was told it would be released this year.

 

[stantheman86]

I'll be checking the catalog for this one in the coming months!

 

[Thel]

Somewhere on the Internet I heard that Ruger would bring back the SP-101 .22 LR but with an 8 shot cylinder which could be welcome. If I recall the old 4" SP's in .22LR were about 33 oz which is about what a 4" K frame Smith Model 18 would weigh give or take an oz. or two. The new 617's are considerably heavier with the full underlug barrel. The SP-101, I would hope, would come with a lighter barrel than on the old ones and this with an 8 shot cylinder should cut some weight on the gun.

Oh, Stan, the .308 Win version of the Mini 30 was to be called the XGI but never made production after a couple of prototypes. Supposedly, the reason was given that they could never make the gas system work adequately but somewhere there is some info given on this.

 

[hittman]

I was very fortunate to find a 4" 22LR SP a few weeks ago for a reasonable price. I too have heard this rumor for a long time. Also heard a rumor of the LCR in .22 but ..... it's just a rumor.

If you guys gotta have a double action 22 now, look for an old High Standard or JC Higgins. I've got a couple of each and they're fine inexpensive shooters!

 

[Anonymous]

I had a nickel H&R 905 years ago. Did well after I cut about 4 coils off the mainspring!

I'd still rather have a DA/SA Ruger .22LR. I've heard rumors of the LCR version, and they could forget selling that to me. I don't want the SP-101 version revived, I don't like the grip tang design, and it's too hefty for a .22. I've also heard the new .22 will be .22WMR. That, OR .22LR as a choice would be okay by me.

A lighter than SP frame, with traditional grips, maybe three barrel lengths, and choice of adjustable or not sights on at least the longest barrel.

Had Ruger made a .22LR SP when I got back into shooting, my carry gun would be a 3 inch .357 SP loaded with .38+P HP. And I would have a 3 inch .22 SP for partial practice. I don't care for S&W or Taurus, so I ended up using a Bobcat........ :roll:

 

[Legionnaire]

I'll second the interest in a 3", 8-shot SP in .22LR ... and a 4" in .22 WMR.

 

[stantheman86]

An 8-shot would be neat....if they made a .22 LR and a .22 WMR, I would go for the LR version.

 

[Thel]

I agree with Stan. Hopefully, they will come with a fully adjustable rear sight on the 4" bbl. if offered. I would think with the recently increased cost of ammo and components that there would be a market for double action .22 revolvers. As cylinders are easier to remove from the crane than on the GP series maybe offer .22LR/.22WMR models, too. I think with an 8 or 9 shot cylinder and a lighter barrel a number of ounces could be shaved from the weight of the gun.

 

[mjh]

I've finally got some money saved and stashed away, when the new sp's are on the market, I'm bringing one home.

 

[stantheman86]

Ruger will probably use the same windage adjustable sight as the .327 SP101.......but they need to make the .22 SP a 4" with the option for a half lug to make it handier. If I could make any recommendation, it would be for a 2.5" full lug barrel for those who want a "trainer companion" gun for a .357 or .38 they use for a CC gun. The 4" half-lug .22 would be for those who want it primarily as a range gun or plinker.

They used to make the half lug 4" .22's, they are rare but they were made. I don't see why they can't make them again.

 

[WarpathEngineering]

I was jumping when I read this posting so I got on Ruger's website and wrote them an email telling them of the rumor about the SP101 in .22LR was coming out again soon. Here is their response.

Response:
Thank you for your email. We have no plans at this time but will forward your request to our Marketing Department.

So the lesson here is 1. Don't believe everything you hear & 2. Everyone needs to email Ruger and plead with them to bring the SP101 in .22LR back and soon. These things are getting hard to find and I have to be honest, I'm having a really hard time with the though of paying more for a .22LR revolver than I did on my .22 target rifle.

 

[hittman]

If Ruger does have plans to introduce one ...... you think they'd spill it in an email? Naaa.........

Regardless, there's lots of options in the marketplace now for double action 22's that are good quality and affordable.

 

[greyrock]

You can post the reservation list any time now, Ruger.

 

[Big_Guns]

WAIT!!! My SP101 .22LR is worth WHAT????? I just use it to practice on the range with because ammo is so cheap.

 

[yamalink]

My local forum had two sp101 22lr for sale the same week. Two different unaffiliated sellers. One ad read "very rare, no other like it.....$750." The other ad was like "don't shoot it much, $450."

 

[Uncle Howie]

My local forum had two sp101 22lr for sale the same week. Two different unaffiliated sellers. One ad read "very rare, no other like it.....$750." The other ad was like "don't shoot it much, $450."

I'd go with the one for $750.

Always happy to pay a premium for a "very rare" model...

 

[Charon]

I bought my half-lug .22 SP-101 for no other reason than that I was shooting a competition at a local club in which the course of fire was six shots. I had been using a High Standard 9-shot revolver, and it was a little bit of a nuisance to load only six into it and make sure the cylinder was lined up just right when I closed it. Who knew I was buying a gun destined to be "rare, one-of-a-kind" and worth a whole bunch of money?

 

[Thel]

This is a link to a discussion at the High Road:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=600745

Specifically, Tom 357 posted:

"Guns & Ammo, August 2011, pp. 78-81.

Specs:

.22LR, 8 shot, 4.3 in. barrel, 8.7 in. overall, 30 oz., adjustable rear/ Hi Viz front sights, polymer stock w/walnut inserts, $645 msrp."

Sounds real good to me. The front sight can be changed if desired. Wonder when it will be out? Think I found myself a new .22LR

 

[David-R]

From Facebook

Just to clear things up....
by Ruger on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 3:57pm

An article on a Ruger SP101 in .22 LR was recently published in the August issue of Guns & Ammo Magazine, which just hit newsstands. This article was inadvertently run, as Ruger is not producing a SP101 in .22 LR at this time. This model is not available for sale and we are sorry that this article gives that impression. Both Ruger and Guns & Ammo Magazine apologize for any confusion.



Be sure to stayed tuned to Ruger.com and our Facebook page for the latest product launch information! When any new product is ready to hit the streets - you'll hear it from us first!



- June 30, 2011


edit to add: Ha Ha. I just noticed the time in the Ruger post, 3:57 pm.

 

[mjh]

March 14th I was told soon....August mag article run a little early??.....Facebook message says not at this time..........I've got the money.......a Smith Model 63 or 617 might just have to come home soon...

 

[Anonymous]

Some other companies have to get up to speed on this. There is no good holster for this, and no speedloaders.

 

[Palu]

March 14th I was told soon....August mag article run a little early??.....Facebook message says not at this time..........I've got the money.......a Smith Model 63 or 617 might just have to come home soon...

Read the other SP .22 thread. Aug 1st is the release date. Hopefully, anyway.

Maybe the two threads should be merged?

 

[mjh]

read the thread, if it doesn't become availabe with reasonable explination I will most likely cut and paste my information, otherwise I'll be looking forward to an order....looked for August G&A at the store today but it was not yet in...

 

[chapped lips]

Well,Wayne van Zwoll and G&A must be a tad red-faced over the release article of a firearm that Ruger does not intend to release for awhile...........

or is this a sales ploy?????

According to the article.........."Oddly enough,this revolver has since been our most requested firearm," says Ruger engineer Mark Gurney......."We listened."

Note the quote says that since the SP101 rimfire was dropped it became the most requested "FIREARM".......that covers a lot of dreamsheets for various actions and chamberings.

Why hold back in releasing it?..............there's gold in them thar hills!

 

[chapped lips]

The article also says special attention was spent making sure the trigger pull more closely resembles a centerfire pull than the more common heavier rimfire squeeze.

And the barrel length of 4.3" was selected to make it legal for sale in Canada-hey.
Canadian laws requires a 105mm minimum (4.133").......that's one way to stick a thumb in a dumb law.
So you Canucks better purchase a bunch.......this barrel's for you!

And thanx again for bringing our Tehran hostages home!

 

[Gumby]

I was jumping when I read this posting so I got on Ruger's website and wrote them an email telling them of the rumor about the SP101 in .22LR was coming out again soon. Here is their response.

Response:
Thank you for your email. We have no plans at this time but will forward your request to our Marketing Department.

So the lesson here is 1. Don't believe everything you hear & 2. Everyone needs to email Ruger and plead with them to bring the SP101 in .22LR back and soon. These things are getting hard to find and I have to be honest, I'm having a really hard time with the though of paying more for a .22LR revolver than I did on my .22 target rifle.

I really have a problem with Ruger's response to WarpathEngineering. Are we now to think that this was an honest answer? If the person answering the eMail honestly didn't know, should they have answered by saying "we have no plans..." Why have a system where you are encouraged to ask questions, and then get an answer like that?

Gumby

 

[rjc2010]

Response:
An article on a Ruger SP101 in .22 LR was recently published in the August issue of Guns & Ammo Magazine, which just hit newsstands. This article was inadvertently run, as Ruger is not producing a SP101 in .22 LR at this time. This model is not available for sale at the moment and we are sorry that this article gives that impression. Guns & Ammo accidentally "jumped the gun" and released this story prematurely; we hope to begin shipping this model by August 1, but we'll keep you posted!

Both Ruger and Guns & Ammo Magazine apologize for any confusion.

Be sure to stayed tuned to Ruger.com and our Facebook page for the latest product launch information! When any new product is ready to hit the streets - you'll hear it from US first!

If you need further information, please visit our website at www.ruger.com or contact us at:

Revolvers, shotguns, rifles, 10/22 Charger Pistol: (603) 865-2442
Pistols: (928) 778-6555
Serial Number History Information: (603) 865-2424