Posted on 09/21/2012 6:02:09 PM PDT by marktwain
Ruger and Talo have partnered to produce a variant of the 22/45 Lite. Called the Blacklite, this limited-edition dealer-exclusive run of just 3,000 22/45s takes the Lite and upgrades it with a new finish and checkered laminate grips. Talo released a sneak peek of the gun on their Facebook page.
The Blacklite's finish is, naturally, black. The standard Ruger 22/45 has a gold-anodized finish that makes it stand out—and was simultaneously praised for doing something different and criticized for doing something ugly. Many people enjoyed it for what it is, an extremely lightweight all-purpose .22 plinker based on a well-established and highly-reliable design with a huge aftermarket, and either just ignored the gold or had it re-finished.
The Blacklite doesn't have that shortcoming, if that's your taste. It is black on black with grey double-diamond grips. It still has all the other Ruger 22/45 Lite features, including the polymer grip frame, the aircraft-grade aluminum receiver with cutouts to keep the weight down as much as possible, the fully-adjustable raised target sights and threaded barrel that's good to go for silencers.
In addition to clearing an attached suppressor, the sights are raised to co-witness with a low-profile optic, which you can attach easily because the receiver is drilled and tapped for an (included) Weaver rail.
The 22/45 Lite really is an all-purpose rimfire handgun. By cutting down the weight it can be carried for long hikes and hunts, it's ready for just about any accessory you could want on a pistol and it is mechanically identical to the proven Ruger Mark III standard.
From our own review of the original 22/45 Lite: "If I were considering a new .22 auto today, the Ruger 22/45 Lite might be it. I like how this gun feels. The Lite aspect makes it more attractive to anyone who would want a full sized .22 LR pistol for backpacking, which I do a lot of. And the slight reduction in weight gives the Lite a nice balance."
"Shooting the 22/45 Lite, especially with a silencer, is so much fun. MSRP is $469, but can be found for around $400."
One nice thing about the Blacklite is that it doesn't command a price premium over standard 22/45 Lite. In fact, it's already getting out to stores now, and we've seen it priced under $400.
So if you were thinking that you'd like to try out Ruger's new Lite but put off by the champagne finish, start calling around. Talo's gone and fixed it for you.
Finnish Government should be Finnish Supreme Court.
I keep hearing this and can’t understand why. I can do mine in seconds with my eyes shut.
Thanks for the response. Cheaper to practice... great point.
You’re a better man than I am Gunga Din.
>> this is so great looking.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess... I think it looks frilly and gimmicky, almost “gay”.
And $400+ ? Nah. Thanks. To each his own.
That’s okay. You may be closer to the truth than I was. I like it, but I’m not what I’d call an expert on guns and I’m not always going to agree with people who are. And what’s more, I’m okay with that. Being a secondary weapon, I’m not expecting it to be perfect.
As for it being gay, at my age, who cares? LOL
Snicker. I agree.
Nothing wrong with Rugers though. Bought my wife an LC9 not long ago and she likes it.
>> I’m not what I’d call an expert on guns and I’m not always going to agree with people who are.
Me neither, on both accounts, but I know what I like (and this isn’t it.) :-)
FRegards
>> Nothing wrong with Rugers though.
No, the *brand* is good. I shot a friend’s Ruger 9mm; it was nice. And I have my eye on a 10/22.
That’s okay. You don’t like gay and I can understand that. LOL
FRegards to you too. Tack care bud.
Why is it called a 22/45?
Doesn’t make sense...
Is ot called a 22/45? I grew up shooting the MK II and loved it.
I’m getting for Christmas or a Vaquero 45.
LOL
Had been looking for a small, reliable .22 and checked it out on the recommendation of a coworker (whose opinion I highly regard). A tad bit bigger than I wanted, but the (customizable) features sold me. I found the ambidextrous safety and mag release to be a great feature. It's the kind of gun I plan to have and to hold for a long time...
The 22/45 is a variation of the Mark II and Mark III, the grip is like a 1911 .45ACP.
I don't like the Mark III 22/45 because it doesn't feel the same as the Mark II 22/45 does in my hand. If I could find one that can accept some Hougue 1911 grips I might change my mind.
“Rebuilding a V-12 Ferrari engine is probably easier than field stripping a Ruger.”
I really like my Ruger Mark I, but you may be correct...it is not easily stripped.
I have not shot it enough to know how well it will hold up but so far so good. It is accurate as it should be. I don’t particularly like the mag release being in the middle of the front of the handle but the gun is not intended for fast mag changes and it probably is more secure form accidental release.
The trigger is a bit better than most tho not great. I like the sights also.
All in all I am pleased with it.
Zactly! I wuz at the gun store couole of weeks ago and they handed me a MK III. I instantly went “Wait. This doesn’t feel right” and handed it back.
They then started telling about all the different makes within each model.
I told them the angle on this one is too far.
They ordered the one they think I shot as a kid.
If it’s the one SOLD!
The mag release is a bit strange but it works well. Mine is light blue and silver. Rare from what my gunsmith said.
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