Ruger mark 4 22/45 lite issues

I have a new 22/45 lite that has a few issues.

I replaced the trigger with a tandemcross and it has reduced the pull weight and made it much more smooth than factory. I have also replaced grips with volquartsen wood grips. Shot for the first time after mods last night and my groups almost trippled in size and it wouldn’t fire on round 5. Also shooting Eley hollow points which I was told to avoid HP’s for this gun last night.

Why would the trigger replacement cause issues like this. I’m really confident in my ability, I can pick up my sp101 and immediately keep better group size.

Anyone have experience here?

No offense, but it sounds like there is a loose nut behind the trigger. You don't say what distance that you are testing for accuracy, nor the specific ammo. Ammo and the condition of the barrel, especially the crown, would be something to look at. Changing the trigger isn't at all likely to change group size.

BullseyeRuffian wrote:I have a new 22/45 lite that has a few issues.

I replaced the trigger with a tandemcross and it has reduced the pull weight and made it much more smooth than factory. I have also replaced grips with volquartsen wood grips. Shot for the first time after mods last night and my groups almost trippled in size and it wouldn’t fire on round 5. Also shooting Eley hollow points which I was told to avoid HP’s for this gun last night.

Why would the trigger replacement cause issues like this. I’m really confident in my ability, I can pick up my sp101 and immediately keep better group size.

Anyone have experience here?

I would try backing off on the pre travel and make sure the grips are not binding on the safety or the slide stop. As far as the accuracy goes none of that should make the gun any less accurate. The VQ grips are kind of large so maybe they are not good for you.

Best to change one thing at a time. Go back to your previous grips, see how it groups.

I’ve been shooting 50’ bullseye.

With the factory trigger I scored 86-91 and the wood grips.

Swapped the trigger to the tandemkross and I’m still n the mid 60’s all day. 

Same Eley ammo as always. 

I’m going to put all volquartsen parts in it and see if that changes it.

I doubt anything has happened to the crown of the bore as the gun resides in a case and has only 200 rounds down it.

Before you change everything back, try shooting it off of sandbags and see how it groups.

I was at the range recently and always had one round very low, out of a decent group (for me, these days). It took a lot of convincing myself that it wasn't a gun or ammo problem, but that I was using poor trigger control on that one shot. When I started focusing on a steady pressure on the trigger, straight to the rear, the wild shot seemed to disappear! When I went from competing with a High Standard Victor to a Hammerli 208s (with a 2 stage trigger) my groups were bigger. It took a little time before I learned how to manipulate the 2 stage trigger, but then, WOW, my .22 scores really improved!

As a Ruger shooter myself, I second the previous recommendation to shoot off a rest or sand bag to verify accuracy. You will quickly determine whether it’s the gun or you. Since you mentioned that it’s a lite version, are you running a thread on compensator? My groups are always more open with a comp.

If the groups are poor off a rest or bag, check that the barrel nut on the muzzle end is not loose. Very rare but can happen on the lite barrels.

My personal experience has shown that differences in trigger pull weight can impact how you do or need to grip the pistol. You may have been gripping a certain way to overcome trigger induced motion with the heavy stock trigger. I’m no High Master shooter so take what I say at the value that it is, free internet information.

FYI. The thread protector was loose. Secondly. I was shooting Eley high velocity HP and they are deforming quite badly when ramping and chambering. Running SK biathlon in it now and it’s like an entirely new machine. Will post some results from tonight.

Thanks for the actual information, Washed up Newbie. Sometimes it just takes a new thought process.

The thread protector being tightened helped most of all. I did t notice it getting loose.


Back to nice, tight groups.