Goldilocks Revolver

For informal target shooting, plinking with friends, or introducing new handgunners to the shooting basics, I love my S&W K-22 and Colt Officer’s Target Model .22 revolvers. Their excellent accuracy, steadying weight and outstanding trigger pulls make them joys to shoot.

The same 38- to 39-ounce weight, which makes them hold so nicely, becomes a disadvantage for carrying. On hunting trips, outdoor photography excursions, while hiking, fishing, or most any outdoor activity, I generally have an S&W Kit Gun in .22 or .22 Magnum stuffed in a daypack somewhere. With their light weight — about 24 ounces — they’re easy to carry, though a little hard to hold steadily.

This arrangement suits me just fine. But many otherwise fine people don’t see a benefit in owning lots of guns. For some it makes more sense to own one revolver to handle both situations; big enough for ease of handling and shooting, compact and lightweight enough for ease of carry.

There haven’t been a lot of revolvers in the middle ground. The fine S&W Combat Masterpiece .22 has a handy 4″ barrel, but weighs only a couple of ounces less than the K-22. One double-action revolver, which fits this slot neatly, is the Colt Diamondback. Long since out of production, the Diamondback is currently much in demand with collectors. Even “shooter condition” examples are hard to find at a reasonable price.

The Right Gun

Now there’s another entry in the not-too-big, not-too-small category, and it’s a gem. The Ruger SP-101 is “just right,” and unlike the Diamondback, is available new at reasonable cost. In size and weight it’s very similar to the Diamondback, with both around 31 ounces, with similar barrel lengths, overall lengths and heights.

Why did Ruger make the barrel 4.2″ instead of 4″? I’m guessing in order to make importation and sale legal in Canada, where handguns with barrel lengths under 105mm (4.14″) are prohibited. The barrel length is an advantage for Americans traveling between the Lower 48 and Alaska. They can obtain permits to transport non-prohibited firearms while traveling across Canada. “Prohibited” handguns would have to be shipped ahead via a carrier such as FedEx or UPS.

Incidentally, before scoffing too much at silly Canadian gun laws, it should be noted many of the sillier regulations (e.g. barrel length, magazine capacity restrictions) were copied word for word from legislation originally drafted in California. The slightly longer barrel may be contingency planning in case some states should impose barrel length restrictions in the future.

Constructed of stainless steel, and with Ruger’s virtually indestructible lockwork, the SP-101 is the epitome of a hard-working, all-around revolver. It’s tough, reliable, weather-resistant, strong and durable. Remember, the same frame size handles full-power .357 Magnum loads. It would take an enormous amount of shooting to wear out even the .357 Magnum versions; in .22 caliber, its service life should outlast several human life spans.

I mentioned Alaska earlier. I suspect Ruger will sell a bunch of these fine .22s there. Stored in a survival pack along with a few boxes of ammunition, the SP-101 will likely be carried in a lot of bush planes, snowmobiles and ATVs.

The 8-round cylinder capacity is surely nice for range shooting and plinking too. Your buddy with a semi-auto .22 can reload faster if he has extra loaded magazines, but sooner or later he has to stop and reload the magazines. That’s when you catch up and pass him.

What To Change

There are a couple of things I’d change. The single-action trigger break is clean and crisp enough, but heavy at 5 pounds, 10 ounces. Likewise, double-action pull is smooth and consistent, but heavy at over 12 pounds. I realize in a hunting/survival situation most shooters will use single action, but I suspect many owners of centerfire SP-101s will want a .22 as a trainer so they can practice D/A shooting at less expense.

Rimfire cartridges require a good smack for consistent ignition, so you don’t want to strive for too light a pull. Still, I’d want some trigger work done. Ruger lockwork is relatively simple and straightforward, so if gunsmith work is necessary it shouldn’t be expensive. A simple and inexpensive spring change may well be enough. Both Wolff and Wilson Combat make spring kits for the SP-101, available at very reasonable cost.

The rear sight adjustment screws aren’t marked for direction. You’ll have to read the instruction manual, or at least remember: turning the screws clockwise adjusts the sights left and down. The windage screw slot requires a small screwdriver, a size maybe not found in every home tools drawer.
Grips on the SP-101 are functional and attractive, and I like the checkered wooden inserts. The diamond pattern around the grip screws is a nice touch, reminiscent of the S&W grips used up until the late 1960s, and I’m not sure if this is an homage, a dig, or just a coincidence.

My hands aren’t overly large, but I found these grips a bit on the small side, with not quite enough space for the little finger. They’re a nice size for concealed carry, and I could shoot reasonably well with them. Since I’d most likely carry it in a packsack or in a flap holster I’ll probably order a set of custom grips in a bit larger size.

I may not have conveyed what a nice revolver this is. The SP-101 .22 is a handsome, well made, quality handgun with excellent fit and finish. All letter and number markings are neatly and evenly stamped on the gun. Admittedly, this does nothing for the revolver’s shooting ability, but it is an indication of quality of workmanship, and enhances appearance and pride of ownership.

Several of the revolvers I regularly use are Colts and S&Ws from the early postwar era, into the 1960s, made at a time when a lot of hand tuning and polishing was standard production practice. This fine Ruger .22 doesn’t look at all out of place on the rack next to these old classics. It’s a revolver I plan to buy and I expect to use it a lot.

It’s also an outstanding choice as a training pistol for new shooters, as an understudy for a centerfire model, as a sidearm for hunters, fishers, campers and hikers. A lot of adventurous types who travel through (or fly over) wild country are going to store one with their survival gear. When it’s needed, whether next year or 40 years from now, it will be there — and it will still work.

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