Ruger Mark IV | An Affordable and Dependable .22 Pistol

One of my favorite calibers to shoot for fun is the .22 LR due to its lack of recoil, affordable ammo, and lack of noise when you shoot.

I have a .22 LR hunting rifle I use for rabbits and squirrels, but I rarely discuss .22 LR pistols that I really like to shoot and train with.

Just like anything in life, what I might consider the best .22 LR is subjective to my own experiences. Today, I’d like to discuss 2 of my favorite .22 LR pistols, the Ruger Mark IV 22/45 and the Ruger Mark IV Hunter.

How to Choose a .22 LR Pistol

There are a dozen .22 LR pistols that I really like, but I have the most experience shooting with the Mark IV. The characteristics I look for in a .22 LR pistol are accuracy, ergonomics, durability, customization, and price point. If you’ve read any of our other blogs, you know we love the Ruger 10/22.

A .22 LR pistol isn’t as versatile as a 9mm or .45 ACP because the round is limited in its capability and rimfire cases can’t be reloaded like the 9mm brass. However, it’s hard to argue that a .22 LR pistol isn’t more fun to shoot than any other caliber.

Ruger Mark IV 22/45

Ruger is one of the most popular brands in America with hundreds of thousands owning a Ruger LCP or SR 1911. The Ruger Mark IV/4 22/45 is a very confusing name for a pistol because it makes it seem like it’s a .45 ACP. However, Ruger named it the 22/45 because it’s built in the image of .45 ACP 1911 with the checkered grip and steel receiver. In fact, the Ruger Mark IV 22/45 grip is interchangeable with the SR 1911 grip. the Mark IV 22/45 features a lot of the same ergonomics as a 1911 with similar height, width, and grip angle.

The 1911 grip on the Mark IV 22/45 is not only beautiful to look at, but it’s also very comfortable and will not slip or move at all in your hand with the checkered synthetic. As a lefty, I love the ambidextrous safety and the ability to install a Picatinny or Weaver rail system for an optic attachment.

Specs

Pros

• Ambidextrous safety
• Cold-Hammer Forged barrel increases the durability and longevity of the barrel
• Cheap ammo
• many weapon attachments are available
• Feels like a 1911, but without the recoil and weight of 1911
• 10+1 round magazine offers plenty of firepower for plinking and training
• A one-button takedown for quick and easy field-stripping and proper chamber-to-muzzle cleaning
• Drilled and tapped for weaver or Pic rail
• Affordable price for a pistol that will last you decades
• I love the accuracy and consistency of this pistol
• Compatible with a suppressor

Cons

• Shooters with larger hands will probably prefer a thicker grip than the stock grip panel

Where Can I Buy the Ruger Mark IV 22/45?

Ruger Mark IV Hunter

The Ruger Mark IV Hunter pistol is the Mark IV that I would choose over any other model because of its versatility, capability, and custom stock feature, such as the fiber optic front sight. The Mark IV Hunter model is made with stainless steel reiver, instead of an alloy and has a more expensive finish (satin stainless) the standard blued finish in most stock pistols. This might not sound like a huge deal, but the satin stainless finish holds up better over time and prevents scratches, dents, and gouges a little better than a blued finish.

I love the Hunter model because it’s perfect for rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and any other rodent pest in your neighborhood. I’ve personally hunted rabbits and squirrels with the Mark IV Hunter and can say with confidence that the 6.8" barrel makes a huge difference in my accuracy at 25-30 yards versus the 5.5" barrel of the 22/45 model.

My favorite feature of the Hunter is the ability to mount a scope on the pistol for extended ranges of 50-70 yards. It can be a lot of fun to take to the range and shoot at further distances than you’d ever shoot with a typical .22LR pistol.

Specs

Pros

• Ambidextrous safety
• Cold-Hammer Forged barrel increases the durability and longevity of the barrel
• Cheap ammo
• many weapon attachments are available
• Feels like a 1911, but without the recoil and weight of 1911
• 10+1 round magazine offers plenty of firepower for plinking and training
• A one-button takedown for quick and easy field-stripping and proper chamber-to-muzzle cleaning
• Drilled and tapped for weaver or Pic rail
• I love the accuracy of the Hunter more due to the longer barrel and heavier steel
• CNC Machined Grip frame for absolute precision
• Perfect for varmint hunting or getting rid of pests, such as squirrels, groundhogs, raccoons, skunks (polecats in some parts), and rabbits

Cons

• Incompatible with suppressor
• Expensive

Where Can I Buy the Ruger Mark IV Hunter?

As of right now, I can’t find any place that has the Mark IV Hunter in stock, but your best shot is with Kentucky Gun Company, Guns.com, or Sportsman’s Warehouse because they constantly update their stock every day.

Ruger Mark IV Upgrades

There are many different ways to upgrade your Ruger Mark IV, but it all depends on the level of customization you’re wanting. Personally, I’m more of a less is more kind of guy because too many attachments can throw off the weight and practicality of the pistol. I recommend using 1 attachment on the Mark IV, either a scope or an optic, but you can get a lot out of an aftermarket fiber optic front sight.

Burris Handgun Plex Reticle Pistol Hunting Scope

The Burris Handgun Plex Reticle Pistol hunting Scope is perfect for the Mark IV Hunter because it offers a low magnification of 2-7x and is lightweight (13 oz). The last thing you want to do is add too much weight to the top of your pistol. The Mark IV Hunter is drilled and tapped, so all you need is a Weaver or Picatinny Rail to attach this scope. Make sure you buy the 1" scope rings to fit the scope tube.

Ruger Hawkeye Ss Low 1" Scope Rings

There are dozens of options to choose from, but I try to keep with the same brand if I can because there is normally a higher chance of continuity within the products. However, any 1" scope rings will fit the tube.

Ruger Picatinny Rail Mark IV

The Ruger Picatinny Rail Mark IV base will accommodate the Mark IV Hunter pistol. For $11.29, this is about as good of a price as I’ve found online and this is the rail that I would install on my Mark IV Hunter pistol.

HiViz Interchangeable LitePipes Front Sight for Ruger Mark IV

The Mark IV Hunter already comes with an outstanding front fiber optic sight, but the Mark IV 22/45 models could really benefit from a front fiber optic sight. The HiViz LitePipes Fiber optic sight is specifically designed with bull-style barrels and the Mark IV Ruger pistol. Due to my poor vision, using a fiber optic on my pistols has been a huge advantage for me in improving my accuracy.

Hilljak Mini Magazine Speed Loader Ruger Mark I II III IV 22/45

Regardless of your pistol, you need a speed loader if you’re trying to train efficiently. Loading a .22LR pistol is as monotonous and time-consuming as any other caliber. The big difference with a .22LR magazine is how quickly I can shoot a 10 round mag. With no recoil, My hands are able to stay fresh longer and it allows me to shoot more rounds at a faster pace. If I didn’t have a speed loader, I’d spend well over an hour each range day trying to load my 10 round mags. The Hilljack speedloader loads each magazine in less than 10 seconds on average.

Conclusion

There are so many good .22 pistols that if you know what you’re looking for and what your price point is, you can find the one that fits you best. I like the Ruger Mark IV because it’s durable enough to last for decades with proper cleaning and storing of the pistol.

Ruger couldn’t sell as many pistols and rifles as they do if they didn’t have a great reputation for accurate firearms. The Ruger Mark IV is no different with exceptional accuracy for a rimfire cartridge.

I’ve listed only a few of the customizations that are available for the Ruger Mark IV models, with many other options such as different scopes, optics, handguards, triggers, and magazines. My single favorite feature of the Mark IV is the 1-button takedown of the pistol. There is no other pistol that I have spent time with that is easier to clean, maintain, and customize.

The ergonomics of the Mark IV 22/45 is very similar to any 1911 I’ve held and fired. Besides the weight and thickness of the grip, the Mark IV has a familiar grip angle and point of aim as a 1911 pistol. Look around at multiple sites to find the best deals and you can find a great training pistol for a very affordable price. Good luck and happy hunting!

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