The Mark IV Standard and Tactical are the latest iterations of Ruger’s venerable, now-easy-to-clean .22 semi-automatic pistol. (Press release below.) Triskaidekaphobes note: the new guns increases the number of Mark IV options to 13.
The $449 MSRP Standard model’s tapered barrel — available in 4.75” and 6” lengths — harkens back to Ruger’s flagship 1949 model. The $569 suppressor-ready Tactical model is Picatinnied up the yin-yang, ready for a red dot, light, laser, cigar holder, whatevs.
The Mark IV is an excellent beginner’s gun, now available as a Ruger Luger or a tacticool target practice/self-defense pistol.
PRESSER:
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) is excited to announce three new additions to the growing line of Mark IV pistols: the Mark IV Tactical and two Mark IV Standard models. Since the launch of the Mark IV in 2016, this family of rimfire pistols has expanded to include 13 offerings.
The Mark IV Tactical features a 4.40″ barrel with a 1/2″-28 thread pattern – perfect for the addition of the Silent-SR. The pistol also is equipped with fully adjustable sights and factory-installed upper and lower Picatinny rails to allow for mounting of lights, lasers and other tactical accessories.
Much like the popular Standard pistol that was the Company’s flagship offering in 1949, the new Mark IV Standard model features a tapered barrel and a natural pointing grip angle. The Standard model is offered in both 4.75” and 6” barrel lengths with fixed sights.
Each of these new models features a one-piece, precision CNC-machined grip frame. Like all pistols in the Mark IV family, the Tactical and Standard models feature a simple, one-button takedown for quick and easy field-stripping, ambidextrous manual safety and a redesigned bolt stop for more ergonomic operation.
The magazines drop free on release for faster reloads and a redesigned magazine disconnect prevents discharge when the magazine has been removed.
Ruger Mark IV Standard
Internal improvements include changes to the hammer, sear, bolt and firing pin for smoother, more reliable feeding. Mark IV pistols are compatible with a variety of Mark III aftermarket accessories including sights, scope bases and holsters.
All models of the American-made Mark IV pistol ship with two, 10-round magazines.
For more information on the Mark IV or to learn more about the extensive line of award-winning Ruger firearms, visit Ruger.com or Facebook.com/Ruger. To find accessories for the Mark IV and other Ruger firearms, visit ShopRuger.com or your local independent retailer of Ruger firearms.
Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of rugged, reliable firearms for the commercial sporting market. As a full-line manufacturer of American-made firearms, Ruger offers consumers over 400 variations of more than 30 product lines. For more than 60 years, Ruger has been a model of corporate and community responsibility. Our motto, “Arms Makers for Responsible Citizens,” echoes the importance of these principles as we work hard to deliver quality and innovative firearms.
Might make a great Christmas present for my boys provided they can reach the controls….. That’s the main problem I’m having with finding something for a 7 year old and an 8 year old on top of them having wildly different hand shapes. 8 year old has skinny hands with mile long fingers and the 7 year old has short stubby fingers with “fat” hands. Also wonder if I could get one in pink for my daughter? No! she isn’t getting pink because she’s a girl but rather because she wants a pink gun as evident by her constantly asking if she can go to the gunstore with me in the “boom boom” aka my 95 Jeep Wrangler and get a pink gun, she’s 3 but hey she’ll eventually get big enough to shoot her gun, right now she is on BB guns long as she let’s daddy kneel down behind her and hold most of the gun and help her aim and squeeze the trigger.
Not to say anything at all negative about the Ruger mk1-4 series pistols (they are all awesome and I’m fondling my original mk1 Target Model as I type), but the Ruger SR22 might be a better fit for tiny hands and is a fraction of the weight as well. Highly recommend you take a look at one.
Oh, and it comes in pink!
Thanks! I might try that lil feller out. right now my oldest is struggling with a Mossberg 464 lever action rimfire so, gotta get an autoloader rifle or pistol. I looked at a Crickett but wasn’t impressed with the little single shot bolt action and I really didn’t like that you still had to manually cock the firing pin after cycling the bolt so instead I bought that insufferable lil Mossberg that, while accurate, has the crappiest trigger I’ve ever seen; seriously this thing has all manner of wiggle to it and breaks like a wet spaghetti noodle…. Really should’ve just took the spousal a55 chewing and week long ban on “relations” and bought the damn Henry youth I had in hand before the Mossie.
Anyway the reason for the pistol is for the middle boy this Christmas he doesn’t really like the BB rifle and the daughter of course isn’t quite big enough for a rifle yet and I figure she’ll grow into a pistol sooner than she would a youth sized rifle. Startin to look like all my kiddo Christmas/ birthday shopping will be done at the Gun Store or Pawn Shop ( yes I know but not buying a used gun from the Pawn Shop ours sells new but give a very generous and affordable 10 month layaway on all guns).
“self-defense pistol”? …rails for red dots, lights and lasers don’t make a .22 rimfire not a .22 rimfire 🙂 Not sure I’d ever bill that as a self defense pistol personally, but to each his own. Not saying 22 can’t be used for defense of course so don’t get up my butt. I personally keep a NAA .22 WMR pug in my front pocket at all times — but it’s tiny, so works as a backup/EDC/’don’t leave home without it’ gun.
I do like the retro tapered barrel model though. pretty cool. cut off a few ounces. I’d REALLY like to see someone put that up against the Hunter model (on a ransom rest) and see what the ACTUAL difference in accuracy is.
The SR22 is the far superior choice for self defense over the Mark pistols. It has a DA/SA trigger, so you can carry it safely with a round ready to fire and, as .22 can have ignition issues, gives a second strike ability.
It’s also a lot lighter and smaller, so the SR22 is easier to conceal and carry. There are also mag bumpers that up the capacity to 15 rounds.
While I do agree, and I really like the SR-22…. for that size/weight/price-range, I would personally choose something else – specifically for dedicated self-defense/CC ….maybe a pocket .380, a single stack 9mm, or even a .38 revolver.
The one exception might be if I was (for some reason) going to be carrying ‘one gun only’ with me in some type of (probably fictitious) long-term mad max scenario and I wanted to be able to potentially bag a squirrel or something along the way, maybe the SR-22 with a can on it would be a good option. But, honestly, I’d personally still probably go with a G19 and some snares instead. Or maybe even a 4″ .357 that I could bag a deer with if I needed to. Or really probably more likely my 300 AAC pistol with suppressor (and sig brace). I don’t really worry about such scenarios anymore though honestly, if it happens, it happens. I’m more worried about higher probability SHTF scenarios – such as job loss.
“on a Ransom rest” well that just skewed it right there. The point of a heavy target barrel is to compensate for the natural trembling of our muscles as we hold the gun, so of course the tapered barrel will be swaying around a bit more as you hold it at arms length – and thus less accurate. But it will be more pleasant to carry around the property while still being accurate enough to deal with whatever armadillos, fire ant mounds, bunnies, suspicious-looking dirt clods you see.
OK, point taken. So then do a ransom rest comparison (for potential accuracy) and an off-hand comparison (for realistic shootability/accuracy) and see how the data comes out. Definitely agree on the easy of carry/practicality with the tapered model. So the Hunter would have to have an appreciable realistic practical accuracy advantage to make up for that, I would think.
Good question , what is the performance difference between the subject gun and Hunter. , controlling all practical variables . Anyone have such data .
A worthwhile study for a gun club to complete and share .
After looking on Ruger’s site, I’d rather have the blued Target Mark IV than either of these Standard Mark IV’s. Barrel is longer, heavier, and sights are adjustable.
Tactical? That’s like placing the words “Heavy Duty” on every washer and dryer made. Ohhhh TACTICAL!!! I want it, I need it. I’ll run right out and buy it. Then I’ll be the square jawed bearded muscular stud muffin in every manufacturers weapon image in the world today.
Although I love my Targrt Mark IV, I will probably buy the Tacticool version for 1 simple reason.
It is the cheapest way to get the a supressor read Mark IV frame without switching to the 22/45 system (composite frame, different grip angle, and different mags)
I have to agree with you there. I bought the Ruger SR22 with the threaded barrel because eventually I’d like to suppress it. It didn’t say tactical though. Honestly, if it did, I probably wouldn’t buy it.
In all honesty, you would be better off with a 22/45 Lite and a suppressor. Looks way cooler!
My idea of a “Tactical” .22 would be a small backup gun- a pocket-sized hideaway for use when the chips are down. Maybe in .22 Mag.
A suppressed .22 LR might fit the bill in certain circumstances but would not be my choice for a defensive weapon.
I have been told Ruger .22s were used in ‘Nam on some occasions.
I am quite happy with my Ruger semiautos including an early Mk I, Mk II Target and a .22/45.
For variety I can break out my Single-Six or the High Standard Field King.
And then there’s that sweet little Browning Black Label…
But I digress. As with my carbines, I prefer pistols unencumbered by superfluous gadgetry. My .22s will do anything I ask without excess hardware.
I am not convinced the Ruger’s grip angle is natural.
I’ve been chasing an adult hand sized .22LR for some time (for my own use, not “for the children”).
Loved my CZ-75B with Kadet2 slide, but a guy at my range loved it even more–the .22LR slide is finicky about clean burning rounds, cheap .22LR need not apply.
Liked the SR22, and High Standard R107, but always felt that I needed a GI Joe Kung Fu grip due to the downsized grip and short backstrap to trigger measurement.
Single Six convertible is hand filling, but sooo slooow to reload (Single 10 to the rescue, but like the S&W 17 Masterpiece; quite pricey).
Didn’t like the LCRx long barrel–TTaG’s review was spot on, terrible trigger, especially for an LCR–this was a real disappointment to me.
Settled on the Walther PPQ 5″. Full size for adult hands. Adequate accuracy, 12 round mags. Used.
I love the look of the tapered barrel, but I wish there was an aftermarket fiber optic site for it. As far as I can tell upgrades are only available for the bull barrel. That’s a shame! Someone take my money!
PRESSER:
Might make a great Christmas present for my boys provided they can reach the controls….. That’s the main problem I’m having with finding something for a 7 year old and an 8 year old on top of them having wildly different hand shapes. 8 year old has skinny hands with mile long fingers and the 7 year old has short stubby fingers with “fat” hands. Also wonder if I could get one in pink for my daughter? No! she isn’t getting pink because she’s a girl but rather because she wants a pink gun as evident by her constantly asking if she can go to the gunstore with me in the “boom boom” aka my 95 Jeep Wrangler and get a pink gun, she’s 3 but hey she’ll eventually get big enough to shoot her gun, right now she is on BB guns long as she let’s daddy kneel down behind her and hold most of the gun and help her aim and squeeze the trigger.
Not to say anything at all negative about the Ruger mk1-4 series pistols (they are all awesome and I’m fondling my original mk1 Target Model as I type), but the Ruger SR22 might be a better fit for tiny hands and is a fraction of the weight as well. Highly recommend you take a look at one.
Oh, and it comes in pink!
Thanks! I might try that lil feller out. right now my oldest is struggling with a Mossberg 464 lever action rimfire so, gotta get an autoloader rifle or pistol. I looked at a Crickett but wasn’t impressed with the little single shot bolt action and I really didn’t like that you still had to manually cock the firing pin after cycling the bolt so instead I bought that insufferable lil Mossberg that, while accurate, has the crappiest trigger I’ve ever seen; seriously this thing has all manner of wiggle to it and breaks like a wet spaghetti noodle…. Really should’ve just took the spousal a55 chewing and week long ban on “relations” and bought the damn Henry youth I had in hand before the Mossie.
Anyway the reason for the pistol is for the middle boy this Christmas he doesn’t really like the BB rifle and the daughter of course isn’t quite big enough for a rifle yet and I figure she’ll grow into a pistol sooner than she would a youth sized rifle. Startin to look like all my kiddo Christmas/ birthday shopping will be done at the Gun Store or Pawn Shop ( yes I know but not buying a used gun from the Pawn Shop ours sells new but give a very generous and affordable 10 month layaway on all guns).
Newsflash: that grip angle is NOT natural!
Some people might like that grip angle and train to use it effectively. It is most certainly NOT natural.
Carry on.
If it’s not natural, you are probably not be a Teutonic Ubermensch.
“self-defense pistol”? …rails for red dots, lights and lasers don’t make a .22 rimfire not a .22 rimfire 🙂 Not sure I’d ever bill that as a self defense pistol personally, but to each his own. Not saying 22 can’t be used for defense of course so don’t get up my butt. I personally keep a NAA .22 WMR pug in my front pocket at all times — but it’s tiny, so works as a backup/EDC/’don’t leave home without it’ gun.
I do like the retro tapered barrel model though. pretty cool. cut off a few ounces. I’d REALLY like to see someone put that up against the Hunter model (on a ransom rest) and see what the ACTUAL difference in accuracy is.
The SR22 is the far superior choice for self defense over the Mark pistols. It has a DA/SA trigger, so you can carry it safely with a round ready to fire and, as .22 can have ignition issues, gives a second strike ability.
It’s also a lot lighter and smaller, so the SR22 is easier to conceal and carry. There are also mag bumpers that up the capacity to 15 rounds.
While I do agree, and I really like the SR-22…. for that size/weight/price-range, I would personally choose something else – specifically for dedicated self-defense/CC ….maybe a pocket .380, a single stack 9mm, or even a .38 revolver.
The one exception might be if I was (for some reason) going to be carrying ‘one gun only’ with me in some type of (probably fictitious) long-term mad max scenario and I wanted to be able to potentially bag a squirrel or something along the way, maybe the SR-22 with a can on it would be a good option. But, honestly, I’d personally still probably go with a G19 and some snares instead. Or maybe even a 4″ .357 that I could bag a deer with if I needed to. Or really probably more likely my 300 AAC pistol with suppressor (and sig brace). I don’t really worry about such scenarios anymore though honestly, if it happens, it happens. I’m more worried about higher probability SHTF scenarios – such as job loss.
“on a Ransom rest” well that just skewed it right there. The point of a heavy target barrel is to compensate for the natural trembling of our muscles as we hold the gun, so of course the tapered barrel will be swaying around a bit more as you hold it at arms length – and thus less accurate. But it will be more pleasant to carry around the property while still being accurate enough to deal with whatever armadillos, fire ant mounds, bunnies, suspicious-looking dirt clods you see.
OK, point taken. So then do a ransom rest comparison (for potential accuracy) and an off-hand comparison (for realistic shootability/accuracy) and see how the data comes out. Definitely agree on the easy of carry/practicality with the tapered model. So the Hunter would have to have an appreciable realistic practical accuracy advantage to make up for that, I would think.
“…while still being accurate enough to deal with whatever armadillos, fire ant mounds, bunnies, suspicious-looking dirt clods you see.”
Fire ants?
I can understand the sentiment, but man, that’s an *expensive* way to burn through a 1400-round “Bucket of Bullets’…
Don’t forget those feral rampaging plastic bottles.
They’re coming right for us.
Good question , what is the performance difference between the subject gun and Hunter. , controlling all practical variables . Anyone have such data .
A worthwhile study for a gun club to complete and share .
After looking on Ruger’s site, I’d rather have the blued Target Mark IV than either of these Standard Mark IV’s. Barrel is longer, heavier, and sights are adjustable.
Well worth the extra $70
Tactical? That’s like placing the words “Heavy Duty” on every washer and dryer made. Ohhhh TACTICAL!!! I want it, I need it. I’ll run right out and buy it. Then I’ll be the square jawed bearded muscular stud muffin in every manufacturers weapon image in the world today.
We use the word “tactical” because the marketing guys said “mo’ bad-ass” didn’t resound as well with the survey groups.
Although I love my Targrt Mark IV, I will probably buy the Tacticool version for 1 simple reason.
It is the cheapest way to get the a supressor read Mark IV frame without switching to the 22/45 system (composite frame, different grip angle, and different mags)
I have to agree with you there. I bought the Ruger SR22 with the threaded barrel because eventually I’d like to suppress it. It didn’t say tactical though. Honestly, if it did, I probably wouldn’t buy it.
In all honesty, you would be better off with a 22/45 Lite and a suppressor. Looks way cooler!
My idea of a “Tactical” .22 would be a small backup gun- a pocket-sized hideaway for use when the chips are down. Maybe in .22 Mag.
A suppressed .22 LR might fit the bill in certain circumstances but would not be my choice for a defensive weapon.
I have been told Ruger .22s were used in ‘Nam on some occasions.
I am quite happy with my Ruger semiautos including an early Mk I, Mk II Target and a .22/45.
For variety I can break out my Single-Six or the High Standard Field King.
And then there’s that sweet little Browning Black Label…
But I digress. As with my carbines, I prefer pistols unencumbered by superfluous gadgetry. My .22s will do anything I ask without excess hardware.
I am not convinced the Ruger’s grip angle is natural.
The Mark IV Tactical needs more rails. And maybe a forward grip and a red dot sight and a scope and a bipod and a keymod handguard and a can opener.
Indeed. Rails along the grip along with the words GRIP ZONE! Written acrossed it would help too.
“The Mark IV Tactical needs more rails.”
And cowbell!
I’ve been chasing an adult hand sized .22LR for some time (for my own use, not “for the children”).
Loved my CZ-75B with Kadet2 slide, but a guy at my range loved it even more–the .22LR slide is finicky about clean burning rounds, cheap .22LR need not apply.
Liked the SR22, and High Standard R107, but always felt that I needed a GI Joe Kung Fu grip due to the downsized grip and short backstrap to trigger measurement.
Single Six convertible is hand filling, but sooo slooow to reload (Single 10 to the rescue, but like the S&W 17 Masterpiece; quite pricey).
Didn’t like the LCRx long barrel–TTaG’s review was spot on, terrible trigger, especially for an LCR–this was a real disappointment to me.
Settled on the Walther PPQ 5″. Full size for adult hands. Adequate accuracy, 12 round mags. Used.
Well, when Ruger decides to make that same gun in the .17 HMR, 22 Mag or the 5.7×28 I will buy all of them, but not interested in it for the .22….
I would loooove a mkIV in .22WMR with a 6″ barrel
I love the look of the tapered barrel, but I wish there was an aftermarket fiber optic site for it. As far as I can tell upgrades are only available for the bull barrel. That’s a shame! Someone take my money!