Ruger has just announced a new lightweight version of their 22/45 pistol. Using an aluminum alloy receiver, the Ruger 22/45 Lite is about 10 ounces lighter than the standard steel 22/45.

The 4.4" barrel is threaded to accept a suppressor or muzzle device, and the upper receiver is drilled and tapped for the included Weaver-style scope mount.

From the press release:

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is proud to introduce the Ruger 22/45 Lite™, a lightweight Ruger® 22/45™ pistol with a new aluminum upper receiver. Chambered in the popular .22 LR, the Ruger 22/45 Lite™ is accurate and reliable, making it the ideal lightweight rimfire pistol.

"The Ruger 22/45 Lite™ is an exciting new addition to the legendary 22/45™ line of pistols," said Ruger® President and CEO Mike Fifer. "It maintains the superb accuracy and reliability of the classic 22/45™ pistols, but has a cool factor that can't be beat. It has a customized look without the customized price, and is exactly what our customers have been asking us to produce. The threaded barrel provides great accessory options and makes the Ruger 22/45 Lite™ a perfect package right out of the box," he concluded.

The Ruger 22/45 Lite™ upper receiver is made of aircraft-grade aluminum and features serrated cuts, giving the pistol a dramatic look and making it extremely lightweight at only 22.8 ounces. The 4.4-inch stainless steel barrel sleeve is held in place by a tension nut to ensure accuracy and features a factory 1/2-28 thread to accept popular muzzle accessories. The receiver is finished in a striking gold anodize and is drilled and tapped for Weaver®-style scope base adapters (included free of charge) for easy mounting of optics. The comfortable, precision-molded Zytel® polymer grip frame features replaceable Hogue® black rubber grip panels that can be swapped out to customize the look of your Ruger 22/45 Lite™ pistol. The Ruger 22/45 Lite™ is the perfect outdoor companion and can be used for target shooting, plinking, small game hunting, or competitive shooting.