Understood. I’d still hold a MkIII or IV hunter at a shop and compare. I think you’ll find even extensive fluting won’t make the difference you want. You’ll not turn a nearly 4 lb gun into a 3 lb gun… maybe not even a 3.5 lb gun.
I got my MkIII hunter new 20 years ago and have shot many tens of thousands of rounds through it. If you got what you wanted, I’d say love it for what it is. If you deeply prefer a hunter, I’d trade for one and eat the cost. If you like what you have but also want a lighter gun, buy a lighter gun or the suggested lighter uppers that’ll go with the lower you have if you love the current grip. I certainly have other .22 pistols and they have their place, though I don’t shoot them all combined as much as my Ruger.
If I might suggest the same thing I’ve told my son who has shot it, likes is, but thinks it’s very heavy compared to the Walther P22 or Taurus TX22 he also shoots: Shoot it a lot and your arms will get strong to where you don’t notice it anymore. And when you pick up the Walther or Taurus, they feel like they’re hardly there. Someone who’s accustomed to shooting a 4 lb gun for hours can do so without difficulty… and well if they do their part.
