Sturm, Ruger has announced the newest addition to its Mark IV 22/45 series of .22-caliber rimfire semi-auto pistols, and it’s a gem.
With a polymer grip frame, threaded cold hammer-forged 4.40-inch bull barrel, adjustable rear sight and factory-mounted Picatinny rail for mounting optics, this latest incarnation of the widely popular 22/45 pistol should find quick acceptance among smallbore handgunners.
The alloy steel receiver houses a cylindrical bolt designed to ensure permanent sight-to-barrel alignment. The receiver features a contoured ejection port and the easy-to-grasp bolt ears make for quick chambering.
The barrel is cut with six lands and grooves on a 1:16-inch right-hand twist.
What sets the MKIV series apart from earlier Mark-series Ruger pistols is the one-button takedown, which makes field stripping and cleaning a snap. This system was introduced on the MKIV platform a few years ago, and it has delighted handgunners all over the country.
Weighing 33.3 ounces (empty), the newest MKIV 22/45 has a 10-round magazine (two come with each pistol), an ambidextrous manual safety, push-button magazine release on the left side of the frame, a magazine disconnect which prevents discharges when the magazine is removed, and checkered synthetic grip panels.
This new version features a blued finish on the barrel and receiver, and black finish on the polymer frame. Overall length is 8.5inches and the height is 5.5 inches.
According to Ruger, this pistol will not be available in California or Massachusetts.
MSRP is $449.00.
