"According to Ruger's site, the .22 only came in 4.2" barrel length..."
Bzzzzt! Thank you for playing. The SP101 may now only come with a 4.2" barrel, but I have a 2" .22 SP101 I bought years ago in my safe. I think it's really 2.25", but close enough.
I know they are discontinued but I would see at least one at the 1500 every time I went. Did everyone decide to hold onto them hoping the value would go up?
I recently looked up a new SP 101 22lr and it was pretty expensive. I like Ruger revolvers, but when I can almost buy two M&P 22's for the same money I pass.