[El Barto]

Hello everyone,

I value your opinions greatly, so I would appreciate your advice. I saw a Ruger MK I targer with a 5 1/2" bull barrel for sale at a local pawnshop for $250. Not a MK II, but a MK I.

For just a couple of dollars more, I can get a new MK III or even a newer MK II from the internet, but I was wondering if there is something about the MK I worth getting over something newer.

It is in decent condition, minimum wear but the barrel needs a good cleaning. Oh, and it seems to be the HEAVIEST MK I have ever held.

Any thoughts?

[Justin]

Does it have an after-market stuff on it? Target grips, after market trigger, scope rings, anything like that?

FWIW, the Target versions of the Mk II came with a set of scope rings. I assume that the new Mk III's would as well.

[12many]

I would pass. I think you could buy a new one if you shop around for ~$310 based on a new retail price of $388 And it would be new, with scope rail, two mags, new sights and not risk having something that won't feed or is shot out. Unless, you are a collector or have another purpose other than to get a target/plinker. That is just my opinion. The 22/45 version might be had for less.

[El Barto]

Justin,

It did have Pachmayr grips, but nothing special. No scope rings, just an extra magazine. I would use it to target shoot, and I would like to be able to teach a couple of folks to shoot on it.

FYI, the shop had it marked as a "Ruger Model 512".

Thanks for the replys.

[BSlacker]

I paid that much a couple of years ago for a MKl in very clean condition, its not so clean now I changed the barrel and added a scope mount. I'm not price sensitive. Mkl uses a different mag than later models but late ones can be made to work faily easy. Some later MKlls come drilled and tapped so its easier to mount the red dot that will come later.:evil:
If the grips are original and good and it is in decent shape it makes a collector/shooter at that price but I would go for a newer one with last round hold back and off shelve mag avail, drilled and tapped for nearly that much for a straight shooter/plinker gun. :)

[SouthpawShootr]

I'd say a nice MK I would be around $150 or so. I've seen a really nice MK II Target bull barrel within the last 2 weeks for $250 used (but you couldn't tell it). I wouldn't get a MK III....I've read too many unhappy posts on various forums. BTW, I have a MK I. It's probably the closest thing to a match quality gun I've got. The groups from this gun are just incredible and I've had it for 30 years (a gift from my father when I was 8 years old). I'm certain that this gun has digested at least 100,000 rounds.

BTW, I hate Pachmayr grips. :barf: If somebody offered a gun to me this these grips, I'd be willing to pay $25 less than I normally would (to offset the cost of new grips since the Pachmayr ones would go straight to the trash).

[Phil DeGraves]

Around here a MK1 would go for $175 to $225 depending on condition. $250 sounds a bit high to me.
The Mk 2 is the best version.

[Starter52]

The "pre-warning" bull-barrel Ruger MK I has become a collector gun. That's why the price is $250. These guns have gone beyond the shooting value.

I think a Ruger collector would pay $225 - $250 for this gun.

[aaronrkelly]

I have $125 for this Mark I about a year ago.

Its a 6 7/8" barrel but I dont believe its a "target" model. It does have an after market trigger and its sweet.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/aaronrkelly/All%20Guns/rugermark1.jpg

[gm]

Maybe to a collector and if the gun had all the original parts on it,alot also depends on when exactly it was made and the condition.generally, aftermarket parts dont add much value to a collector piece,they reduce it.Other than that, for a plinker, that price is a bit high.


Im not certain they use the same magazine a mark2 would use as the capacity is 9 and not 10 on the mark2's.If mark 2 mags fit and function, great, if not,you might want to check around for mark1 mags.


I like the Ruger 22 autoloaders, they're design is excellent.