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What gun to buy and what barrel length

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Offline zray68

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What gun to buy
« on: March 24, 2009, 10:38:56 AM »
I am new to the board and new to shooting. I don't own a pistol yet. I am looking at only Ruger .22s. I will be using the pistol only for target shooting and plinking. I have narrowed the search down to the Ruger Standard (6" barrel), the Target (6 7/8 barrel) and the Bull Barrel (5 1/2 barrel). Also, a couple of months after purchase and use, I would like to mount a scope on the pistol. This is my first pistol so I look at it's purchase as a learning and hopefully a fun experience.
Your advice/suggestions on either the pistols or scope would be great appreciated.
Beginner's question: How does the lenght of the pistol barrel effect the choice of the scope? I do not want to use a red dot initially.

Offline mcwoodduck

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Re: What gun to buy
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2009, 11:07:43 AM »
My vote would be for the 5.5" bull barrel.
There is not much difference between the 5.5, the 6 and the 6 7/8"
As far as mounting a scope or a red dot.  I did that on my 22's and was unhappy when shooting targets.  With the open sights I was pretty steady and was able to shoot well.  with the scope or the dot I tended to really concentrate on the dot or the cross hairs and the more I would try to hold the gun still the more it would move when shooting in compitition an the worse my scores would get.  But that was one handed and standing.

Offline Cabin4

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Re: What gun to buy
« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2009, 11:10:59 AM »
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=55&variation=Competition&bct=Yes&type=Pistol

I have one of these Rugers. It is a total tack driver. Mounted a red dot scope on it.

Great rimfire pistol.
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Offline OLDHandgunner

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Re: What gun to buy
« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2009, 11:14:32 AM »
Welcome aboard.
I'd go with the 5 1/2" Bull barrel for an all around target gun & plinker. I shot Bullseye Postal League with mine years ago with open sights. I installed a Bo-Mar sight & Clark trigger on mine to help out with my scores. Now this gun carries a Tractical Solution barrel and Red Dot on it. It's still a great shooter without all the weight. My old standard 6" barrel is a great shooter, a great carry gun & plinking gun, but probably not for Bullseye Shooting.
If you go with an optic sight at a later date I'd go with a Red Dot. I think it will work better for you.
Good Luck & Good Shooting.

Offline Steve P

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Re: What gun to buy
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2009, 01:30:03 PM »
I agree with the posts above.  The ruger semi-auto .22s are really nice and can be extremely accurate.  You will see what the posters above mean when you add a scope.  Some days you will wish you just had on the iron sights.  For this reason, I suggest you go with the B-Square scope mount below.  It slides on and locks into place with a couple of allen head screws.  I have one on my competition pistol and it maintains pretty repeatable accuracy.  Within a couple of minutes and a couple of shots I can go from open sights to having my scope on again.

Good luck in your purchase.

Steve :)
"Life is a play before an audience of One.  When your play is over, will your audience stand and applaude, or stay seated and cry?"  SP 2002

Offline zray68

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Re: What gun to buy
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2009, 02:58:29 PM »
I thank every one for their replies.  I will be going to the gun store to see and handle the 5.5" bull barrel. It sounds
like the right one. Also, why ask for advice if I am not going to follow it. My schedule won't allow me to get to the store until the end of the week. So, I will report back then.
But, a new issue has arisen. The 5.5" comes with a weaver-type base adaptor. Why is the B-Square scope mount preferrable over the weaver-type base adaptor?

Offline irold

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Re: What gun to buy
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2009, 04:00:31 PM »
The weaver base is fine .  It will mount without taking the rear sight off.....not sure if ya can use the sight with the mount on though.   

I just bought a 5 1/2 inch bull barreled Ruger MKIII , fine gun.  Ya might want to handle both the 22/45 and the MKIII....they look pretty much the same , the 22/45 grip is wider or deeper however ya want to put it.  I prefered the MKIII......felt better to my hand.  Good Luck......buy lots of ammo , it sure eats it up.

Offline OLDHandgunner

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Re: What gun to buy
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2009, 02:38:37 AM »
When I had Tactical Solution do my barrel for the Mark I, I had them put on their scope mount that has a adj. sight right on it. It's a really nice setup & super accurate. You should be fine with the Weaver mount. Give it a try.

Offline guzzijohn

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Re: What gun to buy
« Reply #8 on: March 25, 2009, 03:10:30 AM »
Try handling several different versions at the store and see what feels best to you. IMHO the 5 1/2" bull model has the best balance overall. They should all be great shooters.
GuzziJohn

Offline BlkHawk73

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Re: What gun to buy
« Reply #9 on: March 25, 2009, 11:18:37 AM »
  I agree with the above post.  Handle each and see which feels best and balances best to YOU.  You're the one that'll be shooting it so don't rely on someone else's preference. 
 
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Offline poncaguy

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Re: What gun to buy
« Reply #10 on: March 26, 2009, 03:19:51 PM »
I have the SS slab barrel target with a red dot mounted, deadly accurate................

Offline poncaguy

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Re: What gun to buy
« Reply #11 on: March 26, 2009, 03:21:44 PM »
Forgot to say it comes with a weaver type base, can remove and remount red dot in seconds...............

Offline curtism1234

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Re: What gun to buy
« Reply #12 on: April 02, 2009, 05:49:11 AM »
I have the 5.5 and sometimes I wished I bought the longer barrel.

If you're just going to plink around with it and carry it fishing/walking, the 5.5 is great.

If you plan on shooting squirrels (whether hunting or just running into one), safety then becomes an issue. I tend to grip the barrel with my fingers when using a tree as a rest. Because of the shorter barrel you can shoot your finger off if you're not paying attention.