22/45 Lite accuracy

[nw_aggie]

Picked up one of these a couple weekends ago. Have shot it some, but so far, groups are tending to be more of a shotgun pattern compared to the little tiny groups my other 22/45 with the heavy steel barrel or my other Mark pistols tend to shoot.

Has anyone else made any comparisons regarding accuracy of the Lite? Is there any impact to accuracy based on how tight that thread protector is tightened down?

 

[tuj]

I don't have a Ruger Lite, but I do have a PacLite upper pistol that I built on a VQ lower and it shoots incredibly well and tight groups.

First off, give it some time to break in. Second, what ammo are you using?

 

[nw_aggie]

Tried a few types, but haven't shot much. Maybe needs more time. My last one was a ringer straight out of the box, so was surprised here.

 

[tuj]

Ruger initial quality has slipped a bit IMHO. I would give it at least 500 rounds to settle in. I like to start with high velocity ammo for the first 500 rounds, then switch to SV after. Also make sure you give it a good cleaning after you get through those initial rounds. Also, watch for any leading on the crown of the thread protector. If that shows up, it could be that the bore diameter is too small and the rounds are nicking the protector on their way out of the barrel. I had a friend who had a compensator that had this problem.

 

[MifflinKid]

groups are tending to be more of a shotgun pattern compared to the little tiny groups my other 22/45 with the heavy steel barrel

That is my experience, too. My heavy barrel 22/45 can easily shoot 1" groups (rested) at 25 yards with CCI Standard Velocity ammunition. But the Lite can only do about 2.5" to 3" (again, bench rested) with the CCI SV ammo.

As .22 LR ammo becomes more available I will try some higher end fodder. I hope I can find something that shoots better as I really like this light little gun.

 

[nw_aggie]

Hmm...how much have you shot yours?

Less than 100 rounds here, so I recognize it's still working in, but the others have worked good right out of the box.

We'll see I suppose.

 

[LopezEL]

The problem for me was the Ruger lite was too lightweight to shoot well. Especially with the crappy, heavy, factory trigger. It was difficult for me to hold the pistol steady and squeeze the trigger without swaying all over the place. I upgraded mine with vq trigger components and my groups improved but I eventually traded if off for a steel version 22/45.

 

[bikemutt]

I also didn't experience good accuracy with the lite model. Finally gave up and went heavy, much better.

 

[Armor Snail]

Haven't shot the Lite much but for what it's worth... My used S&W 22A shoots better than my wife's 22/45 with heavy barrel.

 

[sappyg]

Has anyone else made any comparisons regarding accuracy of the Lite? Is there any impact to accuracy based on how tight that thread protector is tightened down?

No formal comparisons between the 2 but for me it's like apples and oranges since my target 22/45 wears a TRS. Regardless, either can be ammo sensitive and I did have leading issues in the Lite using Blaser a while back. Since then I check for leading in the Lite more often.
The thread protector can get loose but not sure if there is a loss of accuracy per se... It doesn't get THAT loose before i check it.
It's accurate enough for what I use it for and a preference for steel challenge. I can't tell a difference between the 2 for that but I can miss just as fast with either gun.
Try some plated bullets before you give up on it.

 

[Brett Byers AKA Slow]

I have put about 200 rounds through mine and it is starting to break in. I initially used SV but switched to Vipers and Federal 36 grain HV. It may never shoot as well as it's heavier counterpart but the goal was a factory available lightweight, perhaps a trigger job might be the solution

 

[Gtscotty]

Hmmm. I got one of the early Lites, and have found it to be plenty accurate. I did a mod to lighten the trigger, kill the mag safety and make takedown easier almost immediately after getting the pistol so that could have something to do with it. It's light weight will obviously make it more difficult to hold steady, but screwing a suppressor onto the end really helps

 

[Field Tester]

Hmmm. I got one of the early Lites, and have found it to be plenty accurate. I did a mod to lighten the trigger, kill the mag safety and make takedown easier almost immediately after getting the pistol so that could have something to do with it. It's light weight will obviously make it more difficult to hold steady, but screwing a suppressor onto the end really helps

What kind of MOA are you getting out of it?

 

[Fiv3r]

I've thought about picking a Lite up a couple of times, but my 4" bull barrel version is just too dang accurate and reliable to purchase a redundant gun to save a few ounces.

The suppressor option would be nice, but I don't have enough of a need for one to drop that kind of money into the stamp.

My 22/45 is very very accurate. Still need to take out the disconnect out of it to make taking it apart easier.

 

[Gtscotty]

Don't know the exact MOA off the top of my head, I threw away my reference targets for most of my guns when I moved. I'll have to go shoot it rested again sometime. I will say that the trigger mod makes the gun a lot easier to shoot, maybe that is what is giving people problems.