Overview
The Ruger Mark IV, the modern evolution of the original circa-1949 Ruger Standard (Mark I) pistol, was introduced in 2016. This updated model features a more user-friendly design, highlighted by a tool-free, one-button takedown mechanism that makes fieldstripping and cleaning significantly easier for users.
Following the release of the Mark IV, Ruger introduced the Mark IV 22/45 variant. The name "22/45" refers to the grip angle and surface controls, which closely emulate those of the famed M1911 Government pistol. Despite this design innovation, the initial 22/45 variant did not include a threaded muzzle or a top Picatinny rail. These features were reserved for the more expensive Mark IV 22/45 Tactical model, which carried a suggested retail price of $669.
Ruger has since released a bull-barreled version of the Mark IV 22/45 equipped with both a Picatinny rail and a threaded muzzle-- as featured in this review. This model is offered at a suggested price of $449, with even lower prices often available through retailers. Additional aesthetic improvements include color-matched details; the trigger and Picatinny rail both feature a stainless finish, resulting in a distinct two-toned appearance.
Thus:
For full disclosure, Ruger sent Guns.com this Mark IV 22/45 for review purposes. All testing was done on this one pistol, which has been under evaluation since June 2025.
The Specs
- Overall length: 8.5 inches
- Barrel length: 4.4 inches, (0.86 wide bull profile)
- Sight radius: 6.96 inches
- Overall width: 1.34 inches at the widest point over the controls, upper receiver tube is 0.98 inches
- Overall height: 5.5 inches to the top of the slide.
- Magazine capacity: 10+1 single-stack OEM flush fit (ships with two)
- Trigger pull: 4.4 pounds (10-pull average)
- Weight, with empty OEM magazine, no optic/accessory: 33.3 ounces
- Weight, loaded/equipped: 41 ounces ("heavy" with 10+1 rounds of CCI 40-grain Velocitor, Holosun 507C sight with Picatinny base, and SilencerCo Switchback suppressor in long format mounted)
- Optic Footprint: 10-slot, 4.4-inch factory-installed Picatinny top rail.
Features
Trigger
I've shot Ruger semi-auto rimfire pistols extensively over the years, going back to a circa 1950s Standard that I had as a kid. Ruger has enhanced the basic trigger in these guns several times since then, and it is decent for the price. While the current pack on our test gun ran flawlessly, it did have a fair bit of creep to it before coming to the wall, then breaking at an average of 4.4 pounds. Reset is short.
A video of the trigger in action:
For those who want to crisp that trigger pull up a bit, there is no shortage of more competition-oriented Mark IV kits from Apex, Tandem Kross, and Volquartsen on the market for $120-$170. Of note, our factory trigger smoothed out a little after the first 500 rounds, so I would recommend shooting it for a while and reassessing before dropping the cash for an upgrade.
Reliability
As we had lots of .22 LR on hand and this pistol is just so fun to shoot, especially when suppressed, we ran over 2,000 rounds through it with only a handful of stoppages, which we are going to chalk up to the inherent uncertainty of rimfire ammo. We didn't find a single load to choke up the gun with regularity. When compared to Umarex-made 22LR semi-auto trainers marketed under numerous brands, it is a lot more reliable.
Most of our range ammo was bulk pack CCI Blazer 38-grain and 40-grain lead round nose. At ~$120 for a 1,500-round bucket, it's tough to beat pricewise, while still retaining high quality. We also ran several other CCI loads, Remington Golden Bullets, and some Aquila.
Accuracy
The Mark IV 22/45 is a plinking machine. We were easily able to do all your traditional rimfire pistolero tasks (zapping pop cans, golf balls, and empty shotgun shells) at 7-10 yards with a set of 50+ year old eyeballs and the installed iron sights. It is accurate enough that you could run it in 25m bullseye shooting, but honestly, a longer and more accurate 5.5-inch model would be better for that.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Accurate
Easy to clean
Reliable
Suppressor ready
Optics ready
Tons of aftermarket support
Cons
The bolt catch is a bit stiff.
Limited to 10-round mags
Conclusion
The Mark IV 22/45 in this format is close to being perfect when it comes to an all-around rimfire semi-auto pistol. It feels and looks good, is dependable and accurate, and just about every component has a dozen aftermarket upgrades available. We ran it with a few different cans and several different ammo loads and found it to run almost 100 percent of the time. The worst thing we can say is that it gets seriously dirty, something no 22 is immune to, and you must stay on top of that every few hundred rounds to keep it running.
Compared to the rest of the market, this Mark IV 22/45, as reviewed, is priced right, especially for the big Pic rail on top, the threaded bull barrel, and American manufacture. Sure, guns like the SIG P322 have a significantly larger magazine capacity for about the same price, but its optics interface isn't as luxurious, you get a pencil barrel, and the aftermarket support doesn't come close to what is available for the Ruger. The closest Buckmark in features would be the Micro Bull SR, which runs significantly more than the Mark IV.
The only problem we foresee in having one of these neat little Rugers is how often you need to buy ammo.
