Ruger SP101 22 LR Revolver, 4.2″ Stainless Barrel, 8-Round Cylinder

Description

There's something about a .22 revolver that never goes out of style, and the Ruger SP101 in .22 LR is one of the best-built examples you'll find. Ruger took the same small frame that handles .357 Magnum, chambered it for rimfire, and gave it an 8-round cylinder. The result is a wheelgun that's massively overbuilt for the cartridge it fires, which is exactly what you want in a gun that's going to see thousands of rounds of range time. At around 30 ounces, it soaks up what little recoil the .22 produces and sits steady in the hand for slow, deliberate shooting.

Sights and Handling on the SP101 Rimfire

The 4.2-inch barrel wears a green fiber optic front sight paired with an adjustable rear, so you can dial in your point of impact for whatever ammo your gun likes best. That's a big deal with rimfire, since every .22 has its preferences. The cushioned rubber grip with engraved wood insert keeps all the metal off your palm, and the grip frame accepts a wide range of aftermarket grips if you want to change things up down the road.

Built Like Every SP101

This is a solid stainless steel gun through and through, with no side plates to weaken the frame. Ruger's triple-locking cylinder secures at the front, rear, and bottom for consistent alignment, and the transfer bar mechanism means the gun won't fire unless the trigger is pulled all the way through. The satin stainless finish shrugs off weather and neglect, which makes this a natural companion for the tackle box, the backpack, or the truck.

Why a .22 LR SP101 Makes Sense

Beyond pure fun, this revolver earns its keep as a trainer. It mirrors the feel and manual of arms of Ruger's centerfire SP101s, so you can build trigger control and sight discipline for pennies per round. It's also simple enough to hand a first-time shooter without a lengthy tutorial, accurate enough for small game and pest duty, and durable enough to pass down. Wheelguns like this one tend to stay in the family.