Trading my 22/45 for MK II: ruin my 1911 skills?

[MatthewVanitas]

I bought a 22/45 on the premise that it'd feel 1911-like in my hand. It's a great little gun, quite accurate and fun to shoot, but I've never gotten over the "shoulda bought a MKII" rumblings.

I realize that a 22/45 is supposed to feel like a 1911, but to my hand it feels chunkier than my Sistema Colt, and the polymer feels kind of "soapy" to me. As to the grip angle being the same, I haven't really noticed either way at this point.

On a very, very minor note, the 22/45 is as ugly as sin, whereas the MK II is sleek and glossy. I don't mind having an ugly gun if it's better than the bonny one, but all things being equal I'd slap some nice stocks on the rakish steel grip and call it a day.

I'm tempted to put my 22/45 on consignment and buy the same finish and barrel length in a MK II. But am I suddenly going to destroy my 1911 karma with such a purchase? Will I suddenly find myself firing my 1911 at the ceiling, off to left field, etc. "cause that's how my .22 points"?

If there are any proud owners of an MK II and 1911 who feel there is no conflict between the two, it'd be good to get some reassurance. Or, if some have had such horrendous symptoms from mixing grips, I could use the warning. Thanks. -MV

 

[WonderNine]

You should've got an MKII.



The trigger is so sweeeeeet.

I shoot 1.5-2" groups at 25 yards with one on a regular basis.

 

[Sactown]

Get a Sig Trailside. It's even sweeter. Trust me...I have 2 MkIIs, a 4.4bbl and the govt target. The TS is way sweeter. From the trigger, to the sights, to the balance, to the ease of disassembly...it's sooo much better.

 

[WonderNine]

I can't imagine. The trigger on the 6.5" MKII is like hot butter.

Amazing groups with cheap ammo.....

It's like my father's S&W model 19, you can accidently set that thing off in single action.

Also, the MKII has firesights. REALLY cool. Those things help even in the daytime. They were $20!

 

[Rival]

I got both 1911 and MkII, there's no conflict between the two. I love them both. I don't know about 22/45 but MkII is definately heavier than 1911. As far as shooting goes, .22 is just completely different shooting experience comparing to .45, and grip angle does not matter IMHO.

I have this one:

 

[WonderNine]

Btw, I wanted to mention the MKII I speak of is stainless and was made in 1988 according to Ruger's website.

 

[Min]

Browning Buckmark.

Don't get the haunted ones.

 

[Hal]

Used .22/45's don't fetch all that much. Then again, a used .22/45 isn't all that common either. I always ask myself how much it's going to cost down the road to replace something I like when I get rid of it. It sounds like you really like the .22/45.
Unless you're desperate for the money, you might want to hold on to the .22/45 and buy the Mark II outright.

 

[Mark]

Undecided on the skills part of the question, but this is my take on the model change issue. I have a 1911 and purchased a 22/45 to stay similar. I never could warm up to the 22/45. As you mentioned it always feels slippery and also feels too thin for me. Would have been better if Ruger had inlaid rubber grip panels. Hogue one piece slip on grips help but are a serious pain to remove for disassembly. I came across a post once where a guy had ground off the ribs on the 22/45 grip, drilled and tapped the plastic and attached a set of 1911 grips. It appeared he had done a very nice job and would probably work well, but I did not feel I could make the same modification without botching it. I finally broke down and purchased a Mark II. The Mark II just feels so much better in my hand.

I will keep the 22/45 only because I can let my son shoot it and I will give it to him when he is old enough to own it, otherwise I would get rid of it.

 

[Longbow]

' might consider saving some more $$ and get the Marvel .22 cal conversion. I sold my Ruger mkII for the same thoughts you have (different mag release location and very slanty grip angle). I'm in the process of saving for the Marvel. Just a little bit more on the piggy bank, and I should have it in weeks.

 

[Top_Notch]

You know, this is a great question. I have a 1911 and have decided my next purchase will be a target/plinking 22. My hesitance has been what 22 to buy. I originally wanted a Walther P22 as more of a plinker than a target gun, but after all the bad reports I've been reading, I decided on a Ruger. Which one? My mind tells me the 22/45 would be better since I also shoot a 1911. My heart tells me to get a MK II (5.5 BB in Stainless please ).

I was also wondering how my 22 choice would possibly affect my 45 shooting (which already is nothing to write about). I was hoping my 22 purchase would improve my overall shooting. So, I too would like to hear from 1911/MK II/ 22/45 owners. So, I almost fit into your category, but not quite yet. Of course, you probably wouldn't want to listen to me anyway because I'm probably the only guy who goes to the range and shows up with a 1911 in 45 and a Glock in 9mm within the same range bag. Sacrilige, I know.

 

[alwims]

I'm tempted to put my 22/45 on consignment and buy the same finish and barrel length in a MK II.

Smart move IMO. I put 2x scopes on my MKII's and love them. By doing so I feel it has helped me be a lot steadier with all my other auto's. This is my small collection of hunting pistols with to 2 bottom one's being the MKII's.

 

[alwims]

I'm tempted to put my 22/45 on consignment and buy the same finish and barrel length in a MK II.

Sorry 'bout the double post,
Smart move, IMO. I put 2x scopes on my MKII's and love them. By doing so, I feel it has helped me be a lot steadier with all my other auto's. This is my small collection of hunting pistols with the 2 bottom one's being the MKII's. One is the std. 6" barrel the other is a 10" bull barrel target model.

 

[Bill from Louisville]

Wow alwims can i be your new best friend?

My first hand gun purchase was a 22/45 9-10 years ago. I have a love hate relationship with it, its ugly, kinda heavy, no real flash.

then i take it out to the range, skate board tape takes care of the slippery grips. it hits absolutely everything i can point it at out to 50 yards within a couple shots.

when i got a bit tired of seeing it in my safe again i put a red dot scope on it and bought a "Ultimate speed loader". now i can hit anything out to 50 yards REALLY FAST. It is the epitome of plinking fun.

i just bought a Norinco 1911 and was amazed at how easy it shot and leveled on to the target. i guess i have been grooved into shooting that type of frame.

All that said, a nice set of wood grips on a loaded Mark II is simply a thing of beauty, but i wouldnt discount a 22/45 for utilitarian shooting.

cheers