$400 to spend on a .22 Pistol: Mark III or other?
- Thread starter Macchina
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Jolly Rogers
Member
The barrel is the main difference. Sights also make the model # change. The 22/45 is the same except for the grip housing. It is polymer and has a 1911 grip angle and is slimmer in thickness. They are all nice shooters. Go to:
http://www.guntalk-online.com/
to find out more details on these shooters.
Joe
http://www.guntalk-online.com/
to find out more details on these shooters.
Joe
Quadkid
Member
im in the same boat as you, so i went to the local range and rented a couple .22's to try out. I gotta say, try the Beretta Neos before youre fully committed to the ruger. The Beretta was much more enjoyable for me due to the better trigger pull (Mark III had loads of creep), better ergonomics, and a better price ($240), as well as a rail already mounted to it.
searcher451
Member
Any Ruger you can find is a good one; they make a fine product and have for years. I'd also look at the Browning Buck Mark Hunter. I picked one up a couple of months back for $355 and have been delighted with its feel, reliability, and accuracy.
bigfatdave
Member
There are 2 frames to choose from (traditional and 22/45) and many barrel options. Add in the different finishes and grips, and you get dozens of combinations. I was recently searching for my second mkIII, and I was shopping for the bull barrel with traditional grip angle. You can find a traditional or 22/45 blued model with a target barrel or the bull barrel around here for under $350, unless you add laser grips or other high-end goodies. Stainless adds a bit to the price. The standard model (tapered barrel, fixed sights) runs just under $300.
Don't discount the used mkII market, they are tough pistols with plenty of Ruger and aftermarket support, so there isn't any real reason not to purchase a used mkII in good condition.
Don't discount the used mkII market, they are tough pistols with plenty of Ruger and aftermarket support, so there isn't any real reason not to purchase a used mkII in good condition.
orionengnr
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...and the MkII does not have the silly lock, mag safety, or loaded chamber indicator. 
bigfatdave
Member
orionengnr - exactly. None of those are needed, and the LCI can contribute to failures to eject.
The reason I own 2 mkIII models is interchangeability of parts, if I'd bought a mkII to start with, I'd have two mkII models.
I may be attempting a LCI removal on the newer mkIII soon, in fact.
The reason I own 2 mkIII models is interchangeability of parts, if I'd bought a mkII to start with, I'd have two mkII models.
I may be attempting a LCI removal on the newer mkIII soon, in fact.
IMHO the SS Ruger MKIIIs are a bit over priced and blued models shoot just the same. Be sure to get an adjustable sight model so it is drilled & tapped so you can use optics if you want. There are many after market options available as well and the trigger isn't an issue once one installs a VQ trigger & sear. The MKIII mag disconnect and LCI are easy to fix/remove.
http://www.guntalk-online.com/service.html
Buy extra mags and a UCL.
http://www.guntalk-online.com/service.html
Buy extra mags and a UCL.
OP
OP
Macchina
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I've been vexed by the Ruger mark III! I can get this model for $410+tax. Sound like a good deal?
As far as I can tell, the only difference between the Hunter and the bull barrel model is the grip panel (cocobolo vs. synthetic), front sight (fiber optic vs. solid), and fluted barrel. Is there any other differences?
As far as I can tell, the only difference between the Hunter and the bull barrel model is the grip panel (cocobolo vs. synthetic), front sight (fiber optic vs. solid), and fluted barrel. Is there any other differences?
bigfatdave
Member
Can you get the blued?
That would be a better deal. By the way, that gun (in blued with the basic polymer grips) was the pistol I searched two counties for ... I think I got it for just under $340 with a price match. (Gander had it in stock, and matched a LGS's price to order)
Save the cash on the blued model, and apply the difference to a UCL and/or extra magazines ... or aftermarket goodies.
woad_yurt
Member
I say "other."
$400? Somone should get this one for $400. I have one now (my second.) Fantastic, fantastic shooters. They eat any and all ammo, are truly accurate and have the great trigger. I'll put one up against any Ruger in it's price range and it'll do as well or better. Oh yeah, all parts are available new. How about this:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=128479956
$400? Somone should get this one for $400. I have one now (my second.) Fantastic, fantastic shooters. They eat any and all ammo, are truly accurate and have the great trigger. I'll put one up against any Ruger in it's price range and it'll do as well or better. Oh yeah, all parts are available new. How about this:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=128479956
BCRider
Member
Oh man, those Whitney's sure are purty. Sadly we seldom see them up this way for sale.
Michelmcgo, what are your priorities about what it's like to shoot this pistol? Is it all about accuracy and to hell with anything else? Will it be a hunting tool? What about fun in what it feels like to shoot?
I only ask these questions since I got to shoot around 5 different .22's before I bought my first one. Two of them were Rugers. They certainly are very accurate guns to shoot but I found that they were so heavy that I had to judge by sound if the bullet had left or not. OK, so I'm obviously exagerating. But for me the Ruger just felt too "dead" in the hand. On the other hand I got to shoot a couple of High Standards and a S&W 22A. All of these were much lighter and as a result had more feel of the little cartridge firing.
As a result I bought a couple of rimfire pistols that were noted as being quite a bit lighter than the Ruger. A S&W 422 and a Tanfoglio Force 22 (you can't get it in the US but it's only 29 oz in weight). I really enjoy shooting both of them as well as the light in weight High Standard Double Nine revolver I recently picked up.
I'm not saying to follow in my footsteps. Just that you need to figure out what aspect of shooting is important to you. For myself I wanted decent accuracy and consistency but first and foremost I wanted something that felt like it had more life in it than the Ruger.
The moral of this rambling tale is get out and find somewhere that you can try some different options.
Michelmcgo, what are your priorities about what it's like to shoot this pistol? Is it all about accuracy and to hell with anything else? Will it be a hunting tool? What about fun in what it feels like to shoot?
I only ask these questions since I got to shoot around 5 different .22's before I bought my first one. Two of them were Rugers. They certainly are very accurate guns to shoot but I found that they were so heavy that I had to judge by sound if the bullet had left or not. OK, so I'm obviously exagerating. But for me the Ruger just felt too "dead" in the hand. On the other hand I got to shoot a couple of High Standards and a S&W 22A. All of these were much lighter and as a result had more feel of the little cartridge firing.
As a result I bought a couple of rimfire pistols that were noted as being quite a bit lighter than the Ruger. A S&W 422 and a Tanfoglio Force 22 (you can't get it in the US but it's only 29 oz in weight). I really enjoy shooting both of them as well as the light in weight High Standard Double Nine revolver I recently picked up.
I'm not saying to follow in my footsteps. Just that you need to figure out what aspect of shooting is important to you. For myself I wanted decent accuracy and consistency but first and foremost I wanted something that felt like it had more life in it than the Ruger.
The moral of this rambling tale is get out and find somewhere that you can try some different options.
Daniel1120
Member
I recently went through the same decision making process between 22's. Went with a buckmark, now i'm happy as a clam. For a 22, its surprisingly reliable.
Your other option is 22 conversion kit for a fullsize gun.
Your other option is 22 conversion kit for a fullsize gun.
Plinkeriffic
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+1 on the Browning Buckmark. It's been so good that I'm a little spoiled and wish I could afford only Browning stuff. Spot-on accurate, reliable feed/fire/eject (only the ammo makes a difference for ftf's and fte's), durable over time. Currently $300 at Academy when in stock; can't beat it with a boomstick.
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