Yuri Orlov
Regular
After a bit of a search, I finally tracked down a Ruger 22/45 RP! Apparently they aren't that common in Canada yet, and it took quite a few phone calls and emails...many explaining what the RP model was...before I found one. I think Ruger needs to work on it's promotion of the RP in Canada. But I finally got one and I love it! My only complaints about the RP all stem from the "safety" additions that Ruger has added to the MkIII platform. I couldn't wait to break-in the gun so that I could 'fix' them. 
The biggest issue for me was the Magazine Disconnect Safety. Because of the way it operates, the magazines will not freely drop from the magwell when released and need to pulled out. Do that for an afternoon and you'll realize what a pain it is. Besides on a gun designed to emulate a 1911, that just won't do! Unfortunately because it also acts as a spacer between the hammer and the disconnector lever you can't just remove it. But luckily the solution is almost as simple and the MDS is easily eliminated with the addition of a new hammer bushing.
There are a few options out there when it comes to hammer bushings, and I chose to go with a bushing made by sg552-2 (Sam) on RF Central. His bushings are popular on many rimfire forums, they get great reviews, and he's a fellow Canadian to boot! I contacted Sam with some questions and found out that he was coming out with a new press-fit bushing that not only eliminates the magazine disconnect safety, but also helps to improve the trigger feel. I would have been happy just getting rid of the MDS, but any improvement to the trigger would be a welcome addition.
Because Rugers tolerances can range from sightly, to wildly loose, the trigger can have a significant amount of creep before it breaks. Sams new bushing is slightly larger and has a tighter fit between the bushing and the hammer that eliminates a rotation point and reduces the amount of creep for the trigger breaks.
Installation was super easy. The most difficult task was breaking the gun
down for the first time...which ended up not being nearly as bad as I had been led to believe...and the installation of the bushing itself was a cake-walk. The factory Ruger bushing just fell out of the hammer during disasessembly, and the new bushing went into the hammer with a little
pressure and a few taps of a hammer(I used a socket as a simple jig).
With the new bushing installed, the hammer and bushing felt like once solid piece rather than the assembly of loose fitting parts that it was before.
Once the gun was reassembled, the fun stuff started! Magazines dropped freely from the mag well, and there was an obvious improvement in the feel of the trigger. Out on the range the crisp trigger break was great, and the mags dropping free made for a much more enjoyable shooting experience. IMO getting rid of the mag disconnect safety should be high on everyone's list of upgrades when they get a MkIII or 22/45. It's super easy, and cheap too! It's also easy to return the gun to factory specs should you ever choose to. I also highly recommend contacting Sam(sg552-2 on rimfirecentral) about one of his bushings. He has a great product, great service and the price is a bargain.
My next project will be to do the "sling-shot mod", and upgrade to a VQ sear and target trigger. I also want to pick up some new 1911 scales to personalize my RP a bit. I just have to stop spending all my cash on ammo, his thing is just too much fun to shoot!
The biggest issue for me was the Magazine Disconnect Safety. Because of the way it operates, the magazines will not freely drop from the magwell when released and need to pulled out. Do that for an afternoon and you'll realize what a pain it is. Besides on a gun designed to emulate a 1911, that just won't do! Unfortunately because it also acts as a spacer between the hammer and the disconnector lever you can't just remove it. But luckily the solution is almost as simple and the MDS is easily eliminated with the addition of a new hammer bushing.
There are a few options out there when it comes to hammer bushings, and I chose to go with a bushing made by sg552-2 (Sam) on RF Central. His bushings are popular on many rimfire forums, they get great reviews, and he's a fellow Canadian to boot! I contacted Sam with some questions and found out that he was coming out with a new press-fit bushing that not only eliminates the magazine disconnect safety, but also helps to improve the trigger feel. I would have been happy just getting rid of the MDS, but any improvement to the trigger would be a welcome addition.
Because Rugers tolerances can range from sightly, to wildly loose, the trigger can have a significant amount of creep before it breaks. Sams new bushing is slightly larger and has a tighter fit between the bushing and the hammer that eliminates a rotation point and reduces the amount of creep for the trigger breaks.
Installation was super easy. The most difficult task was breaking the gun
down for the first time...which ended up not being nearly as bad as I had been led to believe...and the installation of the bushing itself was a cake-walk. The factory Ruger bushing just fell out of the hammer during disasessembly, and the new bushing went into the hammer with a little
pressure and a few taps of a hammer(I used a socket as a simple jig).
With the new bushing installed, the hammer and bushing felt like once solid piece rather than the assembly of loose fitting parts that it was before.
Once the gun was reassembled, the fun stuff started! Magazines dropped freely from the mag well, and there was an obvious improvement in the feel of the trigger. Out on the range the crisp trigger break was great, and the mags dropping free made for a much more enjoyable shooting experience. IMO getting rid of the mag disconnect safety should be high on everyone's list of upgrades when they get a MkIII or 22/45. It's super easy, and cheap too! It's also easy to return the gun to factory specs should you ever choose to. I also highly recommend contacting Sam(sg552-2 on rimfirecentral) about one of his bushings. He has a great product, great service and the price is a bargain.
My next project will be to do the "sling-shot mod", and upgrade to a VQ sear and target trigger. I also want to pick up some new 1911 scales to personalize my RP a bit. I just have to stop spending all my cash on ammo, his thing is just too much fun to shoot!
