Anyone own or has owned a Ruger 22/45 Lite?

[Capybara]

If so, how would you rate them? Compared to a MKIII or MKIV especially? I've been intrigued by the look and design of the 22/45 Lite but I've never shot one. I have shot plenty of Ruger MK I through MK IV and I know they are a great pistol, one that will last you many years and shooters, but I'm intrigued by the 22/45 Lite.

Opinions? Also, how about compared to a Buckmark, since the Buckmarks are on the roster and the 22/45 Lite isn't?

[Zenderfall]

I owned a Buckmark Contour, and two people I know regularly shoot those. I know one person with a non-roster 22/45 MkIV Lite and I've shot that one a few times along with a CA compliant Buckmark Micro URX (short barrel). Not held or shot a MkIII so I couldn't give any input for that model, sorry.

I would compare the 22/45 and the Buckmark Micro as the two that would come closest to each other, as their barrel lengths are similar. They also have the ears in the back for easy slide action and adjustable sights.

Biggest differences were the grips and disassembly. 22/45 has 1911 grips/grip angle, which I really love. I do like URX's rubber grips, but after owning and shooting a lot of these, they feel a little bit skinny and cheap, plus not a big fan of the finger grooves.

As far as disassembly, I really hate taking apart Buckmarks due to having to repeatedly screw/unscrew the top screws to clean the gun, not to mention the barrel screw. Sometimes I undo that one and sometimes I don't. 22/45 Lite's takedown system is awesome, with that button in the back.

As far as accuracy goes, they're all about the same, ok, not M41 level, just decent, along with the trigger, though I think Buckmark triggers are little grittier than Ruger, but again, not bad. Other people may think differently.

Contour (CA version is not Picatinny!)and 22/45 (which has Picatinny)have integrated rails to add dot sights/scope. The Micro needs to have a rail installed to do so.

So altogether, I'd rate the 22/45 quite a bit higher than the Buckmarks for the reasons above. If MKIV Rugers were on roster, I wouldn't look at Buckmarks at all, having owned one and handling other people's.

[ar15barrels]

If so, how would you rate them? Compared to a MKIII or MKIV especially? I've been intrigued by the look and design of the 22/45 Lite but I've never shot one. I have shot plenty of Ruger MK I through MK IV and I know they are a great pistol, one that will last you many years and shooters, but I'm intrigued by the 22/45 Lite.

Opinions? Also, how about compared to a Buckmark, since the Buckmarks are on the roster and the 22/45 Lite isn't?

I bought one for my mom and I have shot it a few times.

It's not really any different to shoot than a Paclite upper on a MKII or MKIII.

The main difference from MKII/III to IV is the way the upper pivots open from the lower without having to remove the mainspring from the pistol grip module to get the bolt out for cleaning.

If you are a cleaning freak, you would probably appreciate a MKIV.
I just pull a bore snake through my 22 pistols after shooting them and oil the bolt and I can do that all without disassembling the bolt from the receiver.

Buckmark grip angle is like a 22/45 while the non-22/45 Ruger grip angle is more like a Glock.
Choose accordingly.

[BigStiCK]

I own 2 Buckmarks & two 22/45's (MKIII & MKIV). Both the pistols in the pic are pimped out to a degree. I prefer the MKIV out of all of them. The trigger kit (Apex Tactical) is outstanding & the ergos fit me best. The custom Bucky is awesome as well, just prefer the Ruger. You cant really go wrong with either.

[Capybara]

Thanks for the comments and pics. The 22/45 Lites don't come up for sale in the marketplace very often so that tells me something too. I bet most people who buy one like it enough to keep it.

[Monterey Gun]

I personally don't have one, but I've got a buddy who swears by it. I'll try to get more info from him and get back to you.

[Quiet]

Thanks for the comments and pics. The 22/45 Lites don't come up for sale in the marketplace very often so that tells me something too. I bet most people who buy one like it enough to keep it.

Other contributing factors for why they don't come up for sale...

The Ruger 22/45 LITE and Tactical series are considered assault weapons in CA.
In order to be considered a CA legal off-Roster handgun, the factory threaded barrel needs to be replaced with a non-threaded barrel or a muzzle device needs to be permanently attached (pin & weld) to the barrel.



An issue, my friends and I have encountered, with the Ruger Mark III and Mark IV series are the magazines need to be modified/polished in order to prevent failure to feed stoppages.
This year, friend with his factory new Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Tactical experienced 3-4 stoppages per magazine. After being sent back to Ruger for repairs, Ruger stated nothing wrong with pistol. After we modified/polished the magazines (see vid below), it fixed the failure to feed stoppages.

Tandemkross Ruger Mark III/IV magazine mod video

[BigStiCK]

Interestingly, my pistol has a non-threaded barrel. The cap is permanently attached. It was made this way by Ruger & I snapped it up as soon as I realized it existed.

I did have feeding probs with the MKIV but they seemed to have gone away with Blazer ammo. Never had an issue with the MKIII.

Other contributing factors for why they don't come up for sale...

The Ruger 22/45 LITE and Tactical series are considered assault weapons in CA.
In order to be considered a CA legal off-Roster handgun, the factory threaded barrel needs to be replaced with a non-threaded barrel or a muzzle device needs to be permanently attached (pin & weld) to the barrel.



An issue, my friends and I have encountered, with the Ruger Mark III and Mark IV series are the magazines need to be modified/polished in order to prevent failure to feed stoppages.
This year, friend with his factory new Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Tactical experienced 3-4 stoppages per magazine. After being sent back to Ruger for repairs, Ruger stated nothing wrong with pistol. After we modified/polished the magazines (see vid below), it fixed the failure to feed stoppages.

Tandemkross Ruger Mark III/IV magazine mod video

[Capybara]

Other contributing factors for why they don't come up for sale...

The Ruger 22/45 LITE and Tactical series are considered assault weapons in CA.
In order to be considered a CA legal off-Roster handgun, the factory threaded barrel needs to be replaced with a non-threaded barrel or a muzzle device needs to be permanently attached (pin & weld) to the barrel.

Didn't realize that, what a shame. I suppose if you pin and weld the muzzle device, can the pistol even be broken down for cleaning? Stupid California.

[ar15barrels]

Didn't realize that, what a shame. I suppose if you pin and weld the muzzle device, can the pistol even be broken down for cleaning? Stupid California.

Yes.
All the disassembly happens on the back end.

I have done a bunch of perm attach jobs for paclites and ruger MK4 lites.

[Capybara]

Thanks for the info Randall!

[newbutold]

Certainly better looking pistols out there.

[Capybara]

Yeah, I already have a good looking .22 pistol so I don't care too much about cosmetics.

[oddball]

I have a MK-IV Lite, pictured with a Dead Air Mask.



It is really fun to shoot, almost always with the can, and I have to admit I bought it because of the threaded barrel and the looks. I sold all of my Mk-IIIs in CA before I moved. Even though I got the hang of breaking down the MK-IIIs, it is a relief to have the Lite, it is eons easier to field strip and clean. It has been outfitted with Volquartsen/Tandemkross parts and is a fun shooter.

^^^^^^^

BTW, nice revolver . I have a K-22 Masterpiece from 1958 and it is my overall favorite .22LR handgun. Very accurate with the target sights.

[Capybara]

Nice MK IV.

I so wish that we could have silencers in Commifornia, it's utterly ridiculous that what's sold over the counter for $20 in so many other countries as an encouraged safety device is so stupidly restricted here.

Yes, love my M17, it's so nicely old school made with it's deep bluing. Mechanical work of art.