Description
The Ruger 40178 Mark IV Target Sports South Exclusive 22 LR 10+1 5.50″ Blued Threaded Bull Barrel is a dedicated rimfire pistol built for shooters who demand repeatable accuracy and quick, thorough cleaning. This Sports South exclusive pairs a cold hammer-forged bull barrel with Ruger’s one-button takedown, letting you strip the gun in seconds without tools. The blued aluminum frame keeps weight down, while the black checkered polymer grip locks your hand in place for consistent trigger control. Right-handed shooters get a natural ambidextrous safety that can be converted to left-side only with the included washer. It ships with two 10-round magazines, so you can keep one loaded while the other is in the gun.
| Manufacturer | Ruger |
|---|---|
| Model | Mark IV Target Sports South Exclusive (40178) |
| Material | Blued aluminum frame, blued steel bull barrel, black checkered polymer grip |
| Compatibility | Ruger Mark IV magazines, Weaver/Picatinny-style optics rail |
| Finish | Blued |
| Weight | Approx. 36 oz (per manufacturer specs) |
| Condition | New |
Key Features
- One-Button Takedown – Push a single button and the barrel, receiver, and bolt come off the grip frame. Per Ruger, this simplifies chamber-to-muzzle cleaning and lets you get back to shooting faster.
- Threaded Cold Hammer-Forged Bull Barrel – The 5.50″ blued barrel is threaded for suppressors or compensators. Cold hammer-forging increases barrel life and consistency, which matters when you’re stacking .22 LR rounds at 25 yards.
- Drilled and Tapped Receiver – The top of the receiver is pre-drilled and tapped for Weaver or Picatinny-style rails. Mount a red dot or reflex sight without sending the gun to a machinist.
- Ambidextrous Safety with Conversion Washer – The manual safety works for right- and left-handed shooters. Use the included washer to lock it to left-side only if that’s your setup.
- Two 10-Round Magazines Included – You get two mags out of the box. Load both at the range, run drills without stopping to reload a single mag.
Who It’s For
This Ruger Mark IV is for the rimfire shooter who wants a dedicated target pistol that also works with a suppressor. If you compete in bullseye or steel challenge, the 5.50″ bull barrel and threaded muzzle give you the weight and accuracy to hold the X-ring. It’s also a solid choice for a first pistol if you want to learn fundamentals without the recoil of centerfire. The one-button takedown means you’ll actually clean it, which keeps .22 LR guns running.
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Takedown is genuinely one-button – no tools, no lost pins, no swearing.
- Pro: Threaded barrel is standard, not an add-on. Saves you $50–80 on aftermarket threading.
- Con: The aluminum frame is lighter than steel but can show holster wear faster. If you plan to carry this in a duty holster, expect the bluing to wear at contact points.
- Pro: Two magazines included. Most rimfire pistols in this price range ship with one.
Comparison vs. Competitors
| Feature | Ruger 40178 Mark IV Target | Zev Technologies OZ9C | Lone Wolf Distributors Timberwolf |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber | .22 LR | 9mm | 9mm |
| Barrel Length | 5.50″ threaded bull | 4.5″ threaded | 4.6″ threaded |
| Weight | ~36 oz | ~24 oz | ~28 oz |
| Takedown | One-button, tool-less | Two-pin, requires tool | Two-pin, requires tool |
| Magazines | Two 10-round | One 17-round | One 15-round |
| MSRP | $576.90 | $1,199 | $549 |
The Ruger is the only rimfire option here, and its one-button takedown is unique among these three. The Zev and Lone Wolf are centerfire pistols with more recoil, but the Ruger’s bull barrel gives it a weight advantage for steady sight alignment. For a dedicated .22 LR target gun, the Ruger wins on simplicity and cost per round.
FAQ
What does ‘Sports South Exclusive’ mean for this Ruger Mark IV?
This specific model (40178) was produced for Sports South, a major distributor. It combines a blued finish, threaded bull barrel, and two magazines in a package that isn’t sold through other channels. The features are the same as other Mark IV Target models, but the color and accessory combo is exclusive.
Can I mount a red dot on this pistol?
Yes. The receiver is drilled and tapped for Weaver or Picatinny-style rails. Buy a compatible rail (not included) and mount most micro red dots or reflex sights. Ruger also offers a factory Picatinny rail adapter if you prefer OEM parts.
Is the safety reversible for left-handed shooters?
The safety is ambidextrous out of the box. If you only want it on the left side, Ruger includes a washer that locks the right-side lever in place. Remove the right-side lever and install the washer to convert it.
What’s the thread pitch on the barrel?
Per Ruger specs, the barrel is threaded 1/2×28 TPI, the standard for .22 LR suppressors and muzzle devices. Most rimfire cans will thread on directly.
Ready to Order
Get the Ruger 40178 Mark IV Target Sports South Exclusive .22 LR pistol for $576.90. It ships with two magazines, threaded bull barrel, and one-button takedown.
- ✅ Nationwide delivery (all 50 states)
- ✅ Ships 1-2 business days
- ✅ 30-day returns
- ✅ Secure checkout
Browse more Semi Auto Handguns or check out Rimfire Pistols and Ruger Mark IV models.
Last updated: April 2026
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