Ruger sp-101 .22 vs single six

[robodeer]

I'm trying to decide between these two revolvers. Does anyone have experiences with either of them? Which would you pick (and why) if you were only going to get one?

[ThatFishGuy]

Your intended purpose will have alot of bearing on the decision, but if it had to be just one I'd go with the single six because it allows you to shoot either 22lr or 22mag with separate cylinders. If it's something like trail carry the sp101 is a smaller package that's a little easier on the hip.

[manini]

I do not own a Single Six but I do own the SP101. SP101 is smaller, lighter, shorter barrel. I like the swing out cylinder so I can eject all brass at the same time. Although it is SA/DA, I find myself shooting DA most often. Lazy to pull back the hammer for SA? The trigger is okay but a wolff spring kit helped a lot for about $10.00. The grip was a little small for me. I changed to a Hogue rubber grip which is a little larger and I feel it makes the grip angle more similar to a semi automatic grip which I am accustomed to. The grip was about $16.00. Overall, I really like the SP101. If you can, try them out at the range/LGS before you decide. Important to know which feels right to you.

[gundctr]

My fist gun was the single six, and still have it. Excellent pinker. What are you going to do with it?


Another Day To Be My Kid's Dad [emoji379]

[deadhawg]

Depends on what you want to use it for. The biggest difference is double action vs. single action .

I have a Single Six .22 and an SP101 in .357.

The single six is single action only, comes in several different barrel lengths, and depending on the model, holds 6, 9 or 10 rounds and you can get one with a spare cylinder for .22 Mag.

The SP101 is double or single action, holds 8 rounds, and has a 4.20" barrel.

My single six has the 9 1/2" barrel and .22 mag cylinder. It's more accurate than I am, and if you are looking for a target shooter I'd go with the single six. It's great for small varmints too, especially with .22 mags.
It's not really practical for concealed carry, not that I consider any .22 or single action revolver a good self defense gun.

The shorter sight radius SP101 makes it a little harder to shoot as accurately at longer distances. Plenty accurate for plinking and casual target shooting in single action mode. Easier to conceal and carry, if you choose to do so.

The action job on my single six gives it a great, clean, light trigger pull, The SP101 trigger is just not as "clean" in single action mode, but good enough for it's intended purpose.

[Garv]

I did not like the small grips on the SP 101 and went with the Single Ten instead.
My purpose is fun plinking.

I would have preferred DA on the 101, but the LGS did not have the larger Hogue grips for me to try.

I'll get a S&W 617 or similar one of these days.

[oddball]

One other to consider is the new Ruger GP100 in .22LR. 5.5" barrel, 10 rds, the original GP100 grip (larger than SP101), adjustable rear sight, fiber optic front sight. The trigger is apparently very good, with the DA pull of about 9.5 lbs, and in SA less than 4 lbs. By the looks and word of mouth, I would get this rather than a S&W 617. Rumor has it that it will be rostered, but we'll see.

[Joe Register]

I like them both. I had an older SP101 built like a tank but the trigger was challenging. Got a used newer version and it is pretty nice plus an extra 2 rounds.

I like single six for not blowing through a ton of ammo and easy to clean.

Either choice is good.

[bczrx]

Purpose and hand size is everything before decent advice can be given.

I have both.

I like both- for different purposes.

If I could only have ONE .22lr revolver, it would be the Single-Six- for the .22WMR option.


BTW, if you go with the Single-Six, keep in mind a company called Borshardt [spelling?] sells Al Story's Single-Six cylinders. Cheaper replacements if you lose one.

However, my Single-Six came with only the Mag cylinder [used purchase]. I bought an 8 shot Story cylinder for around $130. It works great.

It works so well I went and bought his 8 shot 22mag cylinder also.

I like his products.


Story also makes a 10 round Single-Six .22lr cylinder, so you could make your Single-Six into a convertible Single-ten or Single-eight. If You wanted to spend the extra $130 per cylinder.

Since mine was a good price on a used one, that was missing a cylinder, the cost was cheaper than sending it to Ruger to have a 6-shot cylinder installed. Heck, the shipping would be around $90 one way [California to Connecticut, insured for replacement value, overnight UPS], plus the around $180 or more for the cylinder, not counting fitting.

I like the speed of loading the SP101, but I like the sight radius and feel/balance of the SingleSix better- and I like the .22MAG option also.

[nephrodoc]

I have the sp101. I have a hogue grip, and it is much better than the stubby stock grip. Trigger is really heavy, that is the biggest drawback. Thinking of taking it in soon for some trigger work.

[aghauler]

Purpose and hand size is everything before decent advice can be given.

I have both.

I like both- for different purposes.

If I could only have ONE .22lr revolver, it would be the Single-Six- for the .22WMR option.


BTW, if you go with the Single-Six, keep in mind a company called Borshardt [spelling?] sells Al Story's Single-Six cylinders. Cheaper replacements if you lose one.

However, my Single-Six came with only the Mag cylinder [used purchase]. I bought an 8 shot Story cylinder for around $130. It works great.

It works so well I went and bought his 8 shot 22mag cylinder also.

I like his products.


Story also makes a 10 round Single-Six .22lr cylinder, so you could make your Single-Six into a convertible Single-ten or Single-eight. If You wanted to spend the extra $130 per cylinder.

Since mine was a good price on a used one, that was missing a cylinder, the cost was cheaper than sending it to Ruger to have a 6-shot cylinder installed. Heck, the shipping would be around $90 one way [California to Connecticut, insured for replacement value, overnight UPS], plus the around $180 or more for the cylinder, not counting fitting.

I like the speed of loading the SP101, but I like the sight radius and feel/balance of the SingleSix better- and I like the .22MAG option also.

Just a note on shipping, I recently shipped a Astra M1915 to my daughter in NM using the ShipMyGun service through Buds gunshop. Cost was 53 bucks but that included the prepaid empty box they sent to me to drop off at UPS, shipping and $400 insurance. I'll use them again for shipping hand guns again if I need to.

['ol shooter]

Used to love carrying my Single Six tramping around the desert when I lived in AZ. For that it's great, but for range use I prefer my S&W 617.

[cnj]

I have (well, HAD) an SP101-22lr and a special edition Single 10 (similar to the Single Six) w/ F/O sights. Just sold the SP101. For my use of just plinking, the Single 10 is just a bit more "fun". I enjoy using the loading gate and I think the gun just looks "cooler" that the SP did. That said, the SP is a hell of a gun. Dead nuts accurate and will also last for many generations. You couldn't go wrong with either of your choices.

[robodeer]

Ruger sp-101 .22 vs single six

I'm primarily getting it to introduce family & friends to handguns, and then secondarily for hiking, etc. My dad will probably get a kick out of a single action since he grew up watching those cowboy shows. It does seem like a lot of fun. There's just something about a SAA (or clone). I was thinking of the Heritage Rough Rider as well, but the better sights and fit/finish seem to be worth the price. Apparently there's also a bearcat that has adjustable sights as well, but that might be a bit too small. I'll check out all of those recommendations, thank everyone.

It might be one of those situations where I "buy 'em both" eventually, haha.

['ol shooter]

If you buy a Heritage, get the steel framed version for sure, the pot metal ones are junk, and will break a lot sooner, barrel comes loose also. Been inside both the Ruger and the Hertitage, Ruger wins hands down.