The prolific .22 Lr caliber Ruger semiautomatic series began in 1949 with the Ruger Standard model which marked the birth of Sturm, Ruger & Co. The latest series, the Mk IV, consists of numerous models, some of which are marketed in the Use from third party distributors with exclusive features. The Mk IV models take the general approach from the Standard model, but the fundamental difference is the simplified disassembly. Up until the previous series, the “tubular” Rugers were characterized by demanding disassembly and even more complex reassembly. To disassemble the rimfire Mk IV, the barrel-breech box group tilts on a shaped block, located at the front end of the frame and the group is released by simply pressing the button located in the frame, under the grip tabs of the bolt slide. When the button is pressed, the barrel-breech box assembly rotates until it can be separated from the barrel. The disassembly button can be pressed after having engaged the manual safety, which in turn can only be activated with the hammer cocked. The Mk IV series consists of models that weigh 1,500 grams, both for the type of barrel and for the materials used to make the entire weapon. This is the case of the Mk IV Target stainless steel model, with a 10 ″ long cylindrical heavy barrel and stainless steel barrel. The Mk IV 22/45 series adopts the polymer blank with a 1911 type handle. The Lite object of our test belongs to the Mk IV 22/45 series, which is the lightest Mk IV ever not only for the polymer blank but also for the 4.4 ″ (111 mm) long stainless steel barrel with thin profile, as well as the breech box in light alloy of aeronautical type. The breech box also acts as a barrel cover, with side openings for further lightening. The firearm has a Diamond gray finish, but models are available in full black or with a striking gold color. The sales package includes a black plastic case with the manufacturer, the Ruger logo and the red locking slides, the spare magazine, a lock for firearms and a safety flag red, i.e. the flag to be interposed between the barrel and the slide to show that the weapon is unloaded. The printed material consists of the original manual and the one in Italian by Bignami. The Mk IV 22/45 series uses dedicated magazines, not compatible with the Mk III 22/45 semi-automatic machines. The manufacturer does not recommend the use of .22 lr shot cartridges, while .22 long and .22 short cartridges are expressly prohibited. Instead, .22 lr high-speed ammunition is allowed, as long as the shells do not have excessive bulges or even cracks. In the presence of such drawbacks, it is advisable to suspend the use of said ammunition. Shooting in white is possible but snap caps are highly recommended when taking the dry fire more than occasionally. The ambidextrous manual safety stops the sear: when engaged, the left side of the frame can be seen dot white instead of the red fire indicator. Since the manual safety can only be activated with the hammer cocked, the dot white also acts as a cocking alarm. Engaging the manual safety does not lock the slide, so the pistol can be loaded and unloaded with the manual safety activated and the hammer cocked. If you want to have the manual safety on the left side only, you can remove the lever on the opposite side by replacing it with the spacer that should be supplied, and then put the grip back in place. The MKIV and MKIV 22/45 series are equipped with automatic magazine safety. The magazine of the Lite is ejected by a piston, loaded by a helical spring, which presses on the front portion of the pad.
How it is made
The Ruger Mk IV 22/45 Lite is a semi-automatic pistol with mass lock, single action trigger, internal hammer and inertial firing pin. The stainless steel magazine, which holds 10 rounds, has a circular cursor on the left side which facilitates filling. The breech box doubles as a barrel cover and is made of aircraft grade aluminum. The six oblong openings on each side characterize the formal appearance and lighten the pistol, the Diamond gray anodized finish creates a strong contrast with the stainless steel barrel with a gold finish, which is visible through the openings. At the rear, from the breech box, the lateral grips of the slide protrude: between these and the rear sight, the breech box has two circular holes, located at 6 and 12 o’clock, in which the pin on which it slides is inserted The cart. The pin is pivoted to the slide, of which the disassembly button is an integral part. The rear end of the recoil spring guide rod rests on the same pin. A light alloy Picatinny guide is installed between the sights for the installation of auxiliary sighting systems, stopped with three Allen screws: a countersink is made from the guide that facilitates the release of the cartridge case, in correspondence with the large ejection window. 4.4 ″ long (111 mm), the barrel is cold-hammered, the rifling has six right-handed 6-start. In the muzzle there is a thread with a 1/2 ”-28 pitch, protected by a black knurled light alloy thread cover. A washer is placed between the thread cover and the front element (not to be removed) that puts the barrel in traction. The feeding ramp is in one piece with the massive combustion chamber. The cylindrical shutter slide has a semi-gloss black finish, the feeding rib is polished. The polymer barrel has the front strap striped, the back strap plate is knurled. The grips in rubbery material are gripping, are entirely knurled and the Allen screws are incorporated in the respective lozenges. Each grip features the Ruger logo. The curved, golden trigger is wide, with a wide ribbed central track. L’hold open it is present on the left side only, the ambidextrous manual safety has ribbed levers. On the left side of the frame is the opening through which the red fire indicator and the white paint that indicates that the gun is on safety and the hammer is cocked are visible. Both the white and red paint are applied to the internal element integral to the left lever of the manual safety. The trigger reach it stands at about 67 mm, a value suitable for those with small hands. The two bevels on the edge of the blank, located behind the trigger, help to avoid interference between the gun and the inner part of the index. At the front end of the frame there is the metal block on which the breech box hinges. At the rear, the steel button protrudes from the hilt for disassembling the weapon. The pin is pivoted to the slide of which the button is part, which helps to make the barrel and the breech box integral. The slide has the tooth that hooks the breech box at the front. The arc of rotation of the pin is reduced, the top of the pin is chamfered to facilitate the reassembly of the gun.
The sights and the trigger
The black rear sight, with anti-reflective ribs, is dovetailed and locked with two grub screws. The micrometric adjustments in height and windage are a click, the upper edges of the sheet are rounded. The finish is rightfully narrow compared to the viewfinder. The latter, with anti-glare ribs, has a square shape and size that favor the precision of alignment with the rear sight. Allows the installation of auxiliary sights The light alloy Picatinny rail, fixed to the breech box with three Allen screws.
The single action shot has a clean and very light pre-stroke, of medium length. The second half is long and clear. For the release of the dog I detected a load of about 2,300 grams. The retraction collapse is evident, with little or no influence on the results of the shot.
Our proof
For the practical tests I shot three Cci loads: Velocitor, Standard velocity and Quiet-22, all with 40 grs bullets. The former are equipped with a copper ball with a hollow point Cp hp while the bullet is ogival Lrn for the other two. I also fired Federal American eagle cartridges with solid ogival bullet of 40 grs and Winchester Subsonic whose Max hp bullet is hollow point lead. The Lite ran smoothly with the various ammunition, with the exception of the Quiet-22, which were quietly noisy but rightly not powerful enough to ensure blowback. From the shells I found normal inelastic wear and contained traces of smoking. The percussion impressions are clear and powerful. The Federal American eagles delivered a kinetic energy of 132 joules and a speed of 320 m / sec, higher than 124 joules (V0 310 m / sec) of the still powerful Cci Velocitor. The performances of the Winchester Subsonic and the Cci Standard velocities were respectively 103 joules and 275 m / sec and 96 joules and 272 m / sec. Quiet-22 with 46 joules and a speed of just 189 m / sec are very far behind.
I carried out the precision tests from 25 m by shooting with two hands in slow targeted shooting, in support, to limit as much as possible the incidence of the retrospective collapse and the heaviness of the Single action. The Lite fired well, delivering very tight shot patterns with the Winchester Subsonic. The groupings of the Cci Standard velocities and Velocitor are appreciable. Only a little less concentrated are the groups of the most powerful ammunition of the group, namely the Federal American eagle. For precision shooting, the Quiet-22s that provided more open patterns do not apply and should be used if the containment of the sound emission is a priority over not only precision but also regularity of operation. In targeted shooting, the lightness of the weapon allows prolonged sessions even for those who are not very physically trained. The manageability of the weapon was excellent, since I obtained loose-arm patterns similar to those of the support shot. In rapid shooting the Lite is fun thanks to the minimal reactions of the .22 Lr and the ergonomics of the handle. The lightness of the bolt contributes to the stability of the pistol. The rightness of the notch sight is optimized for aiming but realigning the sights by firing quickly is not difficult thanks to the very low detection. The bang of the top performing ammunition lends a choreographic touch to the quick series. In the handling, the handle is confirmed as ergonomic both for the design and for the dimensions. The trigger reach it does not pose difficulties in adapting to shooters with small hands. The grips, the front strap rigato and the back strap knurled. The effort required to operate the controls is normal, which are collected in a small space and are all within reach. The carriage lugs offer a good grip.
The complete test on Arms and Shooting of May 2022
Data sheet
Producer: Sturm, Ruger & Company, ruger.com
Importer: Bignami spa, via Lahn 1, 39040 Ora (Bz), tel. 0471.80.30.00, fax 0471.81.08.99, bignami.it
Template: Mk IV 22/45 Lite
Type: semiautomatic pistol
Caliber: .22 lr
Specific use: shooting gallery
Mechanics: ground closure
Shooting: Single action
Diet: monofilament magazine
Number of shots: 10+1
Percussion: inside dog
Safe: ambidextrous manual, on the barrel, can only be activated with the hammer cocked; automatic safety to the charger
Canna: 111 mm (4.40 “) long – 6 start right hand rifling with pitch 1:16” (406.4 mm) – muzzle thread with 1/2 “-28 pitch
Mire: adjustable rear sight a click in height and derivation; black striped front sight; Picatinny rail for installing auxiliary sights
Total length: 213 mm
Height: 139 mm
Thickness: 30,9 mm
Line of sight: 168 mm
Weight: 690 gr with empty magazine
Materials: stainless steel barrel; carbon steel trolley; breech box in light alloy; polymer barrel; 1911-type knurled cheeks in rubbery material
Finish: Diamond gray anodized breech box; black anti-reflective burnished trolley; golden barrel and trigger; black barrel
Prezzo: 869 euros, VAT included
