Ruger has filed for a patent on their popular .22 LR pistol that would strongly suggest that they’re currently working on an integrally suppressed Ruger 22/45. Judging by the patent photos, it appears that this adaptation may be released as a host 22/45 pistol that is machined to accept integrated suppressor baffle segments once the customer’s paperwork has cleared the legal hoops.

For those not already familiar with the Ruger 22/45 pistol, it is a version of Ruger’s MKIII and MKIV .22 LR pistols, but sports a grip angle like that of the famous 1911 .45 ACP semi-auto pistols. The 22/45 model even utilizes the 1911 grip panels for easy customization.

As for the possibility of an integrally suppressed Ruger 22/45, the patent photos are quite telling that Ruger is working in earnest to at least explore this segment of the market. Patent photo, Figure 34 (below), presumably shows the “buy it off the shelf” version of the host 22/45, with a relatively short, threaded barrel covered by a barrel sleeve and fastened by a barrel nut. It seems that the simplest process (given the state of the NFA laws) would be that, once the host pistol is purchased, the customer would be able to apply for an ATF Form 4, pay the tax, and wait, albeit impatiently, for the approval to receive the integral suppressor from Ruger to replace the barrel sleeve.

Image from patent no. US 20190242668A1

Below is an excerpt from the patent’s abstract, that paints a fuller picture of the design:

A mounting rod extends rearward from a front end cap of the suppressor portion and threadably engages a mounting adapter that removably couples the suppressor portion to the firing portion . A muzzle cap disposed inside a rearmost baffle removably couples the mounting adapter to the firing portion . When tightened , the rod axially compresses the baffle stack and forms a combustion gas tight enclosure without need for an additional external pressure retention tube or sleeve . The baffles are configured to form a press – fit frictional interlock with each other such that the baffle stack is self – supporting . An optional accessory rail may be coupled to the adapter.

Figure 11 from the patent shows the entire host and integral suppressor kit and allows us to see what Mr. Jonathan Barrett cooked up in regards to the compressed friction locked baffle system.

Image from patent no. US20190242668A1

For the moment, the patent information is all we have to go on, so it’s tough to say how this project is going, if and when this could come to market, or how much the whole kit would cost for the end users.  You can see the whole patent and diagrams HERE.

What do you think about an integrally suppressed Ruger 22/45?  What kind of retail price would you expect to see?