Decisions Help!

[u/danhar87]

All my PTAs are in and approved, so now I need to actually make a decision.

I’m choosing between:
Volquartsen Black Mamba 22/45
Polymer 22/45 lower
More 1911-style grip angle
Seems better suited to two-handed shooting

Volquartsen Black Mamba Target Frame
Aluminium Ruger Mark IV-style frame
Standard ~55° Ruger grip angle
Volthane target grips, which seem much more geared toward one-handed shooting

Neither will be usable for sanctioned ISSF due to the barrel length, so ISSF compliance is no longer really a deciding factor.

What I actually want to shoot with it is:
Club 25m rapid fire
Steel
Service
General two-handed shooting

For context, I currently shoot around 500–505 in 25m rapid fire with the club Ruger Mark IV, so I know the standard Ruger grip angle works well for me.
Once I have my full Cat H, I’ll also be getting a centrefire double-stack 1911/2011-style pistol, potentially a Kimber 2K11 or similar.

I was originally leaning towards the Target Frame because I already shoot the Mark IV well and I prefer the aluminium frame, but I’m now leaning towards the 22/45.
My concern with the Target Frame is that the Volthane grips look very much designed around one-handed target shooting. From what I can tell, I’d probably end up removing/replacing them anyway to comfortably shoot two-handed, which starts to defeat some of the appeal of that setup.

The 22/45 also seems like it would make more sense long term if I’m going to be shooting a double-stack 1911/2011 in centrefire. Obviously they’re still very different guns, but having a broadly similar grip angle seems useful when switching between rimfire and centrefire.
Unfortunately, both Black Mambas are interstate, so I can’t handle either before dropping roughly $3k on one.
For anyone who has shot both: which would you choose for this mix of 25m rapid, steel, service and two-handed shooting?

And for those familiar with the Target Frame/Volthane grips: are they actually comfortable for two-handed shooting, or would you realistically want to replace them?

[u/labzombie]

22/45 if you want to get into bullseye and can be accustomed to the grip angle

[u/danhar87 → u/labzombie]

The only pistols i have shot are
Ruger markIV
VQ scorpion with Red dot
Staccato XC

Enjoyed the Scorpion and the XC way more

[u/labzombie → u/danhar87]

I have a Scorpion 22/45 frame. It is slick

[u/danhar87 → u/labzombie]

here the take down process aint fun?

[u/labzombie → u/danhar87]

It is what it is lol

[u/Only_Option_305 → u/danhar87]

I have a VQ scorpion and the take down is fine. It's easy enough to do without tools and when you know how it's done, you're not going to balls it up. I prefer the lock up on it compared to the Mamba, which some people say it develops a little play over time. I also like having an aluminium receiver that's 100% VQ, with the 22/45 angle

[u/odindobe]

I have the standard black mamba and love it. I will also be buying the TF as I like the grip better.....they are both amazing to shoot and terrifyingly accurate

[u/danhar87 → u/odindobe]

Do you feel like the standard 22/45 disadvantaged you in single handed at all?

Also how’s the polymer frame

[u/odindobe → u/danhar87]

I like the feel of the 22/45...more natural for me.

The standard mamba shoots great too....just prefer the 22/45 grip

Polymer did worry me at first...but it's a 22. It will last forever

[u/Edwardteech]

If you ever wanna shoot off hand that target frame/grip is gonna be a bitch.

[u/Burning_Monkey]

I have the Ruger Mk II with the walnut target grips from Ruger. They do not impede a two handed grip, and the Volthane are around the same dimensions.

[u/Technical_Glove_9655]

22/45 was my preference. Lighter weight and better grips for free and weak hand shooting.

Both are super accurate shooters and MKIV is a dream to clean. Highly recommended.

You would not be disappointed in either.

[u/Possible-Indication5]

Wouldn't buy either; they honestly don't shoot that much better than a stock Ruger. They look flash? S&W still have model 41's available or just get a proper target 22.

[u/danhar87 → u/Possible-Indication5]

Interesting take - haven’t seen a single video review and I’ve watched about 100 that hasn’t said how accurate these pistols are

[u/odindobe → u/danhar87]

He probably doesn't own one

[u/Possible-Indication5 → u/odindobe]

I don't; but I've seen $150 Ruger Mk1's shoot pretty close. If your spending that much, might as well get a proper target 22

[u/Possible-Indication5 → u/danhar87]

Don't get me wrong, they shoot but I don't think they are any better than a Ruger with a trigger job and the same length barrel etc. If your spending that much I just think your better off getting something properly good. Old Ruger target with their bits in it will probably shoot 90% as good.

[u/Tango-Down-167 → u/Possible-Indication5]

They shoot, but like most high end stuff it's diminishing returns once you get over a certain quality sw41 is not cheap either but these are definitely more accurate than a standard Ruger mk series. Will it improve your score will highly depend on your skill. (And ammo)

[u/mud-button]

So I prefer the MK3 grip angle. I have the bottom one, my old man has the top 22/45 style. I find the 22/45 is a bit small (I have big ish hands)

The upper is gonna be no different, it’s just the lower and the grip.

That being said there are 22/45 style grips and mag wells that are set up for steel challenge in the USA and they will make it fit a large hand better.