Here’s another one for the “I Just Simply Want It” catagory! A Ruger Mk. III, (or even a Mk. II).
Actually, I’ve wanted one for years, but never really could justify it. With the realization that I’ve fired my Ruger .22 caliber revolver enough to wear out the trigger it came to me that I might actually shoot the revolver to death before I can pass it on to my son.
Suddenly, Justification! 
What a great design! Simple and rugged. Every bit as reliable as his single action revolver design, (…and if you know me then you know that’s a serious endorsement on my part…), Bill Ruger’s idea for the semi-auto rimfire pistol has lasted since 1949 with only minor modernizations required. Quoting the Sturm-Ruger website:
Intended for target shooters, plinkers, hikers, campers, and small game hunters, they have been used as the standard target and training pistol by the U.S. Armed Forces, and have won countless target matches worldwide.
The Bull can honestly say that he has seen these sweet little pistols often in the field in the midst of all of those listed outdoor pursuits – and often in the Winner’s Circle back when he shot in IHMSA competition way back when. Can’t swear to the military uses, but I’ve got no reason to doubt that it is true.
When I first ran into the Ruger Standard, it was available in any configuration you wanted – so long as it was blue and had a 4.75 inch barrel. Not so any longer! As time went on, Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. paid attention to what the public wanted. Over the years there have been specialized 10 inch barrel models for those long range silhouette shooters, slab-sided versions, fluted-barrel versions, ‘Hunter’ versions, adjustable sighted versions, commemorative versions, stainless steel (of course), one that feels like a 1911, and a fine mix of all of the above. Yep, they may have started out as plain as Mr. Ford’s Model T, but (like the Ford) Ruger has spread out to give consumers everything they asked for – and more. Granted, not all of these configurations are still listed. Why should they? After all, styles and taste change.
Fortunately for The Bull, Mr. Ruger’s ‘Standard’ version with a blued finish, fixed sights, and a 4.75 inch barrel is still in the catalog. Soon one will find its way into my gun oil stained hands. I hope it is very soon!
Back to dreaming…
Bull, out!
