How are the fixed sights on Ruger MKII/IIIs?

[Boiler_G]

After not shooting my Colt Gov't enough (ammo price and the wife doesn't like it), I have decided to buy the gun that I should have bought first anyway.

I am trying to decide between all the .22's out there ... and I have done many searches here to help with the decision. (Not going with a conversion BTW). Probably an MkII/III, Buckmark, or Trailside.

I have also read Mr. Camp's excellent thread on the so called "useless fixed sights" but, I am still hesitant to get an MkII/III with fixed sights.

I plan to use the gun for plinking only and introducing new shooters to the sport. I am looking particularly at the 4 3/4" barrels with fixed sights, but I feel that I will probably end up with a 5 1/2" bull barrel with adjustable sights. The reason I am looking at the smaller barrel is to save a little on overall weight ... so my wife, younger shooters, and I don't get tired shooting through bricks of .22LR and I want a clear sight picture.

So ... how are the fixed sights? and Can you drop in an adjustable one later?

Thanks!

 

[Rob1035]

I have MKII 22/45 P4 (4" bull barrel) with the stock adjustable sights. They are decent, but solid black and difficult to see in lower light and against black targets (NRA, etc). I swapped the front sight out for a Hiviz fiber optic, and it made a world of improvement. Its much easier to focus on the glowing red dot front sight now, in many light levels.

 

[45R]

The fixed sights on the MKIIs are aweful bu they get the job done. I have a 6" tapered barrel version and a 5.5" slabside with adjustables. The 6" model has a longer sight radius so it isnt too much of an issue. I have no problems shooting then 5.5" slabside with the adjustables. These pistols are so accurate you can group 25-50 shots into a dime size target at 15 yards.

I teach all new shooters with the 6" tapered model. It really makes them focus on sight alignment and trigger control. Everyone has done really well with the MKIIs.

 

[Boiler_G]

Sights

I learned on S&W 41's and shot a Ruger MkI 6" Bull barrel w/ adj sights once. That said, I was spoiled with the 41's, but I did get tired shooting one handed (after a couple hundred rounds ). The Ruger felt heavy as well. This is why I am looking for something that balances well, isn't too heavy to hold up for light weight shooters, but has enough weight to reduce what little muzzle flip or recoil the .22LR round puts out.

Please comment on the balance of the tapered barrels and the ease of replacing sights (is a smith needed?).

Thanks!

 

[wally]

What sights work is a very personal thing. I prefer fixed sights on a handgun.

I've Rugers 22s with both fixed and adjustable sights. I find that with my presbyoptia they are amoung the few guns I can shoot well without my reading glasses, the Novak's style on my Armscor guns are others that still work well for me. Most anything with a "dot" or "bar" I find very hard to use. I have a lot more fun shooting guns with "red dot" optics on them these days though, but I insist on a few hundred rounds every time out thru iron sights without my reading glasses since that's how I'll likely need to shoot if it comes down to self-defense.

--wally.

 

[foghornl]

I've got fixed-sight models MK II and Single-Six. Both put the lead where I point.

I prefer fixed sights for 'fun-gun-plinkers', but for a hunting gun, I want the adjustables so I can fine-tune it for a specific ammo.

 

[AZ Jeff]

The fixed sights on the Ruger .22's are fine for plinking. They are large enough for the eye to pick up easily, and durable enough for field use and won't get banged out of kilter.

They are, though, fixed sights, with the inherent limited adjustment potential.

If you intend to do any target shooting, formal or informal, they will have limitations. For plinking, they are just fine.

 

[chris in va]

Skip the 5.5" bull barrel. For a 22 the gun is just too heavy. I had a 4" 22/45 that handled much better, if a little less accurate. Plus kids can hold it up a lot easier.

The target sights aren't bad, and I actually preferred them to the red dot that was on there. Fixed sights, eh...not great.

Oh, why not get a 22 conversion for your 1911? Best of both worlds. I have one for my CZ that is fantastic.