Ruger MKII/MKIII

[Alex45ACP]

I'm looking for a .22LR handgun and really like the looks of the Ruger MKII/MKIII. I like the model with the stainless finish, "square sided" barrel (it may be called "slabside" or "bull barrel" not sure) and wood grips.

The one that looks like this:



2 questions:

1. What barrel length is good just for plinking at the range, practicing handgun shooting skills, etc?

2. How much would you pay for such a model?

 

[jlh26oo]

I went with the kmkII678gc. Like you, I was kind of lured by the 6 7/8" slab side barrel. And it shoots great, but I wish I would have just gone with a 5 1/2" bull barrel instead. Still gives you plenty of sight radius, but is better balanced. I would stick with stainless either way though, that IS worth the cash to me.

If you do go with stainless and a bull or slab side barrel, expect to pay around $300 new. Considerably less for a blue tapered barrel .

MkII's are slowly getting harder to find in every configuration. THe mkIIIs are probably just as good, but some purists hate the new safety features like the magazine disconnect.

 

[Alex45ACP]

So that barrel in the pic is the "slab side" barrel, or the "bull barrel"? Or are they the same thing?

 

[BamBam-31]

The one pictured is the slabside, which is a bull barrel with lightening cuts to both sides of the barrel. It's usually done to the longer barrels, or the pistol ends up very muzzle heavy.

I'd go with the 5.5" barrel for general plinking and practice. The Ruger Mk. II's and the 22/45's are great for this. Someone will inevitably come in and recommend the Browning Buckmark as well, and with good reason. I own the 22/45 and love it, but after handling the Buckmark, I'd say the latter has better ergos for me.

If you slap a red dot on it, it'll be the funnest gun you'll own, but then you lose out on practicing with good ol' iron sights. Six of one, 1/2 dz. of the other, eh?

 

[chris in va]

I had a 4" and 5.5" 22/45. It was alright, but the longer bull barrel could get heavy after a while. Frankly I think something like a P22 would be a lot more fun. Rugers are nice, but boring IMO.

 

[jlh26oo]

I like boring.

 

[wally]

Main disadvantage to the P22, Buckmark, etc. is the rather high cost of extra magazines. P22 is not it the same league accuracy wise, but it still is a very fun gun.

Off the shelf Ruger mags are only a little cheaper, but you can order all the parts direct from Ruger in Prescott, AZ and assemble them yourself to get them for <$10 each.

Beretta Neos is another one I'd look at, especially since you want to play with optical sights. The full length rails helps you mount it so you end up with the right balance.. Most MkII don't have scope rails included, and more importantly many aren't drilled and tapped for the mounts. All adjustable sight MK III do include the "weaver" rail.

--wally.

 

[Brian Williams]

I have a "Slabside" and I just do not shoot it. It is a great gun and has all the accuracy and stuff, I just like shooting other guns. I am Revolver shooter and the other autos I shoot are a 1911 and a Colt Woodsman.

PM me if interested.

 

[WarMachine]

I have a 22/45 with a 5.5 inch bull barrel (the best overally length IMO). It only cost me 199 NIB, and has given me no problems. Accurate, and the heavy muzzle soaks up what little recoil the .22 has. I personally haven't experienced any fatigue from shooting it from barrel weight though. Good gun.

I would have gone with a metal frame MKII, but the grip angle doesn't remotely resemble any of my current centerfires...

 

[Alex45ACP]

I have a "Slabside" and I just do not shoot it. It is a great gun and has all the accuracy and stuff, I just like shooting other guns. I am Revolver shooter and the other autos I shoot are a 1911 and a Colt Woodsman.

PM me if interested.

What's the barrel length?

 

[Standing Wolf]

1. What barrel length is good just for plinking at the range, practicing handgun shooting skills, etc?
2. How much would you pay for such a model?

Any barrel length over about four inches will be more accurate than the vast majority of shooters. If you're shooting a gun with iron sights, longer barrels deliver longer sighting radii, which help accuracy considerably. If you're shooting a scoped gun, more barrel does virtually nothing for accuracy.

I already have a Ruger Mark II. I wouldn't pay a shiny dime for another Ruger product.

 

[Brian Williams]

It is a 6 7/8" and very accurate with the ruger base but no rings.

 

[Alex45ACP]

I already have a Ruger Mark II. I wouldn't pay a shiny dime for another Ruger product.

Do you dislike the gun itself or is it Ruger's politics you don't like?