ammo dave
Single-Sixer
I have several Rugers(Blackhawks, LCP, 10/22, etc.) but no target pistols. I'm thinking I want a 5" bull barrel blue target model with a steel frame. What Mk nos should I be looking for? Price range?
Considering buying a Mk? target pistol
- Thread starter ammo dave
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Depending on your other guns, you may want to get a 22/45 version. Basically the same gun, but with the grip angle from a 1911 instead of a Nambu or Luger.
The MKII and MKIII versions of the 22/45 are decent they have plastic frames and somewhat goofy controls. They can be had cheap now. Like $225
The MKIV 22/45 also have plastic frames, the controls that more closely mimic a 1911 and changeable grips.
I have the MKIV 22/45 Lite my son has the heavy version. They are awesome.
My son’s gun. I think you would love it.
https://ruger.com/products/markIV2245/specSheets/40107.html
The MKII and MKIII versions of the 22/45 are decent they have plastic frames and somewhat goofy controls. They can be had cheap now. Like $225
The MKIV 22/45 also have plastic frames, the controls that more closely mimic a 1911 and changeable grips.
I have the MKIV 22/45 Lite my son has the heavy version. They are awesome.
My son’s gun. I think you would love it.
https://ruger.com/products/markIV2245/specSheets/40107.html
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My current target 22s are a S&W model 41, S&W model 17 and an old Colt Huntsman. This will be strictly a range toy. I've got about a dozen centerfire semis but in my old age the recoil has become a problem. Steel frame is a must, does that eliminate all the MkII and III versions?
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don't think that is correct , the blued frames as far as I know are metal of some kind and of course the stainless are stainless steel and the controls are pretty straight forward thumb safety and slide release and mag release on the bottom of the grip
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I was referring specifically to the MKII 22/45 versions. Not the standard MKII’s They are polymer of some type I’ve never seen a stainless frame on a MKII or MKIII 22/45
The controls are somewhat goofy compared to the very 1911 like controls on a MKIV 22/45.
The controls are somewhat goofy compared to the very 1911 like controls on a MKIV 22/45.
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gunman42782
Hunter
Ruger could have stopped with the MK2 and I would have been completely happy.
If buying new, definitely buy the Mark IV and and add a Volquartsen accurizing kit.
contender
Ruger Guru
The MK II or the MK IV would be the best options. The MKIII didn’t last as long because many people didn’t like the changes from the MK II.
agree with the above, stay away from the Mk III, way too complicated ( all "lawyered up",reason they came out with the MK IV)............the MK II was and is my favorite but hear good things about the newer MK IV's..........used to be some public ranges had a chance for you to "try" various models.....:unsure: or borrow one??:cool:
Heck if you lived closer ( and was a 'resident" here) we just picked up a really nice favorite of the wife ,a Mark I target, yes they too are really nice , good and been around for a while now, BUT that being said they only hold 9 rounds and do NOT stay open on the last shot, ergo, the Mark II...ta daa (y)
Heck if you lived closer ( and was a 'resident" here) we just picked up a really nice favorite of the wife ,a Mark I target, yes they too are really nice , good and been around for a while now, BUT that being said they only hold 9 rounds and do NOT stay open on the last shot, ergo, the Mark II...ta daa (y)
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Go with a MK II if you can find one. I have two MK IIIs (6+" Target & a 22/45) that I changed the inards to turn them back into MK IIs. Only my biased opinion of course. Your $$, your choice.
The 22/45 MK IV grip frame is polymer as per the Ruger web site. Had a MKIII 22/45 sold it fund an SP 101 in .22lr when they came out. Really didn't have any issues disassembling, cleaning, putting it back together. Just followed the directions. Eventually came back around to a MK IV. Went with the blued 5.5 inch barreled Hunter model. I like it fine! Picked up a 3.5 inch barrel for a suppressor host for when I get around to buying one. Lots of good options with the MK series.
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I edited my post to reflect that. Thanks.
Yaworski
Hawkeye
My 22/45 of the Mk II variety has a plastic frame.
Yaworski
Hawkeye
I shot bullseye for years with a Mk II bull barrel and then a slab sided model. I have no experience with the Mk III or IV.
Most of the Ruger Mark series of pistols shoot very well ...the MK I, II , III or IV. I have a couple of MK II's as well as a MK III that I installed Volquartsen triggers and/or sears in for less than $75.00 and the trigger pulls are very nice. Noticeably nicer on the MK II's than the MK III .
With a temporary red dot and from a sand bag rest my MK II Competition Target placed SK Standard Plus between 1/2 " and 3/4 " of an inch at 25 yards. CCI Standard Velocity at just slightly over an inch.
The S&W Model 41 is certainly more refined than the Rugers but they generally will not shoot any better .
With a temporary red dot and from a sand bag rest my MK II Competition Target placed SK Standard Plus between 1/2 " and 3/4 " of an inch at 25 yards. CCI Standard Velocity at just slightly over an inch.
The S&W Model 41 is certainly more refined than the Rugers but they generally will not shoot any better .
My 22/45 Mk2 beater looked like the one pictured once upon a time. Sights are gone and replaced with a dot optic. Grips have some 'custom stipling' applied by a previous owner's dog. Ten years of packing on the trapline have added some dings. It doesn't look 'purty' anymore but that doesn't affect the function or accuracy. I used to empty the chamber each evening by firing the chambered round at an 8" plate @100 meters using a fence post rest. The hits outnumbered the misses.
There are upgrades that make the 22/45 series better/easier to shoot. If you want a pistol that will hold up to use/abuse and keep chugging along a Series 2 is great. If you're one who just has to clean after every use, go with the series 4 with its 'pop the top' feature (especially if you're not mechanically inclined).
There are upgrades that make the 22/45 series better/easier to shoot. If you want a pistol that will hold up to use/abuse and keep chugging along a Series 2 is great. If you're one who just has to clean after every use, go with the series 4 with its 'pop the top' feature (especially if you're not mechanically inclined).
Yaworski
Hawkeye
I should expand on my earlier comments.
I wrote an review of the slab sided one, I think that they called it "Government Competition Model." If I did my part, it would shoot X-ring sized groups with just about any ammo. When I was competing with the Ruger, I was right on the Expert/Master border. I had a set of Randall Fung grips for it and a nice Aimpoint sight. I was thinking of doing the trigger but opted for a Russian target pistol which allowed me to claw my way into Master classification.
I had three Mk IIs but gave one to my daughter. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to anyone.
I wrote an review of the slab sided one, I think that they called it "Government Competition Model." If I did my part, it would shoot X-ring sized groups with just about any ammo. When I was competing with the Ruger, I was right on the Expert/Master border. I had a set of Randall Fung grips for it and a nice Aimpoint sight. I was thinking of doing the trigger but opted for a Russian target pistol which allowed me to claw my way into Master classification.
I had three Mk IIs but gave one to my daughter. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to anyone.
BuckRimfire
Single-Sixer
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I could be wrong, but I thought all MkIIs and MkIIIs were welded steel frames. Reading other comments belatedly, it seems I'm wrong about .22/45s.
I have three MkIIs. I've had the 10" silhouette model the longest. It's a bit heavy for offhand shooting unless you are an Ahnald. More of a carbine that lost its stock than a pistol! OTOH, the 10" barrel gets all the velocity you could ask for out of HV .22 rounds. Unlike the shorter barrels, I can hear the supersonic snap reflecting off the berm. It would be a great small game gun if you mastered the weight of it.
Got the 5-1/2" next and the 6-7/8" tapered barrel most recently. I think the 6-7/8 tapered is the best looking MkII, but I believe I shot the 5-1/2" better even before I put the red-dot on it. You're choice of the 5-1/2" is a good one, IMHO. That feels like the sweet spot to me. I can shoot all of these better than my 6" S&W K22, bought new by my dad circa 1955.
If you can find a "good" price on a MkII, get it. (I'm not going to comment on prices because I don't know.) They are not THAT hard to put together, as long as YouTube has gun content on it to show you the tricks. If I can do it, almost anyone can. I'm out of practice, but the other day I wanted to look at the firing pin in one of mine, and it took me "only" 15 minutes to get the firing pin out and then put it all back together, without looking at any videos to remind me. With practice, I could do it under ten minutes, but maybe not under five.
While not a perfect target gun, your Model 41 may doubt your fidelity if you get one. This young guy puts up some pretty nice groups with a box-stock MkIV:
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The blued Mark 1, 2, and 3 (and Standards) have steel frames. The blued Mark IVs and Standards use an Aluminum alloy frame. As previously noted the Stainless steel models use stainless steel for the frames. All 22/45s have poly frames.
Yup I think I forgot all about the 22/45s have poly frames when i made the earlier comment, all mine have been Mark I or II blued or stainless
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The MKIII’s at the current give away prices are a bargain, I hesitated to recommend them because I don’t want anyone to over pay for one.
I've never even looked at a Mark III , I've got 2 Mark IV uppers that i purchased off the net , the lowers had been used for customs uppers for what seemed like a steal at the time
Just bought a MK IV target,I have mkiii also,I am a little disappointed in the mkIV at 7 yards it looks like a shotgun pattern maybe 6inch spread ive used SK,Federal Gold,Aguila,CCI,Remington I’ve tried everything it just doesn’t shoot worth a dang.Now same ammo my S&W Victory shoots a single ragged hole.Any suggestions
Mine shot out a quarter sized hole at 15 yards, completely stock.
I prefer the tapered barrel, myself.
ChubbyD asked: "Any suggestions"
YES, send it to me for evaluation. After an unspecified length of time, I'll let you know the final outcome. ;) o_O:giggle:
Seriously, I'd take a close look at the muzzle crown first.
YES, send it to me for evaluation. After an unspecified length of time, I'll let you know the final outcome. ;) o_O:giggle:
Seriously, I'd take a close look at the muzzle crown first.
