I have been shopping for a 22 auto-pistol, and have been narrowing it down to, likely, another ruger. i have seen a version that is the 22/45, but has wood grips - are these the same grips as a 1911?

I am curious because I think a Ruger 22 auto, no matter the mark, with Grashorn's Bone or Antler grips would be plum-purty.

Thanks for the help!

Yep 1911 panels and well worth the lawyer aggravations Ruger added. My latest (dealer pick):

Yeah those are nice and the 1911 grip panels add a touch of class. As for the changes to the MK III. My Mk III Ruger Standard is a VERY nice gun. The magazine disconnect is really pretty much irrelevant and the loaded chamber indicator doesn't do any harm. The re-located magazine release is WAY overdue, and very welcome.

The .22/45's shoot way better than they have any right to. Most will shot nearly 1" at 25 yards with good loads, and less than 2" with cheapie stuff.

I hear ya there. Lot's of folks just detest the Mag Disconnect and the loaded chamber indicator but when it comes to the 22/45 I'll gladly deal with those when I gain replaceable grip panels. I really liked the way my MKII 22/45 performed but dang that grip was fugly.

Amazingly enough the used MKII 22/45's I see on dealer tables are now going for $400 on up. It's nuts what people will pay to avoid easily dealt with lawyer features.

Hey Chris, I have a question for you.

On the Mk III 22/45's, does the magazine still have the "shoe" on the bottom of the mag? The older 22/45's had basically what constituted the bottom of the whole grip frame attached to the magazine. Really made the magazine unwieldy when out of the gun.

I'm thinking the 22/45 with the lightweight upper that has the threaded barrel would be the cats-ass.

KG, the MKIII magazines are, as far as I can tell, identical to the MKII ones. Bottom of magazine is bottom of grip.

When the 22/45 "lite" came out it was one my must have list. After handling it and the 4.5" slabside I much preferred the former. Weight did not seem that much lighter and all the weight was reduced in the wrong places. Doesn't help that the threaded barrel was a non issue with me since suppressors are a no-go here.