New .22 Ruger Purchase?

[emanick]

I like the tapered look but is the bull better?

[WIG19]

Have a 5.5" Mk.II bull barrel. I like it, although I don't think I'd want the bull barrel much longer for balance reasons. If it's just a field/plinking pistol the tapered is fine. Go with your gut & what you want the gun for in the process.

:patriot:

[emanick]

I want something fun to take to the range. I dont go very often maybe once a month but when I do I stay for at least 2 hours. How many feet can you comfortably shoot your .22LR pistol from without a scope? Assuming that our eyes are equivalent (mine are 20/20)what size barrel is needed for that range?

I held 3 Rugers: tapered 4.7in , bull 5.5in , and a 7in fluted. I Liked them all. The sig trailside hamerelli was there for $369 it had the lightest trigger of them all.

I dont know wich one to get. Wich would you get for a first .22LR pistol?

[DJ Niner]

My second personal handgun when I was in my teens was a 5.5" Ruger MK-I target model. It's a fine selection for a first gun, and one that is accurate enough that you'll not outgrow it too quickly.

That having been said, if you're new and you shoot for long periods of time, the heavier guns will take a toll on your arms until you build up the muscles used primarily for shooting. The 4.75" tapered model is a bit lighter, and especially if you think you might ever use it as a holster gun while hiking or such, it might be a better choice. Eventually, you will get used to the weight, and after that the gun's "shootability" might mean more than saving a few ounces.

Many, if not most, folks shoot better with a heavier barrel, as it tends to smooth-out the shakes and wiggles that you see when you look through the sights. A muzzle-heavy gun with a thicker barrel still moves, but it moves more slowly; more of a wavering movement than the wiggles.

Ruger has made several models with shorter bull barrels; I own a .22/45 model with a 4" bull barrel, and I like it a lot. If you shop around I'm sure you could find one of these if you wanted another choice.

[WIG19]

Originally posted by emanick
Assuming that our eyes are equivalent (mine are 20/20)what size barrel is needed for that range?:animlol:

Well, if I'm lucky some combination of glass & metal gets mine to that. ;)

I use my 5.5" Mk.II with both iron sights and a red dot on the rail sometimes to shoot a couple different rimfire classes in winter pin matches. The gun will put one in a rabbit's head at 25yds if I do my part though it's mostly a fun 50' range plinker. Then again, so will the tapered gun. The tapered ones I looked at, at the time, all had the fixed (but driftable) rear sight; the bull model had adjustable sights which is nice in tuning for a particular load. Once that load was found, I pretty much just leave it alone and buy a brick of whatever it shoots well.

Pick the one that feels the best; truly, either gun will do what you want. Key is to shoot the heck out of it and you'll never really get bested one over the other because it's an extension of you.

I'm kinda old school, in that when I was a kid, bull-barreled .22 autos were match guns for kids with rich parents. A tapered model such as a Colt Woodsman looked normal to me. And the beautiful new 'Ruger' (sounds/looks like Luger) was wayyy cool. Still is. That's my idea of a trail-gun done with modern materials; something to bust tin cans with or nail those fun inexpensive little spinning racks.

Sorry - they're both great guns. As DJ Niner alluded, the tapered carries a bit better as a trail gun, the heavier model may help you punch smaller clusters of holes. You're on your own; pick the one that points most naturally for you - just grip it and hold it up with both eyes open & point it. Perhaps that will help you decide.

Good luck!
:patriot:

[El_Ron1]

6 of one, half dozen of the other. Don't overlook clean used MKIIs. :beer:

[eastwa]

Get one of each!
The MKI was my first pistol purchase.
The MKII is a pleasure to shoot, my favorite plinker.
Single Six is a classic that everyone should own.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l42/eastwa/Ruger22002.jpg

[DJ Niner]

Not a bad approach at all! :supergrin:

[Remander]

I have owned 2 of the heavy barrel models, 5.5 and 6 7/8, for several years and love them, but having shot other folks' tapered barrel guns, I don't think there is any appreciable difference in accuracy.

I suggest you get the one that feels best in your hand and looks the coolest to you. It'll be great!