22LR dilemma

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ACP

ACP

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I'm lucky to have stocked up on quality 22LR ammo lately -- don't ask me how, I just stumbled into it. I now have about 5500 rounds.

I'm set with 22LR rifles, now looking for a 22LR handgun. My goal is to mount a red dot on it and plink/shoot steel at 0-25 yards+. I COULD use iron sights but my eyes are getting old...

There are a few pretty good deals for me locally, I'm looking for you input:

1. Ruger Mark I Standard, used but like new, blued, 6" barrel, fixed sights, no box. Made in 1976 (Bicentennial model). $220.

2. S&W 617, used, with internal lock, six-shot, LNIB, with box, $620.

3. Ruger Mk III Target, Stainless, NIB, $470.

4. Ruger Mk III Competition, NIB, $530.


I'd have to buy a mount for the Ruger Mk 1 and the S&W; I already have an UltraDot for a red dot. I'm looking for your thoughts on value, accuracy, reliability and 'fun factor'.

As an aside, my daily carry guns are all S&W stainless revolvers -- J and K frames.
 
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That Mark I is a great deal, and if you're going to red dot it, no sense spending the extra money on adjustable sights, like the other pistols have...
 
Since you're going to mount a red dot, there's no need for a longer barrel.

I'm a fan of the 617; if it were a 4" 10-shot, I'd choose it. But it apparently ain't, so my vote, is for the MkIII Target, with a 5.5" barrel.
 
The shop also has a 4" 617 (with lock) but it's about $760 or so.

I like the point of not needing adjustable sights since I'm going with the Ultradot. I may also go with the new Bushnell red dot that's about $85 and getting rave reviews.

I've heard various things about the 617's -- build-up by the forcing cone is the main complaint. I know about reassembling Rugers -- I've had a Mk III before. Goodness, it's a test of will.

The Mark 1 fits my hand very well and it's only $220; the 617 would fit right in with my other S&Ws... but it's 3x the cost....
 
Wicked 1911 --

Walked into one of my local shops to pick up a Ruger Bearcat I had ordered for the son. Asked casually as I'm filling out the paperwork, "Oh I don't imagine you have any 22LR." "Why yes we just got a delivery last night." Tuna cans of federal 40 grain bulk, 325 rounds. Bought one, called the next day for more, they laughed at me, said it was all sold that day.

Called again the next week, they had just got four different kinds of 22LR -- bought 500 rounds each of Federal, CCI and American Eagle, all about $22 per brick. Went down on my lunch hour to get it.

Then I stood in line for 35 minutes at a Cabela's door buster sale (115th in line at 7:20 a.m.) to get 1,000 rounds of Blazer for about $44.

Then I went back to my favorite shop, didn't see anything on the shelf, asked when the next shipment was coming in, they said "We have some!" I said "Where?" It was behind the counter, hidden by a salesman's coat. Bought another 1,000 rounds of American Eagle.

That was all they had and ain't seen none since...
 
My vote is for the Ruger. You can get a B-Square clamp-on scope mount for it, and it'll use MKII mags. Stripping it isn't bad once you've done it once or twice. My MKI ate anything I fed it.
IIRR the scope mount is discontinued but I got mine off GB.
 
I know its not on your list but for a pistol with a red dot that's a lot of fun you could try this.

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Its a Sig 1911-22. It is a full size 1911 and a whole lot of fun. It can be a little pricey but it is extremely accurate.
 
Why

Why stop at one. You will end up with more eventually. Get the revolver but also get a Ruger. I prefer the MkII if you can find one. The slab side competition model is very nice. The reassembly on the Ruger can be difficult at first but is easily learned once you understand it. For those who don't clean often and forget the sequence there is a$20 kit that makes it easier.
The S&W is easily scoped with a no drill B-Square mount or if you prefer can be drilled and tapped for a nice solid EGW base.
 
Absolutely get the mk1. They are indestructible, and while they are difficult to reassemble, they aren't that bad once you have done it a few times. Get the drift-in scope mount and put on the sight shown on the sig1911-22 you will have an incredibly reliable shooter for somewhere between 3hundred bucks and...a grand? Depending on scope. On the other hand there are other options you aren't mentioning which make as much or more sense. Beretta Neos, browning buck mark, sig mosquito, walther p22, m&p 22, s&w 22a target...
 
MagnumJoe, I agree with you. I figured it would be 2 years for me too. But it's better than the 1800 rounds I had and was afraid to use! Plus I used to be super-picky about 22LR, only wanted std. velocity CCI 40-grain. Now I'll buy most any quality 40-gr. (even 36!) like CCI, Federal or America Eagle.

I shot all three last weekend indoors at 25 yards with my CZ 453 Varmint and there was barely 1-2 millimeters difference in group size between the three with 10-shot groups. Actually the Am Eagle was the only one with no flyers and it's the least expensive!

I'm going to guess any 22LR handgun will be more picky with ammo, though
 
A Burris Fast Fire III and Burris dovetail mount is the cleanest way to mount a red dot on a MK.

I have a Weigand mount in my junk pile. It is clunky compared to the Burris mount.
 
Yeah.... If I were you, I'd snatch that MK I up as fast as I could. Then I'd spend $250 on a used beretta Neos to mount the red dot on and you would have two guns for the same price as your other options!
 
Grab the Mk-I now, assuming no one else has already. You can always flip it later if it's not what you're looking for, but you certainly won't lose anything on it.
 
MK I. No contest. For the price make sure the feed ramp is in good condition. I've seen older ones get chipped causing horrible feed problems. I don't recall ever seeing the rifling shot out on one.
Even though assembly can be a pain, they are still better than the newer models with the magazine disconnect which adds a couple of steps.
 
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