Which is the better pistol purchase?

Does the 22/45 have an edge in accuracy?

I'd go with the 22/45 with the 5 1/2" bull barrel.

Ruger 22/45 would be my choice

I just acquired a 22/45 Lite and love it.

Me too.

Same for the LCR.


Travis

The 22/45 in any of it's variations will be easier to shoot more accurately than the SR22, but the SR has plenty of accuracy for plinking and small game hunting. I shot the SR22 and the 22/45 Lite extensively, and decided that the Lite didn't have enough of an accuracy (or shootability) advantage over the SR to make up for it's additional bulk and weight.

I can drop the SR22 into the front pocket of cargo shorts or pants without it printing, and I don't even notice the weight, something that can't be said for the 22/45, even in the light version.

If you want maximium concealability with usable accuracy, I'd go SR22. If you want maximum accuracy and shootability, forget the 22/45 and find a good used MKII target. My 1988 vintage MKII will out shoot any of the MKIII's and 22/45's that I've tried.

What do you plan to use it for?

I own and like the sr22,I've been told the mark series are tough to tear down and put back together , the sr22 I can do in the dark

I'm with Gadfly ... The Ruger SR22 pistol fits in most pockets (pants or jacket) IS accurate and dependable -
And is a natural constant/convenient/companion. Fun too.

That said ... The Ruger MkIII models (including the 22/45) are the best .22 semi-auto pistols manufactured (IMO.)
BUT, the 22/45 wouldn't go everywhere with me the way the SR22 would likely GO .

its hard for me to imagine that you cannot shoot the 22/45 lite with its longer sight radius much better than you can an SR22. If conceal-ability is first on your mind in a carry gun I would get a bigger caliber. If target shooting, small pest shooting etc is on your mind its just hard for me to see that the SR22 is as easy to hit with as the 22/45 lite.

22/45 is my choice.

That's interesting, because I can't imagine a 22LR lighter than the Lite. I forget that thing is even on my hip.


Travis

I agree. My Lite is pretty damn accurate in the offhand at 25yds.


Travis

I have never shot nor handled a SR22 but I have had more than my fair share of Ruger MKI's, MKII's, 22/45's (both MKII and MKII) and a single MKIII. All of them are more accurate than most shooters can shoot. All have been super durable and in my opinion not all that hard to break down and reassemble if you read the instructions (and follow them).

On the other hand there was a guy shooting a Ruger SR22 in the Ruger Rimfire Challenge I shot in last year. We were actually in the same squad. I do not think he completed a single stage of fire without at least 1 malfunction of one kind or another. That was enough for me to convince me not to buy one.

Larry

After I went through about a brick of ammo getting use to the feel of the SR and it's (single action) trigger, I had no problem popping ping pong balls at 25yds from a modified Weaver stance.

That is plenty good for my purposes, you or the OP may require better.

I think the SR is about an ounce lighter than the lite. The big difference is in bulk. A Lite will not work for pocket carry, but an SR will.

I would say that is plenty good for anybody not shooting in the Olympics.


Travis

Maybe I'll pick one up.


Travis

22/45

I've enjoyed mine more than I ever could have imagined. The ammo crunch thing has knocked down on my plinking, but I run a couple of mags through a week to keep tuned up. In all fairness, the double action pull is not very good, but I rarely fire it double action anyway.

The 22/45 hands down. I bought a 5 1/2" SS one from Karnis and it shoots darn near as accurate as my M41 Smith. Great trigger and dead reliable with anything I throw at it. Great piece.

I have a MKII 22/45 with the 6" Tac Sol barrel on it for a total weight of 20 OZ. with an empty mag in it. The accuracy with that pistol is superb and after a return to the factory it will now feed and function with all kinds of ammo, bulk and premium.

Like has been said, if you want a shooter that is compact like the SR22 for conceal ability and probably self defense I would step up to a smaller frame yet and a larger caliber. I would opt for a Glock 27 for the concealed work and the 22/45 for shooting, plinking, and hunting.

I'm a .22lr guy, my most used rifles and pistols are .22's, and I would like a portable and accurate gun for everything from problem possums, to squirrels to bull frogs, winter trapping etc. and just fun plinking.

I've always liked the 22/45, I do have a 1911, but the SR22 looks very handy too. I'm not an excellent shot with a pistol, but I want whatever I get to have good functional accuracy (consistant bunny head or less)to 25-30yrds.

Will never be scoped, and will be my main "choring pistol". I like that the SR22 is concealable, but the main point is to be accurate/shootable.

For what you describe I would go with the 22/45 Lite or a standard 22/45.



Travis

Well if concealment is not an issue, 22/45 hands down. You can get aftermarket sights in a variety of configrations including fiber optic if no scope is desired. I put a mini reflex on mine which is not much larger than the rear sight:

Now if you want to jump brands my S&W model 41 regularly out shoots members of my gun clubs bullseye teams Rugers

i had a 41 and sold it like in my foolish youth.

I started my .22lr shooting back in the 90's with a 5.5" bull 22/45 and it never let me down. At some point a few years back I decided I wanted to try something smaller but soon found that even if inherent accuracy was there I just didn't shoot smaller/lighter guns as well. Went back to the 22/45, this time in a 4.5" slabside MKIII from Talo and couldn't be happier.

BTW, handled both the 4.5" slabside and the "Lite" side by side before buying and found the balance better with the 4.5" and it didn't "feel" that much heavier.

Balance and shootability is important. My first 22/45 was a 4" bull barrel and while the gun was mechanically accurate I could just never hit to the guns potential due to the balance.

Hence the 5 1/2" barrel.

Hence the 4.5" slabside over the "Lite".