Ruger Mark IV Target Review: A Buyer's Look at the Classic

The Mark IV Target is the .22 pistol many shooters measure everything else against. This review is for the person deciding whether it is the right pistol, not the person already building a bullseye gun.

The pistol everyone compares against

Spend any time around .22 handguns and the Ruger Mark series comes up as the reference. Its reputation was built on accuracy and on a design that has stayed recognizable for generations. It also carried a reputation for being annoying to take apart and put back together, which is the single most important fact in this review.

The Mark IV is Ruger's answer. It keeps the long-lived basic layout and adds a one-button takedown that makes field-stripping a task rather than a puzzle. The listing we link is the Ruger Mark IV Target, a 10+1 model with a laminate stock and a blued finish.

Already building one for competition? Our Mark IV bullseye guide covers setup for that. This review is for the earlier decision: should you buy one at all.

What you get

The takedown, in plain terms

Earlier Mark pistols had a reputation: after cleaning, reassembly required patience, the right sequence and often a good deal of swearing. Ruger's redesign centers the process on a single button, so that field-stripping for cleaning no longer depends on a long sequence of steps. Follow the manual's sequence for the exact procedure.

For a buyer, this matters more than any spec on the list. A pistol you clean willingly gets cleaned. A pistol that sits in the safe because the manual is intimidating does not. Rimfire ammunition is dirty, and the chamber and bolt face need attention every so often; see our rimfire cleaning kit roundup for the tools.

Read the instruction manual before your first disassembly regardless. A simpler process is still a process.

Accuracy: what the design suggests, honestly

A heavy barrel, a fixed sight line and a substantial grip all help a shooter stay steady. That is why the Mark series has a following among target shooters and why many people consider it a benchmark for rimfire pistol handling.

But accuracy in rimfire is a three-way relationship among the pistol, the shooter and the ammunition, and none of the three can be bought in isolation. What we can say from design principles: a long, heavy-barreled pistol is easier to shoot well than a short, light one, because the extra mass resists movement and the longer sight radius makes small errors easier to see. Whether a given pistol shoots small groups with a given load is something only a range session answers.

Ammunition: wide tolerance, but choose with purpose

The Mark IV is a blowback pistol, so it needs a minimum of cartridge energy, but its heavy bolt and long barrel make it more forgiving than lightweight polymer pistols. That gives you two reasonable paths:

• For paper and precision: a standard-velocity lead target load. Aguila Target Competition is one example in this class; our review of it explains where such loads fit and where they do not.
• For casual plinking: a plated high-velocity bulk load, which is simpler to feed and cleaner to handle.

Our guide to feeding rimfire pistols covers the reasoning and a test method. If you hit stoppages, work through the jam checklist before blaming the ammunition.

What it is not

It is not light. If you want a pistol you can carry all day or hand to a smaller shooter, a lighter pistol is easier on the hands.

It is not a high-capacity pistol. Ten rounds is typical for the category, but it will not compete with a pistol built around 33-round magazines. If capacity is the point, see our CP33 review.

It is not a self-defense pistol. Rimfire ignition is less consistent than centerfire, and a long, heavy target pistol is not designed for carry. Use it for practice and recreation.

Versus the main rival

The classic comparison is Ruger's Mark IV against Browning's Buck Mark. DefensiveHandgun's Mark IV vs Buck Mark piece works through the differences. Short version of how to think about it: both are accurate, both are well supported, and the decision usually comes down to handling preference and takedown philosophy.

Care and storage

A blued steel pistol rewards a light wipe with oil after use, especially in humid conditions, and a dry, secure place to live. The laminate stock is more stable than bare wood, but still benefits from being kept out of damp storage.

Store the pistol unloaded and locked, with ammunition stored separately where practical. If you share a household, a lockbox or safe is not optional. Our friends at DefensiveHandgun discuss the principles in their storage guide.

Pick it if

• You want an accurate, well-supported .22 pistol for target work and training.
• You value easy field-stripping.
• You do not mind a heavier pistol.

Skip it if

• You want a light plinker or something with a big magazine.
• You want to keep it in a pocket or a glove box.
• You would rather spend your time shooting than learning a pistol's quirks and just want the simplest possible gun; a revolver might suit you better. See best .22 pistols by role.

Before you buy

1. Confirm barrel length, sights and optic options on Ruger's spec sheet for the exact model.
2. Plan on a couple of spare magazines.
3. Pick up a cleaning kit that fits a .22 bore.
4. Decide your ammunition plan: bulk plated for fun, a target load for groups.
5. Check how your state handles handgun purchases and transfers.

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from manufacturer specifications and publicly available information. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify specifications, compatibility and legality for your own situation.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.