Gunblast.com - Ruger Eight-Shot 22 Long Rifle SP101: Stainless Steel Kit Gun Perfection
Posted: January 22nd, 2012 | Author: zackpow | Filed under: 22 Magnum Rifles | Tags: AR-15, Boge Quinn, gun, Gunblast, Gunblast.com, handgun, hunting, Jeff Quinn, military, pistol, revolver, Rifle, ruger, Shooting, shotgun, sixgun, SP-101, SP101, tactical, weapon |FOR MORE INFO: www.gunblast.com Jeff Quinn ( www.gunblast.com ) tests the Ruger Eight-Shot 22 Long Rifle SP101 double-action revolver.
First, let me say I like your gun reviews.
Second, I would like to ask…have you ever done a? review on the Ruger Bearcat 22lr in stainless? I have a 13 year old daughter that is interested in shooting with me…and I have been debating between the SP101 22lr and the Bearcat stainless 22lr. I understand one is an 8 shot double action with adjustable sights, and the other is six shot single action with fixed sights…but is the quality on the bearcat as? nice?
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.
Boy, I really? hope they make one in .22 mag!
@mr00jimbo What we would call a? “Pack gun” today
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
Awesome review! Silly question - what’s? a kit gun?
The? grip is not too large on the SP101, but I would go with the bearcat.
Jeff
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?
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.
@Gunblastdotcom One last question: do you recommend any other model of .22 lr revolvers from other companies??
I’d go with the Single-Six, just for the versatility of? being able to shoot 22 Magnum as well as 22 Long Rifle.
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?
Thank you,? sir.
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!
i wonderd about that because i carry an old springfield 1911 A-1 and springfield said it was a kit? gun because of the serial # starting with N M thanks for the info
The term is quite? old, and refers to a gun small enough to pack into one’s hunting “kit”.
what does kit gun mean??
Something so sweet about? .22 revolvers
You’re making a great? start!
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!
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.”
How was the double action trigger pull on this gun? As far as smoothness and feel. It? looks like it was good to shoot.
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.
A small, handy gun suitable for carrying around in? your woods “kit”.
What? is meant by “kit” gun?
Thanks.