aladdin
Member
Ruger Bearcat stainless
Ruger Single Six v SW Mod 63
- Thread starter AStone
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AStone
Member
Page 2 already. That was fast.
Welcome to THR, Aladdin.
Interesting that your first post is here. You must have an affinity for .22 revolvers.
I'll confess, I haven't looked much at (read much about) the Bearcat yet, but should.
Why do you like it so much?
Welcome to THR, Aladdin.
Interesting that your first post is here. You must have an affinity for .22 revolvers.
I'll confess, I haven't looked much at (read much about) the Bearcat yet, but should.
Why do you like it so much?
AStone
Member
Well, I now know one .22 revolver that's not on my list. 
ArchAngelCD
Member.
In that case I would have to switch my choice to the M63 unless that's still too heavy in which case I see nothing wrong with the 8 round M317, but with a 3" barrel, not a 1 7/8" barrel for the woods. (but damn, they are both so expensive!!)
AStone
Member
Arch, yes, they are expensive. I agree.
But quality is always expensive.
I've always been willing to pay for quality,
have rarely been disappointed, and will continue to do so.
No decisions yet, but the 63 is still one of the top two in my considerations.
But quality is always expensive.
I've always been willing to pay for quality,
have rarely been disappointed, and will continue to do so.
No decisions yet, but the 63 is still one of the top two in my considerations.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I like the M63 that's in current production because of the 5" barrel.
Radagast
Member
I've shot an old six shot four inch model 63, I wasn't impressed with either the trigger pull or the accuracy. Ditto the Taurus copy, which gave patterns rather than groups.
I don't like the 617 - the underlugged 6 inch barrel does not balance for me, although it is very accurate. As you are used to the 686 this may not be an issue for you.
I do love the model 18 - four inch skinny barrel gives perfect balance and pointing. It's currently my favourite hand gun, but this is probably partially due to the fact that it is my newest gun.
I sold my Single Six, MK II & 22-45 to fund the 617 for my dad. I still regret selling the Single Six some five years later.
I found the accuracy with .22lr to be no worse than the 617 & for a small game hunting firearm there is no need to rapidly reload. It's squirrels and rabbits you are looking at, not human waves in Mogadishu.
I also found the slow load and reload cycle to be quite calming at the range, There was no ability to shoot rapidly, so every shot was made to count. The single six pointed well in my hands which is always a plus. Last, for small game hunting the .22 magnum cylinder will give you that extra bit of energy to ensure clean kills, something every ethical hunter should keep in mind.
Summary: Get the Single Six as your hunting handgun. If you still use a 686 as your main SD gun, then consider a four inch 617 as a complementary training firearm. It will probably pay for itself in saved ammo costs
I don't like the 617 - the underlugged 6 inch barrel does not balance for me, although it is very accurate. As you are used to the 686 this may not be an issue for you.
I do love the model 18 - four inch skinny barrel gives perfect balance and pointing. It's currently my favourite hand gun, but this is probably partially due to the fact that it is my newest gun.
I sold my Single Six, MK II & 22-45 to fund the 617 for my dad. I still regret selling the Single Six some five years later.
I found the accuracy with .22lr to be no worse than the 617 & for a small game hunting firearm there is no need to rapidly reload. It's squirrels and rabbits you are looking at, not human waves in Mogadishu.
I also found the slow load and reload cycle to be quite calming at the range, There was no ability to shoot rapidly, so every shot was made to count. The single six pointed well in my hands which is always a plus. Last, for small game hunting the .22 magnum cylinder will give you that extra bit of energy to ensure clean kills, something every ethical hunter should keep in mind.
Summary: Get the Single Six as your hunting handgun. If you still use a 686 as your main SD gun, then consider a four inch 617 as a complementary training firearm. It will probably pay for itself in saved ammo costs
I looked for a .22 revolver for like a year and had a hard time with it.
I really wanted a 4" 617. But all said and done, I never found one in this area in person, and whenever I saw them advertised they were so expensive. I just don't feel like I get a good value for the money with new S&Ws. I tried looking for a used Model 17 but got really fed up with the used firearms market in the middle of all this Obamamania nonsense and never saw one I could afford.
I ended up with a 9.5" Single Six when it winked at me last year. It shoots wonderfully and is the perfect compliment to my Marlin 39A. I don't miss double action functionality at all. It was my first single action but I got used to the manual of arms in my first range session. I like how just plain simple it is. I get the same feeling shooting a classic .22 single shot on a nice day.
People haven't said much about how versatile the Single Six is. Don't forget they come with the option of .22 Mag. I shoot my SS more with the .22 Mag cylinder and it's a lot of fun and quite accurate. You also get the option of stainless or blued finishes. On the blued models I see that Ruger offers fixed sight versions which could be good for packing, etc.
I'd also look at a Bearcat for your purpose.
I really wanted a 4" 617. But all said and done, I never found one in this area in person, and whenever I saw them advertised they were so expensive. I just don't feel like I get a good value for the money with new S&Ws. I tried looking for a used Model 17 but got really fed up with the used firearms market in the middle of all this Obamamania nonsense and never saw one I could afford.
I ended up with a 9.5" Single Six when it winked at me last year. It shoots wonderfully and is the perfect compliment to my Marlin 39A. I don't miss double action functionality at all. It was my first single action but I got used to the manual of arms in my first range session. I like how just plain simple it is. I get the same feeling shooting a classic .22 single shot on a nice day.
People haven't said much about how versatile the Single Six is. Don't forget they come with the option of .22 Mag. I shoot my SS more with the .22 Mag cylinder and it's a lot of fun and quite accurate. You also get the option of stainless or blued finishes. On the blued models I see that Ruger offers fixed sight versions which could be good for packing, etc.
I'd also look at a Bearcat for your purpose.
RSVP2RIP
Member
S&W 317, 2" barrel. So small and light, it's hard to "forget" it at home. Keep it loaded with CCI Velocitors and you're GTG.
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