New pistol -- MkIV 2245 sight in range report

[PT7]

Brief comment before the Range Report on my new Ruger MkIV 22/45 bull barrel 5.5" pistol.

Since 2012 I've been shooting long guns with various on-going and challenging eye issues. Here it is almost seven years gone by, I can't count the number of long guns I've had, and don't want to consider the $$$ spent. But I've "thrown in the towel" (not my new Henry Orange one) on owning any rifles. The two Henry rifles listed in my signature line are at my LGS under consignment, and hopefully will sell soon. Hard to do that; but had to go that route.

I have a hefty stock of .22LR ammo. I picked up this .22LR pistol and the 10-round magazines "replace" the Henry tube magazine. It's my plinking handgun, and hope to have fun shooting it.

Today I shot this pistol for the first time. Ran through 100 rounds with no feed or ejection issues. Mix of ammo to start learning what it likes:
CCI Mini-Mag 40gr CPRN (used this to sight in the gun)
Federal 40gr CP Solid
American Eagle 38gr CP-HP

Sight in at 7 yards, off hand/one hand shooting at 7 yards, and one group at 5 yards.
The circle in this paper plate is 5" diam, and the orange bull is 1" diam.
Target picture was the last 20 rounds I shot at five yards. Had 20/20 in the 5" radius. POIs are OK to me for first-time out shooting this pistol.

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There was only one glitch that I had --- at least so far. Both 10-round magazines "hang up" before being fully inserted. Need to figure out what's going on. These magazines are the new e-nickel ones Ruger is now producing, as opposed to the blued models. They are aluminum with nickel plating. One thing I do recall from loading the Standard's blued magazines, these e-nickel ones are sure easier to load up the ammo. Finger definitely doesn't get as sore! Anyway, I've ordered a couple more for my range visits.

I like the heft of this 5.5" bull barrel, and the longer sight radius. My first Ruger MkIV was the standard model with a 4.75" tapered barrel. Resembled a German Luger. This gun is easier to keep on target with its weight. The one thing I need to do is put some of my light paint on the front blade sight for more ease of sight acquisition. Other than that, just shooting it a lot will be happening!

Thanks for checking this range report out.
Have a great day.

PT7

[CT_Shooter]

Congratulations, PT7. That's a beautiful pistol and your first target with it is fantastic. You will only get better and better!!!

[North Country Gal]

PT, sorry to hear rifle shooting hasn't worked out for you. Can we assume that pistols are working for you? Sure looks like it. Keep shooting, friend. Good to see.

The Ruger Mark 512 series guns (5 1/2" bull barrel) have always been my favorite in the that gun, whether the Mark I, Mark II or Mark III. Have never shot the new Mark IV, but I assume it is similar in its balance.

[BigAl52]

Have one of those in the lite weight model PT with a red dot on it. Like it a lot when I get to shoot it which hasn't been enough lately. Sorry to hear of the eye issues with the Henrys but I hope you are able to keep shooting most importantly.

[BrokenolMarine]

It may be that the suspected glitch you are feeling is your magazine's initial contact with the magazine latch. Once it rides over the leading edge of the mag, it rides along the side of the mag until it drops into the locking notch in the side of the magazine, just like a 1911. To see if this might be the issue, feed the mag in slowly and see if it catches about where the mag release is located, then feel for the lock to drop in place.

[PT7]

Thanks, Al & NCG,

I've been doing okay with my revolvers so far. They all have front blades, and generally work pretty good. Just ordered new prescript for my trifocals, too. And I'll be getting a different style frame, which allows two of the lenses to be a little larger. I'll need to get used to that set up, but thinking it will work okay.

A handgun makes it easier for me to position the sight radius through my specs. That just doesn't happen with a long gun. I've found the best description for trying to use rifle sights is doing "Houdini contortions" with neck and head. Done with that stuff.

PT, sorry to hear rifle shooting hasn't worked out for you. Can we assume that pistols are working for you? Sure looks like it. Keep shooting, friend. Good to see.

... I hope you are able to keep shooting most importantly.

[PT7]

Marine,

Thanks. I just dis-assembled the pistol to clean it. That left me a clear view from the top of the pistol into the grip. If I look down while holding the pistol pointing downrange, the highest metal point on the right side of the magazine is catching on the magazine release. In order to get passed that "catch," either have to give it firm wiggles, or push the magazine release button to let it by. Didn't happen like that on my MkIV Standard with the blued magazines. I wonder if something not adjusted correctly on this pistol, or prob with the new e-nickel magazines? Will keep after it and let you know if I can fix.

PT7

It may be that the suspected glitch you are feeling is your magazine's initial contact with the magazine latch. Once it rides over the leading edge of the mag, it rides along the side of the mag until it drops into the locking notch in the side of the magazine, just like a 1911. To see if this might be the issue, feed the mag in slowly and see if it catches about where the mag release is located, then feel for the lock to drop in place.

[BrokenolMarine]

PT,

It may be a rough spot on the bottom of the mag release, or the top of the mag, that will "wear in" with use. Could be something an armorer or Smith could polish out in a couple minutes, or, like my Competition 45s, the lockup just requires the mags to be seated "with authority" which is why I knew what to suggest you look at first.

You can give Ruger CS a call, they may be aware if it isn't an isolated issue. Years ago, they sent me a part with instructions to swap it, but offered me the option to ship the gun in and have them do it if I didn't feel capable.

Marine,

Thanks. I just dis-assembled the pistol to clean it. That left me a clear view from the top of the pistol into the grip. If I look down while holding the pistol pointing downrange, the highest metal point on the right side of the magazine is catching on the magazine release. In order to get passed that "catch," either have to give it firm wiggles, or push the magazine release button to let it by. Didn't happen like that on my MkIV Standard with the blued magazines. I wonder if something not adjusted correctly on this pistol, or prob with the new e-nickel magazines? Will keep after it and let you know if I can fix.

PT7

It may be that the suspected glitch you are feeling is your magazine's initial contact with the magazine latch. Once it rides over the leading edge of the mag, it rides along the side of the mag until it drops into the locking notch in the side of the magazine, just like a 1911. To see if this might be the issue, feed the mag in slowly and see if it catches about where the mag release is located, then feel for the lock to drop in place.

[ESquared]

Jim's on the right track(s) with what could be going on with the mags. The fact that they're both exhibiting the same "hang up" could be a misaligned part or it could be a wear-in issue.

Either way, I'd call Ruger C/S and see what they say. When I had a little LC9s Pro, I fought numerous magazine issues, mainly related to slide lock-back, and it made several trips to AZ for a fix, which never really worked out to my satisfaction. Lemon on my list? I dunno, but I'd call 'em and see what they say.

I'll be they've heard your story already...

[RanchRoper]

Congrats, that is a nice gun.

[PT7]

Gentlemen,

Per your arm-in-arm suggestions, I sent an inquiry to Ruger Customer Service this morning. They said I should get a response w/in three days. Will post the outcome....

Appreciate your comments.
PT7

Jim's on the right track(s) with what could be going on with the mags. The fact that they're both exhibiting the same "hang up" could be a misaligned part or it could be a wear-in issue.

….I'd call 'em and see what they say.
I'll be they've heard your story already...

PT,

It may be a rough spot on the bottom of the mag release, or the top of the mag, that will "wear in" with use. Could be something an armorer or Smith could polish out in a couple minutes, or, like my Competition 45s, the lockup just requires the mags to be seated "with authority" which is why I knew what to suggest you look at first.

You can give Ruger CS a call, they may be aware if it isn't an isolated issue. Years ago, they sent me a part with instructions to swap it, but offered me the option to ship the gun in and have them do it if I didn't feel capable.

[Slugnut]

Nice shooting, glad you found your "nitch" in pistol shooting. Ruger makes a Great 22cal pistol in the MK line. Thanx for sharing and shoot straight, my friend.

[Bugs]

Nice. I've been wanting another Ruger .22 for a while. Should have never sold my MKI.

[BrokenolMarine]

I love the ruger semi autos, and have owned several over the years. Our current is a venerable mk1. Not target quality any longer, but perfect for farm work for Miss T.

[PT7]

Nice. I've been wanting another Ruger .22 for a while. Should have never sold my MKI.

Agreed about letting the good ones get away. If I had only realized how well these MK series perform, I shouldn't have let the MkIV Standard out the door.

[PT7]

I love the ruger semi autos, and have owned several over the years. Our current is a venerable mk1. Not target quality any longer, but perfect for farm work for Miss T.

Marine,

I think this Ruger will be "target quality" a lot longer than I will be "shooter quality." It will fun to strive for improvement, and see if I can "help" the pistol to maintain its performance reputation! Looking forward to more range time.

PT7

[North Country Gal]

PY, I've literally owned dozens of Ruger Marks over the years. I can honestly tell you that no semi-auto pistol ever made has the durability of a Ruger Mark. The Ruger Marks have set records for round counts without cleaning, for round counts with replacing a few cheap parts and so on. Have bought used Marks that were so filled with crud from lack of cleaning that I was stunned, but they still shot.

Ruger Marks have been used in formal bullseye competition, usually as guns to get a newbie started before moving on to the expensive stuff. All that is required is a trigger job. In other words, 99% of the folks that shoot Ruger Marks will never be as accurate as the gun.

Enjoy.

[BrokenolMarine]

I love the ruger semi autos, and have owned several over the years. Our current is a venerable mk1. Not target quality any longer, but perfect for farm work for Miss T.

Marine,

I think this Ruger will be "target quality" a lot longer than I will be "shooter quality." It will fun to strive for improvement, and see if I can "help" the pistol to maintain its performance reputation! Looking forward to more range time.

PT7

This one was a Gift from a friend of ours. It belonged to the brother in law, and when he passed the wife didn't want to keep it as the memory of her brother, so dear, was too painful. I had taught the Friend his CCW class, guided him and his wife on their gun purchase, and he and I had remained friends all these years. She told him to give the gun to me. The gun had been shot often, and was well and lovingly worn. I could have my "Smith" restore it, but out of respect for the family, I will keep it as is and Tina will use it around the farm.

I am thinking that down the road I may well add the MKIV to my collection as I have been impressed with what I have seen in the guns others have purchased. Nice shooters and easy to break down.

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[BrokenolMarine]

My only other Ruger at this time was also Sold to me by a family friend in return for all I had done over the years. A 1958 Single Six.
Beautiful... I was knocked over. I was especially knocked over when the seller named her price, and wouldn't take a penny more, even when I tried to double her price.

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[PT7]

This one was a Gift from a friend of ours. It belonged to the brother in law, and when he passed the wife didn't want to keep it as the memory of her brother, so dear, was too painful. I had taught the Friend his CCW class, guided him and his wife on their gun purchase, and he and I had remained friends all these years. She told him to give the gun to me. The gun had been shot often, and was well and lovingly worn. I could have my "Smith" restore it, but out of respect for the family, I will keep it as is and Tina will use it around the farm.

I am thinking that down the road I may well add the MKIV to my collection as I have been impressed with what I have seen in the guns others have purchased. Nice shooters and easy to break down.

Marine,

Very nice-looking Ruger....like the tapered barrel, and especially the grips....sharp total package.
Best is the history and family connection. Like that you're going "to keep it as is."

Yeah, if you do get a Mark IV, you won't regret the ease of take down and re-assembly. My son-in-law owns, I think, three Marks. The first time he shot my Mark IV Standard and I showed him the take down, he had a new Mark IV Hunter in his gun cabinet in less than a week!

Like I already posted, for me the best I'll get with this pistol is not the precision shooting for top accuracy, but just to have a pistol that shoots well, easy to keep up, and fun. I think this one fits the bill for me.

PT7