Ruger Mk IV: Any Good?

[Panzerschwein]

So how are the new Ruger Mk IV .22 pistols doing on the range? I am looking at the target model in blued:

I do not know much about Ruger .22 pistols, but do know the new Mk IV is easier to take apart to clean over older models. I am looking for a reliable and accurate .22 pistol for plinking and target practice, for fun. Maybe some day even small game hunting.

Are the new Mk IVs good to go? Do they have problems, are they good guns and should I get one?

Thanks!

 

[Sistema1927]

I recently purchased a Mk IV 22/45. I think that it is going to be a very good pistol. I already have a Standard Model, which has proven to be very reliable and accurate, and so far the Mk IV hasn't disappointed.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Nobody else ones a Mk IV?

 

[JONWILL]

First, I don't own one, I have the MK I , II and III. The only thing that changed from the MkIII is the takedown mechanism, I don't see how that might effect function. Mayber someone else has first hand experience with them.

They all shoot good. I am not a fan of the loaded chamber indicator, mined failed in Bullseye competition. Took it out after that.

They are all reliable and more accurate than I can shoot.

 

[chicharrones]

Nobody else ones a Mk IV?

I want one like Sistema1927 has. A standard MKIV 22/45.

The MKIV has no LCI, does have ambi-dextrous lever safeties, and has the easier takedown that is just icing on the cake. I know I shoot a MKIII 22/45 well that belongs to a friend of mine, but I just never took the leap.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

My buddy recently bought a new MK IV. Out of the box, it had a horrible trigger. The pull can be greatly improved in a few minutes with a 29 buck VQ sear. My buddy bought the whole VQ kit instead of just the sear. I put it in for him. The biggest internal difference I could see was the main spring. The biggest external was an ambi safety. The gun also has an ejector that makes the mags pop out with force. This part is unneeded on the MK I and II and is unneeded on the III if you take out the mag disconnect.

 

[bannockburn]

Still having too much fun with my Mk.II Model 512 to even think about a Mk.IV. Definitely like the new take-down design but then again I never really had a problem with the old design either.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Let's keep it on the Mk IV guys. That's what I'm trying to get feedback on. Thanks!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Sorry, I went on a tangent about other MKs while you posted that....

 

[TomJ]

I picked one up about a month ago, mainly for my 10 year old son to shoot. We have about 200 rounds through it and love it. It's accurate with very little recoil. It's about as easy of a gun to take apart and clean as I own, and so far it's functioned perfectly. I'd recommend one.

 

[zb338]

I have a Mk3. After putting in a Volquartsen trigger and a red dot sight it is good to go.

Zeke

 

[Panzerschwein]

I have a Mk3. After putting in a Volquartsen trigger and a red dot sight it is good to go.

Zeke

Hey Zeke, as already mentioned this discussion isn't about the other marks. I am interested in the new Mark IV, I don't really care about people's experiences with the older guns.

 

[Armored farmer]

My 83 y.o. father just bought one. MKIV 22/45.

I sighted it in for him just 2wks ago.
Function was flawless, accuracy was great.

 

[dbmjr1]

I've had mine for several months now, and have probably two thousand rounds through it.
Out of the box it had loose screws, which I tightened. One of them, the hex head hinge screw, continues to work loose, even with loctite. I just check it occasionally. The others have remained where I put them.
I had to replace the extractor. I was having failures to eject. A VQ sharp edge extractor made it 100%. I've had to replace the same part on my Mk III and a couple of 10/22's as well. Ruger makes them from stamped metal, when they should be milled.
The trigger is wearing in, with no modifications, but not as good as my Mk I.

All in all, I'm very happy with it. My Mk I languishes in the safe, and my Mk III has been sold.

 

[JN01]

I like mine, though I haven't had a chance to put a whole lot of rounds through it. Trigger pull is a tad heavy. I didn't care for the factory grips, but haven't liked them on any of the other Mark series either. I like the Altamont rosewoods.

 

[Bo]

I bought a Mark IV Hunter. I also have 2 Mark III's. I like the longer barrel on the Hunter although my Mark III 22/45 has a suppressor on it. (too much fun)
The Mark IV now has a Volquartsen trigger. It's a hoot to shoot!

By the way, the answer to your other question is, yes, mags for the Mark IV will work in the Mark III and vice-versa.

 

[GarySTL]

I've got a Mk4 Hunter. It's a nice gun that's improved with a TandemKross Victory trigger and Vortex Venom red dot. Shoots well.

As an aside I'll add that I've also got a S&W Victory which I think has a better trigger out of the box.

 

[doubleh]

I bought a Mk IV Target a couple of months ago. Great gun EXCEPT for the trigger and the plastic grips. The Volquartson trigger kit takes care of the trigger problem. Altamont has aftermarket grips available to cure that. All it takes is more money.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

If you don't want to spend the money on a VQ trigger kit, you can buy the sear for 29 bucks just for a lighter trigger pull. If you want to have adjustment screws to adjust pre and post travel, you can drill and tap the factory trigger and put in 4-40 set screws. I put them in the pivot area to hide them instead of having one in the middle of the trigger like a VQ. You can put in a MK II hammer bushing if you want to get rid of the mag disconnect it will cost another 10 bucks....I do a little polishing and another trick or two and always get the triggers down under 2 lbs for less than 40 bucks.

 

[zb338]

The 3 is pretty much the same as the 4 except for the take down.

Zeke

 

[Panzerschwein]

Thanks guys, I have the blued Target model on order. Hopefully it's good. I understand many criticize the factory trigger.

 

[chicharrones]

All in all, I'm very happy with it. My Mk I languishes in the safe, and my Mk III has been sold.

Do you prefer the MKIV over the MKI due to anything in particular?

Do you prefer the MKIV over the MKI due to anything in particular?

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I've had the I and II models and like them a lot. The only big difference between I-III and the IV is the take-down method. Seems like Ruger should've figured THAT easier to use approach a long time ago, as about the only complaint you ever hear about a Ruger .22 is the aggravation of take down (until you learn the secret handshake..)

 

[Varminterror]

There are fairly significant differences between the Standard/Mark I, Mark II, Mark III, and Mark IV pistols, beyond that of the take-down design. Much moreso than are being reflected by commenters in this post. But spelling these out is not the question at hand.

So how are the new Ruger Mk IV .22 pistols doing on the range?

[...]

I do not know much about Ruger .22 pistols, but do know the new Mk IV is easier to take apart to clean over older models. I am looking for a reliable and accurate .22 pistol for plinking and target practice, for fun. Maybe some day even small game hunting.

Are the new Mk IVs good to go? Do they have problems, are they good guns and should I get one?

I have 2 of the stainless bull barrel Mark IV's for my training courses, just the same as what you have pictured, except in stainless. Plus, I have a Competition (slab side) for myself, and my wife has a Hunter. I've relied upon the Ruger Mark Series in my training classes for over 15yrs, and have used one Mark II in particular to start out literally hundreds of new shooters.

The Mark IV's seem to be as accurate as any of the predecessors, which means they're as accurate or slightly moreso on average than any of the other target-style 22LR pistols on the market in their price class. And more often than not, they are more reliable than the competition with as broad or broader tolerance for ammo.

So... How are the Mark IV's doing on the range? Fabulously. Are they good to go? Yup. Do they have problems? None have been revealed so far. Are they good guns? Yup! Should you get one? Eh, up to you - if you have a want or a need for a target-style, relatively budget friendly 22LR pistol, then yes, the Mark IV is as good or better option than most other models.

 

[rider1046]

Swapped my Mark III for a Mark IV 22/45 Lite and ain't lookin' back! Going to put a Valquartsen Accurizing Kit in it and probably do nothing else. Was worried about the light weight at first but at 70 years old, find that it suits me just fine.