Ruger Mark IV Target: Range and Benchtop Review

I've had the Ruger Mark IV Target for a little over a year now, so I figured it was time to do a review. Enjoy, and as always, be sure to check out other youtube creators' reviews before making your final decision!

[@RequiemsFall]

Just purchased my first-ever handgun, and it was the Mark IV 22/45. Put over 600 rounds through it today, and it shot like a dream. went online to see what other people thought of it, and found your video. Really enjoyed it, especially the ammo section. Thanks for putting it out there, glad you enjoyed the gun as much as I did. P.S., the 22/45 definitely seems to correct the magazine eject button problem you were detailing, and the bolt lock seems to be quite tight, though started to loosen up (in a good way) after warming the piece up.

[@god-gunsmerica9043]

Congratulations, Hope you enjoy for thousands of rounds. 😊

[@crosscountryoutdoors2472]

The mag. Disconnect comes out really easy. It’s the first thing I did. Even before I shot mine. Second think I did was put on some light gathering front and rear sights by truglo Great gun. Thanks

[@CliftonBennett]

That shot group with the Aguila ammo with its lead projectiles could be because parts of the bullets are getting sliced off during chambering. Even when it didn't produce a full "jam" part of the bullet could be gone producing fliers.

[@risteardwest3384]

A excellent video on the Ruger Mark 4 This gun is hard to find nobody is carrying them you could find the mark one two and three if you're lucky I would suggest buy it 🇺🇲💯👍

[@stevet710]

Nice video. Helped me make my decision to buy one. Good shooting.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Steve T Thanks for watching!

[@ritesideofthefence5857]

I have both the mk Iv and the mk IV 22/45 lite. Had issues with the cheaper ammos. Switched to CCI 40 grain RNL standard velocity and have well past three 500 round bricks through each pistol without a single issue. I’m saving the cheaper bulk ammo for my Henry lever guns and my trusty old Marlin model 25 bolt gun. The CCI seems to be the perfect match for my guns.

[@grouper3059]

Just purchased this and thankful for your video!

[@boztos6025]

Appreciate the video. Just got the Target last week. The slide stop issue seems to have been solved.

[@RevMikeBlack]

Interesting observations. Thanks for sharing.

[@ericmcguirt]

Switch up your grip so that your support hand thumb rides the frame and your trigger hand thumb rides on the knuckle of your support hand thumb. That should fix the slide lock problem. Good shooting! I have the Hunter version that looks similar to your Target. I have had all the same feed and eject issues you have. Recently I found videos on tuning the mags that helps resolve some of the eject issues. Nice video!

[@KaiserSoze-dp1hw]

Great video. I’m buying one

[@KandaJE]

Stovepipes are almost always caused by "limp wrist". A potential seller was surprised how EVERY shot I took resulted in a stovepipe, so he lowered his price by $100. Naturally, When I got to MY range, I never had a problem... Simple solution is to NOT relax the grip hand at the moment of trigger pull. As for ammunition, Seriously, other than bullet weight and Hollow point vs rounds, I've never seen any kind of accuracy difference between Cheap Wally world Bucket-O-Bullets trash vs hideously expensive $7 a small box "Match" Ammo. Bunnies don't care... Mind you I'm not a target shooter. I hunt bunnies, racoons, the occasional beer can and dirt clod... Oh, I failed to mention that I've been a massive Ruger pistol fan since the middle 70's. I have multiple Mk2's, a Mk3 Hunter which I gutted and turned into a Mk 2 internally, and an almost complete set of Mk 4's. Mk 3 Mags are the same as Mk4 . And Like you, my absolute favorite is also the Black Bull barreled Target! BTW, I once posted a short video about disassembly and assembly of the Mk 2. Unlike most people, I never had any kind of a problem cleaning them and putting them back together. But in reality I absolutely love how the Mk 4 disassembles. If you don't like the trigger, replace it. Kits are easily available. I have no problems with it.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

@@KandaJE thanks for watching! I bought this pistol because of how much I did like the MkII. Once I figured out the disassembly it wasn’t bad at all, but yeah the MkIV is nicer in that way. Admittedly, I haven’t shot more than a magazine or two through it in quite a while. When I want to shoot a .22 pistol, I always grab my Taurus TX-22 with a suppressor. I’ve shot several rabbits with it this year and if I happen to miss, they usually stop and give me a second chance within a few hops. The MkIV will probably be a project gun for me later on, threading the barrel, swapping the trigger, etc.

[@KandaJE]

@@TheOutdoorGeneralist I just put a Cheap $30 red dot on mine. Bunny vs Dot... So far the dot has won every time!

[@danielsobolewski3860]

Świetna broń , świetne wykonanie i bardzo celna!

[@scotttilson8876]

Usually the only time a gun jams mostly. Is if it’s real cheap quality ammo. It’s like my Ruger mark to it jams a lot with federal ammunition. But Aguila ammunition no jams. It’s just the powder charge in each round that is different. Every gun manufacture has a different spring in their gun that reacts differently to different ammunition when it goes off.

[@jamesharris184]

Great video u nailed. It. I Absolutely love this pistol. I also have a CZ Shadow 2, and I strongly prefer the Ruger IV, Target. Stay away from the Winchester Bulk Amo. CCi Amo works fine. The Jams r rare, but I enjoy them. I can clear them in probably 1.2 seconds. Super easy. It's a novelty. It gives u a sense of competency that in the middle of the shoot u can resolve problems on the fly and carry on.

[@kickit59]

James used to have a Colt 1911 22 and when I ran Winchester ammo it was common to have jams or stovepiped situations. Usually CCI was a lot better on the 1911. I usually use CCI or Aguila in my 22's. I just purchased a Mark IV Target and haven't even had a chance to shoot it yet. So the CCI should work out ok on the Mark IV?

[@jamesharris184]

@@kickit59 With CCI u will be fine. I had problems with both Winchester and Aquila- lots of problems. Congratulations, u r going to enjoy that pistol.

[@mikenewmanhayes2010]

Have a mark 1, but love to get mark 4 cal

[@TomMJH]

Thanks for posting this video. It helped me.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Glad to hear it!

[@ritesideofthefence5857]

Came back to this video again. I’m really thinking your magazines are causing these issues.

[@danafrost5710]

Great review, great info!

[@eaglesnest1960]

You should try and rapid fire it and see how many stove pipes you get .

[@JodyM2]

I got one of the 75th Anniversary edition it jams about every other mag so I got the Bolt upgrade for Volquartsen it worked it's never jammed again

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Well that’s no good!

[@NineTwoCreations]

What type of ammo? cci?

[@JodyM2]

@@NineTwoCreations I tried Mini Mag & Federal Auto Match

[@JLTantrum]

Trigger take up is not creep and I can't see any creep at all every time you pull the trigger, only take-up.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

It’s a 2-stage for sure! Not talking about the first stage here. Though it’s possible I said the wrong thing at the time and don’t remember lol, it’s been a minute since I’ve gone back and watched this video. It’s certainly not the worst trigger in the world, it’s more than serviceable. Just had a little bit of “grit” through the second stage and is quite heavy for a target pistol. I will say that it’ had smoothed up a bit with use since this video was posted. Thanks for watching!

[@JLTantrum]

@@TheOutdoorGeneralist Perhaps the creep is just not easy to see. The sample I tried had no creep to speak of but maybe there's some inconsistency between units. I'll have to make sure I feel the trigger again before buying one. Thanks for the good review anyway.

[@mikeevans7082]

CCI ammo is the best for semi pistols

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Mike Evans I’d agree! But I can’t afford to run thousands of rounds of CCI through all my .22s like I do with bulk pack stuff.

[@mark5862]

I agree. I have the mark 4 target and put 200 CCI without a hiccup. Switched to another brand and started having malfunctions.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

I’ve started running only copper plated ammo in my Mark IV, and haven’t had any trouble since. Usually the Winchester bulk pack stuff.

[@garywood2137]

I must have got a Friday gun because mine jams 2-3 times per magazine. I'm hoping it will break in soon as I only put about 60 rnds through it before I was thoroughly disgusted.

[@paulmccarter908]

Wow. Reconsidering a buy now

[@ritesideofthefence5857]

Just tune the magazines and drop in a Volquartsen kit. Helps the trigger and brings reliable performance with almost any ammo.

[@timhudson1846]

I MUCH MUCH prefer my Mark 2s.. And yes .. they are soooo eazy to reassemble. Ruger mk2 is perfect.

[@therealfrananon]

The 45º luger style grip design works better for single-handed shooting.

[@erentoprakci3159]

Yalón serian, malku trevi on sudak Ruger Mark-IV. Yezi brodo velsin trakú mislevi orgánik fros. Jentu viranní, omal teskevo, branko feze nu manet rugáv belik Mark-IV, trevo sinfún malki destav. Borlek nifantri uspan katos rugív fereska dromar. Yanto selvi feztam drevi loman brikú Mark-IV, trisvér delza fon. Yekta mokran felíu tekon jurú avli setu nadar. Jervi plomosn mi klatsún rugan, felka vondo trazi markív zevina serno. Usan dramtív skora muklon terís rekto Mark-IV, fenstí yadro fuska lomin striga. Yelzo krevet rugerá ferkin yandri bosí muklo jarvet. Yantu sumév Rugev Markív selra fentos yandru medú, zalta ferik nastón keltra. Trefin selrá maleko jarvis rugív, bultí fezin fondu velsin Markí. Velso klásik morkon trenán, tevo suspa drikán fentsir rugí. Pruvi lestos felkí trosko medró ferent, rugá sonko trev. Yartin mená ferín treski lobú frevi skóra, fenstom rovil ketsu velík nastri. Venkor yanzú mifel drenti jaskon, Markív vrelti bronka drema. Kelsún tikán Markív runto felú rugerít, yantú tenlo samprín treska. Brevi lensko jarvi destú, frosní nartin drivo fensta velík Ruger Mark-IV.

[@maryhoward8534]

Great video! Well done!

[@AZBEEMR]

It’s not the gun’s fault that your grip is unusual.

[@danielswartz6818]

Three reasons for the stove pipes number one faulty ammunition I believe you have to go over 1200 ft per second that makes the gun work. Second is you have no lubrication on the bolt or your lubricant is too thick you're using the wrong type of lubricant. Number three a loose grip but I don't think that's an issue. I get and 100 stove pipes I use the best lubricant and I have the strong grip that only leaves the ammunition at fault. When you clean and oil your gun make sure you have a very thin oil on The recoil spring make sure you take it apart and clean all the cook off of it then oil it with a very thin oil that reduces stove pipes.

[@vacationinsouthsweden4018]

2.20 "verry rare..." once in a couple of hundred rounds...8.05 another miss. My friend has bought this gun and had isseus all the time. Can this be fixed? Not nice if shooting a competittion. Otherwhise nice vid. Thanx!

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

The main thing I've found with this gun is that it doesn't like to be dirty. Cleaning it well solves 90% of it's problems. The other 10% is using copper-plated ammo. The soft lead or wax-coated bullets tend to catch more on the feed ramp and top of the chamber, causing a miss feed. If those two things don't solve the problem, I'd send the gun in to Ruger to be checked out.

[@gkauto1959]

switch your lubricant to automatic transmission fluid! yes, you read that right! It works well, and is meant for much higher pressures and actually cleans while it lets parts slide past each other easily. Get a dropper bottle, use the little glass dropper inside and sparingly apply this juice to all parts of your pistol that slide around. This by itself should help but if not try another magazine, then detail strip it and look for how the bullet comes out of the magazine and eventually makes a smooth transition to the feed ramp. You should do this with the barrel off the gun and observing how the bullet leaves the magazine, I suspect the magazines feed lips are off center or bent. get back to me on this if you are still having problems.

[@hiramhaji7813]

Stop releasing the bolt with the release button, the BOOK and Ruger CS will tell you to use the bolt . The more you do that you can damage the slide and RUGER will not give you a new slide

[@nawazboss5079]

Hi sir,,, how are you.? I really like this German Ruger mark iv 22lr.. It's awesome weapon for safety, its finishing and designing very very impressive... please tell me, how I can purchase it. I'm from Pakistan 🇵🇰

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Though it shares a similar form, this is an American Ruger, not a German Luger. And as far as I know it’s not available in Pakistan. If you’re in the US though, you should be able to order it through any gun dealer.

[@nawazboss5079]

@@TheOutdoorGeneralist nice to hear you,,, respectful sir, you said right ✅ I think its made by USA 🇺🇸 in new kind of type in which may be 4 or 5 years ago... your video is very useful and you teach very well... Dear sir, can you give me any international dealer address... I shall thankful to you...

[@nawazboss5079]

@@TheOutdoorGeneralist Dear sir, one thing more, can you made a video at Russian Ak-103 kalashinkov and a pistol lebedev PL-15..??? Thank you 😊💓☺💗

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Sorry, can’t help you there man. I’d certainly review those if I had them though lol.

[@DJ-ek5wi]

The only downside is that you can't add a silencer.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

@@DJ-ek5wi true! I’ve thought of taking it to a gunsmith and having it threaded.

[@DJ-ek5wi]

@@TheOutdoorGeneralist I looked at several ways, the easiest one is to buy a Silencer adapter for Ruger Mark IV, III and II

[@clee6746]

Anyone ever tried to shake the Mark IV after 1000 rounds to see if the barrel is rattling on the frame ? I had two defects on mine, the locking block rubber plug was worn out and the barrel got loose when attached on the frame. The 2nd defect is the front sight screw tap hole was off center to the right by 1 mm, when shooting at 15 yards, the impact would be 2 to 3 inches off to the left of the point of aim. No wonder I had problem hitting a silhouette chicken target at 20 yards with the sights at center position. I think Ruger's quality control is slipping.

[@robertpeterson2573]

What did you do to correct these problems? Did Ruger get involved ?

[@god-gunsmerica9043]

I'd send it back.

[@jayman1338]

This is a really good video review. Sad to hear this gun fails to feed every 200 rounds. That’s not good!! My smith and Wesson has had two failures to feed and that’s within 4000 rounds. I know that sounds unbelievable but it’s true.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

Jay Man I’ve since found that copper-plated ammo solves that problem.

[@mark5862]

The Mark 4, Victory, and Browning all can have this issue depending on ammo. Rim fire in general is not as reliable as center fire.

[@jayman1338]

The Outdoor Generalist Yeah I actually use all copper coated ammo. Federal and CCI is what I like for 22lr

[@raymondpexton5440]

Operator error

[@rareform6747]

Sharp edges on all controls . WHERE GLOVES

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

A great cartridge indeed, I'm loving it so far!

[@pjtec4]

I AM WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT FROM RUGER ON 2ND RETURN FOR STOVEPIPES, RUGER QUALITY IS IN TOILET, MY MK 1 NEVER HAD STOVEPIPES LIKE THIS JUNK... SO SORRY I PURCHASED THIS JUNK.

[@robertpeterson2573]

Junk ammo

[@gkauto1959]

switch your lubricant to automatic transmission fluid! yes, you read that right! It works well, and is meant for much higher pressures and actually cleans while it lets parts slide past each other easily. Get a dropper bottle, use the little glass dropper inside and sparingly apply this juice to all parts of your pistol that slide around. This by itself should help but if not try another magazine, then detail strip it and look for how the bullet comes out of the magazine and eventually makes a smooth transition to the feed ramp. You should do this with the barrel off the gun and observing how the bullet leaves the magazine, I suspect the magazines feed lips are off center or bent. get back to me on this if you are still having problems.

[@alexpetra172]

Grip

[@alexpetra172]

Bad Grip

[@Bobby.guverner]

Pan tu střílí volně po lese jako Vinetu.😡