Pretty Gun Of The Month
This is a wannabe monthly serial which will be updated in this running article format.
I love pretty guns. Some people swear by the ugly ones, but since I'm not a combat professional, I don't have to own any. This serial article will feature guns I like - guns that touch the same nerve that is tickled by any beautiful confluence of form, function, and style in engineering.
Enjoy.
Feedback to bb -@- thaumaturgy.net will be read and posted
at the next installment if appropriate.
Jan 6, 2007
mmmm.... .22 sp101 Well, the poster's info said he's in Illinois, so it wasn't me, but for the timing it might as well have been. I wouldn't put it down either!
I just picked up a 4" .22 SP101 a couple weeks ago. It has the rosewood grip inserts instead of the plastic.
Lock-up was SO nice, I knew I'd never see one as tight again. It was $420, but since the store is moving, I got 10% off. That plus a little leftover credit made it an easy decision. I've been lusting after the 3" .357 for months, but that model will wait for me since it's still in production. In fact, googling for the same model for sale only turns one single listing, which is the very gun I purchased. I know I'll love this one, and it will tell me how badly I "need" the centerfire version.
After shooting it for the first time yesterday (cleaned it first), I came to the conclusion That this think had probably been shot no more than once or twice, and then left to sit. After the range visit I scraped out the chambers which looked slightly pitted, with a stainless coil "brush", and that cleared up what I couldn't get out with solvent before.
The action was kind of rough, as is apparently typical, but after about 75 rounds and probably 150 dry-fires with snap caps, it's starting to smooth out. That's what made me thing this gun is practically new. The edges of the front face of the trigger are kind of sharp. After cleaning I wrapped some 400-grit sandpaper around an x-acto handle and softened them up a bit.
The thing SHOOTS. It's a great platform for the CCI Stingers, and my best group of the day was 5 shots in 1.75 inches one-handed unsupported (bullseye-style) at 25 yards with that ammo. I nearly fell over in shock, and needless to say the rest of my targets were not nearly so impressive. I had one FTI with Eley/Remington Target. After rotating the shell in the chamber, it went off on the second strike. The primer strikes seem light to me, but they will probably deepen slightly as the action smooths out.
The sight picture is *excellent*, and the elevation is perfectly regulated, so there's no need to swap in a front sight of different height. A fully adjustable rear would be welcome, but is apparently unnecessary.
The grip is comfortable, but compact - perfect for a magnum carry snubbie, which its big brothers are. With the compact grip, the trigger reach is short. It's *perfect* for a typical double-action distal joint pull, but a little weird for single-action shooting. I end up using the distal joint in that mode as well, since the compact grip makes using the finger pad awkward. However, since a 4" .22 will never need to fill a CCW role, I'm thinking about putting on a larger, pretty wooden grip. Hogue? Badger?
If it's not clear already, I'm delighted with this little gem. My only disappointment is that it doesn't come with a .22WMR cylinder like the single-sixes. OTOH, the bore is nice and tight for .22LR. If you find one in good condition, BUY IT.
This picture makes it look bigger than it is. Lens distortions on the broadside shots make the proportions look much goofier than in real life.
Man, I love me some .22's.
April, 2006
The Cooper
Light Varmint/Target Ah, .22 rimfire bliss.
I do believe that other than an high-end Anschutz target rifle,
this has got to to be one of my favorite .22's in LR or WMR. I
could leave all the cute autoloaders, pumps, and levers behind for
one of these. Ok, the Cooper Custom Classic would do just fine too.
I've swooned over these rifles for months, but just two weeks ago
spotted one in a nearby gun shop. I didn't even ask to handle the
thing - it would have been too painful to put down.
March, 2006
Ruger New Model Blackhawk Flattop .357
To balance out this month's Ugly Gun, here's another Ruger so nobody think's I'm biased. This fantastic sixgun is beautiful from every angle. It's got strength, proportion (unlike the big-framed .357 blackhawks), history, and modern action features. What's not to like? Oh yeah, it was only made last year. Well, the price was close enough to right. I'll post a pic of one of these babies with some wooden grips. It's an eye-popper.
Sure, some people will pine for the original 3-screw model, or can't abide the transfer bar. Others will say "who needs a reverse indexing pawl?" Blah, blah blah. So I'm a Johnny-come-lately to the handgun scene, but let me tell you this: I LIKE the modern features in the classic form. I think it's a perfect blend. Can't stand the hammer-locking mechanism? What's your problem? It's elegent and hidden. I think it's a GREAT addition. Don't use it if you don't want to. Sure, there's a little more complexity in what ought to be the simplest of repeaters, but this is a 21st century action pistol that hasn't forgotten its roots. Ruger, thank you. I'm just surprised at the January '06 glut of these things on the market.
Agree? Disagree? Favorite pictures? Write to bb -@- thaumaturgy.net