Smith vs. Ruger day at the range

[ECVMatt]

I ran up to my range today to sight in a .22 LR rifle and also decided to bring a pair of .357's and 22 LR revolvers to shoot as well. I had high hopes to shoot at paper and be able to actually measure the group size, but the desert is a windy place and today was no exception. I tried to use my paper target stands, but they kept blowing over. Luckily I brought my steel gong and had some paint there to freshen up the gong for each round.

I brought my 5" 27-2 to shoot against my 6" GP100 and my 6" K22 to shoot against my 5" GP100.



I started with the .22's at 25 yards and shot 10 rounds of single action, supported and then an additional 10 rounds of double action, supported for 20 rounds total. I used 10 rounds because I started with the Ruger and then realized the Smith needed a few more rounds to catch up.

For this match up, the K22 won. It has a very smooth action and the sights were easier to be precise with. The Ruger has a better double action, but the fiber optic front sight is harder for me to define a repeatable aiming point.





I think if I was going to put on my favorite pair of boots, grab a canteen, and walk the dry washes for cottontails, the K22 would be my first choice. If I am going to hop on my TW200 or ATV and headout into the mountains or deserts for no particular reason, then I would probably grab the GP100.

Next up were the .357's. I fired the same course at the same distance using 6 rounds per stage or 12 total. In this match-up the Ruger won. I have to admit that I have had this Ruger for a long time and know it well.





I would probably use these revolvers in similar fashion to the .22's. I would be nicer to the Smith and use the Ruger for rougher endeavours. They are both great shooters though!

The day ended in a tie: One for Smith and One for Ruger.

I had a great day and really enjoyed relaxing and getting in some good time with some of my favorite revolvers.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Im pleasently surprised by the .22 GP100, even though it lost out to the K22- Id heard too many horror stories of poor chamber boring on these in the past. Hopefully, Ruger has fixed the issue, because I SO WANT ONE!

I still dont expect it to beat my M17 (which is a laser), but its got to be better than my last rimfire SP101 which was, well......bad, to be honest.

Also a little surprised with the big GP- my experience with centerfire DA Rugers is that they are just not typically as accurate as my Smiths. Or Colts. Or Dan Wessons, lol.

Nice match up and great pics.

 

[Targa]

Now that is an outstanding range day!!!

 

[Riomouse911]

Nice day, ECVMatt! Other than the ever present breeze pulling down your paper, it looks like you got in a fair comparison between the two.

I agree with the Model-17 statement as a perfect walking-around rabbit gun. My Model 17 has been the best (read only!) rimfire DA revolver worth its salt in my safe... so far. For an afternoon of walking, plinking and small-critter hunting, I couldn’t think of a better companion.

Stay safe.

 

[ontarget]

Sounds like a great day to me. I have been wanting to shoot more lately but can't seem to find time. Which double sucks because my range is in my back yard. I have to look at the steel targets hanging there silently in my shooting lane every time I walk past the slider. Looks like a sad ghost town.

 

[AzShooter1]

Wonderful day shooting. Yes the wind can be a b****. I've even had days where are steel targets were getting blown down when shooting at the range just North of Phoenix.

You did well. I agree I take my Smiths over my Rugers but love shooting both.

 

[jeff-10]

I can easily see a K22 beating a GP100 accuracy and shoot ability wise. Still greatly prefer Rugers over Smiths in center fires.

 

[Pat Riot]

Looks like it was a fun day. I am a bit jealous. I am looking forward to getting my left arm out of this brace so I can do some things.

Glad you were able to deal with the wind and still enjoy your day. Years ago I used to go to the desert quite often with friends to get away from things and do some camping and shooting. Wind was one of those things that just became something to contend with. You just have to make do and enjoy yourself.

I only have two .22 LR revolvers. An S&W model 17-3 and a model 63. My 17 has a 6” barrel so it’s definitely a lot more accurate than the 63 but I enjoy both of them.

 

[PapaG]

Last year on my "Late brother birthday memorial" shoot, his Super Black Hawk easily beat my 29-2 at 100 yards. Even gone 12 years he still beats me.

 

[ECVMatt]

Last year on my "Late brother birthday memorial" shoot, his Super Black Hawk easily beat my 29-2 at 100 yards. Even gone 12 years he still beats me.

That is a great way to remember your brother! I still get great enjoyment out of shooting my dad's guns or guns we enjoyed shooting together. Our favorites were our Ruger Redhawk, a Winchester M1 Carbine, and his 1927A1 "Tommy" gun.

 

[bannockburn]

ECVMatt

Great day at the range! That's the kind of competition where no matter how you look at it, you win!

 

[PapaG]

Back when he was alive we would get together once a year and go to either his or my club, we lived 450 miles apart, and shoot all afternoon. 22 rifles, varmint rifles, deer rifles, big bore rifles and 357 and 44 mag handguns. Two targets with each gun, one for group, one for score. Then, back at the house, we'd get out the calipers, beer and stacks of quarters and measure, argue and laugh for hours. When I was going through his file cabinet after he passed I found a stack of those old targets with notations on them like "kicked his butt on this one", "edged me", and others. Hard to keep the eyes from leaking. I repeat it by myself every year about on his 4/22 birthday with a couple of his and my guns. The good stuff went to his kids but i have the Marlin 44 and 444 and his Super Black Hawk.

 

[Broccolis]

Great weather, Cool revolver and definitely a splendid time at the range.

 

[2zulu1]

Always great to breathe pristine Arizona air at the range. We've also had windy, very dusty, red flag days, single digit humidity...and I noticed parts of Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska had winter storm warnings...we get wind and they get snow, works for me. Just received another red flag notification, more wind and <10% humidity.

I also have a 27-2 5" (1973) that is extremely accurate with AA #9 and Remington 140gr SJHPs...some factory ammo reminds me of #4 buckshot patterns. Anyway, one way to beat the wind is to place clays against a short berm. A friend and I shoot clays at 100 paces and on a windy afternoon, my 27-2 and his S&W 60 snub (38 Special hand cast loads) were getting hits on the clays standing, both of us were shooting handloads and we changed guns...even with cataracts, it was a good day. I also have a Colt Trooper MKiii 6" that's also extremely accurate, the only Ruger 357mag I have is a 7.5" Blackhawk (bought new 1968) that doesn't get enough range time.

There was a GP100 (actually 2 with consecutive numbers) that was NIB, I wanted it, but it didn't happen.

 

[sigwally]

Well done Sir! You have great taste in DA revolvers.

 

[Walkalong]

Now that's a great range trip!

I'm ashamed to admit I have zero .22 LR revolvers. Dang shame really.