Gunblast.com - Ruger Eight-Shot 22 Long Rifle SP101: Stainless Steel Kit Gun Perfection

[GlowingBentley]

I'm an unashamed S&W wheelgun fanboi. But I GOTSTA get me one of THOSE!

Those wood insert rubber grips are the nicest looking ones Ruger ever made. Glad they're back.

[ninjatoth]

I'm looking for something like this to be able to afford to shoot a double action revolver,all I have right now as far as revolvers is a S&W 629 .44 mag,and i'm not a reloader.I like how it looks just like my S&W half lug & all,I don't feel it neccessary to spend $800 on a S&W .22 when the hunt or my life isn't depending on the gun.I'm gonna get either the sp101 or the charter pathfinder,not sure which one yet.

[Mattypphillip]

Boy, I really hope they make one in .22 mag!

[mr00jimbo]

Awesome review! Silly question - what's a kit gun?

[Gunblastdotcom]

The term refers to a small, relatively lightweight handgun carried in a fisherman's, hunters, or any outdoorsman's "kit". The term "kit" is not used as much today as it was several decades ago, but refers to the stuff that is taken along on an outing, such as first aid supplies, matches, hatchet, knife, etc..

jeff

[300Winner]

@mr00jimbo What we would call a "Pack gun" today

[fivebaldwins]

Jeff,

I am looking for a good starter revolver for my boy girl twins, both 11. They have been shooting for many years under my watchful eye. I have a single six that is just about right for my son (size-wise) but my daughter is a petite thing. I have been leaning towards a bearcat, but was wondering how the grip size on this 101 compares?

[Gunblastdotcom]

The grip is not too large on the SP101, but I would go with the bearcat.

Jeff

[philsense]

Jeff.

I am looking into getting a .22 lr revolver for my first ever handgun. Ruger's gun designs and history have peaked my interest so I was wondering on which is a better choice for a first time handgun owner: this or the single-six?

[Gunblastdotcom]

I'd go with the Single-Six, just for the versatility of being able to shoot 22 Magnum as well as 22 Long Rifle.

[philsense]

@Gunblastdotcom One last question: do you recommend any other model of .22 lr revolvers from other companies?

[Gunblastdotcom]

There are a lot of great 22s out there, but for reliability, accuracy and versatility I can think of none better than the Single-Six.

[GreatAmericanBailout]

Hey Jeff...

found you're site through a friend at Popping Rocks Saddlery -- and what a great resource you are! Anyway, just purchased the SP101 and found your review very helpful. Thank you!

[Gunblastdotcom]

Thank you, sir.

[Gunblastdotcom]

The term is quite old, and refers to a gun small enough to pack into one's hunting "kit".

[TheEvilX338]

Something so sweet about .22 revolvers :)

[HippoShag123]

i want one soooo bad but my dad said i can't buy it as i just spent all my money on a benneli vinci but ughhh i think I'm gun crazy I'm 14 an i have 12 guns! i work all summer then spend it all on guns!

[Gunblastdotcom]

You're making a great start!

[natebohner]

How was the double action trigger pull on this gun? As far as smoothness and feel.  It looks like it was good to shoot.

[Gunblastdotcom]

DA pull was 11 pounds, 4 ounces SA was 4 pounds, 14 ounces. From the referenced article:

"The trigger pull is necessarily heavy on double-action rimfire revolvers. It takes a pretty good hit to set off the 22 LR priming mixture, but even at over eleven pounds, the double-action pull on the SP101 is butter-smooth, and the single-action pull very crisp."

[MrHardPressed]

What is meant by "kit" gun?

Thanks.

[Gunblastdotcom]

A small, handy gun suitable for carrying around in your woods "kit".

[Ultratron100]

Jeff, Thanks for a great review! Since you're "in" with Ruger, tell them we need a full size DA only 4 inch barreled combat revolver in 357, based on LCR technology. I'd buy one in a heartbeat. :)

[Gunblastdotcom]

Tell 'em yourself! Under the "News and Resources" section of their web site, they have a "Tell the CEO" page where you can send ideas directly to Ruger's CEO, Mike Fifer. Mike is "one of us" and really listens. The more he hears from shooters about what we want, the more likely Ruger is to make it happen.

[125saito]

I've noticed that you use Winchester Dynapoints quite often in your testing. Where do you get them? They have been some of my favorite .22 ammo but I haven't seen them for sale for about 2-3 years now. Thanks

[Gunblastdotcom]

I buy mine at the Tulsa Gun Show.



jeff

[125saito]

I've noticed that you use Winchester Dynapoints quite often in your testing. Where do you get them? They have been some of my favorite .22 ammo but I haven't seen them for sale for about 2-3 years now. Thanks

[HotrodRocket1]

Ruger is impressing me with each new offer. Way to go!

[satchboogyfan]

Another fine pistol  from Ruger

Any word on future Ruger products coming out.

[Gunblastdotcom]

Nothing that I can disclose at this time.

jeff

[SupremeAmerican]

:)

[Jesses001]

Looks like an awsome revolver. It can shot the cheapest ammo as well, so I bet I would shot it a very large amount. That could be the funest plinker I would own. I think I am going to pick one up when they are a bit more avalible.

[chavezchavez556]

I wish they made one in 22 mag ! but i will settle with this one

[lostburro]

I REALLY like this gun, but the MSRP scares me! There's no telling what the final "retail" price will be, but it still seems kind of high for a .22.

[23mrcowboys]

ID LIKE TO PUT THOSE WOOD GRIP PANELS IN MY REGULAR SP101 357

[Jagermonster703]

What a good lookin gun!

[jmmurdy]

nice

[iamcrimsonspecter2]

They don't have real cicadas up here in northern MN.

Makes me miss Oklahoma!

Really nice description and rundown on this plinker.

[fuerstjd]

Dear Ruger, Please make this configuration in .357 mag. It would be the most perfect .357 mag ever!

[BenB8290]

How much?

[Erik0072]

Beautiful gun, local shop had one on display today marked 'SOLD' that a fellow had special ordered and hadn't picked up yet. They look to be a fine piece of hardware.

[freeheretic111]

Jeff,

That 1968 quarter in your film used to show the shot group may have up to 50% of it by weight silver. 1968 mid-year was the time the mint changed composition from 50% silver to 1%.

[bobsolla]

beautiful plinking pistol!

[OilTheGun]

Another one I'll have to buy. Thanks for sharing.

[classof77]

OHHH MAN! Now that's what I'm talking about, Ruger!

[rugerguy08]

FINALLY haha

[GunSmokeGuy]

Real nice gun, man I've GOT to get one of these dudes! Probably going to be as hard to find as the SR1911, been looking for one of those for months.

[FranklinD99]

Hi Jeff,

Do you think Ruger will get around to putting the adjustable sights on the standard SP101?

[Gunblastdotcom]

I have no info on that.

jeff

[videosbymike]

Great looking 22 for sure Jeff.

Glock n Load,

Mike

[boxant]

Hurray!!

[GARYMANDIEVAN]

Thanks Jeff thats a nice little 22

[empty380]

when they make it in 22 Mag then I might consider buying this gun the MSRP on this gun is almost 700 dollars.

[freeheretic111]

@empty380 I'm also irritated that Ruger has set the price so high; $675 is a lot to ask for such a .22 revolver. I'm not rushing out to buy one. I called a local dealer and he quoted me $560 retail. Perhaps after the initial rush dies down over the next several months the price will drop somewhat lower.

[032125]

@freeheretic111 Yeah by the time the price would have come down, the inflation will have driven the price up.

[rugerguy08]

@freeheretic111

that is nuts... i hope your right tho haha

[empty380]

@freeheretic111 I hope they do drop the price but I wouldn't pay more than 425 for a 22 revolver.

[classof77]

@empty380 Quality, steel frame double action revolvers are expensive to manufacture. You do realize that the S&W K-frame .22s retail for about $700 these days?

I expect the new .22 SP101 will settle in around $550, which means the Ruger will undersell the S&W 617 by the price of some nice laminated Hogue stocks, plus 1,000 rounds of CCI Mini-Mags. Not bad.

These things are gonna sell like cold beer in a Texas summer.

[empty380]

@classof77 Charter Arms path finder model 72240 list price 412 dollars.

[classof77]

@empty380 See first word of my comment above.

[freeheretic111]

@empty380 A different local gun dealer just quoted me $510 for the new Ruger. As much as I would like it to drop another $50 I doubt that it will unless most buyers simply refuse to pay so much money for a .22 kit gun. The SP101 357s msrp at $629 and sell for about $480 in my area. The $675 msrp for the kit gun might mean that the dealer has to pay more too (I don't know). I won't buy a Taurus or Charter Arms and SW is priced too high so I'm not sure what I'll do. Maybe go .22 Magnum :)

[empty380]

@freeheretic111 Thanks that's good to know but I do have my eye on the CHARTER ARMS .

[SuperSneakySteve]

What a great gun and no trigger lock just as God intended a revolver to be.

[fire1777]

Love the sp101 357 mag. gotta have me one of these.

[scooter17568]

Beautiful.

[ScorpionOwns]

This gun is amazing. Two thumbs up for Ruger!

[TheFreedomWatch]

5*****

[desirefirst]

great, now i have another option for a new DA 22 rev. that holds a reasonable number of rounds

[JERMBUGS]

I want one. Thanks for the review.

[JGguns1]

awesome I have been wanting a d/a 22 for the woods. this will fit the bill perfectly. Do you know when these will hit the shelves?

[freeheretic111]

@JGguns1 I spoke with Ruger today and they told me that they are shipping out to the distributer level now. What that means in the real world of us consumers being able to buy the 22LR I don't know. Maybe within a week or two though there will initially be a shortage due to the rush of the early must-have-it buyers.

[freeheretic111]

Jeff, thanks for the great video review here and the written review on your site. As I understand it, a revolver's rimfire trigger-pull weight can sometimes be a problem for some people as it usually requires a heavier pull-weight than a center fire to reliably fire the smaller rimfire ammo. On Jeff's website, his machine tested the new SP101 22LR Trigger Pull DA at 11lbs 4 ounces and the Trigger Pull SA at 4lbs 14 ounces. Ruger told me the SP101 in .357/.38 DA 8-14 lbs and SA 3.5-7.5 lbs.

[woodroez]

Well done as always, Jeff. I really like what I've been seeing from Ruger in the past year, in handguns especially. Single-Ten, that Wiley Clapp GP-100 (which I still have on the way), and this here have all of course stuck basically to the same design of their original models, but they've all been dressed all up nicely. Fiber-optics, nicely checkered and designed grip panels on the DA revolvers. They've even abbreviated the lawyer lines and in some cases moved them a bit more out of the way.

[huntaeddie]

please make a 22mag



[Dambo96]

@huntaeddie yes I'd like to see it in a magnum !

[shkotay]

Great little review :D I love how concise these are. I might look into this revolver!

[purkjason]

Jeff ... you tell Ruger that I (Jason) demands a .22 Mag Version ASAP. Thanks :)

[megajeeplover]

thanks for the input. i guess not many people uses these rounds anymore but it is nice to know if i ever want to or need to.

[woodroez]

@megajeeplover I've never seen a Long in person before, but shorts are at least popular enough that my nearby Bass Pro keeps them in stock.

[megajeeplover]

@woodroez i never look for anything but the long rifles but i haven't seen any either come to think of it. i guess the shorts are good for small varmints and backyard plinging.

[megajeeplover]

@woodroez i never look for anything but the long rifles but i haven't seen any either come to think of it. i guess the shorts are good for small varmints and backyard plinking.

[woodroez]

@megajeeplover Short is used pretty much for plinking only. The nice thing about shorts, which I actually have fired by the way, is that they work at such a low pressure that you can fire them with no ear protection quite safely. If I remember correctly, it's about as loud as the spring in some air guns.

[megajeeplover]

@woodroez i think i will buy a box and give them a try. i guess the FPS would be fairly low as well. maybe plink in the backyard a little.

[VicariousReality7]

Why does no one make a quality break action shotgun with a synthetic stock

[DTesch357]

@VicariousReality7 Check out the Stoeger Double Defense.

[VicariousReality7]

@DTesch357 From stoegers website:

'' Standard Features

Choke tubes: Fixed IC

Stocks: Matte Black-finished hardwood

Trigger: Single trigger

Sights: Fiber optic front sight ''

I've seen so many broken wood stocks it's not even funny.

[TheHiddenPart]

You know it's hot when you have a ceiling fan.. in your back porch!

Neat little gun. Looks like lots of fun!

[vashguud]

Looks like a nice quality .22.

[megajeeplover]

i like this gun. maybe this is a dumb question but can you shoot 22 longs and 22 shorts in it as well? thanks for any input.

[Gunblastdotcom]

Yes, you can.

[dopefish93]

@megajeeplover the 22 short works in almost all 22 long firearms i belive. its works in bolt and semi rifles to but then you need to chamber one at the time and none inte tha magazine

[762x51n8o]

@dopefish93 That's not true, you should only shoot .22 short in firearms if the manufacturer recommends it. I have one rifle that says on the barrel: .22 LR, .22 L, and .22 Short. All the rest of my firearms specifically say to not shoot .22 short. If you think about it, if the .22 short has a shorter casing, it's not going to sit far enough forward in the chamber so that the bullet is properly engaged by the rifling.

[bigdaddyhoffman1911]

Very good video Sir, I like your style. Thanks for sharing this....OohRah

[ldgrey1963]

I want one of these in 22 mag. Thanks for the video Jeff.

[mrwhite4]

I'd love to see one of these but with exchangeable cylinders for 22lr/22mag like the new Taurus model then it would surelly make it on my must buy list, but I'll take this to :) Sure a pretty gun and that's good enough for me.

[freeheretic111]

@mrwhite4 Agreed. A Ruger DA/SA in 22LR and 22WMR with exchangeable cylinders would be ideal. Ruger currently offers their popular western-style SA Convertible in those calibers.

[mrwhite4]

@freeheretic111 Yeah I'm looking at one of those to eventually throw on the pile, between the two I think I'd rather have the SP101 those grips are very nice. It's over all just a real nice looking revolver and what the heck 22's are so much fun, this would make a great gun for a new shooter to.

[freeheretic111]

@mrwhite4 22's are fun and good to teach new shooters. I did own and liked my Ruger Convertible Single-Six 22LR/22WMR. Sometimes timing/speed is vital; the DA/SA shoots faster and reloads quicker than a SA only western style revolver. I traded the Convertible Single-Six in this summer and bought the Ruger SP101 357/38 with the 3" barrel and a Ruger SR9C 9mm. I put the Hogue soft rubber grips on my SP101 and am very happy with it. The SP101 with Hogues fits my hand better than any other handgun.

[danman911]

Nice!

[cbmoto02]

Oh if only Ruger would make a tactical pump shotgun.

[jfgb1979]

do you happen to have a hi-standard KIT GUN?

[Gunblastdotcom]

I have a few of their lightweight Sentinels. Excellent guns.

[intercooler2]

$670. Do you think Ruger will ever do a 10mm?

[andrewvanrhoberts]

how much does one of these cost?