Ruger .22 Recommendations

Knuckle Dragger

Knuckle Dragger

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I want to purchase an inexpensive used .22, mostly for use as an instructional pistol. One of the Ruger Mk I-III pistols seem to be the obvious choice. I'd be interested in members' recommendations or comments on the differences between the MKI, MKII, and MK III.
 
No experience with the MKI, but I own a MKIII and have shot the MKII on numerous occasions. The main differences I know of is that the MKIII has the lame new MA compliance features like a magazine disconnect and loaded chamber indicator. This (the magazine disconnect) makes disassembly a little more complicated because you need to pull the trigger in the disassembly process, and therefore you end up repeatedly inserting and removing the magazine. I love my MKIII though, its way more accurate than I am.
 
I sold my MkIII a while back and have regretted it ever since, but I'm torn between replacing it with another MkIII or a MkII.

Ninsho is right about the new features making it more difficult to reassemble the gun. Don't get me wrong, it's not impossible, you just need to read the instructions carefully every time you reassemble (as opposed to putting together, say, a 1911, which anyone can do with their eyes closed).

On the other hand, the MkIII has a normal mag release (button by your thumb like any traditional western semi-auto). The MkII's release is on the mag well at the base of the grip. I don't like this for two reasons: one, I think it's hokey and goes against my natural instincts. But two, I've noticed that shooters (especially beginners) can loose muzzle discipline very easily when fumbling for the mag release. So for those two reasons, I'm leaning towards a MkIII.

Also, you can buy a MkIII new, if you're concerned about dealing with problems from a used gun.
 
TonyDedo said:
On the other hand, the MkIII has a normal mag release (button by your thumb like any traditional western semi-auto). The MkII's release is on the mag well at the base of the grip. I don't like this for two reasons: one, I think it's hokey and goes against my natural instincts. But two, I've noticed that shooters (especially beginners) can loose muzzle discipline very easily when fumbling for the mag release. So for those two reasons, I'm leaning towards a MkIII.
Click to expand...

I always thought the mag release and grip angle difference was purely the difference from the normal model and the 22/45 version (which is what I have). They make MkII's 22/45 with a normal release, and I figured it was the same idea with the MkIII vs MkIII 22/45.
 
I own 4 Ruger .22's. Love all of them.

2 are the 5 1/2 inch bull Mk. III's and another is the taper barrel 22/45.

The last one is the Single 6.

I use the first three a great deal teaching NRA Basic Pistol and for the Boy Scouts of America for their Venture program to teach the Venture Scouts since they are permitted to use pistols.

They are excellent firearms.

I agree that disassembly and reassemby takes a little getting used to (especially the 22/45) but once you have the process learned it is not too difficult. My 12 year old does the gun cleaning demo when I teach and she can handle it with ease.

-Rick
 
I'd say go with a new MK3 unless you score a good deal on a used mk2. I much prefer the mag release in the usual thumb button location. As far as deciding between the 22/45 and the regular mk3, make sure to handle both before deciding. I was all set to buy a 22/45 because I preferred the grip angle, until I picked up both at a store. Due to the plastic frame, the 22/45 is rather barrel heavy in balance. The regular mk3 balanced much better for me.
 
I have 2 Mk IIs the 22/45 and the Hunter model (slab sided barrel and scope mount) I'll
not buy a MK III unless I'm forced to. i believe there is a kit to change the MK IIs mag release from heel type to a button type but I can't remember where I saw it.
 
I love my MKIII. It started out stock but there are tons of aftermarket parts for it to play with.

Here it is stock, then with some custom grips and lastly with a bunch of volquartsen addons:
-VQ Target sear
-VQ extended slide release
-VQ target grips
-VQ compensator
-VQ EDM extractor

Stock:
1.jpg

Custom Grips:
3.jpg

Tricked out:
6.jpg
 
Cleaning difficulty is WAY overstated. These things are not rocket science, but they aren't like breaking down a Glock, either. If you read the directions and follow them EXACTLY, you will have no problems taking your gun apart.

That being said, I swear mine works better when its dirty. I boresnake and scrub what I can without disassembling and havent cleaned mine in over a year.
 
That's the MKIII I have, and I love the thing. I probably will someday, but I haven't made any mods to it yet. I've put a few thousand rounds through it so far. It is the only handgun that I frequently use with targets out at 25 yards... all the other handguns I have I don't usually use beyond 50 feet.

Yes, cleaning isn't fun especially at first, but there's a web site out there which explains it far better than the Ruger manual. (Its in this forum somewhere, just search for it.) Yes, you will want to buy a rubber mallet for this task.


Tiktock said:
Stock:
1.jpg
Click to expand...
 

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