As I totally suck with a pistol larger than a .22 (and my girlfriend wants to have one to plink with, which I agree with, currently she expends .45acp like its dirt cheap), I've decided to finally get off my butt and get a .22. The MkIIs have really drawn my eye, as they fit my (and my girlfriend's) hands well. My cousin has a 6 7/8" Target MkII that we both like and shoot relatively well with, so I've decided to stick with the grip arrangement that works for us. (In case you've seen my thread on the Taurus Model 65 over in Revolvers, I can buy one of those anytime because it has the integral safety locks, MkIIs dont and are becoming more expensive by the week as none made on/after 1/1/03 can be sold in the state)
I hit the local gunshops today, one dealer said Rugers couldnt be sold in MD (partially true, but he's not very personable so I didnt bother to correct him that old guns could still be sold), so he's not getting my business. The other dealer had a new blued Ruger MkII 5.5" bull barrel with target sights for $299+fees+tax, a new blued MkII Government for $399+fees+tax, and a used blued MkII Government for $260+fees+tax; handgun prices were non-negotiable, even if paying in cash. The "state fee" is $20 (thats a rant unto itself, and I'll get into that later, the state only charges the dealers $10) and tax is 5%, so I could get out of there for: $335, $439 and $281 respectively. The Governments were both model MK678G's, the MkII was a model MK512. Both models handled and felt equally well, and pointed naturally.
For comparison, a Taurus Mdl 94 was $299+fees+tax and an HK USP40C was $799+fees+tax.
The used Government caught my eye the most, it only had a few very fine scratches in the bluing near the barrel/receiver interface (I had to look hard to see them, there were like five in a swirl pattern, as if it had been moved while in contact with checkered metal, maybe a few other small scratches in other places) and looked to have been well taken care of. The gunstore guy didnt know the history of it, beyond it bring brought in on a trade. I didnt have a chance to check the bore or any of that fun stuff (was on my way home from work), so I'm not sure on how the internals look, but judging from its outer appearance, it should be ok.
I dont have the cash for the new Government, and the new 5.5" MkII is a little more than I'm willing to pay for one, but given the MD's integral handgun lock law, its a seller's market for most .22s (only Taurus and the Walther P22 have suitable integral locks), so high prices are the norm.
My problem is I just picked up my FAL reciever a week ago, so I have a while to go before I can buy another 'regulated firearm' and I'm afraid the used Government will disappear if I dont act fast and put down some money to hold it until I can start the paperwork.
Now onto the questions:
I've heard Ruger has excellent customer service, will they repair a gun for a second owner? Like if I buy the used Government, and it gives pie-plate sized groups at 7 yards from a rest, can I count on them to make it right?
Is $281ish out the door a good deal on a used Gov't? Should I jump on it, or go for the 5.5" model?
Kharn
I hit the local gunshops today, one dealer said Rugers couldnt be sold in MD (partially true, but he's not very personable so I didnt bother to correct him that old guns could still be sold), so he's not getting my business. The other dealer had a new blued Ruger MkII 5.5" bull barrel with target sights for $299+fees+tax, a new blued MkII Government for $399+fees+tax, and a used blued MkII Government for $260+fees+tax; handgun prices were non-negotiable, even if paying in cash. The "state fee" is $20 (thats a rant unto itself, and I'll get into that later, the state only charges the dealers $10) and tax is 5%, so I could get out of there for: $335, $439 and $281 respectively. The Governments were both model MK678G's, the MkII was a model MK512. Both models handled and felt equally well, and pointed naturally.
For comparison, a Taurus Mdl 94 was $299+fees+tax and an HK USP40C was $799+fees+tax.
The used Government caught my eye the most, it only had a few very fine scratches in the bluing near the barrel/receiver interface (I had to look hard to see them, there were like five in a swirl pattern, as if it had been moved while in contact with checkered metal, maybe a few other small scratches in other places) and looked to have been well taken care of. The gunstore guy didnt know the history of it, beyond it bring brought in on a trade. I didnt have a chance to check the bore or any of that fun stuff (was on my way home from work), so I'm not sure on how the internals look, but judging from its outer appearance, it should be ok.
I dont have the cash for the new Government, and the new 5.5" MkII is a little more than I'm willing to pay for one, but given the MD's integral handgun lock law, its a seller's market for most .22s (only Taurus and the Walther P22 have suitable integral locks), so high prices are the norm.
My problem is I just picked up my FAL reciever a week ago, so I have a while to go before I can buy another 'regulated firearm' and I'm afraid the used Government will disappear if I dont act fast and put down some money to hold it until I can start the paperwork.
Now onto the questions:
I've heard Ruger has excellent customer service, will they repair a gun for a second owner? Like if I buy the used Government, and it gives pie-plate sized groups at 7 yards from a rest, can I count on them to make it right?
Is $281ish out the door a good deal on a used Gov't? Should I jump on it, or go for the 5.5" model?
Kharn
In Iowa, AFAIK, as long as I have my permit to acquire, I can walk into any gun shop, plunk down the cash, and walk out with any gun without even a phone call. Heck, just last night I got my ruger 22/45 at a gun show for 209 (219 OTD), and today I'm going shooting. Without the permit, I can only get long guns, and it'll take a phone call for a background check, but I can still buy a couple at a time.
