.22 conversion or Ruger mark 3

[papafloyd]

So I'm at the range today firing my Sig P220 and talking to the guy next to me, he's firing a S&W revolver in .357 cal. After a bit he pulss out this Ruger mark 2 with a optical lens. Were discussing cost and I'm complaining about the high cost of .45, so he says here try this, at first I say no that's ok but he persists. So I shoot the rest of his clip which was 3 rounds and at 15 yards put them within about an 1.5 inch area which for me is good. So I get to thinking about a .22 rimfire conversion for my P220 but the reviews are mixed on them. So I'm thinking for a little more I can get a Ruger Mark 3 minus the optical of course. So my question is does anyone have good or bad experiences to share with either of these options?

Thanks for any input.

[sequoia_nomad]

Ruger Mk III is a great gun, many times more reliable than a .22 lr conversion on a centerfire. Every safe should have one or more Ruger plinkers in it.

[Tank 57]

Can't comment on the conversion kit.They have never interested me.I have both a Ruger MkII and MkIII.Been happy with the MkII for over 20 years.Bought a MkIII about 10 months ago.Couple thousand rounds thru it.No problems,has been accurate and reliable.Did modify it by removing the magazine disconnect by installing a VQ MkII hammer bushing.Also removed the loaded chamber indicator and replaced with a filler plate.

[pennys dad]

A friend of mine has the Sig conversion and although it shoots well, Im in different about it. I have the Mark III 22/45 it shoots well but I am thinking about selling it. If I had to do either, I would do the Ruger.

[wilit]

I have a Mk III 22/45 and it's hands down my most accurate pistol (that I can shoot). I do enjoy shooting it. That being said, I think the Browning Buckmark is a slightly better pistol.

[BHPFan]

I don't know about the SIG conversion kits, but in my experience conversion kits tend to be finicky with ammo whereas my Ruger mk2 can shoot all the brands of .22 ammo that I brought (RGB, Eley match std velocity, Minimags, Winchester HV, Win X, Fedreal Bulk and American Eagle).

[hitman13]

Mark III all the way!

[jrara]

I had a Sig Conversion Kit for My P228.
It was picky about Ammo.
Wasn't too happy that I couldn't go shoot any kind of .22lr ammo.
I also wasn't happy that it had to be soaking wet at the rails to run reliably.
Sold it and bought a MK1 Ruger.
I would say go for the Ruger.

[papafloyd]

Thanks for the input gentlemen. I think I will go the Ruger direction, heck for less than $100 more dollars I get a whole new gun.

Thanks again, Ken

[Sheldon]

Thanks for the input gentlemen. I think I will go the Ruger direction, heck for less than $100 more dollars I get a whole new gun.

Thanks again, Ken

It really comes down to what you are trying to accomplish with the .22 rimfire practice. Unless you're doing real life training and need to do so on the format of the original centerfire pistol to get function and malfunction drills down, then a Ruger MKII or MKIII or 22/45 would be fine. If you really need the feedback of the original pistol's operating levers and such, then a conversion kit might be better. I had a Beretta 92 kit, but decided to sell it off for a Ruger MKII. Made more sense to have a complete pistol ready to go instead of having to swap out the top end and lose the use of the heavier caliber in the meantime, but the safety's operation and location are different from the Beretta as well as the mag release. The Sig's controls are a lot different from the Ruger as well. Just something to consider.

[MongooseV8]

I just went through your same frustration in choosing. I was considering a Kimber 22lr conversion for a 1911, or a Ruger Mark 3.

You can get a Mark 3 for 250-575 OTD and they are all very accurate and reliable. I ended up getting a Competition Target Model which was 499+Tax+Dros=575. Its freaking rad, and Im actually about to take it out for its first shoot this morning.

Just get a Ruger, you will be much happier in the end. Plus its always nice to have another handgun so you can bring somebody to the range with you.

[03fatboy]

If not interested in the lawyer'd MKIII, there are still many MKII's on the DOJ list that can be had reasonably and still shipped to CA. I have many MKII's and love'em all! Good Luck

[RaceDay]

Good luck with the choice. It is a tough call. I have the 22lr conversion for my CZ and the Ruger Mk3. I enjoy both a lot. I'd probably say the Ruger since it is less expensive, very fun to shoot, and you get the added bonus of being able to buy the "Ultimate Cliploader" (great device with a horrible name). The UC will let you shoot a whole bulk box during a range trip because loading time goes down to nearly zero.

The benefit to the CZ is I get to practice with a pistol the same size/weight as my pistol. The thing I like the most is that I am using the CZ trigger group so every shot is breaking it in and smoothing it out (a few thousand rounds of 22lr should be helping to improve the trigger). And the CZ Kadet kit is very reliable. I modified a MKS speedloader to fit the 22lr mags but it is still slower to load than the Ruger.

[redcliff]

I can't speak to 220 conversions, only 1911 conversions. The Marvel Precision unit 1 is more accurate than, and as reliable as, a Ruger but it costs more.

Like most .22lr autoloaders they have favorite ammunition, mine loves Federal 525 bulk pack and so does my buddy's.

[0x80884]

I'm a happy Ruger MkIII owner, and I'm purposely going to purchase my next gun in something with a factory 22 conversion kit.

I find the MkIII to be the most fun way (and least expensive) to get to the range. It's also wonderful bringing people along with me who haven't shot before, since they arn't intimidated by it.

I used to think it was ugly as hell. Now I kind of like it!

MkIII's are awesome, but if I did it again, I might have spent a bit more time looking for a MkII for cheap. Either way a dedicated 22lr is a must for anyone, period!