The Ruger 22/45 is a semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Co. since 1992.[1] The 22/45 combines elements of the Ruger Mark III, Colt 1911, and the Nambu Pistol into a pistol intended for use in competition shooting.[3]
History
The Ruger 22/45 was originally announced in 1992, combining elements of several firearms.[3] One major issue with Ruger's .22 LR pistol line was the grip shape, as well as the use of older materials.[1] The 22/45 countered this, using a polymer grip frame to reduce weight, as well as an aluminium receiver.[1] Also significant was the change of the grip shape, which was modified to closer match that of the Colt 1911, the most popular pistol in competitive shooting.[1]
The 22/45 remains in production to this day, produced in a number of variants with other accessories. With a traceable lineage back to the 1940s designs of the Nambu pistol and Ruger Standard, the 22/45 remains a popular firearm, and one which has become key to Ruger's catalogue.[3]
Design Details
The 22/45 is a two-part design, in which the grip frame and trigger are manufactured from a Zytel ® polymer, while the receiver and barrel are manufactured from aluminium.[2] The aluminium is aircraft grade for both strength and lightness, meaning that the 22/45 weighs as little as 1.4lbs (0.65kg), making it one of the lightest pistols on the market today.[2][3]
The 22/45 uses a blowback action, similar to the Nambu pistol of Imperial Japan in the Second World War.[3] This means that the potential for misalignment of the sights through the movement of a slide (which most .22 LR pistols use) is avoided.[2] The barrel has six rifling grooves with a 1:16 inch ratio twist, and is threaded to accept a silencer or other barrel accessories.[2]
Numerous safety mechanisms are also fitted to the 22/45. As well as a conventional manual safety to lock the sear, the 22/45 is fitted with a loaded chamber indicator and a magazine disconnect, intended to prevent accidental fire if the magazine has been removed, but a round still remains in the chamber.[2] The ejection port has also been designed with user safety in mind, angled and contoured to prevent ejected casings from hitting the user.[2]
Ammunition
The Ruger 22/45, as the name suggests, is a .22 caliber pistol, chambered to accept the .22 Long Rifle cartridge. These are fired from a ten-round magazine, which slots into the grip.[2] A magazine release button can be found on the left side of the frame, above the trigger guard.[2]
Variants
As with many target pistols, the 22/45 has a number of factory-made variants for sale, which cater for various other users' tastes.
Ruger 22/45 Lite®
Essentially the current basic version of the 22/45 currently offered by Ruger. The barrel shroud can either be finished in anodised cobalt (producing a contrasted finish) or an anodised black to match the frame.[2]
Ruger 22/45 Target
The Ruger 22/45 Target with 5.5 inch barrel.
A cheaper version of the 22/45, with a steel upper receiver, rather than aluminium.[2] The Target is fitted with a 5.5 inch barrel (although a 4 inch option is also available) and Weaver style scope mounts.[2]
Ruger 22/45 Threaded Barrel
Sold with a marginally longer 4.5 inch threaded barrel.[2] This design allows for more aftermarket muzzle accessories to be added to the 22/45, and is also fitted with two Picatinny rails for added customization.[2]
Trivia
- A 22/45 was used in the 2012 film Jack Reacher by the character Charlie. [4]
References
Image origins:
- http://www.ruger.com/products/2245/index.html (Ruger 22/45 Lite®)
- http://www.ruger.com/products/2245Target/models.html (Ruger 22/45 Target)
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Sweeney, Patrick, The Gun Digest Book of Ruger Pistols and Revolvers, (F+W Media, New York: 2007), pp.67-8
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 http://www.ruger.com/products/2245Lite/models.html
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/04/ralph/gun-review-ruger-2245-lite/
- ↑ http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Ruger_22/45