Colt Huntsman vs. Ruger Mark III

View · by **yukonjasper** on Wed Apr 02, 2014 4:09 pm

Wondering if there are any strong opinions regarding which is the superior firearm? I own both and understand that Ruger came up with their model to compete with the Colt Woodsman/Huntsman series. Seems to be a bit of discussion regarding the .22 cal. lately and looking for some insights.

View · by **LumberZach** on Wed Apr 02, 2014 4:46 pm

The ruger is king. I guess I don't know much about the colt or heard much about it. The ruger is well regarded though.

View · by **smurfman** on Wed Apr 02, 2014 5:56 pm

The Ruger has a lot more aftermarket accessories if that is important, the Woodsman is one of those fabled and iconic firearms which has the advantage of character from years of use. Of the two choices I would go with the Woodsman as I like historic arms but the Ruger is the more modern one with current parts support.

If other options were available I would pick one of the High Standards from the 1970s or older. The Military models are my favorites by far. One of these was the first handgun I started shooting and they have had a piece of my heart since.

View · by **mmcnx2** on Wed Apr 02, 2014 7:17 pm

For a shooter I'd go Ruger, for nostalgic value the Colt. That assumes only those 2 choices.

If you open the options a bit I'd still stick with the Ruger for a shooter, nostalgic wise I'm more of a vintage Model 41 guy, A Victor High standard would be a distant second and further down the road the Colt.

Add in a few rare birds and for history sake a original Ruger Mark I with the long barrel and factory muzzle brake is pretty cool as are the old Hamerli's are very hot.

All depends what you want to do, how much you want to spend and whats important to you.

View · by **yukonjasper** on Thu Apr 03, 2014 9:11 am

I own both the Huntsman and the Mark III. My question comes as I have been contemplating selling one as I am not sure if I really need 2 similar niche pieces. So it sounds like I should double check the potential collectable nature of the Huntsman(serial number) to be sure I'm not selling a collectable for a non collectable price.

View · by **Snakeman721** on Thu Apr 03, 2014 5:55 pm

yukonjasper wrote:I own both the Huntsman and the Mark III. My question comes as I have been contemplating selling one as I am not sure if I really need 2 similar niche pieces. So it sounds like I should double check the potential collectable nature of the Huntsman(serial number) to be sure I'm not selling a collectable for a non collectable price.

Unless you REALLY need the money, why sell either?

View · by **J33Nelson** on Thu Apr 03, 2014 8:33 pm

I owned a Mk.III and absolutely hated it. It has been the worst gun I have ever owned to date because it jammed every other shot. I know the Ruger Mk.III has a great reputation but I would never spend money on a Ruger .22 handgun ever again.

View · by **Rodentman** on Sat Apr 05, 2014 6:52 am

The Mark III works ok for me, and I like it until I have to clean it.

View · by **mmcnx2** on Sat Apr 05, 2014 11:05 am

I've never seen a new Mark that doesn't shoot like a dream. Now once some nut has hammered it apart and tried to home gun smith it for accuracy then I've seen a ton not work worth a crap.

Marks are not the easiest gun to disassemble but once you've done it a few dozen times you don't need the exploded pictures and video.

For some reason great shooting 22 pistols are some of the most complicated internals - try a Model 41 for the first if you need to cry for a few hours.

Put the Colt in the safe(shoot it on holidays), take the Ruger to the range a shoot the crap out of it. My Mark I is still a tack driver after over 30 years. My new Mark 3 is just as good.

View · by **Erud** on Sat Apr 05, 2014 11:29 am

mmcnx2 wrote:For some reason great shooting 22 pistols are some of the most complicated internals - try a Model 41 for the first if you need to cry for a few hours.

Are you talking about the S&W Model 41 or something else? Every S&W 41 I've ever handled breaks down by simply pulling the trigger guard down. It's about the easiest pistol to disassemble on the face of the earth.

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View · by **mmcnx2** on Sat Apr 05, 2014 1:11 pm

Erud wrote:
mmcnx2 wrote:For some reason great shooting 22 pistols are some of the most complicated internals - try a Model 41 for the first if you need to cry for a few hours.

Are you talking about the S&W Model 41 or something else? Every S&W 41 I've ever handled breaks down by simply pulling the trigger guard down. It's about the easiest pistol to disassemble on the face of the earth.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes a S&W 41 field strip is a snap. I was talking about taking it down to the frame - trigger, slide - every internal piece.

View · by **oneoldjimmy** on Sat May 31, 2014 9:52 am

Nice Huntsmans/Woodsmans are starting to demand some real high prices lately... But they too are a difficult piece to do a full strip and clean!

View · by **SIGP240** on Wed Jun 04, 2014 6:25 am

The previous comments all on target. The huntsman has rudimentary sights. The Mark can be had with target sights. You Usually look at buying more mags for a semi auto (assuming you have " some rare 22 LR Ammo"). Magazines are about the same money. The Ruger trigger will need upgrading if you plan on shooting it precisely. The Huntsman trigger is better than fair. The Ruger balances better due to muzzle heaviness. The Colt is more wispy. The colt Match Woodsman fixes that issue. Grip angle on Colt may disorient you somewhat, the Ruger fits everybody. The Ruger will improve if you slap a pair of Karl Nill grips on it- be cautious and try the Volquarteson grips before you lay down cash. The Nills are around $300 direct from Deutschland. Ruger won't need disassembly if you have a soak tank or Sonic cleaner. Though out of the scope of this thread, look at Pardini SP22, HS Trophy or VICTOR, Håmmerli Trailside, SW M-41 or Browning Buckmark. I have all these and you can test drive them untill your trigger finger wears out at BPR. You provide the ammo, of course!

View · by **Eric Marleau** on Wed Jun 04, 2014 3:10 pm

You are comparing two different generations of pistol.
I own both a Colt Woodsman and a Ruger MK II Competition Target.
The Colt is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, but I shoot better with my MK II even though as a kid, I learned how to shoot Bullseye style with Mom's Woodsman.
I wouldn't sell either, but if I had to choose the Ruger would go. Rugers are a dime a dozen. Colts are masterpieces.
As far as owning too many .22 Pistols, I also have a S&W 617 and a Model 41 which is the .22 that I shoot most often, and with more consistency.

Just can't own too many guns :lol:

Don't get me started on all of my 1911s. :salute:

Eric