Ruger MK II 6 7/8 GTM to heavy for bullseye ?

I'm just starting in bullseye shooting. My Ruger Goverment Model has a heavy 6 7/8 barrel. My question is this too heavy a pistol to use for competition ?

I'm new to this game as well (just over a year in), so take it for what it is worth.  

I have a Mark IV Target pistol which weighs in at 36 oz.  
For a while, I was shooting a Mark I Standard which was heavier than the Mark IV by at least four ounces. (Can't find the specs on baby right now.)

The Mark II Government 6-7/8 weighs in at 46 oz.  Obviously a little heavier but with practice it will become light as a feather.  

I was told a few times that the heavier pistol can be a good thing in the long run, in terms of not heating up, wearing better, and handling recoil better.  This was part of a discussion as to whether to use a 22/45 or a 22/45 lite.  If there is nothing physical preventing you from using the heavier pistol (like a shoulder/arm/wrist issue) then I would think this would be fine in terms of weight.  

Personally, I like having a firearm with heft.  It makes me happy to know I have a pistol in my hand.

Riverchicken wrote:I'm just starting in bullseye shooting. My Ruger Goverment Model has a heavy 6 7/8 barrel. My question is this too heavy a pistol to use for competition ?

If shooting iron sights only, with practice you should be fine. If you decide to add an optic it might get a little heavy.
Jon

How does it feel to you? Weight is very individual thing. The absolute longest you will be holding the gun on target is probably 25-30 seconds. Depending on you and your level of conditioning, you may want something lighter or heavier. To me balance is more important than weight, even if two different guns weight the same, the location of the weight is important.

Shoot what you have for now. My suggestion is to do some holding exercises with light weights until you tone up the hand, arm and shoulder muscles. It doesn't take a weight lifter or body builder to shoot bullseye pistol. It just takes someone with the muscle tone of rarely used muscles to get to the point of a good hold and endurance. After a while, if the gun is out of balance for you or too heavy, you can have the barrel lightened by making slats on the sides of the barrel and/ or have the barrel shortened [the barrel length (sight radius) might be more a consideration than weight]. By the time you decide on the weight issue, you may want to get a different pistol or get yours customized. I think that accuracy, reliability, a good trigger and repeatable adjustable sights are some important considerations for a good bullseye pistol.

I've owned one for a long time, and don't find it too heavy. Ergonomic grips seem to help distribute the weight more evenly to your hand.

Back in the days I shot my HS Trophy bull barrel with a homemade weight 2-3 times heavier than the factory weight.  I was much more in condition then.  I was on the college tennis team and ran the same trails as Pre.  (He kept passing me though)
Your overall conditioning has everything to do with it.  It's not just shoulder...