My G & A
G&A Recommends
More
Pac-Lite Ruger
Q. At the local gun shop I saw a Pac-Lite variant of the Ruger 22/45 pistol. It's extremely light and appears to have an aluminum barrel. I've looked in all of my gun books, and can't find this version. When did Ruger make it?
A. The Pac-Lite is an after-market barrel/receiver unit from Tactical Solutions in Boise, ID, that was introduced in 2002 for Ruger MK I, MK II, MK III and 22/45 semi-automatic pistols. It's machined from a solid bar of aircraft 6061- T6 aluminum, has a chrome moly steel barrel liner, and comes in 3", 4.5", 6", and 8.5" bull barrel lengths, as well as a 4.5" bull barrel with a threaded end. The barrels are anodized in black, gray, O.D. green, red, blue, or purple, and can be had with an integral or attached rail for mounting a scope or red dot sight. Because of the Ruger's design, Pac-Lites are barrel/receivers and are considered firearms. Barrel-only units, called Trail-Lites, are available for the Browning Buck Mark pistol series.
I spoke with Dan Person from Tactical Solutions about the unit. Person said that in addition to their obvious light weight, Pac-Lites are popular with shooters who want to personalize their Rugers with colors, fluting, and sights not available from the factory. An interesting anecdote Persons had was that when offered the chance to shoot Pac-Lite Rugers with barrel colors such as purple, women and youths were more eager to shoot.
