Comments/thoughts on the Ruger 22/45

[4ntvings]

So Turners ad, published today, will have the Ruger 22/45 on sale tomorrow. I'm contemplating this purchase as a plinker. I'm hoping my fellow CG'ers can help provide some guidance as I know nothing about Rugers and .22s.
-would this be a decent to above avg .22 gun to start kids off?
-are there plentiful aftermarket parts available, should I get the mod'ing bug?
-I assume .22LR ammo is cheap?
-can this specific gun be modified at all and if so, easily?

Thanks in advance for your help and guidance!

BTW, here's the linky to turner's ad (for 5/7-13)

http://turners.com/engage/displayads.php

[Mister BLASTEE]

Saw that ad and was thinking the same thing! LOL

[4ntvings]

I'm hoping others, with experience, can shed some light so if needed, I can 'pull the trigger' first thing tomorrow! (no pun intended )

[Bird of Fire]

I own a MKIII 22/45 and feel qualified to answer good sir.

-would this be a decent to above avg .22 gun to start kids off?

Yes. Absolutely. I've taught no less than 5 people who have never shot before how on this pistol. Very simple to operate.

-are there plentiful aftermarket parts available, should I get the mod'ing bug?

Yes. Volquartsen website is a good place to start.

-I assume .22LR ammo is cheap?

Relatively speaking? Yes. Doesn't get any cheaper to shoot unless you're talking pellet guns. Finding ammo can be a different story though at walmarts. Most gun shops are flush with the stuff though.

-can this specific gun be modified at all and if so, easily?

Patience is key. Mine went from stock, to removing the magazine disconnector safety, volquartsen sear and hammer (best mod by FAR), volquartsen extractor, and added a red dot sight on top.

The sear and hammer was easy enough as there are websites that provide you with detailed pictures on how to detail strip the pistol. I messed up a few times putting it all back together, but it was a learning experience. I can do it in my sleep now though. Great mod for cleaning up the trigger pull. It's light and clean now, love it.

The extractor was the next best modification for functionality. Every now and again I would get failures to eject, and then a double feed. This little part completely eliminated that from ever happening since I installed it. The gun just flat runs and has yet to FTE ever since. Installation was a bit more difficult, but if I had 3 hands it would've been easier. But I don't. Took a few hours, but got it done.

The red dot is just pure awesome. Much nicer to take a noob out to teach them to just focus on pulling the trigger as opposed to where/what to focus their eyeball and have them worry about lining up multiple objects. Plus it just looks slick.

Oh holy crap its only 200 bucks?!?!? Grrr. I paid 400ish for my 5" bull barrel 22/45 in stainless a year or so ago. Don't think about buying it. Just go buy it. This will be the best 200 dollars you ever spent. Unless you go to a lot of strip clubs. Then it's just debatable. But you can't hand a stripper to your kids and teach them anything. Pretty sure that's illegal. So buy the pistol instead bud.

[4ntvings]

bird of fire~thx a bunch for your 2 cents...i might just owe you a buck for your time providing this info!

so i was searching the rimfire section and there seems to be some concern about the 22/45's 1911-style grip. could it possibly be too thick for a pre-teen's hand(s)?

btw, would you happen to have any pics of your 22/45?

[Bird of Fire]

Yeah I can snap some pics for you when I get home, no biggie.

The 1911-style grip is actually very thin compared to the real mccoy and easy to get your mitts around. Little kids and even small framed women can get their fingers to reach the triggers easily enough. I have a 1911 with standard thickness grips I can compare it to for ya as well.

[Bird of Fire]

Oh and I type fast as I can talk, so it was no time at all. No worries.

[Sespe]

I have a MKII and love it. I have never modded it, probably the only gun I haven't fiddled with. It just plain works. My wife and kid have both learned and practiced on it, no problems.

They can be a pain to re-assemble after cleaning, I always have problems.

[Merc1138]

wtf, REALLY? $199? Why is there no Turner's in the bay area?

[4ntvings]

^ LOL
ok, so i just got back from my local turner's and test fitted it.
it's on like donkey kong and i had him check inventory. he has about 40 of the 5.5s in his w/h.
i shall be there manana!

msrp 335
turner's 299
TGIF sale 199
____________
no brainer

[armygunsmith]

Ok, I'll be getting one. Can't beat the price.

[greed647]

WOW lucky people from LA I was going to buy one last week and all the locals here want well over 400 for them.

[4ntvings]

...all the locals here want well over 400 for them.

asking over $400 for a gun that retails at about $300?

[calibanman]

Guys you really have to stop posting stuff like this...
Looks like I now have to take a long lunch tomorrow and got to the Pasadena turners.

[calibanman]

Bird of Fire what do you reccomend the 4 or the 5.5 inch?