Question for the Enablers

[GJeffB]

x-posted as usual

Back story: wife has a Charter .38 that she picked out 7-ish years ago. Shot maybe 20 times Her weak hands can't fire DA, she can ear the hammer back, but it's to loud, to much recoil, with 130gr FMJ poof loads. I love my baby, but she's ambivalent about shooting in general. "Maybe less loud, less recoil, easier to shoot" etc.
So I've been looking for a Ruger Mk IV 22/45 Lite for over a year.

Today I wandered into the only LGS within 100 miles to peruse reloading components. Seriously? Two Lites in the case. "We just got them in." One is black, the other baby stuff green. Color makes no difference. $639 each (NO, I'm not considering both ).

I guess I'm required to go back tomorrow, with or without SWMBO. Finally, to the questions/thoughts.
1. I may or may not be able to pull the trigger dry fire. If for some reason that's not allowed, how is the trigger on those that have, what can I expect, stock.
2. Charging handle is really easy to actuate. Just what wifey would need.
3. Ruger MSRP for the model that's been unavailable at any reasonable price for a year + is $699. These are obviously $60 short of MSRP. In stock. Hands on. Any thoughts on the price?
4. I understand all the ease of take down/reassembly issues. Any downsides I'm missing? [as an aside, it's standard adjustable rear sight, not fiber optic front].

-jb, yeah yeah, I know "buy buy buy"

 

[Tilos]

My wife was in a similar situation a few years back, but I didn't buy another gun, instead bought her this pepper spray:
Amazon.com : POM Pepper Spray White Flip Top Keychain - Maximum Strength OC Spray Self Defense - Tactical Compact & Safe Design - Quick Key Release - 25 Bursts & 10 ft Range - Accurate Stream Pattern : Sports & Outdoors
A spray that's a stream:
Amazon.com : SABRE Pepper Spray, Quick Release Keychain for Easy Carry and Fast Access, Finger Grip for More Accurate and Faster Aim, Maximum Police Strength OC Spray, 25 Bursts, Secure and Easy to Use Safety : Sports & Outdoors

My thought is her knowing it to be less lethal, she would be more apt to use it.
She is very situationally a-where and often has it in her hand when she feels she may need it.
I have since bought some for me to use when not ccw'ing.
I'm not privy to what your wife may encounter in your part of the world, but pepper spray works for my wife and she is comfortable packing it.
jmo,
.
Edit: for easy racking:
What semi auto pistols are easy to rack? | The High Road

 

[Hugger-4641]

I have a 22/45 Lite that I bought new. It ran flawlessly on CCI Stingers, but when I started using various ammo I did run into some lower velocity ammo that doesn't like to feed or eject. Thunderbolts were one of them. Oddly enough, standard velocity Federal and Blazer run fine. Its very light and well balanced, but I'd make sure you're confident in the ammo/feed/ejection before using for Sd.

 

[Tallball]

All of the Ruger Marks are fine pistols. I have two. They are very easy to rack and the triggers are nice.

If a good 32 revolver with a nice trigger is out of the question, at least the Ruger Mark is a high quality handgun.

 

[FL-NC]

My Keltech P17 has been good so far. It even ran well w/subs. $225 OTD, 3 16 round mags came with it.

 

[triplebike]

I have the MKIV LITE. I broke it in with about 5-800 rds of CCI mini mags. After that it will run any ammo out there. In fact I shot it yesterday, put 300 rds of cheap armsor ammo through it without a single failure. As far as 22's go it's a fantastic firearm and backed by one of the best customer service companies out there. Going price in my neck of the woods is $579.

 

[Seedy Character]

Good choice in the Ruger
Wife had a DAO SP101, arthritis got to where couldn't pull the trigger. Ruger Mark fills the bill.

+1 on the pepper spray

 

[Mars5l]

Is it supposed to be a range pistol or a carry?

 

[edwardware]

Every BigName Brand .22 made in decades restrains the firing pin forward movement, and can be dry fired (within reason) without damage. The Ruger MkII, and its lesser illegitimate offspring, won't be harmed.

 

[5-SHOTS]

As a range pistol the Ruger will be great.
As a carry/defensive pistol I'd get a .380 locked breech semiauto like the Walther PK380 or the S&W Shield 380 EZ.

 

[doubleh]

They are going for a little less down here in southern NM. Don't forget the ho-hum trigger the MK IV comes with.

 

[defjon]

You say she can thumb cock the hammer-what about a Ruger wrangler?

She has some revolver experience. My kid picked up the loading /unloading process immediately.

For self defense... It beats harsh language. I'd load stingers and 40 grain lrn alternating.. Or just velociters or yellow jackets if you can find them.

 

[GJeffB]

Thanks one and all. Sorry for my omission. This will be strictly a plinking/range gun.
FL-NC, coincidentally a few days ago another forum member also suggested the Keltec P17 particularly for the easy slide.

-jb, always appreciate the input/recommendations here

 

[halfmoonclip]

Glock 44s work great, and are easy to rack. Love mine, and it's a great trainer for other striker fired guns.
Glad someone raised the range only issue. What hamstrings even the best .22 autoloader is .22 ammo; getting them to always feed and always ignite is no small problem.
Moon

 

[243winxb]

dry fire.Charging handle is really easy to actuate. Just what wifey would need.

Had to pull bolt back when hammer has been dropped.

 

[golden]

GJeffB,

Why not the S&W .380ACP EZ. My wife loves hers and I bought another one for myself, but will give it to her as a car gun. My brother liked it so much he bought one and let his wife shoot it. So now she is an EZ shooter and carrier after many years of shooting a CHARTER ARM Undercover. In fact, she is switching over to semi-autos completely.

Oh, the EZ is also $100 to $200 cheaper.

Jim

 

[mingo]

I agree with the S&W .380 M&P EZ is the way to go. You might need to buy two when you find out how sweet they are.

 

[nofendertom]

243winxb---was that---"HARD to pull bolt back when hammer has been dropped"
Tamdomkross sells adapter to make pulling bolt back easier for Ruger mk iv and
other brands of 22lr pistols.

 

[GJeffB]

Golden and mingo:
wife is at best a learning, casual shooter. No interest in carry on her person or in vehicle, no interest in centerfire. She *occasionally* goes to the range with me, rarely gets the urge to shoot, but when she does she wants "no" noise or recoil (or at least as little as possible. Same issue with strikers, glocks, etc. Her only interest is a single action trigger, light slide/bolt, and rimfire. Thanks for the suggestions, all very valid. Having mentored and trained lots of neophytes, especially women, I've long recommended letting them choose what they want

-jb, she's fired maybe 20 rounds from the Charter .38 in several years

 

[MedWheeler]

My Bersa Thunder 22 is light and easy to slide-rack. My Beretta 21A, though small for plinking, doesn't even require slide-racking. Just tossing those out there.

The Ruger seems pricey for someone who is not enthusiastic about shooting, but it might help change that enthusiasm level.

It sounds like your wife is unlikely to ever be at the range shooting alone.

 

[GJeffB]

You nailed the situation MedWheeler
The Ruger is a bit pricey for a non-enthusiast ... but there's always the enthusiastic husband.
It is about an absolute certainty she'll never be at the range alone.

-jb, always available to help/mentor her shooting

 

[film495]

I have a MK2 that everyone seems to like to try at the range. Good plinking target pistol. Use factory magazines, seem to always work better with Ruger IMHO.

 

[Skylerbone]

https://www.tandemkross.com/factory-ruger-mark_iv-2245-lite-pistol $599 or $649 in red.


https://palmettostatearmory.com/gun...acturer=Ruger&stock_filter=Show+Only+In+Stock $599 in gold, $569 in purple

 

[Skylerbone]

Now for me, I went a different direction and here’s why: a take-off upper was $40 from Volquartsen, plus $80 for a complete bolt, plus $599 for a Kraken lower (Tandemkross parts installed) is ~$720 for a pistol that won’t need further upgrading until she can outshoot the factory barrel. Add cost of magazines, I forgot that part till after I ordered.

Sure it’s a bit more upfront but cheaper than adding upgrades later and you’re starting with an aluminum frame rather than the 22/45 plastic one.


This from VQ’s clearance section.


This from Wirthwein


This from TK


And the larger Venom from Vortex (though the tiny Sig Romeo 0 would work great as well at $139 from eurooptic, it’s on my KelTec).

 

[GJeffB]

https://www.tandemkross.com/factory...tol?avad=55097_e2813b8a9&utm_source=AvantLink

After shipping and FFL transfer fee, that's be right around the $639 LGS price that seems to be too high by general consensus, no?

Sure it’s a bit more upfront ...

She's a very part time shooter, at this point all the "up front" would be really overkill. But clearly nice pistols

-jb, kind of like a S&W M 52 for an occasional plinker