Two Ruger Questions

[7.62mm.ak47]

I'm thinking about buying a couple guns under $700 total. I want a .22 pistol to take to the range (Ruger Mk. III - $250-$270 free shipping) and a 9mm for concealed carry (Ruger LC9 - $379 on Impactguns.com with free shipping). I know both guns are used for totally different things but I wanted to just put them into one question. Would these be good candidates for the roles they are going to be put into? Thanks and any other suggestions are very welcome!

 

[Jim K]

The Ruger Mk III will be fine on the range, but you might later want to put in a better trigger if you get into serious competition. I have an LCP but not an LC9, but I see nothing against it for SD. I would fire at least 200 rounds with any pistol and ammo carried for SD; if there is a failure, do whatever needs doing and start the count over.

Jim

 

[7.62mm.ak47]

Thanks Jim. Would you have any recommendation with what type of barrel to put on the Mk. 3?

 

[Jim K]

I like weight back in my hand so I go with the short (5"?) "bull" barrel. IMHO, a shorter barrel presents problems of sight radius, while a longer barrel puts the weight too far out and makes any "wiggle" more obvious (and bothersome). But that is personal preference, others will have their own ideas, both on gun model and barrel length.

FWIW, I have a Ruger MkI target with a bull barrel and off a Ransom rest it shoots marginally better than my S&W Model 41 and a friend's Walther. But the Ruger's trigger (a Volquartsen) pull is not as good as the others'.

Jim

 

[Sig88]

Are these going to be your first handguns?

Definitely get a Ruger MKIII, it's a fun gun to learn the basics on. The LC9 while probably a great carry gun will be difficult to learn to shoot. Take a look at a P95 or SR9c.

 

[tlen]

I'd recommend a longer barrel .22 [6 7/8"] for better sight radius and more velocity for steel plates or hunting. The added weight makes it easier to hold also. Be sure to get an adjustable sight model which is drilled & tapped and come with a scope base. Later on you may want to add a red dot scope. You can trick out your MKIII with a VQ target trigger & sear then pick up a couple extra magazines and a UCL.
http://www.guntalk-online.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=224e0a47944e56f986671e6a27b50c16

 

[7.62mm.ak47]

Thanks for all the advise so far. @Sig88 - No, I already have two handguns (a 9mm and a .40) but they're sort of big and would be difficult to walk around with. I want the Mk.III to be able to shoot whenever since ammo is inexpensive.

 

[Smaug]

Yes, those are both good guns for their intended purposes.

I will disagree with Jim a bit here, in that it is not worth spending more money on a Ruger Mk III trigger unless you are pretty confident you have more talent than the gun's trigger allows you to show. Wait on that. No barrel change is needed.

For target shooting, unless you're using some sort of optical sight, the longer barrel/sight radius will yield better results. It gives you more resolution on the target. That's why I went with the 6-7/8" barrel on my Mk. II. Both my wife and I shoot it notably better than the 5.5" barrel Buck Mark with the better trigger.

I've no experience with an LC9, but I do think you might be disappointed with the accuracy beyond about 7 yards, due to the DAO trigger. I guess you could learn to stage the trigger for range shooting, but make sure you practice smooth, fast DA shooting also. Learn how to compensate for the different points-of-impact.

 

[7.62mm.ak47]

@Smaug - The LC9 is just an idea I had. Would you recommend another subcompact pistol over it for carry? Preferably a 9mm or .45 and thin.

 

[RH45]

A freind of mine has an LC9 and says he likes it, but, them he shot a Kimber Solo, and says he likes that better!

Get whatever feels best in YOUR hand!

 

[almherdfan]

I picked up a nice used MK II for $200 and NIB SR9c for just @$400. There are many options in the $700 range, but you should be happy with a couple of Rugers in .22 LR and 9mm cc. The SR9c, of course, is bigger then the LC9, but has a much better trigger, better sights, & two magazines that offer more rounds and flexibility, but it depends on what's most important to you.

 

[1SOW]

I want a .22 pistol to take to the range

I think the 5" bbl is a good choice for the range and plinking.

For 22cal Steel Challenge-type comp, it'll work fine and be faster than the 6" and longer bbls. Many Action Shooting clubs/ranges also allow 22lr, and your 5"bbl choice will work fine for that as well.

A possible alternative choice is a 9mm that offers a 22lr conversion kit, but this would be a larger pistol than the LC9 & more expensive.

 

[VP]

I'm a fan of my LC9. I've had no hiccups with this handgun at all. It is my primary carry right now. I said I'd carry it just for the summer time when I wear more t-shirts and tighter clothes...but I might end up making it my all the time carry.

I am also a fan of the MK II. I've shot one probably 10+ times. It is what I wish I would have bought instead of the Mosquito. I like the Mosquito in terms of ergonomics, but the accuracy and reliability (broader range of ammo selection), the MKII wins hands down.

 

[Racinbob]

Fired off the first 150 rounds of my reloads in my LC9 last weekend. Flawless and the recoil was no issue but the reloads were only mid-range. Next time, another 100-150 reloads and then switch to a good carry load or loads to see how it likes them. After 30+ years with a J frame the LC9 could well be the first semi auto to take it's place...........once in a while. Great little pistol!

 

[harmon rabb]

I'm going to go ahead and say don't buy the MKIII for any purpose other than fun. I bought one hoping to use it to hone my skills, but all it does is make me better shooting it, and doesn't help with anything else. I think this is because it doesn't feel like a "real" gun and because the trigger is so darn light.

For actual shooting practice, you're probably better off with a 22 that feels like a real gun, like that GSG 1911-22.

With respect to the trigger talk about... um, what MKIII's do you guys have? Mine is stock, and I swear the trigger can't be more than 2lbs-2.5lbs. It's so light and so different than other triggers (I can't feel the break point on it) that practice on there just doesn't seem to travel over to me, even to 1911's with 3lb triggers.

On the other hand, if you just want to plink, it's a very fun pistol, and mine eats any cheap bulk ammo.