Ruger Forum

63Blackhawk · October 17th, 2012, 05:46 PM

With exception of barrel exterior shape, front sight, and grips, is there any difference between the Mark III Hunter and Mark III Competition?

I am looking to purchase a new Mark III for bullseye shooting.

I'll be installing a Red-Dot scope, so the front sight makes no difference for my purposes, and I would most likely install aftermarket target grips.

I actually prefer the looks of the fluted target barrel over the slab-sided target barrel.

Any insight you can offer on these two pistols would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tim

North country gal · October 17th, 2012, 06:41 PM

I have both and both have received the VQ trigger mods. The Comp has a more muzzle heavy balance and that may be an advantage in bullseye shooting. The Hunter has the fluted barrel, of course, which reduces barrel weight, so it holds a bit lighter at the muzzle.

Both are superbly accurate, but, if I had to pick one and only one to keep, my Hunter would be the one, but, then, I'm not doing any competitive shooting.

Here's a ten shot group with the Hunter, using a 2x Leupold scope, at 50 feet, CCI mini mags, from a rest. The orange dot measures 1". My Comp has shot similar groups.

63Blackhawk · October 17th, 2012, 07:05 PM

Thanks for the input "North country gal", and nice group!

Even with the lighter fluted barrel, I've got to believe the Mark III Hunter will come up better than my Mark II 22/45 with 4.5" barrel.

Again, nice group!

Sbh87 · October 17th, 2012, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by North country gal

Here's a ten shot group with the Hunter, using a 2x Leupold scope, at 50 feet, CCI mini mags, from a rest. The orange dot measures 1". My Comp has shot similar groups.

Now thats what I call group therapy!

North country gal · October 18th, 2012, 10:16 AM

It's one of several reasons many of us have disconnected the magazine safety. Won't be an issue once you do that.

heymatthew · October 18th, 2012, 10:52 AM

I'm not sure if this will help you out any, but I'm shooting a Mark III 22/45 Hunter (now discontinued) and love it. It balances well, shoots accurately and is a fine gun to handle. I realize this isn't the exact model you asked about, but thought I'd share anyway. I have shot a friend's Slab Side and I didn't really see any discernible differences in groupings or feel (other than his was a MKIII and mine is the 22/45 MKIII).

You do get the upgraded sights with the Hunter model. I know you're using a red dot so it doesn't matter as much, but in case you ever wanted to run with the irons, you'd have the option and the fiber optic front/v-rear are a nice combination.

She's not quite as purdy as NorthCountryGal's Hunter, but I like her:

patham · October 18th, 2012, 11:17 AM

I originally got a used MKIII 22/45 Hunter, now using a new slabsides competition model for bullseye. (Only been shooting bullseye for a year, barely a newbie). For bullseye ie onehanded target shooting, I prefer the balance and heft of the longer barrelled competition model. Never cared for the hunter sights either. Using a red dot for competition
Patsy

63Blackhawk · October 18th, 2012, 05:04 PM

Lots of great input!

I've got a fiberoptic front sight on my 22/45 MKII. The fiberoptic makes a huge difference for my nearly 50 year old eyes.

RockDoctor · October 18th, 2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by North country gal

I have both and both have received the VQ trigger mods. The Comp has a more muzzle heavy balance and that may be an advantage in bullseye shooting. The Hunter has the fluted barrel, of course, which reduces barrel weight, so it holds a bit lighter at the muzzle.

Both are superbly accurate, but, if I had to pick one and only one to keep, my Hunter would be the one, but, then, I'm not doing any competitive shooting.

Here's a ten shot group with the Hunter, using a 2x Leupold scope, at 50 feet, CCI mini mags, from a rest. The orange dot measures 1". My Comp has shot similar groups.

Oh my goodness. That's a nice shooter. I have been considering putting some type of scope on my new MKII IIi 22/45 w/bull barrel. I like it.

jhphurt · October 28th, 2012, 08:03 AM

I just bought the mark III competion, I like that added weight, 25 yards on rest was all within a nickle, nice gun back at Ruger for a problem,

Redleg · October 28th, 2012, 08:42 AM

I have both the Mark III Target and the Mark III Hunter and I would be hard-pressed to say which one I like better. I will say that the Hunter, with that 6.88" fluted barrel, is an exceptionally cool looking gun.

North country gal · October 28th, 2012, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redleg

I have both the Mark III Target and the Mark III Hunter and I would be hard-pressed to say which one I like better. I will say that the Hunter, with that 6.88" fluted barrel, is an exceptionally cool looking gun.

Couldn't agree, more.