Which model of Ruger Mk III is most accurate?

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jblane

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I want to buy a .22 pistol to learn to shoot with, and I've decided on the Ruger Mark III (I've heard this is one of the most accurate .22s, is this right?). I've noticed there are a lot of different types of this pistol, and I'm wondering what the differences are. Should I go with the Mark III, the Mark III 22/45, the Hunter, etc?

Also, I'm wondering if the front and rear sights are removable, in case I want to change the sights for more accuracy.
 
I'm happy to see a smart person. A .22 is the best gun to learn on. You can get the Rugers with fixed or adjustable sites. It's worth the extra money to get adjustable sites. With a .22 you'll find one gun may shoot very accurately with one brand of ammo and pretty bad with another brand. The POI can be off with the brand that shoots nicely. Say this accurate brand shoots high and to the left. With adjustable sites you can adjust for that brand to zero onto the bullseye.

I'm not going to say a Ruger with the 5.5" bull barrel is the most accurate but the barrel weight does make it easier to control. These guns are very accurate and saying one is more accurate than another isn't easy. Even the standard model with fixed sites is the same basic gun as the 6 7/8" target pistol or the Government model etc. You may want to consider a MKII so you don't have the lock or other extra safety bs. A gun is only as safe as the person using it. Be sure to memorize the 4 rules of firearm safety and memorize them so you can repeat them. You will have fun.
 
It really comes down to preference. There isn't a discernable difference in accuracy between models. The quality of parts is pretty consistent across the board. You can have different sights, grips, finishes etc, but this won't effect the accuracy of the pistol. Find the pistol that feels the best in your hand. If accuracy is your goal, take lessons, and buy lots of ammo and shoot.
 
I have a 7.5" Mark III that is very accurate, easy to shoot soda cans at 25 yards with. I got it because I couldn't fit my bolt action rifle in my back pack :)

They're all accurate, you just need to buy the one that works the best for you. I like the longer 7"+ barrels because you have more sight radius and can percieve where the gun is pointing easier. More veteran shooters could do just as well with the shorter barrels.

My barrel is tapered, and because of its length is heavy enough. On the shorter barreled guns, the heavy barreled guns are easier for me to shoot because they seem to have less recoil (not that the .22lr has much to begin with).

Handle a few and buy the one that is the steadiest in your hand.

edited to add:

Don't ever sell your Ruger, you will only lose money and have to buy another in the future. My first handgun was a Ruger Mark II and I regretted selling it so much that I had to go out and buy another.
 
Just starting out, you need to work on your aim and trigger control. That is you and not the gun. Get one with a 5.5" barrel for the most flexibility and then spend your money on ammo and range time.

If you really get into competitive shooting, you will be looking into other pistols anyway so don't throw all your money into your first pistol.
 
Any of these will be more accurate than any human. Like the others said, get the one that feels best in your hand and then practice lots.
 
I like the MkIII Hunter with a Fluted 6-7/8" barrel. It is lighter than the bull barrel and very accurate. I have had no FTF or FTE issues. The only ammo it does not like are CB's.
 
+1 for CWL. All of these Rugers are made using the same barrel blanks. There is hardly any measurable difference in accuracy between them. The main factor is you, the shooter and how you interact with the sights and trigger. Buy LOTS of ammo and practice. Any of Rugers .22 pistols will outshoot most shooters.
 
Any of them are a good choice - get whatever floats your boat and feels best in your hand. I'm partial to the 5.5" Bull myself, although I have a Mark II Target that may or may not usurp it (hasn't yet, but give it time).

Do get the model with the adjustable sites though. Thing that's just about all of them aside from maybe the base model.

A lot of folks don't like the Mark III because of the lawyer stuff. I've never had a problem with it, and I like the magazine release infinitely more on the Mark III compared with the II.
 
+1 on the Ultimate Clip Loader. They should come with every new Mark series pistol:neener:

idoono
 
The Ultimate Clip Loader makes life better. There's a guy on Ebay who did or is still working for the company selling them for 22.50 shipped.
 
I have a Mark II with 5.5" bull barrel. The extra weight helps me hold it steady. I like to shoot it and it is easy to shoot well. I would choose the same configuration with the Mark III. The 5.5" barrel (although heavy) is still compact enough for woods carry with a holster.
 
"Also, I'm wondering if the front and rear sights are removable, in case I want to change the sights for more accuracy."

ditto what everybody said, really no difference in accuracy potential
the shorter 5.5" barrel balances well in hand, and carries better (if you carry in holster walking woods or whatever)
I prefer the longer 6 7/8 barrel for the longer sight radius, helps the shooter make the most out of their own abilities when shooting open sights, better methinks if this be a range pistol

tapered or bull barrel, grip style... all just a matter of individual preferences

The Mark III comes with a weaver rail which can be left permanently mounted (leastways the 6 7/8" model did), so can quickly/readily mount or dismount scope or red dot of choice without need of removing the open sights, and can leave weaver rail in place when shooting open sights...
but you can quickly remove rear & front sights also if that happens to be your preference, just less convenient if/when switching back and forth

I like a Millet 1" tube 3MOA red dot on my MKIII (maintains a low profile), but sometimes do pull it off to shoot open... it does not balance well for me if/when offhand shooting w/ the red dot mounted, balances just fine without
(my 10" bull barrel MKII is simply not an "offhand" shooter, too much barrel weight, so I keep a 2X pistol scope on that one, awesome accurate)

PS
the Buckmarks are very nice too, I just happen to favor MKs
 
I will chime in. I had the MkIII 22/45 version with the 5.5 bull barrel and I really liked it. I ended up swapping it for a shotgun and then turned around and bought a brand new Mk III with the 4.75" barrel and I do wish I had kept the first one. Lots of people prefer the mk II over the mk III but I like the mag release on the mk III way better (its near the trigger) then on the mk II.

Get one, they are a blast to shoot and mine is more accurate then I will ever be!
 
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