What gun to buy?

[zray68]

I am new to the board  and new to shooting. I don't own a pistol yet. I am only looking at Ruger Mark III .22s. I will be using the pistol for target shooting and plinking. I have narrowed the search down to Ruger Standard(6" barrel), the Target(6 6/8") and the Bull Barrel(5 1/2"). 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 as a learning and hopefully a fun experience.
Your advice on either the pistols or scopes would be appreciated.
Beginner's question: How does the lenght of the pistol barrel effect the choice of scope? I do not want to use a red dot initally.

NOTE: I posted this topic initally on 'Ruger Handguns' on this site. I think that was the wrong place so I am reposting

[Savage]

Welcome zray68!
I think the Mklll Rugers are drilled and tapped for a scope and the base is included. The bull barrel models are for sure. Any decent pistol scope in the 2x to 4x range will work nicely. Simmons and Millet both make decent and affordable pistol scopes. The Rugers are an excellent choice for a first pistol.
Savage

[Brett]

I would go with either the target or bull barrel for your intended use. 

[Dand]

I really like my 6 7/8 target barrel Mk II. Its pretty steady. I had a red dot on it for a while but that was too bulky and probably not legal for hunting in Alaska (no electric lights or sights).  I just use the iron sights now. I don't know why barrel length would influence scope choice unless the scope projects beyond the muzzle would be subject to muzzle blast and expelled crud. Don't know what it would do for the balance.

I often get frustrated reassembling my Mk II. Haven't bothered to get one of those kits that fixes the problem - but a couple times its made me want a Browning or old High Standard. l

[poncaguy]

I have the MKIII slab barrel target model. They come with a Weaver base. Installed a Bushnell red dot on mine. The accuracy amazes me, shoot it better off hand than my Ruger 10-22 with scope...........

[greener]

I really like my 6 7/8 target barrel Mk II. Its pretty steady. I had a red dot on it for a while but that was too bulky and probably not legal for hunting in Alaska (no electric lights or sights).  I just use the iron sights now. I don't know why barrel length would influence scope choice unless the scope projects beyond the muzzle would be subject to muzzle blast and expelled crud. Don't know what it would do for the balance.

I often get frustrated reassembling my Mk II. Haven't bothered to get one of those kits that fixes the problem - but a couple times its made me want a Browning or old High Standard. l

Try this link for field strip and assembly.  http://www.guntalk-online.com/fsprocedures.htm
The process isn't hard but there are a couple tricks with the Rugers.

For no real reason other than adjustable sights I prefer the bull barrel models to the standard model.  I think I shoot the 6 7/8" models better (MKIII Hunter, MKII GC)  but my 5.5" models (MKIII 22/45 and MKII 22/45) do very well.  It is really a matter of what you prefer because I don't think there is any inherent accuracy gained by the additional barrel length.