22/45 -vs- MKIII Competition

ServicePistol · Post by **ServicePistol** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:32 pm

I currently own a 1995 Ruger 22/45 with 4" barrel, but I am thinking about replacing it with a Mark III Competition, for .22 Bullseye.
Is there any advantage with the Competition's 6.88" barrel over the 22/45's 4" barrel?
I will be installing an Ultra Dot 4 scope, so sight radius won't be a factor.
I'm on the fence about the purchase. If the longer barrel won't be an improvement, I'll likely have my 22/45's receiver drilled and tapped, and use it. It's old enough to have not been factory drilled.
Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tim

C. Perkins · Post by **C. Perkins** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 9:39 pm

In my opinion a longer barrel is good for using iron sights cause you have a longer sight radius.

As far as barrel length for accuracy, four inches is plenty for a .22 used in Bullseye.

Clarence

firefirst · Post by **firefirst** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 10:12 am

Weight is a good thing, can hold on target longer with out bobing around, I have a MKIII Comp/Target, triger job, quick release scope, and this thing is heavy but I like it. 3 1/2lb triger pull, shoot bulk ammo at 25 yd's and shoot in the 90's my 2 cents

plink182 · Post by **plink182** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 8:37 am

The grip angle is different, the 22/45 grip angle matches that of the 1911 and is desirable when shooting 1800 and 2700 bullseye matches. The standard Ruger models have a steaper angle (more broken wrist) and I could never get used to it. Swap out the upper on your 22/45 with a barrel that has the scope mount capability or have it drilled. Remember adding the weight of a dot also changes the balance, combining a long heavier barrel and dot may not have the feel you are looking for. The more I shoot the more I like longer barrels and a little more weight. Most new shooters need lighter guns because they do not have the muscles built up to hold heavier guns steady for any length of time.

plink182 · Post by **plink182** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 8:37 am

The grip angle is different, the 22/45 grip angle matches that of the 1911 and is desirable when shooting 1800 and 2700 bullseye matches. The standard Ruger models have a steaper angle (more broken wrist) and I could never get used to it. Swap out the upper on your 22/45 with a barrel that has the scope mount capability or have it drilled. Remember adding the weight of a dot also changes the balance, combining a long heavier barrel and dot may not have the feel you are looking for. The more I shoot the more I like longer barrels and a little more weight. Most new shooters need lighter guns because they do not have the muscles built up to hold heavier guns steady for any length of time.

jackh · Post by **jackh** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:47 am

The long barrel makes for a very good no bounce recoil straight back into your hand. Mount the dot as low as possible. Maybe remove the rear sight and use Leupold Rifleman rings. (assuming a 1" 4 dot)

ServicePistol · Post by **ServicePistol** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 8:28 pm

I've decided to have my 22/45 drilled and tapped for the Ultra Dot 4.
I tried the Mark III, and I like the 22/45's grip angle much better.

Down the road I'd like to have a Marvel .22 Conversion Unit on a dedicated 1911 frame.

Sc0 · Post by **Sc0** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 10:34 am

I have an old 1st gen 22/45 which I hacked the grip for use with 1911 Officers model panels and installed a MKIII 4" tactical upper with the threaded barrel and underlug rail. With the SoLow mounts and the 30mm Ultra-dot Match-dot the balance is better than with the OEM 5.5" barreled receiver. I still use the 5.5" barreled upper for open sights but the 4" topped off with the red-dot gives up nothing on accuracy.

xeye · Post by **xeye** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 2:53 pm

I have a 22/45.

I don't like the balance of it. To me it seems top heavy and a scope would make it worse.

Borrow some one's mark III and shoot it. See if you like it better.

jps2486 · Post by **jps2486** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 4:00 pm

Either of the Rugers will shoot well. In my younger days, I shot High Standards, S&W 41s, and Hammerli 208s. I sold all of them when I moved to an area where there was no bullseye competition. Later, I found some, but now I'm in my 70s, so I didn't need a super-duper gun. I bought a Ruger 22/45 5 inch and installed a VQ trigger. I can still shoot in the 90s at 50 yards outdoors. Bottom line is that any of these guns can shoot well.
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