Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting I am now a gun owner

[E7mack96]

First post to this sub-forum.



I picked up a Ruger 50th Anniversary . 22 pistol (the one with a clip, not a 6 shooter). It came in the case with lock. . I am gonna get my feet wet in shooting. It seems like a good little gun.



Any comments on this pistol, good or bad.



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[2Rowdy]

Don't know anything about the pistol. Glad you decided to try just use common sense and ask anybody questions at the range you use, most are real freindly helpful people. Top it off and join the NRA. NRA Online Membership

 

[SRath]

I have a Ruger Mark II just like that, It is one of my favorite guns to shoot ever. I have put thousands and thousands of . 22 rounds through it over the past many, many years. It is very reliable.

My buddies and I used to buy bricks of . 22 ammo and spend all weekend shooting it up, each with our favorite guns. If I told you some of the shots I have made and can regularly make with that little gun, you'd call me a liar. But it hits where you look; just like pointing your finger. It is my weapon of choice for rabbit hunting. Running rabbits.

The only downside: the mags only hold 10 rounds, so buy a bunch!! You will love that gun! You could not get me to part with mine.

Other pistols seem to take time for me to get used to and tweaking to get me to really like them. Not that one. I'm a pretty decent shot with my Glock 22 . 40 S&W now that I have rebuilt it from nearly scratch to suit me and put a couple thousand rounds through it. But I will never be as good with it as I am with my Ruger. Its too bad I know of no . 22 cal pistol competitions. Just get together with a couple friends and make up your own games; its probably more fun and they're still cheap to shoot.

 

[ata]

I also have a Ruger Mark II. Like said it is a fun little gun to shoot. I shoot Ground Squirrels with mine. But I cheat I have a Red Dot sight on mine. The only thing I don't like about it is the clips. They just about KILL my old hands. The spring in them is strong and after about 200 rounds I'm done. At least my THUMBS are. Don't shoot it to much or you'll be hooked.

 

[SRath]

I have seen some clever magazine loaders for the Mark II and would like to give one a try since what ata says is true about the magazines.

 

[B.G. Smith]

That design has been around about sixty years, I bought my first one in early fifties. It was evidently done right the first time. There are several variations out there like bull barrell, one that is made on 45 frame and the only change I can see over the years is the clip release. I think you will enjoy. bg

 

[fishabit]

You are the owner of, by most accounts, the best . 22 semi-auto ever made. The Army tunnel rats used them in Vietnam to clear underground bunkers, many were equipped with silencers. Accurate and reliable, its one of my favorite guns.

 

[scootergmc]

I'll tell you what I tell everyone who buys a Ruger Standard/MkI/II/III...

1. Learn how to disassemble/reassemble (youtube videos are your friend). Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it.
2. It shouldn't be finicky with ammo.
3. LIGHT oil.

I think I have about 6 or 7 of them... I dunno. I love 'em.

 

[RPlamondon]

Carry what you shoot and shoot what you carry. Get a ccw and do alot(hundreds of rounds) of shooting at a range legally before you carry.



Springfield XD, 40cal, subcompact, S&W model 642 airweight 38sp+P,CCW NV and CT

07 2500 6. 7 6sp 4x4 SLT thunderrd pck quad cab sb tow/plow group

 

[SRath]

You can't legally carry a . 22 for ccw in Iowa, and why would you want to anywhere else?

And what do you mean by "shooting at a range legally"? Is it possible to shoot at a range illegally?

 

[Mike Ellis]

The sore thumb from loading the mag can be remedied with a clever plastic sleeve that goes over the loading button, it is called a "thumb saver" and makes loading a breeze.



Before the "thumb saver" came along I just used the universal cowboy tool: a bandana. A couple of wraps around your left thumb does the trick, the cloth snags the little button and you can load a dozen of them in a row without the slightest problem.



If you don't have a bandana or thumb saver, a regular old plastic bottle cap off of a 20 ounce soda or 2 liter bottle will work great as well.



As for the disassembly / reassembly, it is a piece of cake. A small piece of cord or wire will let you grab the mainspring latch and lever it out without marring the gun's finish (I've seen people dig at it with a screwdriver before and gouge it up good ). I use a bandana, works fine lasts a long time and I always have one in my pocket anyway :-laf :-laf.



On reassembly, make sure you tilt the gun's barrel up a bit so that the hammer strut falls into the right position - you can see it easily, it is a little "flap" that has to be aligned correctly so the bolt will open/close. If you don't tilt the barrel up when you reassemble, invariably the fiendish little gizmo will flop out of position and when you close the mainspring the bolt will not open or close. Of course, I have only heard of this happening to OTHER people, there's no way that I would have nearly had a heart attack trying to reassemble a used Mk II that I bought without an instruction booklet many years ago, NOSIRREE :-laf :-laf :-laf



Takes longer to describe than to do - literally. There are some videos on Youtube that show how to do it. Once you have done it a few times, you will really appreciate the genius of Bill Ruger's design.



Have fun, they are GREAT pistols!

 

[JLEONARD]

My son has on e and I agree that it is a nice pistol. Getting the knack of the reassembly took some practise but after a few tries with someone experienced guiding us it became easy.

Good luck with it.

 

[Matt42]

You can't legally carry a . 22 for ccw in Iowa, and why would you want to anywhere else?



And what do you mean by "shooting at a range legally"? Is it possible to shoot at a range illegally?

A small caliber pistol that is compact enough to carry, and thus carried, will be better for self defense than a larger caliber one that is difficult to carry, and left at home. As for shooting at a rage illegally, I dunno, maybe sneaking in without paying?

 

[B.G. Smith]

A small caliber pistol that is compact enough to carry, and thus carried, will be better for self defense than a larger caliber one that is difficult to carry, and left at home. As for shooting at a rage illegally, I dunno, maybe sneaking in without paying?

It's not illegal to carry a 22 here but you have to qualify with larger calibre. I took the "at range legally" to be versus shooting in the back yard. And yes, I agree with the carry small versus none at all. bg

 

[PParker32]

One of the best guns ever! It started a great company, and my life long love of Rugers.

As a life member of NRA and a long time member of The Ruger Collectors Assoc. I have enjoyed lots of bricks of 22 ammo through several Mark 1, 11, and 111's. You got one of the best, now go join the NRA.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

That design has been around about sixty years, I bought my first one in early fifties. It was evidently done right the first time. There are several variations out there like bull barrell, one that is made on 45 frame and the only change I can see over the years is the clip release. I think you will enjoy. bg

YUP - I had one of the first originals too - shoulda kept it - but now DO have the target, stainless bull-barrel type - it's very accurate and fun to shoot - sure would like to have the same gun in a . 22 magnum...



I also have the Ruger single six, with the 2 cylinders - I use that one mostly with the . 22 Mag cylinder, and it's nearly as good as the target model for accuracy.

 

[KYOUNG]

Only problem I ever had with my Mark II was an aftermarket clip would not load the gun properly!

 

[BHanna]

Congrats on the great first gun. The grip angle on the Mark II doesn't work very well for me so I don't have one but it is a classic that'll bring you lots of enjoyment.

After I got my first . 22 pistol, I joined a couple competitive leagues and that's a great way to get better at shooting it.

 

[E7mack96]

thought I would post an update... I have been so busy that I haven't had time to do much with the new gun. . I did check into the NRA and joining a local gun club. . Still undecided on the gun club at this time... its like several hundred a year, plus a membership fee. The NRA is affordable and probably will see my $$.

Tony

 

[BHanna]

Keep checking around for clubs. sometimes you can find a local store with an indoor range that's cheaper than a gun club with shotgun & rifle ranges too.