Mark IV: Standard or 22/45 Frame?

[Skylerbone]

I’ve wanted a Ruger .22 since the Mark II came out and with the Mark IV’s arrival I think I’m ready to take the plunge. What’s giving me cold feet is the decision between the standard aluminum frame and the aluminum or polymer frame 22/45.

I’ve ruled out the SS based on weight, I own 1 complete upper already with plans for more, but I’m lost on which of the remaining two to choose from. Anyone have some light to shed? Which do you own and prefer? Why?

 

[MikeInOr]

For me the grip angle of the 22/45 is more conducive to the way I shoot than the sharper angled Mark series grip angles.

I own a Mark II with an 8" bull barrel. I shoot my friends 22/45 better than I shoot my own Mark II.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I prefer the standard frame.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I own a Mark II with an 8" bull barrel. I shoot my friends 22/45 better than I shoot my own Mark II.

You own a Great Eight?

 

[JDeere]

I have only one and it's a Mark IV target. Accurate and runs like a top. Just added a micro dot and it worked out well. Easy to remove If i just want my irons back for holster carry in the field...

 

[AlexanderA]

It's a choice between the Luger grip angle and the 1911 grip angle. Although I'm a fan of the 1911, I think the Luger points better. Since the grip frame is not the "gun" on a Ruger Mark, get both and try them out.

 

[Skylerbone]

I don’t own any Lugers but I do have a few 1911s. I’m already looking at a “Lite” upper to host an RDS (my Neos and BuckMark are set up this way) and I have the 5.5” Bull for shooting irons.

At some point I may opt for both but for now I’m curious about others’ choice and rationale/use for their Mark pistols.

 

[MikeInOr]

You own a Great Eight?

I'll make you a good deal on it! It has a volquerson trigger.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

22/45 with aluminium. I’d prefer a metal frame though.

 

[Rittmeister]

I have both MkIII and MkIV, and I much prefer the 22/45 frame. I have no opinion on frame material at this point.

 

[JohnB-40]

I could be wrong,happens a lot in my old age...I don't think Ruger makes a 22/45 with an aluminum frame,just the lite weight with an aluminum receiver (their description).I have a Mk3 22/25 target and love the pistol. I upgraded after 10 years to a Volquartsen 1911 style target aluminum frame,it has about the same balance,weight and sight radius as my Colt Commander. With a diet of only Mini Mags it has never had a stoppage.

 

[AzShooter1]

I have both and prefer the Mark IV 22/45 grip angle.


I like the 22/45 angle better for Steel Challenge Matches but really shoot better groups with the Mark III Hunter.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I think this will be a major personal preference thing.

I do really like the heavy SS frame.

 

[Skylerbone]

I could be wrong,happens a lot in my old age...I don't think Ruger makes a 22/45 with an aluminum frame,just the lite weight with an aluminum receiver (their description).

They don’t show them on their (Ruger’s site) but they do make them. I think...aftermarket for sure. Not old age at all, just a myriad of configurations not previously seen.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'll make you a good deal on it! It has a volquerson trigger.

Does it say "Great Eight" down the side of the barrel?

 

[Skylerbone]

It appears I was incorrect; Ruger does not make an aluminum 22/45 frame. Likely tripped me up reading “aluminum receiver” and pictures of a standard frame without stocks looked to me like the 22/45. Good catch @JohnB-40

Tandemkross makes their Kraken frame which is an aluminum 22/45 so I could opt for a build if I can find an MSH. I guess TK assumes customers will be swapping parts in from an already purchased polymer frame.

 

[BreechFace]

I prefer the stainless steel heavy frame. Just feels like a pistol that is multigenerational in quality, and the heft allows for great stability to align sights in shooting.

 

[jstert]

i had a ruger mk 3 and a beretta neos, both in steel. both were reliable and fun, but learned that i dont enjoy heavyweight semiautomatic 22lr pistols. my only 22lr semiauto now is the lighter ruger sr22. that said i love the balance and feel of my steel ruger single six revolver, a forever piece. go figure...

 

[Skylerbone]

i had a ruger mk 3 and a beretta neos, both in steel. both were reliable and fun, but learned that i dont enjoy heavyweight semiautomatic 22lr pistols. my only 22lr semiauto now is the lighter ruger sr22. that said i love the balance and feel of my steel ruger single six revolver, a forever piece. go figure...

Ive got a Single-Six, a Wrangler, Neos, and BuckMark. The Neos grip angle is similar to a standard Mark’s while the Browning is closer to the 22/45. I’m looking for lighter weight since I have a few heavy ones now as a just for fun and possible game gun.

 

[Skylerbone]

I prefer the stainless steel heavy frame. Just feels like a pistol that is multigenerational in quality, and the heft allows for great stability to align sights in shooting.

I was thinking aluminum might split the difference with longevity but thinking lighter for this one and trying some local matches once it's tuned. I remember wishing for the slab-side version when it came out and it would have been ideal for the 20something me.

 

[jstert]

Ive got a Single-Six, a Wrangler, Neos, and BuckMark. The Neos grip angle is similar to a standard Mark’s while the Browning is closer to the 22/45. I’m looking for lighter weight since I have a few heavy ones now as a just for fun and possible game gun.

i don’t hunt but i can assert that the ruger sr22 is very fun, reliable and easy to carry. mine is the 3.5” barrel, i bet that the scarce 4.5” sr22 would be more accurate to serve as a decent small game getter.

 

[Riomouse911]

All of my .22 Ruger autos (Standard, Mk II and Mk IV) have the regular grip frames. For me these shoot very well, so I chose the aluminum-standard button above.

When you do choose a Mk IV frame, the interchangeable upper receiver/barrel set up the Mk IV offers is really neat. I bought a 10” factory pistol but added a bolt/5.5” upper from Volquartsen for variety. If you choose to get another barrel set it’s like having two guns for the price of one.



Stay safe.

 

[Skylerbone]

I’m already shopping like a madman for different configurations and started with the 5.5” Bull with sights. That gives me range practice for target. If I choose a Target Lite model I’ll have a lighter configuration for an RDS.

I’ve also got some parts inbound to clean up the BuckMark trigger, Tandemkross again. I’ll also note that Ruger has not released the Mark IV’s MSH for sale to the public so a ground-up build with a Kraken frame is not possible without a donor housing. Bummer.

I’ve got about $100 into a complete upper so far (internals and bolt included).


My Beretta.


My Browning.

 

[Riomouse911]

My Mk IV trigger wasn’t great from the factory either. I did the Volquartsen trigger parts kit for the gun, now it’s a bit under 2 lbs with zero over travel and a reset that you can just feel as you’re rapidly firing at plates or targets.



I wish these nice .22’s came with a nice trigger, having to spend an extra hundred-hundred fifty on trigger parts after purchase kinda stinks .

Your buckmark will amaze you once it’s all dialed in, they’re great .22’s.

Stay safe.

 

[AzShooter1]

Thanks to Volquartsen I can mix and match barrels to play with my 22/45 Lite. I like the stock barrel for Steel Challenge RFPO, the 5.5 for RFPI and just play with the 10 inch. It's too heavy for me to hold steady so I only shoot it off the bench. Accuracy on all three is outstanding.