Ruger has lengthy since established itself because the market chief in .22 LR chambered plinkers. The venerable 10/22, the Single Six and the Mark collection have been flying off the cabinets for many years. Right now, I’m taking a look at one of the crucial trendy iterations, the Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Tactical.
First Look
This isn’t my first time with a Ruger .22 LR handgun, but it surely’s been so a few years that it seems like a recent begin. The 22/45 grip is certainly very 1911 reminiscent, so if that’s your desire you’ll like what they’ve finished right here.
Concerning ergonomics, the protection selector and slide cease/launch are each properly positioned and straightforward sufficient to hit, regardless of having arms which can be almost as huge as they’re quick. Cool.
A pair of 10-round magazines are included. Whereas I’m not shocked that 10-rounders can be found (on account of state restrictions in massive markets), however what boggles me slightly is taking such a big body and never making 10+ spherical mags even an possibility. It’s 2024, we’re allowed to dream slightly greater.
Threaded barrel…prime picatinny rail…acquired it. Optic and suppressor use closely advised, implied and really helpful. Additionally, appreciated!
I’ve a couple of extra observations however they’re finest talked about in context, so its on to…
Vary Time
A lot of the ammo I ran via the Mark IV 22/45 Tactical was CCI’s polymer-coated goal hundreds in excessive velocity and subsonic flavors.
The primary 100 rounds had been the one ones I ran with no suppressor or optic. Issues went properly throughout this section. I didn’t shoot teams for accuracy, however did loads of metal transitions at 15 and 25 yards, in addition to “IQ” drills via a rubber goal from Infinite Protection. All good to date.
I screwed on an previous Pilot 2 suppressor from AAC and bolted on a TD-3C red-dot by Hello-lux Optics. I went via one other 100 rounds every of CCI’s polymer-coated supersonic and subsonic rounds. I acquired zeroed and repeated the drills I’d gone via. My 10- and 11-year previous youngsters additionally took the possibility to fritter away among the numerous .22 LR rounds they’ve in their very own stashes.
Spoiler alert: they love this gun.
With so little reciprocating mass, the Mark IV 22/45 has noticeably much less recoil than a Walther P22, which issues little to an grownup however was appreciated by the boys. With CCI’s subsonic rounds and a suppressor, this can be one of many quietest firearms I’ve ever shot.
After a fast wipe down and re-lube, I went again out the subsequent day. The primary 50 rounds had been a complete jam fest. Each different spherical was reliably unreliable, failing to extract. A examine of the gun confirmed it was clear, oiled and correctly assembled. After these 50 rounds, the gun went again to operating like a silent stitching machine. I ran an almost 500 rounds via it after that, with out one other subject. I do not know what occurred wanting it being a foul bunch of ammo or the gun didn’t like no matter I wiped it down with. However I by no means had one other downside.
Accuracy
Operating the Mark IV 22/45 at 15 and 25 yards on metal targets starting from 4-inch circles to bowling pin sized poppers was uneventfully predictable. I by no means missed a shot that I felt just like the gun failed me on. The set off isn’t a match precision kind, however works properly sufficient for a mass-produced leadslinger.
Capturing teams nevertheless, began out as a maddening expertise. From a standing place, I used a rifle tripod as an especially secure base. Teams had been dinner plate sized at 15 yards, too shameful to even seize a ruler. I checked the optic, made certain I wasn’t getting baffle strikes.
I took the suppressor off, and the teams tightened to what I might anticipate from this gun. I put the suppressor again on, and the teams stayed the identical cheap dimension. I actually don’t really feel like I put any considerable torque on the can, however who is aware of? Similar to with reliability, as soon as the difficulty cleared up, it stayed cleared up.
I began taking pictures at a 1/3 scale mini E-type goal at 100 yards, and will routinely make contact. Didn’t scratch the paint a lot… however I used to be hitting.
The place To Purchase
Ultimate Ideas
I’d like to say that every one my favourite weapons have been completely dependable and correct for the reason that daybreak of time. It isn’t true although. The Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Tactical coming my manner had me excited. The reliability hiccups and accuracy blips had been irritating and troubling, largely as a result of I may by no means isolate what was responsible for them and after they went away, they went away for good, leaving me very proud of the gun. Now that these rising pains have handed, that is a kind of weapons that everybody desires to shoot. Whether or not it’s my youngsters or my Ranger buddy who’s come over to shoot the most recent and best in tactical goodness…this gun catches consideration universally properly.
I do know it’s at all times worrying to learn opinions with accuracy and reliability points. If it’s price something to you, I really feel adequate about this gun that I’m going to purchase this particular T&E gun from Ruger, out of pocket. As soon as issues acquired ironed out, this gun reworked into an actual pleasure, and if you think about ammunition, optics, suppressors, cleansing provides, no matter; photographs can get wonky and it may be onerous to pin down what’s inflicting it.
The Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Tactical has an MSRP of $669, and a road value of roughly $548 at the moment. Test it out. This may very well be a terrific little gun so as to add to your assortment.
Tech Specs
Capability:10+1
Receiver Materials: Alloy Metal
Entrance Sight: Fastened
Barrel Size 4.40 in.
Grip Body: Polymer
Grips: Checkered 1911-Fashion
End: Blued
Width: 1.22 in.
Rear Sight: Adjustable
Barrel Fashion: Threaded
Thread Sample: 1/2-28
Weight: 33.3 oz.
Total Size: 8.50 in.
Top: 5.50 in.
Grooves: 6
Twist: 1:16 RH
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