.22-45 lite, anyone

[NorthBorder]

I've been pondering the Ruger .22-45 Lite for a while. I have a Ruger SP101 in .22LR but my eyes don't see the sights very well so it just sits in the safe, so I was thinking about a trade. I had a MK III .22 w/ a cheap red dot on it but I traded it off. That thing was a brick, albeit a fine shooting brick. My purpose is for paper targets and grouse hunting in the fall. So, if anyone would sound off about their experiences with the Lite I would muchly appreciate it. Also any comments about a scope or red dot.
Thanks in advance

 

[Claude Clay]

Sig Trailside is a light weight 22lr that is as good (perhaps better) than a MKll or lll. Downside is they were only made for 2 years so used is the only way to get one. Instructions say to only use standard velocity.

The upper is milled to make mounting rings easy.

 

[sappyg]

Once you do away with the magazine disconnect it's a descent gun for what it is. Still, the trigger holds it back but it is easily corrected With a VQ trigger... For a price. Expect to spend about $80 in addition to the cost of the 22/45 lite for top shelf performance.
The one example I have tends to lead the barrel with some ammo. It has a permanent residence in the safe now having been scavenged of all aftermarket parts.

 

[Bo]

I don't have the "lite" version but, I have a 22-45. It's a sweet little gun that's fun to play with.

 

[MifflinKid]

I have one that I have modified extensively. I replaced the trigger, sear and loaded chamber indicator; removed the magazine disconnect parts replacing them with a Mk II bushing and installed a Tandemkross slingshot slide release.

With these changes it became a great plinker. I've used it multiple time with my nephew and neices as they love the light weight and excellent trigger. I usually shoot CCI Standard Velocity in it. No problem with leading in it.

I put a Burris FastFire III on it as my eyes are not what they used to be. That really helped to produce tighter groups.

 

[Ranger Roberts]

I have one and I like it. Technically I guess my wife has it. She always liked my MKII and decided she would get the 22-45 Lite for herself. So right out of the gate the Lite was compared to my MKII, which isn't fair because of all the work that has been done to the MKII. We do run the Lite suppressed and it is incredibly quiet with regular 22 lr ammo.
I liked the feel of the gun right out of the box. The trigger was ok but not great. I found the accuracy to be good. I don't use any type of scope or red dot on mine. The factory sights were a pain in the butt. The screw on the front sight post kept backing out, so lock tite was necessary. The dovetail sight is easy to adjust and no tools are necessary. I have done it on the fly with my fingernail.

What made this gun into a tack driver is this: https://www.volquartsen.com/products/354-accurizing-kit

I highly recommend it. Totally different gun after the volquartsen install.

 

[rskent]

.22-45 lite, anyone
I like mine a lot. It feels great and shoots great.
But like a lot of people, I thought it was less than it could be, out of the box. When you pulled the trigger you could feel the magazine move. Very weird.
I added a VC kit which looses the magazine disconnect and cleans the trigger up. And a Dawson fiber optic front sight. Now I love it. Its very accurate and fun to shoot.

 

[UpperAtmosphere]

The Trailside is also made by Hammerli under the name Xesse, so you can still get a new one

 

[denster]

I have two. One with the original factory sights the other with a Burris Fast Fire both are a joy to shoot. There are plenty of after market add ons available if that is your thing. To my way of thinking the alleged drawbacks are over stated and the guns are good to go from the box. Just my opinion YMMV.

 

[NorthBorder]

Thanks for all the replies. The trailside / x-esses does look like a shooter when I read reviews. Still leaning toward the ruger lite, though. Or maybe just the 22/45. Choosing a new gun is like looking at a large menu at a nice restaurant. Too many decisions.

 

[rskent]

http://www.larrysguns.com/Products/...rd-22lr__Hammerli-spc-Xesse-spc-Standard.aspx

I didn't know you could still get them.

 

[bannockburn]

NorthBorder

I have a SIG Trailside and it is very accurate with standard velocity ammo. The trigger is probably the lightest one I have found on any semi-auto I own. I got the gun primarily to use as a kit gun because my kids were always using my Beretta Model 70S. I plan someday to get a nice set of wood grips for it.

 

[Overkill870]

The 22/45 lite is very nice after a few simple drop in mods.

 

[weblance]

Its hard to beat a 22/45. I have three of them, and wouldn't trade away any of them. I have the first Gold LITE, a steel 4" threaded version, and a 5.5" Target that now wears a Tac-Sol threaded 4" upper. I have a Primary Arms Advanced Micro Red Dot on the Tac-Sol upper, and its a "one ragged hole" pistol, over a rest, at 25 yards. I have VQ trigger parts in the Tac-Sol 22/45, and have them coming for the steel threaded 22/45. The factory trigger pull is brutal, the VQ parts make it wonderful.

I retired my Gold LITE, because I feel its collectible, and I would have no problem recommending a 22/45 LITE to anyone. I had no issues what so ever with mine, accuracy was excellent, and compared to my original Mark II Target that weighs 40 oz, the LITE weighs half that, and is just as accurate, and reliable.

 

[Gtscotty]

I have one of the original gold lites, and like it quite a bit. Like everyone else I killed the mag safety and improved the trigger a bit. I use mine mainly as a suppressor host, but it has gone hunting and collected a squirrel or two.