Ruger Mark IV Competition 22 LR 6 88 Slab Sided Bull

About this product

The Ruger Mark IV Competition is built for shooters who want serious bullseye and rimfire-precision performance out of the box, pairing Ruger's redesigned one-button takedown Mark IV action with a long, heavy 6.88-inch slab-sided bull barrel. It's a stainless steel target pistol aimed squarely at NRA Bullseye, Rimfire Challenge, and precision plinking shooters rather than casual carry or defensive use.

What does "slab-sided bull barrel" mean?

A bull barrel is a thicker, heavier barrel profile than a standard pencil-thin barrel, and "slab-sided" refers to the flat-machined sides of this particular barrel rather than a fully round contour. That flat-sided bull profile adds weight up front, which helps dampen muzzle movement between shots and gives the pistol a naturally steady hold for slow-fire precision shooting — a deliberate trade against portability in favor of accuracy.

How heavy is this pistol, and why does that matter?

At roughly 45.8 ounces (about 2.9 pounds) with an 11.12-inch overall length, this is a substantially heavier and longer pistol than a typical carry or duty gun. That weight is a feature, not a drawback, for its intended role: a stable, muzzle-heavy pistol resists the small movements that throw off precision groups at target distances, which is exactly what bullseye and rimfire-competition shooters are optimizing for.

What sights and grips does it come with?

It ships with a fixed front sight and a fully adjustable rear target sight mounted directly on the barreled receiver — a setup that keeps the sight-to-barrel alignment consistent even through repeated disassembly, since the sights don't move relative to the barrel during Ruger's simplified one-button takedown process. Thumbrest competition-style grips made from hardwood laminate round out the package, shaped specifically to support a stable, repeatable competition grip rather than general-purpose handling.

How does the one-button takedown work?

Ruger redesigned the Mark IV line specifically to solve the notoriously fiddly takedown process that plagued earlier Mark-series pistols. A single button on the back of the frame allows the upper receiver to tilt up and separate from the grip frame for cleaning, without needing to realign a takedown pin by feel — a meaningful quality-of-life improvement for a .22 LR pistol that will see high round counts at the range and needs frequent cleaning.

Is this a good pistol for a new shooter, or strictly for competitors?

While its weight and target sights make it most at home in structured competition, the accuracy and low recoil of a well-built .22 LR bull-barrel pistol also make it an excellent tool for teaching fundamentals — sight alignment, trigger control, and follow-through — to newer shooters who have graduated past a basic plinking pistol and want to build precision skills.

As a firearm, this pistol ships to a licensed FFL dealer, not to your home address; you'll complete your background check and required paperwork there before taking possession. California buyers should confirm current compliance status for this model with their FFL before ordering.

How does the Competition model differ from the standard Mark IV Target?

The Mark IV lineup includes several barrel lengths and profiles, and the Competition model's 6.88-inch slab-sided bull barrel is longer and heavier than the shorter bull-barrel options in the standard Target line, giving it a longer sight radius and more front-end weight for steadier holds during slow-fire strings. That extra length and weight is specifically what separates a dedicated competition pistol from a general-purpose target gun, and it's worth handling both configurations if you're deciding between them, since the size difference is noticeable in the hand.