What to choose for a target pistol?

[mr.trooper]

I was screwing around with my 6" standard Ruger MK III yesterday, shooting at a block of ice about 75 yards out. I was shooting bulk pack ammo. To my suprise, i was able to hit that 8" block almost every shot as long as i concentrated. I surprised myself.

The biggest problem i had was thet the front sight blade on my MKIII is a bit think for that sort of thing, and it obscured most of the target while aiming.

I love my MKIII and its a wonderful plinking and hunting gun, and an OK target pistol. My experience left me wanting a proper target pistol. Im looking at the MKIII Target, or the Buckmark 7.5 URX. I will be using iron sight only, and i am not looking to do any modifications to the gun.

Which of those guns will be the best out of the box target pistol?

 

[Milkmaster]

I went from a Mark II standard model to a Mark II target model. The only real difference was the adjustable sights. Both were accurate, but the adjustable sights are a little less crude for accuracy.

 

[Justin]

So far as I know, no serious competitive bullseye shooters are running the Buckmark pistols.

The Ruger will make for a decent competitive pistol with the addition of an ergonomic grip, Volquartsen trigger, and adjustable sights.

Other than that, just bite the bullet and get a Smith and Wesson Model 41.

 

[Quiet]

Beretta Model 87 Target

 

[mr.trooper]

I have fondled the 87 Target many a time! Its a wonderful feeling gun.

If only it didn't cost twice the price of a Ruger

 

[Owen]

you'll find that target pistols probably have wider front sight blades than what you already have.

 

[earplug]

A good target 22 will last thirty years or more

Don't wimp out on the cost today. The couple of hundred dollars spent on a real good target 22 won't be felt three years from now.
If you have a 1911 consider a Marvel.

 

[Hanafuda]

Cheapest solution to your immediate problem is an optic sight mounted on your existing MkIII. Your MkIII should already be drilled and tapped .. no mods needed.

or ...

Send your existing MkIII to Clark Custom and have them make something better than can be bought over the counter.

or ...

get a real target pistol. To some that means a S&W 41. But there are also the 'olympic' style guns, like Benelli for instance. check out larrysguns.com

 

[Deanimator]

I've did a LOT of bullseye target shooting with my Ruger MkII before I traded up to a High Standard.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

So far as I know, no serious competitive bullseye shooters are running the Buckmark pistols.

I've heard from a couple Big 10 coaches that a girl won the NCAA bullseye championship a couple years ago with a bone stock Buckmark.

I'm with Justin on this one - I don't really like either for target shooting (though I prefer the Buckmark for totally subjective personal reasons) and would save up some more money and get a 41, or maybe the new Hammerli rebranding of the Trailside. Your current MKIII will serve you fine until you can upgrade to something significantly better.

 

[Just One Shot]

How about a Ruger Charger?

Video..............

http://www.ruger.com/Charger/Video.html

 

[ArmedBear]

maybe the new Hammerli rebranding of the Trailside

No way. Can't dry fire it. Major showstopper for match shooting.

I beat more than one High Standard shooter with a bone-stock Mark II Target I picked up, in our club's Winter league. However, the HS guns are incredible, unless you need something fixed and can't find someone who will do it.

After league was over, I had the Mark II worked on, with the relevant parts all replaced with Volquartsen stuff that had been further polished. Makes a difference. The stock trigger can be inconsistent and frustrating when it stacks up heavy and doesn't break before you lose your steadiness. If I hadn't bought the gun while the league was already going on, I would have had it 'smithed right away.

That said, the smith who worked on mine has shot nothing but Buckmarks in bullseye for many years and done quite well from what I understand.

I'd replace the innards of the Mark III, to get rid of the mag disconnect and improve the feel. Volquartsen parts work great.

i am not looking to do any modifications to the gun

Then forget about getting a serious target pistol and enjoy shooting what you have.

The High Standard Victor is a serious target pistol "out of the box", but then you're talking about finding a good used pistol that hasn't been made (in the desirable form) in decades. Chances are there won't be any box.

I don't think I'd even get a Model 41 and not modify it at all. I have not been overly impressed with the stock triggers -- they're okay, and better than a bone-stock Mark III, but I'd want better if I shelled out the dough.

 

[PO2Hammer]

you'll find that target pistols probably have wider front sight blades than what you already have.

That's going to be your biggest problem at 75 yards, finding a nice, thin front sight.

If you go with a Mk III target, Volquartsen target sights should drop in. Check their site for fronts.

 

[mr.trooper]

Then forget about getting a serious target pistol and enjoy shooting what you have.

I can do drop in parts. thats no big deal. I meant to say that i don't want to be grinding away at parts, or have some custom one of a kid piece made.

 

[mr.trooper]

What about the Hammerli Xesse Standard? they seem to run about $700.

 

[Pilot]

If you aren't going to buy a Ruger and mod it up with Volquartsen parts get a Benelli MP95E or Smith M41.