What mark number, 22/45 slabside

[Citadelgrad87]

I have a 22/45 slabside that was a Turners exclusive offering, probably about ten years old. Polymer frame, molded on grip panels, about a six inch flat sided bullish barrel. Blake frame, blued metal parts.

It just says "22/45" on it, and "competition target".

I'm looking at having Kingshouse custom do the grip mod, machining off the plastic panels, installing bushings, so I can put a nice wood grip set on it.

Looking at the website, they mention "mark II" and "mark III".

I recall the original, all steel Ruger pistols were called "mark I" models.

Is what I have a II, a III, or something else? Shouldn't it say somewhere? Am I that stupid?

Anyone have this mod done? How do you like it?

[Chaos47]

22/45 are either MKII or MKIII
Being 10 years old probably makes yours an MKII 22/45

The difference of the 22/45's Marks is mostly the frame (besides other all MKII to MKIII changes) As you can see the MKII frame was a bit more bulky with larger grip swells and a more angular trigger guard. Where the MKIII are a bit more skinny and flat, with a round trigger guard

MKII 22/45 Frame:


MKIII 22/45 Frame:

[...]
I recall the original, all steel Ruger pistols were called "mark I" models.
[...]

This is not 100% accurate and is a common misconception.
They have made metal frame Ruger pistols thru all the generations Standard and MK1-3.
The 22/45 did not replace the metal frames but is a parallel variation.

Not all first generation pistols are Mark 1 either.
The early pistols with light tapered barrels and fixed sights are just called "Standards". These are not technically "Pre-Mark 1" either as they are sometimes called.
The Standard and the MK1 were made at the same time. (I have read that the MK1 was even produced before the Standard)
The MK1 where the upgraded target pistols versions with improved triggers, heavier barrels (heavy tapered barrels at first, bull barrels came later) and adjustable rear sights.
Both the MK1 and the Standards went thru a frame change in 1971. This was done because the frame dies were purportedly warring out. And also to make way for design changes that would be introduced with the MKII such as the bolt hold open. Early A54 (not marked) frames use magazines that have the follower button on the right. Later A100 marked frames use magazines with followers on the left like the MKII and can use MKII magazines without modification and also MKII grips.
MKII magazines can have their follower button flipped to the right and be used in A54 framed MKI and Standards too.

Nowadays the product lines are more blurred. They still make Standard models with the lighter taper barrels and fixed sights but they are generally/acceptably just referred to as MK3. Where on the flip side it's generally considered wrong to call an early Standard an MKI...

So theres the unasked for quick lesson on the MK series.

[RawHP]

I did mine with a Dremel. But it didn't feel right with stock 1911 grips; felt too much like a double stack (too wide). I shot it a while that way, but I could never get a comfortable hold. I ended up sanding just under a 1/16" off the width of each grip using my disk sander so now it's the same width as my 1911. I also had to grind the bushings down, and the grip screws, and carefully countersinking the grip holes just enough so it would all go together without any gaps. It was a real pain, but now it feels right. I also ended up drilling the grips so I could remove the pin to allow complete disassembly without having to remove the grips.



I'm pretty picky, and wanted it as dimensionally correct as possible. Might not matter to others.

[Red9]

Wow nice ruger!

[RTE]

6 7/8 slabside
I found the Hogue slip grip works good.

[Citadelgrad87]

I guess it's a MK II

[Chaos47]

Yup a nice Competition Target 678 Slabside MKII 22/45!

Should be a sweet shooter although I find the MKII 22/45 frames kinda ugly... It would look much better with the grip mod IMO.

thanks CHAOS 47 I learned something new today here is a early Ruger ad with the standard and MK 1

Yep, no problem!
If you ever go on RFC and call a standard a MKI they get all sorts of bent out of shape lol. For me it only bothers me when shops try to pass a standard off as a MKI to get a higher price. I love my 1970ish MKI 678!

[Citadelgrad87]

Exactly. It's a great shooter, but the goofy grips make me think of a 1950s telephone. The couple photos I've seen of grip mod guns are really good looking.

I think I'm going to get the grip mod, but first I need to find some grips for it.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

[SkyHawk]

I did the grip mod on my 4" Mk3 22/45. I used slimline 1911 grip bushings and stuck with thin grips made for a 22/45 but you can also get slim 1911 grips if you don't want the bulk from regular 1911 grips. The nice thing about slimline 1911 bushings is they can be used with slim or regular grips you just use different grip screws.

I found a killer deal on some Hogue 22/45 Pau Ferro hardwood grips on ebay for $20, and modified them with some Ruger medallions.

[lostwake]

Did the dremel mod as well.

[Steve_In_29]

Kingshouse did mine. He even inset the Ruger emblems (I provided) into the Hogue 22/45 grips.

[Citadelgrad87]

Kingshouse did mine. He even inset the Ruger emblems (I provided) into the Hogue 22/45 grips.

That's nice, I thought about having the medallions inset, yours looks very nice.

Do you remember how long it took for them to finish the work?

Thanks.

[Steve_In_29]

That's nice, I thought about having the medallions inset, yours looks very nice.

Do you remember how long it took for them to finish the work?

Thanks.

IIRC his turn around time was normally a week or two but in my case it took longer. This was due to my finding out about the Hogue 22/45 specific grips after I sent him my standard 1911 Hogue's. He agreed to swap me straight across but then ran into an issue laying his hands on a set of the 22/45's.

I had to buy the medallions from Ruger myself as, believe it or not, they are a restricted sale item. I even had to certify that I was an American Citizen and they would only sell me one pair for each pistol I owned (had to supply serial numbers).

[Citadelgrad87]

Thanks, Steve. I think I'll give them a whirl.

[Fishslayer]

Subscribed to this thread in case I have a question on the Ruger MK series. Wow!