Posted on 11/29/2008 4:13:03 PM PST by javachip
A Ruger 22/45 Mk III Target model followed me home from the gunshow last weekend and with all the posts about firearms lately, I thought a range report was in order.
The pistol is a .22 with a 5.5 inch barrel. The receiver is polymer with the grip angle, slide release, magazine release and safety located similar to a 1911. Ruger uses much of the same internals as their standard .22 pistol. They get around the different grip angle by running the magazine at a fore and aft angle across the grip. It feels a little strange the first few times seating the mag since it doesn’t slide in parallel to the grip.
I tried three types of ammo. Federal value pack from Walmart, PMC Scoremaster (no longer produced), and Wolf Match Target. I fired about 30 rounds of the Federal just to get familiar with the pistol and then fired three, five shot groups with each ammo from a rest at 25 yards to sight it in. The Federal had a number of stovepipe jams (empty case didn’t fully eject). No function issues with the PMC or Wolf.
With the Federal, two of the groups were incomplete because one round was off the paper. The one complete five-shot group measured 4.6” center-to-center. I doubt the other two would have been any smaller if I’d have been able to include the off target rounds.
The PMC groups measured 3.3”, 4.2” and 0.9” center-to-center.
The Wolf groups measured 3.1”, 2.1” and 3.8” center-to-center.
Shooting was indoors at the NRA Range.
Those relative results are consistent with my Ruger MkIII Hunter, Federal value pack ok, much better accuracy with the Wolf MT and Scoremaster, but the Hunter hasn’t had problems with stovepipes. That may go away with some break in time.
I’m out of practice and the aging eyes have trouble keeping the front sight focused, so no doubt with some more practice or a better marksman, those groups could tighten up a bit. I was firing from a support, resting my wrist on a piece of foam on top of the pistol box.
I don’t have a gauge, but would guess the trigger pull at 5-7 pounds. The trigger isn’t bad, but serious target shooters or competitors would want some work done. This one has a much heavier pull than the Hunter.
Ruger engineers are apparently entering a contest for most difficult pistol on the planet to field strip – put the magazine in, dry fire, take the magazine out, pull the bolt pin assy, put the magazine back in, pull the bolt, take the magazine back out, separate the barrel assy and frame…. It took several blows with a mallet to get the barrel assembly off. Tight fits are good, but this was ridiculous. Managed to draw blood from fingers on both hands getting it field stripped and back together.
All and all, I’m happy with the pistol. I’m considering joining a bullseye shooting league and would use the Hunter for that, but this one would be a decent backup.
The Ruger MkII series of pistols has always been a pain to field strip. There are a couple of techniques to make it easier putting it back together, but on the whole, it isn’t a pleasant piece to clean.
When you’re out and about looking at used guns, try to find a S&W Model 41. They’re pud-easy to clean; pull down on the trigger guard, tip off the barrel and clean. Put barrel back on frame/receiver, flip up the trigger guard, you’re done.
Rather more spendy than the MkII, but oh so very much more accurate as well. And the trigger is adjustable down to ounces, not pounds.
Yes, others what to know, please.
what=want,,,
Where else can you find a high-power long-range rifle for $80? You can reach out a touch somebody over in the next county!
The Mosins have become quite popular for both shooters and collectors. There are even websites dedicated just to Mosin-Nagants. A couple of my favorites for reference:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/mosincarbine/index.asp
The M91/30 is the rifle that is featured in the movie “Enemy at the Gate”. You can own and shoot a piece of history for under a hundred bucks! Plus, ammo for it is plentiful and cheap (mine will eat every variety of mil surp or US made).
Ya can't go wrong.
Thanks. I’ll probably go pick one up this week and then get a couple more if I like it.
Wolf .22LR ammunition continues to surprise. Nice pistol.
You can find tons of info on the links in my post 24.
I highly recommend them.
Jeeesh... Lately, I get carried away when the subject comes to guns (we've added three more to the family in just the last two weeks).
I think Obama will have a harder time with his gun-grabbing agenda than he thinks, gun sales have been surging the past month across the country and I have a feeling that a lot of congressmen are starting to figure out that it could be a career-killer for them.
I think before I spent $700 or so on another Kimber 1911 and another $300 on a rimfire conversion I would probably by a High Standard target pistol for the same amount of money.
http://www.highstandard.com/index.html
Thanks for the info... I can't remember the last time that I was able to clearly see my front sight... It's difficult enough for me to hit the center of a piece of paper 50 feet away, between poor breath control, hand tremor, and jerking the trigger. At least it would be nice to know that my aim is OK...
My dad has one of those and it is indeed one sweet gun. I hope to get one for my fiance in the comint year.
In all fairness, disassembly and cleaning isn't all that bad, it's the reassembly that SUCKS until you get the hang of it.
These sites have far better instructions than you get from Ruger:
Have you tried either of them, looks like just what I need !
Thanks for the info.
I was talking about for a .22 cal target pistol.
I’m encouraging my wife to buy more jewelry so I can guilt her into letting me get an Ed Brown or Wilson Combat 1911.
Thanks for those links!
The worst part was needing to tap the bolt stop out and using a mallet to get the barrel assy off the frame. According to the manual, those should get better with time.
I always put a rag over the barrel before I hit it, one good whack is usually enough.
I bought a Volquartsen accurizing kit for my 22/45 (target trigger, hammer, etc.) that came in the mail yesterday, tomorrow I’m going to see if I can put it in without driving myself insane.
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