So you want to shoot a 1911? Something about that classic John Browning design and power that stirs your coffee? Got a certain affinity to the platform of the .45 caliber? Well here you go! Get yourself a Ruger Mark III 22/45!
The original design intent was to duplicate the grip, feel, fire controls and safeties of the 1911 to be used as a trainer with cheaper ammo or for the good old use of plinking away. Does it feel the same as shooting a 1911?
Not even close.
It’s not a bad pistol or anything. It has much of the goodness of the Ruger Mark III (as well as some of the badness) and it could be used as an entry level 1911 trainer…maybe… but lets focus on what the gun is instead of what it could be.
Much the same as the review of the “regular” Mark III, the 22/45 comes in a few different styles with very few differences to affect the overall package. We aren’t a huge fan of the cheap plastic feeling grips on some of the models; the wooden ones are better if you can find them.
The reliability, accuracy, durability is much the same as the Mark III, as is the cold-sweat inducing nightmare that takedown and reassembly presents. Sights, accessories and shooting are also very much the same as the Mark III – with the one major difference being the difference of angle on the grips which will only result in a few changes to the way you shoot them, respectively.
Overall, the Ruger 22/45 is a very good gun with lots of care and attention given to the important things that has brought Ruger up to being a force to be reckoned with. But if you are looking to learn to shoot a 1911… we suggest you buy a 1911.