Ruger MkII or Trailside Comp

[45R]

I currently own a Ruger MkII 5 1/2" slabside. After some major teething problems its finally reliable and pretty accurate to boot.

Lately I have been really jonesing for a Sig Trailside Competition Model. I can shoot both guns pretty darn accurately but do I need to spend 700 bucks on a gun that shoots the size of a dime at 25 yards.

Opinions my brothers and sisters.

Get the Sig or just continue to shoot that Ruger MkII and save my money.
(700 bucks I could have 2 MkIIs or a SP101 and GP100)

 

[Penforhire]

Hmm. What sort of teething problems did you have? I recently got a 6 7/8" Gov full-bull MKII and it has been stone reliable with assorted ammo, from 4 factory mags, from the get-go.

I did completely strip it and clean out the preservative goo. I also installed a full VQ "accurizing" kit and trigger shield on day one, excluding extractor. I'll admit I could not have done it if not for YZGUY's web site and a crappy-but-viewable AGI video.

So obviously I'd vote to improve your MKII. I was considering the Trailside too but it didn't appeal as much to me.

 

[45R]

Penforhire-

Lost of failures to extract. Finally fixed with VQ extractor

Rear Sight sliding along dovetail/ Fixed by locking the set screw down


None of the problems were major but I went through 2 Ruger extractors, now its finally kicking out shells like a champ.

3rd problem is that set screw that covers the drilled and tapped region is so tight that I need to send it to Ruger to have it drilled out.

So a bunch of teething problems the most irritating was the FTE.

The ergonomics on the Trailside Comp makes that pistol really appealing......

 

[Standing Wolf]

I was pretty enthusiastic about the Trail Side until I actually looked at one: cheap-feeling plastic grips and cheap plastic magazines. I met a fellow who'd bought one used, and according to him, the cheap plastic magazines don't hold up any length of time.

 

[Mannlicher]

I have owned a Ruger Mark 1 for 33 years, and it shoots as well today, as it did when I took it home. My Mark II does not have as many years on it, but it is also a fine shooter. I would stick with the Ruger.

I have not seen a Mark II with as many problems as you say you have had with yours.

 

[standingbear]

ive seen and held the sig model you mentioned.it was new and came with a target in meters..700 dollars..ouch.if it had been polished stainleess or polished blued steel made throughout..ida been impressed.it kinda reminded me of a suped-up smith t22 or something except with a new kick..a 700 dollar pricetag...I like my ruger competition slabside model..the recoil mechanism is that which seems hard to break for a 22 semiauto.its stainless steel and mags made from real metal.i dont use the irons on it..instead i rely on a redot.

 

[stiletto raggio]

If you want match grade without high prices, check out the EAA IZH-35. It is the same pistol used throughout the Cold War by Russian Olympic shooters. Excellent.

Then I would buy a .357.

 

[VonFatman]

hmmm

I have a much lower end trailside.
The original magazines were awful. The current
production mags are fine but pricey!

Mine is a "Target" model...I think it has about
a 6.5" barrel and it IS a tack driver.

I also have a Browning Buckmark "Standard",
four Rugers (2-MkOnes & 2-MkTwos) which I've
upgraded with better sears/triggers. these drive tacks
too with the mods.

I think you will find no difference in the gun you seek
@ $700 and mine other than the grips? I may be wrong,
but I think they are the same.

Perhaps a look at the lower end target model would
save some $$?

$700 is $100 more than I paid for my Anschutz Model 64L MPR!
(not a handgun, I know) but certainly a precision
.22

Good luck

VonFatman

 

[MoNsTeR]

I have a MkII 6 7/8" and a Trailside Comp.
I infinitely prefer the Trailside. More comfortable, better trigger, better sights, less muzzle-heavy (though probably more than a 5 1/2" Ruger).
That said, I paid $450 for mine used, $700 is hard to swallow. If I had it all to do over again, I'd look for a good deal on a 6" adj. sight Trailside. The anatomic grips are neat, but not necessary.

 

[yzguy]

Until I can outshoot my MKII I think I'll stick with it...

 

[silent one]

I think yzguy is correct. I would stick with the MK-2. I have a standard MK-2 and have never had any issues with it. I do clean it every time I shoot it. I use Hoppes cleaner to get the heavy gunk off, then I spray everything with brake cleaner. That gets all the hidden sludge out. Then I dry it off and lube it. Also, another thing a lot of shooters by pass is cleaning the mags. They can really get crudded up. I take mine apart every 500 rounds or so, and wash them down and run a bore patch through them. The mags have a little metal cylinder on the end of the spring that pushes up the follower, and if that thing gets crudded up you'll have all kinds of FTF problems.
As far as the Sig trailside, I have the standard model with the 4 '' barrel. I bought it used for $250.00, and have had problems with it since day one. The slide lock has goughed the slide badly.The mags are polymer junk, even their revised mags don't function properly. It seems the only differance between the old mags and the new ones is a slot that is cut across the mag at the feed ramp area. Also the plastic piece at the front of the frame constantly falls off. The newer version has a screw on that piece to hold it on more tightly, but I have seen other shooters have the same problem with it falling off. I was tempted to send it back to Sig, but it is a used gun, and their warranty is for one year on a new gun, so I just leave it in the safe and chalk it up to a bad choice, and I won't spend any more money to repair it.
I'm sure other people have had nothing but good luck with their trailsides,
but as far as I'm concerned, I'll stick with my steel MK-2 that I have put at least 10,000 rounds through with no problems.
Good Luck, and Be Safe.


SILENT ONE

 

[bountyhunter]

I can shoot both guns pretty darn accurately but do I need to spend 700 bucks on a gun that shoots the size of a dime at 25 yards.

My MkII slabside will do that and it cost about $400 new. I'm exagerrating a bit, the groups from rest are about the size of a nickle but I shoot garbage ammo.