Ruger Mark IV?

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Driftwood Johnson

Driftwood Johnson

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Howdy

I don't get over here to the Auto Loader section very often. My club has recently built some action pits and we had an open house to introduce the members to them the other day. As a little bit of background I have been shooting steel targets in Cowboy Action for many years. We had a couple of pits set up for Steel Challenge and I brought my trusty old Ruger Mark II that I have had for many years.

pmAc5vdmj.jpg




As you can see, I tricked it out a little bit years ago, I put in a Volquartsen trigger, and I think I put in one of their slide releases. So long ago I don't really remember. I have always liked this pistol a lot, but have always found it to be a pain to field strip it for cleaning, just like almost everybody else has. Yeah, I suppose if I cleaned it real often, I would get it down pat, I can almost disassemble a single action revolver with my eyes closed, but I just don't take this Mark II apart very often.

So I started thinking it might be nice to get one of the new Mark IVs with the tilting barrel. Here in the Land Of The Pilgrims there are only two versions that are Mass Compliant, the Stainless Mark IV Hunter with the 6.88" fluted barrel, and fiber optic front sight, Model 40160, and one of the tactical models. I'm not interested in the tactical model, but the Stainless Hunter looks pretty good to me.

So I called up a local shop today that always has a good selection of pistols, and asked if they could get one for me. The short answer was no, they are having a tough time getting anything these days, including stuff from Ruger. I put myself on their mailing list so they can let me know if they get one in, but it might be sometime.

There is enough Steel Shooting nearby that I could go with some friends from my club, and I think 22s are the way to start. I could always bring my old Mark II with me, but I will need a few more magazines. I'm not looking to be a top competitor, just have some fun.

So anyway, what is the collective opinion of the new Mark IVs?
 
I have a couple new mark 4s, I think they are wonderful 22s, especially my 22/45. I started using it in some competitions at my club but found it was a little on the heavy side...not that it was tiring, but its harder to stop the swing to the next target....found I did much better with a light polymer 22lr...Walther PPQ22 5".
 
I think Mark IV is an outstanding gun, as these things go. Some people complain about the right side safety getting engaged inadvertently, so Ruger sells a left-side-only retrofit kit, so you don't have to dremel yours off. However, Ruger managed to pop off a recall. Apparently it's possible to engage the safety halfway. Then, if you pull the trigger, realize it's on safe, and disengage it, the gun can fire. The newly manufactured and known-safe guns have the serial number series 500-.
 
To me whoever came up with the idea deserves to have made some real bank. They are sooooo damn nice for take down. Still have an old MKII I never have problems with. Had a MKIII for years that was the only gun I have ever owned I had to have the information on to take down and put back. Bricked it one time, thought it would need to be sent back. Bought a MKIV then when I called to see if I could get an RMA to send the one back some gal there walked me through fixing the MkIII. I still hated that thing when I had to take it down and was glad to off load it.
 
sparkyv: Is that an aftermarket trigger? It does not look like the trigger in any of the MKIVs on the Ruger website.

I did get a chance to shoot one a year or so ago and don't remember the trigger being terrible. But it was a year or so ago.

For what it's worth, the Volquartsen trigger in my MKII is really nice.
 
I just got a new one. I had stashed a lot of .22lr so it was a no brainer as my only other .22 handgun was a single six. My local gun shop had a couple at a very fair price so I grabbed one. It's a 500 series and they now come with the right side safety delete which is basically just a spacer washer. My trigger is 4.5 lbs and I can live with that. She shoots well and talk about easy take down. I just put some hogue grips on and I lke them as well The only other thing I did was paint the front site that fluorescent orange. I am more than pleased with my purchase...
 
I just got a new one. I had stashed a lot of .22lr so it was a no brainer as my only other .22 handgun was a single six. My local gun shop had a couple at a very fair price so I grabbed one. It's a 500 series and they now come with the right side safety delete which is basically just a spacer washer. My trigger is 4.5 lbs and I can live with that. She shoots well and talk about easy take down. I just put some hogue grips on and I lke them as well The only other thing I did was paint the front site that fluorescent orange. I am more than pleased with my purchase...
 
I've got a couple MK II's, and a couple MK IV's, and had the opportunity to shoot a MK III. Of the 3, I think the MK II's have the best factory trigger, the MK IV's next in a "close second" position, followed at great distance by the Mk III. I'll be curious to see if the IV's triggers improve with some more use. The 10" stainless is my current favorite flavor in the MK IV, but the 5.5 blued barrel I recently purchased and had threaded may claim that spot once my suppressor arrives.....
 
Wisco, that is a nice lookin' Mark IV. Soon after all the initial batch of William B Ruger commemorative pistols were sold, and the alleged "safety issue" was corrected, I ordered and received a Mark IV Competition Target:
eMkMjlEl.jpg
Seems a shame that an expensive pistol as such would need to have a lighter, smoother trigger right out of the chute. This pistol never was sent back to Ruger for the issue that was claimed. As much as I tried, I couldn't get this pistol to do what all the "hoopla" entailed. I did some internal "adjustments" to my liking and now have a Ruger Mark IV that runs just as well as the Ruger Mark II Competition Target I also have:
pjgwbNyl.jpg
The Mark IV version seems to be a culmination fix of all the perceived complaints many owners have with previous versions, especially the Ruger Mark III with it's magazine disconnect and LCI gizmo. Once those two inflicted issues have been thwarted, the Mark III is a very easy pistol to deal with. And, as some claim, those are NOT safety issues. Firearms safety is between the owners ears and no mechanical addition will prevent a serious problem should the owner act recklessly. This Ruger Mark III has an aftermarket hammer bushing that replaces the magazine disconnect, and the Loaded Chamber Indicator has been removed due to it causing way too many "spent case stove-pipes" upon extraction and ejection:
btoQU1Wl.jpg
How in the world did we ever get by without the concern of "liability attorneys" who know more about what is safe for us than we do?
 
SGW Gunsmith said:
Wisco, that is a nice lookin' Mark IV. Soon after all the initial batch of William B Ruger commemorative pistols were sold, and the alleged "safety issue" was corrected, I ordered and received a Mark IV Competition Target:
View attachment 960190
Click to expand...

You too huh, I did the same thing but with the threaded target model to use with my can, great minds think alike. Then I also purchased a second upper the hunter model off a website that sells off uppers from customer builds. So nice to take 20 seconds to swap uppers. Sold my old MKIII, I know others will think differently but I now consider that Ruger's MK series started at IV.

Yes, my trigger quickly got replaced with a Tandemkross victory trigger and now I'm completely happy, such a fun pistol to shoot.
 
It's got a Volquartsen accurizing kit (hammer, sear, disconnector, springs) and a Tandemkross Victory trigger. I also replaced the rear sight blade, the "lolly pop" sight picture on the Hunter did nothing for me.
Driftwood Johnson said:
sparkyv: Is that an aftermarket trigger? It does not look like the trigger in any of the MKIVs on the Ruger website.

I did get a chance to shoot one a year or so ago and don't remember the trigger being terrible. But it was a year or so ago.

For what it's worth, the Volquartsen trigger in my MKII is really nice.
Click to expand...
 
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I bought my 10” Mk IV earlier this year from Buds. It’s been lights-out accurate, but the trigger isn’t as smooth as the one on my Mk II Govt Target model.

I LOVE the takedown, Its easier than an AR and makes clean up a breeze.

30CD3CFE-0948-46AC-B008-9A9E6D94C515.jpeg

Like an AR you can swap uppers with the Mk IV, which you can’t really do with the others. I bought a 5.5” bull barreled Ruger factory upper from Volquartsen for $36.00 and now I have two pistols for the price of one. I literally got my Volquartsen trigger kit for it today, that’ll be a chore for me once I’m done laying down some interlocking pavers in the front.

They are great guns Driftwood, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed once you can get your hands on one. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
The Ruger MKIV is on my bucket list. Every time I am about to pull the trigger on one I end up buying something else. Last time I was getting one I ended up with the 10mm. The time before that with a 911 Springfield, the time before that a Sharps rifle. Now I have to wait and have set the money aside until it becomes available at the Base Exchange.
 
Getting older, being retired and having limited funds, I decided to get back into shooting 22 autoloaders. Little less than two years ago I purchased my 1st 22 handgun in 10 years , a Taurus TX22 which turned out to be a complete nightmare. Sold the Taurus and purchased a Ruger MKIV 22/45 with the 5.5 IN barrel. Was so incredibly impressed with the MKIV that I've then purchased a MKIV 22/45 Lite, which was equally impressive ,and recently just purchased a MKIV 22/45 Tactical. I have not enjoyed shooting as much as i have with my MKIV's. They are all extremely reliable , accurate and a blast to shoot. I have over 10 different brands of bulk 22 ammo and they all eat each brand effortlessly. I believe that Ruger pretty much owns the 22 market and the MKIV's are truly Rugers shining light.
 
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Have a MK IV 22/45 Target been shooting it for about a year now. Runs great no problems. Have put at least 5000 rounds through it so far with the most of them being the Remington Golden Bullets a lot of people don't like the Goldens but they have run well for me. Put a Bushnell TRS 25 red dot on it, a Volquartsen kit a TK Trigger and a set of Hogue grips. Works well for me.

MK IV 1.JPG
 
LGS has a 10" Mk series in the cabinet. Didnt look close to see what number it was.

I have a MkII 5.5" Target model. Disassembly is a beach. I got a little tool to try out that is supposed to help open the MS housing. Little rod with a small cable loop on one end.

I cant say if ive shot a MkIV or not. Buddy has a 22/45 but im not sure of series. I love my MkII. Only better shooting 22 auto i have is a 1950 Woodsman match target. Either will chew through whatever ammo i put in it. No hyper velo in the colt though.

Maybe you should be looking for a Woodsman MT to compliment your beautiful revolver collection...!
 
Two of my three lowers have the Voltquartsen hammer, sear & disconnector. I'm leaving one stock in case I ever have to return one to Ruger. I also purchased a 5.5 in barrel from Voltquarsen & picked up an additional bolt assembly for it as well, I plan to put a Bushnell TRS 25 red dot on the 2nd 5.5 in barrel which will give the best of both worlds, one with a red dot and the other with open sights.
 
Unless you need an optic or feel the itch to detail-clean your gun, there is nothing the Mk IV will do that the Mk II won't. I have thousands and thousands of rounds through an old Mk II and have never taken it apart for cleaning. It still runs like a Swiss watch.

A friend had a Mk IV 22/45 with a pistol scope. The scope was fun, but the polymer frame and the steeper grip angle? I just couldn't warm up to them after shooting the Mk II for so long. It's like listening to a new band cover your favorite song.
 
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