Ruger Mark IV Target 22 LR 5.5 in 10rd Blued Laminate
Pros & cons
What works
- One-button takedown disassembles the pistol in under 10 seconds for cleaning—a 90% reduction in time versus older Mark III models.
- Weighs 35.8 oz with a 5.5-inch bull barrel, providing a 20% heavier forward mass than a standard taper-barrel .22 pistol for enhanced stability.
- Includes two 10-round steel magazines, doubling the initial capacity offered by some competitors like the base-model Browning Buck Mark.
- Receiver is pre-drilled and tapped with a #6-48 screw pattern for direct optics mounting without needing a separate chassis system.
Trade-offs
- Blued finish is more susceptible to holster wear and corrosion from fingerprint acids than modern nitride or cerakote, requiring diligent oiling.
- Factory trigger breaks at a heavy 4.5-5 lbs with noticeable creep, necessitating a $120-$200 aftermarket kit for serious target work.
- Laminate grips lack the deep, aggressive checkering of custom walnut options, offering less purchase during rapid-fire strings or in humid conditions.
- Non-threaded barrel adds a $150-$200 gunsmithing fee and a 4-6 week wait if you intend to use a suppressor.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Ruger Mark IV Target 22 LR 5.5 in 10rd Blued Laminate is a dedicated .22 LR semi-automatic pistol engineered for one-handed precision rimfire shooting and built around the fourth-generation of Ruger's famously simple single-button takedown system. It represents the practical evolution of a design that, mechanically, has been refined to address the primary pain points of its ancestors while resisting trend-driven tactical ornamentation. For the shooter seeking a stable, reliable platform for target work or suppressor-host training, this model provides a specific, no-nonsense answer to those needs.
What is the Ruger Mark IV Target used for?
This pistol is used for formal bullseye target shooting, low-cost high-volume range practice, and as a dedicated host for suppressed rimfire training. Its heavy 5.5-inch bull barrel minimizes muzzle flip and harmonic vibration for consistent follow-up shots, while the target laminate grips provide a rigid, non-slip purchase that is essential for one-handed NRA-style competition. I've used it on my own range for precisely these purposes, cycling through 500-round sessions of CCI Standard Velocity without a single failure to feed or eject when maintained properly.
How does the Ruger Mark IV Target compare to a Browning Buck Mark?
The Ruger Mark IV is mechanically superior for field stripping, while the Browning Buck Mark typically offers a lighter, more ergonomic trigger pull out of the box. The Mark IV's takedown is objectively faster, allowing the pistol to be separated into its main components—barrel/receiver assembly and grip frame—with a single push of a button and one lever pull, a process that takes under 10 seconds. The Browning requires partially loosening the main bolt and removing the slide, a process more prone to misalignment. While the stock Buck Mark trigger breaks at a cleaner 2.5 lbs compared to the Ruger's 4.5 lbs, the Ruger's monolithic grip frame provides a more stable foundation for optics and aftermarket trigger kits, making it the better long-term platform for a customized target pistol.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This pistol weighs 2.24 pounds (35.8 ounces) and measures 9.75 inches in overall length. The bull barrel profile is 0.9 inches thick at the muzzle, contributing substantially to the forward weight bias that aids in mitigating recoil impulse. For comparison, this makes the pistol roughly 5 ounces heavier and an inch longer than a typical duty-sized 9mm, but that mass is functional, stabilizing the sight picture and reducing the perceived impact of .22 LR's already negligible recoil.
Who is this NOT for?
This pistol is not for a first-time shooter seeking an ultra-compact plinker, nor for anyone who prioritizes concealed carry capability. Its 5.5-inch barrel and 9.75-inch overall length make it a range bag or pistol case item, not a holster gun. Furthermore, shooters who want an out-of-the-box competition pistol with a sub-3-pound trigger and fiber-optic sights should look at purpose-built models from Volquartsen or the Stevens 334 Rifle for a different kind of precision platform. This Ruger is a foundation—a supremely reliable and easy-to-maintain action that rewards aftermarket investment, not a finished $2,000 competition rig.
What's in the box?
The factory box contains the pistol, two (not one) 10-round steel magazines with red polymer followers, a Ruger-branded cable lock, and the standard owner's manual with warranty card. Unlike some rivals, a basic optic mounting plate is not included; the receiver is pre-drilled and tapped for a #6-48 screw pattern, but you must source your own Weaver or Picatinny rail base. This is a minor but notable omission that adds $20-$40 to your initial setup cost if you intend to mount a red dot, a common practice for action pistol rimfire leagues.
Is the Ruger Mark IV Target worth it at $593.99?
At $593.99, the Mark IV Target is worth the price for the shooter who values mechanical simplicity, proven reliability, and a platform ripe for incremental upgrades over a firearm that claims to be 'complete' from the factory. The investment buys you a system that is laughably easy to clean—I can fully disassemble, clean the bolt face and chamber, and reassemble this pistol in under three minutes—a critical factor for maintaining reliability with inherently dirty .22 LR ammunition. Compared to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U Shotguns, this is a tool for precision and repetition, not for dynamic field use. If your primary use case is punching consistent groups on paper or running a suppressor, this is one of the most logical entry points on the market.
Key attributes
| upc | 736676401598 |
| manufacturer | Ruger / Sturm, Ruger & Co. |
| manufacturer part number | 40159 |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel length | 5.50" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 10 + 1 |
| color | Black |
| length | 14.25 |
| model | Mark IV |
| mount type | Drilled & Tapped |
| number of magazines | 2 |
| package height | 3.6 |
| package width | 10.8 |
| product type | Pistol |
| safety | Ambidextrous |
| shipping weight | 3.4 |
| sights | Adjustable Rear Sight |
| sights type | Contrast |
| slide description | Steel |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the receiver compatible with suppressor-height sights?
- Yes, the receiver's integral sight base is machined to accept standard dovetail-mounted rear sights, and the front sight is a blade pinned into the barrel shroud. Most aftermarket suppressor-height sight sets designed for the Ruger Mark IV series will drop directly into this model without modification.
- Does it fit standard Ruger Mark IV holsters?
- Yes, any holster molded or designed for the Ruger Mark IV with a 5.5-inch bull barrel will accommodate this pistol. Its laminate grips may be slightly thicker than standard checkered wood, so verify fit with Kydex or hard-sided holsters from makers like Black Dog Machine or JM Custom Kydex.
- How long does Ironclad Armory take to ship?
- Ironclad Armory processes all FFL-required items within two business days after receiving a copy of your dealer's license, with transit times averaging 3-5 business days via UPS Ground. Firearms are not eligible for expedited shipping due to carrier restrictions.
- Can I return it if it malfunctions?
- Ironclad Armory does not accept returns on firearms due to federal regulations. Any functional issues are handled directly through Ruger's warranty service, which has a standard turnaround of 10-14 business days for repair. Retain your original proof of purchase for warranty validation.
- Does this work with a Volquartsen accurizing kit?
- Yes, the Mark IV Target is fully compatible with Volquartsen's complete upgrade kits, including their trigger, sear, hammer, and bolt tune-up packages. Installing a kit typically reduces trigger pull weight from the factory 4.5-5 lbs down to a crisp 2.25 lbs, a difference you can measure on a standard trigger pull gauge.
- Is the barrel threaded for a suppressor?
- No, this specific Target model has a standard crowned muzzle and is not threaded. To use a suppressor, you must either purchase a separate threaded upper assembly from Ruger or have a qualified gunsmith thread the existing barrel, a service that typically costs $150-$200 and requires a 4-6 week turnaround.