Mark III Target or a Mark III 22/45

[SweetWilliam]

I've been thinking about buying a new 22 pistol & these 2 are what I have narrowed it down to. Just wanted some opinions on the Good's & Bad's of both guns.
Here's the deal
One gun shop has a Mark3 target 22/45 5.5"bbl. M#10140 I can get for $345 out the door.
I've held it & it does feel good, just like a 1911.
The other gun shop has a Mark3 target 5.5"bbl. M#10101 I can get for $400 out the door.
It's heavier but it sure does feel balanced in my hand.
I know about the frame being made of different material.
And the Mark3 target comes with a scope base(which I'll probably never use).
I thought I had my mind set on the 22/45 cause I love the feel of the 1911 but I have to say the Mark3 & the extra weight feels pretty damn good.

 

[FlyerTom]

I think it's gonna be a matter of what feels good to you, William. I personally preferred the grip angle of the MkIII over the 22/45, but that's just me. Bill Ruger patterned the original gun after Luger's P08, which he considered the finest grip in the business.

 

[SweetWilliam]

I've always loved the feel of a 1911 but that mark 3 sure did feel good real good.
I'm definitely leaning towards the mark 3. It seemed perfectly balanced in my hand.
I've been reading about trigger jobs & I haven't even got it yet.

 

[GasGuzzler]

They're both MKIII's as the OP stated.

If you like the 22/45 angle get it. $345 is pretty good....if it's an RP model. If not, seems high. Then again, everything is high now. Nine months ago a 5.5" 22/45 with no wood was way less than $300 OTD and an RP was just below $345.

Don't let price alone deter you if you find what you like since stuff is hard to find in exact preference.

 

[9x19]

Personal choice, but I like the 22/45 grip angle/feel much better than the Mk III and since most of mine are field guns, the lighter weight frame is also a bonus.

 

[CajunBass]

I'm no help at all. I've owned both and can't say I like one over the other at all. They're just different. They shoot about the same. I had the 22/45 first, liked it, but sold/traded it for something else. A couple of years later I wanted another one, but found a MK III instead. No real difference to me.

Don't be so quick to poo-poo that scope mount. I didn't think I'd use it either. Then one day I picked up a cheap red-dot sight for grins and giggles. I loved it. Great addition to either gun.

 

[FlyerTom]

IDon't be so quick to poo-poo that scope mount. I didn't think I'd use it either. Then one day I picked up a cheap red-dot sight for grins and giggles. I loved it. Great addition to either gun.

Heh! Makes hitting your target every time almost boring, doesn't it?
Almost.
Popping golf balls at 50 yards is a real yawner. :mrgreen:

 

[Fox Mike]

I have one of each. A MK III Target 6 1/2 bbl and a MK III Target 22/45 RP. I could not pick one over the other for accuracy. The 22/45 feels a bit more 'balanced' but both go 'bang' when you pull the trigger and hit what I point them at. It is entirely what feels good for YOU.

 

[Sax.45]

well, I'm not going to be much help either. :lol: . I have every series made and like them all. It's really a personal choice. I like the heft of the steel frame guns but thats just me. I have red dot scopes on all of mine. ( I wish they would quit putting fuzzy sights on my guns ) :lol: you can't go wrong with any one of them. Whatever one feels right to you, Buy it...

 

[pwberndt]

I bought the 22/45 because the price was right, either would have been fine. The only negative I can think of is that they are both difficult to strip and reassemble. Because of this, I don't clean mine after every use and it keeps on keeping on. Another thing I've not seen mentioned is that it has never missed a beat, even on old ammo it just shoots. Some of the other brands are particular about the ammo.

If you buy a new one, make sure to clean it real good before shooting, including the magazines. Ruger uses some kind of oil/grease to protect their weapons, you'll see it when you clean it.

 

[SweetWilliam]

Pulled the trigger today, problem is it definitely needs some trigger work.
Lots of creap & a little on the heavy side.

 

[GasGuzzler]

These are norious for crappy triggers but it takes less than $100 to fix it the right way.

 

[SweetWilliam]

This gun is a pain to disassemble & reassemble!
How long does it usually take to loosen up so it comes apart like in all the videos I've been watching?

 

[FlyerTom]

This gun is a pain to disassemble & reassemble!
How long does it usually take to loosen up so it comes apart like in all the videos I've been watching?

I've had mine going on three years, with, oh, 15 tear-downs, and I still need a hammer to knock the barrel on and off. I did purchase a Speed Strip conversion from Majestic Arms that eliminates pulling the main spring housing out - the biggest problem. An added benefit of the kit was the inclusion of a MkII hammer bushing that does away with the magazine disconnect, and lightens the trigger pull.
You should consider purchasing one.

 

[hogan]

Pulled the trigger today, problem is it definitely needs some trigger work.
Lots of creap & a little on the heavy side.

One word,,, Vollllquarttttsenn

 

[SweetWilliam]

In the works

 

[Bob R]

I have a 4" MK III Hunter I use mainly for Action Pistol Matches.
I have the Take Down kit in mine also. With the kit, you just remove an Allen Screw from the top where the pin did go, and pull the bolt out. A little pricey, buy way handy. I bought the first one for me. Then I got my brother and oldest son one for Christmas.

Well my gun is about as remodeled as one can get. I have Hogue Rubber Grips. It came with the Fiber Optic Front Sight. It has about all the trigger improvement parts. The Magazine Disconnect has been taken out of play. It has a Magazine Ejector added. I put in the extended Slide Release, and ended up taking it back out.

I sent off a letter to Volquartsen probably a couple years back explaining that they needed to get an Extended Safety out for us Action Match shooters. Got back one of those We Will Put it on the List to look at responses. They must have gotten around to it. I was looking in the Midway Catalog or Web Site and stumbled into it. I have it setting on the desk.

Did I mention they make all kinds of after market parts for your MK III??

Our Club has a 2 Gun Match with a Rimfire Division. This is where I shoot up my 22 ammo through the MK III, and 22 Carbine.

Bob