Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite.

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  • Baldheaded

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 18, 2021
    1,277
    A.A. Co.
    Who owns/shoots one and what do you think of it? I am thinking of getting one. If I can find one. Also, what did you pay for it. Ruger website says they retail for $559. Wonder if I could find one for under $500.
     

    HokieKev

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 4, 2013
    1,153
    I will be following this thread was thinking of getting one myself, but most places I have checked recently seem to be sold out.
     

    SkiPatrolDude

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Oct 24, 2017
    3,331
    Timonium-Lutherville
    I don't have the 22/45 lite, but I have the Target model in stainless steel. It is perhaps my favorite pistol. I have no regrets getting the Target model, but the 22/45 lite has a lot of desirable features, namely a threaded barrel to add a suppressor. The Target is also crazy heavy for a 22lr, but it gives me confidence that it will last for generations.

    The stock trigger is whatever, so I threw a Volquartzen accurizing kit in it and wow, massive difference. The install was a major PITA, though. If you aren't skilled in basic firearm assembly/disassembly, I would have a gunsmith do it.

    https://volquartsen.com/products/1231-accurizing-kit-for-the-ruger-mk-iv-pistol

    As far as 22lr pistols go, I think the MkIV is a no brainer, no matter what model you choose. I doubt you will find anything firearm related on sale right now. I recall Free State up in middle river had a few when I was up there, but this was a few months ago.
     

    Occam

    Not Even ONE Indictment
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 24, 2018
    20,234
    Montgomery County
    Who owns/shoots one and what do you think of it?

    Have one, and haven't picked up my earlier gen MKIII since. The 22/45 Lite comes with a threaded barrel, and has proven to be a delightful little suppressor host. The pistol feeds with pretty much everything I've tried. It's accurate, fun and comfortable to shoot, easy to tear down/reassemble, and a perfect tool for introducing noobs to pistol shooting. Very glad I did it. Next time it's going to be one of the heavy-weight stainless target flavors, just cuz.

    Of course I bought it when the market wasn't insane. Now it's insane. There is no reason for dealers to compete on price when inventory is so scarce.

    But considering how much you'll save shooting the 22/45 over any centerfire pistol these days, paying what a dealer asks is going to made up for about 150 rounds into using it as your practice pistol.
     

    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,278
    HoCo
    Wife has a 22/45 Lite. I have hunted squirrels with it from a tree stand over my deer feeder with a 22LR suppressor.
    You can use the stock sights with it.
    I can compare it to other 22 Pistols like the Browning Buckmark which I do like better.

    I"d say I had to clean the Ruger more often than the Buckmark. My first cleaning with the buckmark was at 1200 rounds. Ruger I think I would do it after several hundred.
    The ruger for some reason REALLY makes you shove that mag in to get a click otherwise its stiff and you think its in but its not.
    My wife was a new shooter when she got this so the mag issue was not pleasant.

    Son modeled up and 3D printed custom Pink grip plates with her Initial on it. IT was a cool project for him.

    The other thing was the way the slide release is. I did a mod I recall to remove? the spring or something? I don't recall but the slide lever is not what most guns are. Look it up.
    The way the main spring is and the way you take down the Ruger, we don't shoot it often enough that when I do clean it, you better watch a video cause there is this lever thing you gotta get right when putting it back in. If you shoot it more often, maybe its not such a pain I guess.

    I did some tests shooting both the buckmark and the Rugert at 25 yards from the bench, The Ruger was slightly more accurate.

    I found that one handed or even 2 handed, I tended to work better with the heavier buckmark though. Gun's mass seems to counter my moving of the gun when pulling the trigger. That can be different for each person.

    Over all, its a good gun, But just comparing it to other guns. I also have an older C&R Ruger that is all metal and a High Standard to compare it to, 22/45 out shoots them though.

    I have not heard many people complaining about them over the years (Unlike say a Beretta Neos for example).

    We got the Ruger and Browning during 2013 and prices were up at the time. I recall back then it was like $475.

    Anyone else have the problem with the mags not seating all the way without a good shove?
     

    Atrox88

    Gold Member
    Jan 7, 2016
    1,245
    Carroll County
    I own two and enjoy them. Fun to shoot, accurate, and easy to disasemble and clean. One has the Volquartsen pistol competition kit
    and the other does not. You'll have to search and be patient to get the price you want.

    22s.jpg
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,730
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I have one and have been shooting it since the first one came out. There are a bunch of mods, like most Rugers, but you don't have to do them if you don't want to. For me, the best thing is that it is light weight. It makes a difference when you have arthritis.

    I have had several other models and still have the one I bought in 1972. One of the biggest differences besides the weight is that, if you ride the bolt on a 22/45, it will bite you. On the Mk 1, Ruger put cutouts so that your finger and thumb couldn't get pinched by the bolt. They probably did away with that feature to save money but I sure wish they didn't ever time it catches me. :lol:
     

    Baldheaded

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 18, 2021
    1,277
    A.A. Co.
    Is there a big difference in weight between the Lite and the Target? I noticed they make a Tactical also. I also wonder which one is going to be the hardest to find.
     

    alucard0822

    For great Justice
    Oct 29, 2007
    17,643
    PA
    IMO it's the best overall 22 pistol on the market today, especially if you plan to use it as a suppressor host. It's well balanced, comfortable, points well, controls are in the right place, and pretty accurate. The MK4 series are stupid easy to takedown and clean, the action is relatively quiet and mine has been completely reliable from day 1. Only a couple nitpicking downsides, the stock trigger sucks a little, mine was about 6# with some creep, but the VQ kit makes it a phenomenal 2# and eliminates the mag disconnect(the reason it takes force to seat a mag), I bought the VQ kit when I bought the pistol, shot it once on the stock trigger before installing it, IMO it's practically a requirement. The Safety can get in the way of my grip a little, but most 1911s do, and it's fine if you have a "gas pedal" grip with your thumb on top. Basically everyone shoots it well, from my 5yo to my father in his 70s, it looks cool without being tacticool. Only MK4 22/45 mags work, kinda sucks if you have older versions, and Ruger insists on placing the serial# on the barrel, not the frame, so you need an FFL to get a replacement barrel, although no idea why you would want to, the factory barrel is perfect.



    20200825_090034.jpg
     

    radnor

    Member
    Jan 31, 2010
    71
    Delaware
    I have one I ordered. Have to go pick it up.

    Wish I could put a suppressor on it (Delaware res)....
    Will get the TK mods for it.

    Looking forward to putting some rounds through it soon.
     

    bigjoegood1

    King Lurker
    MDS Supporter
    May 2, 2005
    1,710
    Behind enemy lines
    Who owns/shoots one and what do you think of it? I am thinking of getting one. If I can find one. Also, what did you pay for it. Ruger website says they retail for $559. Wonder if I could find one for under $500.
    I bought one in August for a little over $500 including shipping and LGS transfer/MSP from Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore as a dedicated host for my Silencerco Warlock II and have exactly 10 rounds through it. Two regular and 8 suppressed for comparison. It's a sweet little shooter and the can only adds 3 oz to an already very light package. Handles more like a pellet pistol to me. I have no complaints.

    Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk
     

    BUFF7MM

    ☠Buff➐㎣☠
    Mar 4, 2009
    13,576
    Garrett County
    No problems with mine, eats about anything you give it. Not sure what I paid for it but I’ve had it for awhile. I tried to sell it a few years ago but nobody seemed interested, probably because of my location.
     

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    sead0nkey

    Señor member
    Jul 25, 2008
    896
    AA
    I picked one up a year ago from GR $435.00 out the door. I added the Volquartsen Firearms Accurizing Kit and its pure joy.
     

    HankR

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 22, 2013
    3,449
    Upper Midwest
    I have a 22/45 Lite, but it's not a Mark IV. I really like mine, the only time I grab the older 22/45 is after dark as it's got a laser sight. The lite seems to fill my hand better, but that might be an illusion.

    I have one, like my SR22 better.


    I'm the opposite, I have two guns w/ backwards safeties and ought to sell both of them to limit confusion as I get on in years.
     

    DadOSix

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    May 25, 2013
    1,590
    Allegany Co.
    I’ve been looking for the 22/45 Tactical.

    Dunno why, but I like those rails!

    Prices are crazy right now compared with when i started looking.
     

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