Ruger Mark II Competition Target

[MLB]

Looking for a well built, accurate, and customizable .22lr automatic that felt good in my hand, I finally decided on the Competition Target model of the Ruger Mark II.

This pistol has a 6-7/8 in slab sided bull barrel, adjustable sites, laminated wood grips with thumb rest, and has a stainless steel frame. The remaining specifics can be found here:
www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=186&return=Y

I have over 1000 rounds through mine now, and have had only 1 fte. That was towards the end of a 300 round run, and I think I had too much oil in the action that was beginning to gum things up. The trigger has a little bit of take up, but this is adjustable if you take the trigger assembly apart (I haven't yet.)

Benching the pistol on a box of ammo, I can bring the grouping down to 1-1/2 in at 25yd with open sights. I don't have the equipment to really lock the thing down, I think that number would come down some if I did. The gun came with matching stainless scope rings. I'll probably go that way when I feel I've closed my grouping up as much as I can with open sights.

The Ruger is notorious for it's complexity in breakdown. I think the hype is a bit overdone though. It doesn't come apart like a glock, but it's not rocket science. If you like to understand how your handgun works, you won't have a problem. The only thing that still bothers me about stripping it is the occasional need to use a rubber mallet to seperate the barrel from the frame.

I'm considering several modifications. As the trigger mechanism is directly under the breach face, and unprotected, it gets filthy after a while. I've read about a little bit of steel that can be installed to shield the trigger area from this grit.

The volquartzen trigger, sear and hammer may come next, just to see the difference. The compensator only helps speed up follow up shots, and I need to get the accuracy down first, so that's probably a while off.

Overall, I am very pleased with this handgun. I can practice all day long with the inexpensive .22s, the gun is more accurate than I am, it is comfortable (if heavy), and I can tinker with it after a while. The price was a bit steep at around $400, but a similar Ruger can be had for about $260 to start.

This is one I my children will own one day.

[TMan]

The volquartzen trigger, sear and hammer may come next...

Well MLB, after reading your write-up guess what I wanted and got? Yup, and you were right about everything you said. However, I had much difficulty removing the main-spring assembly. I've never seen a Ruger with that tight a fit. Also, typical of Ruger, there were metal filings in it that needed to be cleaned before taking it to the range.

I would not put the volquartzen trigger, sear and hammer in this gun. I think it would be a waste of money. Right out of the box mine read 2.25 lbs trigger pull. That is only 1/4lb more than my S&W 41.

[MLB]

I've been happy so far with the RMII and haven't messed with it yet.

The S&W 41 is a fine target pistol. I've shot one on occasion. I don't think we have a review of that one....

[TMan]

MLB, actually I did a review prior to the last major crash of the board. Unfortunately, I didn't keep it anywhere as a back-up. I contasted the Ruger MKII with 10" barrel (my "rifle"), the Browning Buckmark Bullseye, and the S&W 41. I had all three at the range one day. The S&W 41 is a incredible pistol, and I've let several people shoot it. The best I've ever seen our best shooting range officer shoot was with the 41. However, the gun that everyone goes nuts over isn't one of the 22's it is the Sig P220 Sport. The only way you know you are shooting a .45 is the noise - you don't feel it. Sorry, back to .22's - I love the design of the Rugers, which is why I bought the second one. After I got the 10" version, I read your write-up and wished I'd gotten the one you did. That long barrel gets a little tiring after awhile. Then when I read about the new MK III, I decided it would be best to get the Competion Target model while it was still available.

One of the things that did not impress me with the S&W was that they included a test target, and the shots were very low. I really had to crank on the adjustment screw to get the rounds up where they belonged. The Ruger needed about 5 clicks on elevation and 2 on windage.

I need to go back to the range and make the comparisons again. Only this time I'm going to shoot 20 rounds, switch guns/targets, and rotate that way. If I shot 50/50/50, by the time I got to the last gun I'd be getting tired. I'll substitute the Competion model for the 10".

No matter how accurate, I'll tell you up front: my recommendation is to buy the Ruger instead of the 41. Then with the money you save you can buy... ;D