Ruger 22/45 Lite Range Report

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ruger 22/45 Lite Range Report

Posted: 10/20/2012 6:47:11 PM EDT

This afternoon I picked up a Ruger
22/45 Lite (pic at link).

The Lite version of the 22/45 has a thin 4.4” steel barrel surrounded by an
aluminum shroud. Combined with the Zytel grip frame, it weighs only 22.8 oz. But
what’s perhaps most interesting is that the end of the barrel is threaded
1/2”x28, for the express purpose of mounting a sound suppressor (AKA silencer).
From the factory, the threads are protected with a knurled aluminum nut with the
same diameter as the barrel shroud.

The Ruger came with two 10-round magazines and a optics rail which allows you
to mount a scope or a red dot on the gun. It also comes with a padlock so you
can lock the bolt open to prevent unauthorized, and a pistol rug. Overall, it’s
a nice package.

After getting the Ruger home I ran a couple patches through the bore, and
lubricated it with a generous amount of Castrol automatic transmission fluid.
(ATF makes a great gun oil and is a decent cleaner in a pinch.)

Along with my dad I took the Ruger to the range tonight. We put 150 rounds
through it. The first 100 were CCI Mini-Mag 40 grain solids. In our experience
if a .22 autoloader won’t run on Mini-Mags, it has problems. As expected, it ran
perfectly with them.

We also put 50 rounds of CCI subsonic hollowpoints through the Ruger. We
experienced two failures of the gun to fully go into battery with the subsonic
loads. I’m hoping that if I run a couple hundred more high speed rounds through
it, it’ll be sufficiently broken in to offer similar reliability with the
slower, quieter ammo.

I noticed after about 50 rounds the the front sight blade on the Ruger, which
is held on with one screw, came loose. I noticed before it fell off and
tightened it back up with the small screwdriver on my Swiss Army Knife, but
tomorrow when I clean the gun I’ll put a drop of Loctite on the screw to keep it
in place.

The one thing needs attention is the trigger pull. It’s heavy, with some
slack and take up. I’m going to look into something like a Volquartsen trigger
to reduce the weight and make the pull more crisp. Aside from the trigger, I’m
pleased with the Ruger 22/45 Lite.

Of course, the other accessory I am seriously considering is getting a
suppressor for it. My first step with be to form an NFA gun trust, then decide
which can I want to buy. For more information on such trusts, check out David Goldman’s
blog.

All in all, a fun night.

Posted: 10/20/2012 7:05:02 PM EDT

[#1]

Get the Hi-Viz fiber optic front sight for it.

Posted: 10/20/2012 8:09:03 PM EDT

[#2]

What was the accuracy? I've shot some of the steel barreled versions and it wasn't as good as expected.

Posted: 10/21/2012 6:18:52 AM EDT

[#3]

I forgot my shooting glasses so I had to use my regular glasses, which meant that I had trouble focusing on the front sight at times. Between that and the heavy trigger I want to wait before really shooting for groups. Hence the lack of comments about accuracy. I may put a RDS on the new gun.

I have a 22/45 with a 4.5" bull barrel and it's very accurate, but it also has a much better trigger than the new gun.

Posted: 10/21/2012 10:31:09 AM EDT

[#4]

my dad and i bought two of the new ruger lite's last week. we brought them home without firing them and i ordered mkII volquartsen bushing and accurizing kit for mine. wow. what a difference side by side with a stocker. i also ordered a volquartsen sear and a bam bushing for his but the bushing has not shown up yet, so we left it alone. we are both very pleased with accuracy and overall fit/function. at approx 7yds we could shoot 1 inch groups leaning on the side of his truck. after initial sight in we just killed cans. lol. mine with the VQ bushing helps mags drop out freely while his is more of a pain. so the bushing is a must. i just wanna see how the 100.00 i spent in parts for mine compares to the 40..00 in parts we're gonna try in his.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ruger 22/45 Lite Range Report

Handguns » Rimfire Pistols

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