Undeniably, Ruger makes some fine firearms. They’ve been at it since Bill Ruger teamed up with Alexander Sturm to form Sturm, Ruger & Co. in 1949. Let’s take a look at the magazines that feed one of the excellent pistols that they produce, the Ruger MK IV 22/45.
The Pistols
Back in 1949, Ruger designed his first pistol, called the Standard model. The pistol’s operation was based on the Japanese Nambu from World War II. Outwardly, the Standard also resembled the German Luger, which was used in both world wars.
Because of Ruger’s manufacturing techniques, he was able to make and sell the Standard pistol less expensively than those of his competitors. Before very long, he established his company in the gun world and he was off to the races.
Fast Forward
With the company’s reputation established, it was full steam ahead for Ruger. And although the Standard model pistol would be manufactured for the next few decades, Ruger began introducing new models that had additional features.
The MK (Mark) series was born, starting with the MK I. It offered the option of a stainless finish, as well as other barrel weights and profiles.
More models followed, including the MK II and MK III. Each offered upgrades in safety. The MK III finally moved the magazine release from the heel of the pistol’s handle (an unpopular location) to just behind the trigger guard, a la the 1911. Shooters appreciated that!
Of course, various finishes and barrel weights came with the new models. Some were specifically suited as target pistols or hunting pistols. the MK III had the option of mounting a scope rail to the top of the receiver, all the better to squeeze even more accuracy out of the pistol.
Fly In The Ointment
Everything was wonderful. Except for one thing. The Fly In The Ointment. All the way up through the MK III series of pistols, the takedown process was infuriatingly complex and difficult. Many shooters preferred the prospect of a colonoscopy as opposed to tearing down their Ruger pistol for cleaning. Not that colonoscopies are bad – we need to have them done when we’re up in years. But they aren’t fun. And neither was field stripping the MK series of pistols.
Until
Until that is, the MK IV came along! Ruger finally corrected the takedown procedure by adding a little button to the back of the receiver. The shooter pushes that button and the receiver tips up like an AR-15 and the bolt can then be withdrawn. Presto! The pistol is basically field-stripped! It takes mere seconds, and it goes back together just as easily.
To be completely honest, the horror stories (all justified) about field stripping the earlier MK series pistols kept me from buying one. What pushed me over the top was seeing a video on how simple and quick it is to strip down the MK IV 22/45. It was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back in my decision to buy one.
Technical Specifications
My 22/45 has a 5.5-inch barrel and it weighs 34.4 ounces. The overall length is 9.75 inches. The frame is polymer, although it’s hard to tell that, since it feels more like metal. I had to do a double-take on that one.
As mentioned, the grips are checkered polymer, looking and feeling exactly like those of the 1911. To that end, Ruger hit a home run approximating the feel of the 1911.
There is also a magazine disconnect so the pistol will not fire without a magazine inserted. The finish is a matte black that looks fairly attractive and low-key. So far, it’s held up durably.
Obviously, it’s not a tiny pistol, given the dimensions above. Most of us won’t be carrying it around in a holster often. Retail at the time of writing is $499.99, but it can be found for lower prices from dealers. I think I paid around $350 for mine a few years back.
The Magazines
Okay, I’m finally getting to the heart of this article—the magazines. GunMag Warehouse sells Value 2-Packs of magazines for $41.99, which is a great price and less expensive than if you were to purchase magazines singly. The pistol is sold from the factory with two magazines, so getting two more gives you a nice, little stash of mags.
Worth mentioning is the fact that these magazines are Ruger factory OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). These days, I see people using all sorts of aftermarket magazines, gadgets, etc. for their firearms in general. That’s all well and fine. However, perhaps I’m old-fashioned, but I always try to get OEM gear, especially where magazines are concerned. These mags are the real McCoy.
The magazines themselves are of excellent build. The body is constructed of stainless steel, they are very sturdy, yet amazingly lightweight. Of course, each magazine holds 10 rounds. Both the magazine base and the follower are constructed of polymer. I really like that the follower is polymer because it glides so well against the steel magazine body. This contributes to very smooth feeding and with these magazines, feeding has been 100% reliable, which is no surprise. The finish is somewhat matte.
One aspect that makes these mags unique from those of other pistols is the loading button on the side. The user pulls the tab down, compressing the spring, which makes loading the magazines a snap.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Note: These magazines will not fit in standard MK III and MK IV pistols, only those designated as the 22/45 models. The heel of the grip is different on the 22/45 models because it mimics the grip of the 1911. As a result, the baseplate needs to be longer.
The regular MK III and MK IV Ruger pistols utilize the same baseplate between each other, and the magazines with the shorter baseplate will interchange between those two models.
It’s not a huge deal, but something to keep in mind when you’re ordering magazines (which you should be doing). No one knows where the political winds will blow, so it’s not a terrible idea to grab some magazines while they are available.
The Caliber
Since I’m off and running here, I might as well include a sermon on the virtues of the .22 Long Rifle.
Invented in the late 1800s, the .22 is the round that many of us cut our teeth on. Most shooters start out using the .22LR because it has low noise, muzzle blast, and recoil. Aside from being useful for new shooters, experienced shooters also like it for those reasons. It’s great if you’re in an area where you don’t want to attract a lot of attention, such as in a survival scenario.
With precise shot placement, the .22 can harvest a wide array of game. No, it’s not the first choice for many of us, but poachers have been taking deer using the .22LR for a long time. Understand, I don’t condone poaching game—however, the practice has proven that the .22LR is up to the task as long as the shooter can do his or her part. Headshots can accomplish a lot.
Speaking of shot placement, some folks have even pressed the little .22 into service for self-defense. Again, it’s not the premier caliber for that, but it’s planted many people into the ground. Not necessarily because it’s wildly lethal, but when we consider the massive numbers of the round in this country, the law of averages comes into play.
As a bugout caliber, it has no equal. We can throw a couple of bricks of ammo into a backpack and hit the streets or woods with it. While not very powerful, having the ability to carry a thousand rounds on our person is attractive.
The .22 LR is often a compromise in terms of power and effectiveness. However, the little round compromises well enough that a lot of people recognize its virtues.
Overall
In closing, the Value 2-Pack of Ruger 22/45 magazines is a bargain. It will mean less time reloading at the range and more shooting time. And shooting time equals fun time!
I highly recommend ordering a pack or two of these factory magazines. You’ll thank me!
