Author Topic: SP101 or S & W 617 or ??? (Read 1051 times)

MatadorMkV · « **on:** February 15, 2004, 06:14:39 PM »

Hello folks,
I am interested in purchasing a .22 revolver and would like to hear your thoughts. I want something with adjustable sights for target shooting and would actually PREFER something on the heavy side. I am a fan of both Rugers and Smiths. I was all set to go for the 617, but have read some bad posts about it...I know that ANY manufacturer can produce a bad one every now and then. It's just that I have a 625 and absolutely LOVE IT!! My wife has a 637 and it's a great little gun. I have a Model 41 which isn't too shabby either. I figured the 617 would be of the same quality I've come to know of Smith and Wesson.

I just purchased an SP101 .357, put a Hogue grip on it and it's nice, but compared to the Smith revolvers, seems to be a little rough around the edges...but it sure is beefy! If the .22 cal. SP101 with the 4" barrel is a good bet, I may just give it a try.

Does the Ruger have a full shroud barrel? The only pic on their site is of a 32 Magnum, so I can't tell.

Thanks,
Russ

Conan The Librarian · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2004, 04:33:55 AM »

The 617 is an excellent target revolver. It's beefy also.

blackpanther · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2004, 04:02:50 PM »

The Smith 648 .22mag K frame is a lot of fun,accurate but very loud.
Just don't buy the 10 shot .22.A lot of people have problems with it.

Ed

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2004, 05:59:37 PM »

If I were looking for a NIB recent manufacture .22 LR revolver I'd get a Ruger Bisley. If you could find an older pre agreement S&W 17 that is perhaps the single best target revolver ever made. The 617s with more than 4" barrel are just SOOOOO heavy. I had an 8-3/8" once at the same time I had a couple of the older 17's also with 8-3/8" barrel, one pinned one not. I kept the unpinned 17 and sold both the others. While I owned that gun no one I ever shot against consistently out shot me. My shooting buddy and best friend Billy Doss (now deceased) came the closest. He and I were nip and tuck all the time. He used a Ruger Super Single Six with 9.5" barrel and an old High Standard that had been modified with an 11" barrel made from a Marlin Microgroove barrel. Wow would that one shoot. When either of us used that one it was no contest. The HS won every time.

GB

Questor · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2004, 04:10:35 AM »

A Bisley? That makes my flesh crawl. I don't like the grips at all. Much harder to rapid fire than a 617 also.

palgeno · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2004, 05:11:18 AM »

Matador----can't say I've shot them all in all barrel lengths, but here is my experience----Had a Ruger Super Single Six 6 in. and sold it because I liked the weight, balance, trigger and accuracy of my 617 4in. (6 shot cyl) better-----last year I bought a 7.5 in. Freedom Arms model 97 with 22lr and 22wmr cylinders. I absoloutely love the accuracy of this gun. But-----I will not----repeat---not sell my 617! The 617 is not as accurate, but it is a double action rapid fire tornado. Is has had a professional action job, however-----the FA 97 needed nothing----but cost 3 times as much. ---- go figure. pg

MatadorMkV · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2004, 03:43:36 PM »

Looked up the 97 and yes, she's a pricey piece of hardware! At any rate, the 617 new (6"/6 shot) for $465 is a done deal. So far we have a 625, 637, 60, and very soon, a 617. So I guess I kind of like my Smith revolvers. Wouldn't mind owning more of them, but now I got a 50th Anniversary Stratocaster is calling my name. Too many toys, but one very understanding wife. Thanks for all of your help guys.

Russ