Help Inspecting a Ruger MK II and MK III

[ZeSpectre]

I've got it in my head that I want a Ruger .22LR (please let's not go into other .22LR pistols, I'm asking for help with this specific model).

A shop near me has a great price on a used MKII target model that looks to be in nice shape. They also have a NIB MKIII with a bull barrel that I'm seriously considering. The target model is a 5" barrel, the MKIII is a 4".

Having never owned one of this type of firearm can anybody give me some tips about inspecting the MKII to see if I really want to buy it.

Also is there any particular reason why I might want to spend the extra $$$ for the MKIII (other than it's brand new and I like the way the bull barrel looks)?

Thanks for any tips or links.

 

[CZ223]

Honestly their isn't much to look at.

Look at overall condition like the obvious things like finish and check the bore. The bores on these guns dont usually get messed up other than dings around crown. This usually occurs from cleaning from the muzzle end. Check the trigger, if it is a factory trigger, it will probably be heavy but manageable. These can benefit from a good action job or replacing the trigger. In short, if the gun looks in good shape it probably is. I have owned 4 or 5 of the heavy barreled models with everything from a 5 1/2" to the 10 3/8" barrel and ALL have been great shooters. One of my 10'' guns would outshoot my match contender barrel. One word of caution, taking these down is easy. Putting them back together is not. I don't currently own one but I have never gotten the hang of it really. I always manage to get it done but it has always been a struggle.

 

[wally]

The MkIII adds to the reassembly hassles by needing to insert a magazine to release the hammer.

--wally.

 

[bubbygator]

Nothing on these guns usually gets messed-up. Yah, look at the finish & ask for a few bucks off for poor looks - but the cheapest one will shoot better than you. I sold 2 Mark-II's over the past 20 years because it was boring hitting everything I shoot at. But recently got lonesome for "that feeling", & bought another one. First day at the range & I was all over the bull - - way to go, Ruger!

 

[XavierBreath]

By and large, the MKII is a durable gun that can be bought used with no worries.

Check the bore for brightness. Buy a boresnake and clean it for them if you must. Broken grips would lower the price, as would a bad finish.

I always check the area right above the chamber for an indentation from the firing pin. If some nimrod left the firing pin stop out of the bolt, the firing pin could impact the chamber face, creating a dent that can impair firing. It would be unusual for that to happen, but not impossible, and a tough repair if it did.

There is no reason to spend the extra on a MKIII, unless you like the idea of a loaded chamber indicator, a magazine disconnect safety, and a magazine release by your thumb. Be glad you could find the MKII instead!

 

[ZeSpectre]

There is no reason to spend the extra on a MKIII, unless you like the idea of a loaded chamber indicator, a magazine disconnect safety, and a magazine release by your thumb. Be glad you could find the MKII instead!

I actually do like having the magazine release by the thumb and don't mind a loaded chamber indicator, but that magazine disconnect safety... sheesh, lawyerparts.

 

[JohnKSa]

I actually do like having the magazine release by the thumb...

The Ruger 22/45 uses an upper that is identical to the Mark II pistols but has a polymer frame with a magazine release near the thumb of the shooting hand instead of the Mk II heel release.

XavierBreath has a good tip on checking for the chamber ding. Other than that, I'd echo the folks who said to check the crown and bore. Everything else is pretty durable.