Thinking of picking up one of these. Anybody run into problems with theirs?
Any reason not to buy a Ruger Mk IV 22/45 Lite?
- Thread starter lihpster
- Start date
My wife has one - it’s purple. She loves it. No issues at all and accuracy is good though not quite like a high grade target pistol. No reason I can think of not to get one.
robertrwalsh
SWCA Member
I have two (not the lite versions) and like them very much. I shoot them in Steel Challenge competitions. They are remarkably non-ammo sensitive for a .22 automatic.
If the triggers are the same for all Mark IV series pistols, ours improved with round count and no reason to change at this time.
Nice to have the rail to add optics.
I had to modify a 10/22 rifle rail, and can mount the Red Dots forward.
You might need a Bobcat as a BUG.
Nice to have the rail to add optics.
I had to modify a 10/22 rifle rail, and can mount the Red Dots forward.
You might need a Bobcat as a BUG.
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govt 380
Member
I have been obsessing over the same Ruger questions. Many years ago I had a High Standard Victor and a Ruger Target. The High Standard was tack sharp, as was the Ruger, but it looked like a calking gun. High Standard very difficult to rack, Ruger easy. Sold both. Decades later I decided to again take up hobby, but much weaker arms and eyes. Bought used Ruger Competition, beautiful and accurate, but too heavy(45oz) for frail arms. Bought Ruger target 35oz., accurate but iron sights tough for old eyes. Bought 22/45 lite(25oz)to mount red dot that could co-witness. Gun too light to hold dot steady on center of paper target, but fine for metal plates. Resolved to shoot 35oz. target with iron sights at about 25 ft. Probably more than you wanted to know 
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Farmer17
Member
I have a Ruger 22/45 Tactical 4" barrel with checkered walnut grips and a Bushnell Red dot sight. I put a Spectre II surppressor on it from my 10/22 take down and absolutely love the pistol and so does everyone else who shoots it. I go through a brick of CCI standard velocity pretty quickly and it has been 100 percent reliable and quite accurate. The 22/45 frame fits my hand much better than the standard frame and the wood grips make it look excellent for a polymer gun.
AJ
US Veteran
I have been obsessing over the same Ruger questions. Many years ago I had a High Standard Victor and a Ruger Target. The High Standard was tack sharp, as was the Ruger, but it looked like a calking gun. High Standard very difficult to rack, Ruger easy. Sold both. Decades later I decided to again take up hobby, but much weaker arms and eyes. Bought used Ruger Competition, beautiful and accurate, but too heavy(45oz) for frail arms. Bought Ruger target 35oz., accurate but iron sights tough for old eyes. Bought 22/45 lite(25oz)to mount red dot that could co-witness. Gun too light to hold dot steady on center of paper target, but fine for metal plates. Resolved to shoot 35oz. target with iron sights at about 25 ft. Probably more than you wanted to know
Welcome to the golden years!
I've had a few of the "Lite" MK3 versions and accuracy was unacceptable for my standards. I see no reason to expect any different from the MK4s. If you are OK with 3" - 4" groups at 10 yds., then it should work fine for your needs, but if I can't get sub 1" groups at that distance then I don't need it. I'll keep my MK2 Government Target.
Marshal Tom
Member
I had one and sold it. I liked it but felt that I would rather have the all steel Mk-4 instead. I'm a lefty so the new ones are great being ambi and the takedown is wonderful compared to the old models. I liked the .45 grip since I am a long time 1911 fan but the standard grip is fine as well.
Thuer
Member
They are way more easy to dissambly and put together then the MK II.
Matter of opinion. If the reassembly instructions in the owner's manual are followed, there is no problem. I can strip and reassemble my MK2 in less than 30 seconds because I learned the procedure in the manual. Ì then practiced it until I could do it with my eyes closed or in the dark. Most people that have problems with the MK1, 2 or 3 didn't read the manual.
AJ
US Veteran
Had a so called gunsmith break my 22/45 after showing me how to take it apart. He ended up sending it to Ruger to be repaired. They fixed it and sent it back with very clear/simple instructions to him on proper disassembly and reassembly. Never used him again and sold the 22/45 soon after. I use a Buckmark now.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
None that I can think of.
Bought a MKIV target 5” bull bbl and accuracy was not real good with 5 different brands of ammo. Friend at the club has the same one and his shoots nice. Bought a different upper and tested it, same thing. Don’t expect the accuracy of my model 41 but at least 1” at 50 ft indoors where I shoot. Two of the ammo used was CCI std and SK std.
I used sand bags on a wood bench and a stool to sit on. The bench is somewhat steady/wobbly and can be slid around for different shoots. There is a ransom rest which I will eventually try with the gun before I sell it.
Installed a Tandemcross trigger kit also to eliminate the bad factory trigger. Should have used the Volquartsen with the Tandemcross straight trigger. Like the looks of the Tandemcross trigger.
Have a MK MKII Ruger Government model with the 25 yd test target and it’s a tack driver even when I shoot it. Larry
I used sand bags on a wood bench and a stool to sit on. The bench is somewhat steady/wobbly and can be slid around for different shoots. There is a ransom rest which I will eventually try with the gun before I sell it.
Installed a Tandemcross trigger kit also to eliminate the bad factory trigger. Should have used the Volquartsen with the Tandemcross straight trigger. Like the looks of the Tandemcross trigger.
Have a MK MKII Ruger Government model with the 25 yd test target and it’s a tack driver even when I shoot it. Larry
Hair Trigger
US Veteran
The MkIV's are a piece of cake compared to the first three Marks, the takedown procedure is totally different. The MkIII is all I've owned and one was a 22/45. It was much harder to disassemble than the Hunter I now have. The plastic frame is why. There is enough "give" in the mating area of the frame that the fit had to be made extremely tight so it wouldn't work loose with shooting. I had to use a plastic mallet to carefully drive the frame onto the barrel before using that ridiculous latch to lock it in place. My Hunter is also tight (as it should be) but can be slid because of the steel frame.
My 22/45 MkIII was not the lightweight, but it was a good shooter. I just hated the plastic frame.
I have a MKIV 22/45 Lite and a Buck Mark 5.5 Field (circa mid 90's). Both are nice pistols. My Buck Mark is factory stock as is the 22/45 Lite (with the exception of the TK muzzle device and G10 grips). Both are dependable, reliable pistols. The Buck Mark has a much better factory trigger and is way more accurate with a variety of different ammo than the MKIV. If I were to get rid of one of them it would be the MKIV without having to give it any thought. I just think the Buck Mark is an all-around better pistol. But there's nothing wrong with the MK IV Lite if that's what you want.
PS: OP, I gave you a 'Like' so you hit 18,000!
PS: OP, I gave you a 'Like' so you hit 18,000!
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jimmyj
Member
I own several Rugers (older models) and have discover that Ruger Customer Service is AMAZING !
All you need for a part is the model and serial number when you telephone.
So far no hassle and the parts are shipped FREE!
All you need for a part is the model and serial number when you telephone.
So far no hassle and the parts are shipped FREE!
OP
First of all, I'd like to thank you guys for taking the time to answer my question. And Eric, I appreciate the bump up to a round number!
Now, I don't expect tack driving accuracy from this gun. It is going to be a range toy/red dot trainer/new shooter trainer. Never shot a pistol with one on it. Haven't shot my HK VP9 since I put the red dot on it.
The Ruger is easy to mount one on. Also, the threaded barrel means it's easy to mount a suppressor on it, which is something I'm giving serious thought to. I have other .22 handguns if I want to shave a gnat, midair. I won't be competing against anyone but myself. I also like the look of the Rugers. And it fills a need that I've had since I sold my MKII bull barrel.
Since it sounds like the main issues brought up here seem to be either a personal preference or a lack of target accuracy, I think I'm gonna go pick one up tomorrow. I just didn't want to hear something like, "The frames crack at the hinge." or something like that. Thanks again for the advice. I do really appreciate it. I knew I could count on you.
Now, I don't expect tack driving accuracy from this gun. It is going to be a range toy/red dot trainer/new shooter trainer. Never shot a pistol with one on it. Haven't shot my HK VP9 since I put the red dot on it.
The Ruger is easy to mount one on. Also, the threaded barrel means it's easy to mount a suppressor on it, which is something I'm giving serious thought to. I have other .22 handguns if I want to shave a gnat, midair. I won't be competing against anyone but myself. I also like the look of the Rugers. And it fills a need that I've had since I sold my MKII bull barrel.
Since it sounds like the main issues brought up here seem to be either a personal preference or a lack of target accuracy, I think I'm gonna go pick one up tomorrow. I just didn't want to hear something like, "The frames crack at the hinge." or something like that. Thanks again for the advice. I do really appreciate it. I knew I could count on you.
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