New Ruger Mark II - a few questions for any Ruger experts....

[Lightsped]

So today I bought a Ruger Mark II at my local dealer. I had originally planned to buy a Tactical Solutions receiver, and flush fitting Tactical Solutions Cascade suppressor for this gun.

Anyways, while at the store I pretty hurriedly bought the gun. I didn't really inspect it close. When I got home I noticed a I had all the original paperwork and a nice set of wooden Ruger thumbrest grips. I also noticed that the gun was immaculate. It is in top condition and looks to be unfired.

Now for a few questions.
1. The serial number is 210-391xx. Am I correct in that this gun was produced in 1984-1985?
2. Regarding the paperwork with the gun. It has both a "Ruger Instruction Manual", and "Ruger Technical Manual". The Technical Manual has "Government Sales Division" text on the front cover. Both the Instruction Manual and Technical Manual have the same information inside. Do Rugers normally come with two manuals with one listed as being from the Government Sales Division? What is the Government Sales Division?
3. The machine work around the ejection port is interesting. Lots of diagonal lines? My other Mark II (2005 model) does not have these lines. Why does this one?
4. Finally, how can I tell if this gun has been fired? Surely there must be a way or a part to look at. This thing looks super duper clean with no defects whatsoever.

Thanks for the help, and now for a few pics.

 

[Majic]

Now I'm no Ruger expert but for the age you can look that up on their website. Those lines are just tool marks from manufactoring. Ruger have never been big on polishing out all the tool marks. To know if it's been fired you just have to look carefully for wear in contact areas. I have no idea about your other questions.

 

[RON in PA]

Looks like you have the civilian version of the Ruger Government model. The Gov't model was made for the US Army for training purposes. That's why you also received the tech manual, included to replicate the GI situation.

I'll concur with Lightsped, the diagonal marks are just lousy finishing on the part of Ruger. They should have no effect on functioning.

 

[Khornet]

Got the same machining marks

on my MkII purchased in 1982. I kinda like 'em.

No technical manual with any of the several Rugers I've bought. Must be a GOV'T thing.

Nice pistol. You'll enjoy it. Suppressed, it should be a blast.

 

[Lightsped]

I have compared my "new" MK II from 1984-1985 to my stainless Mk II from 2005. I am really thinking that this 84-85 model hasn't been fired beyond the factory test firing. Everything on the inside is spotless. I made a few pics of the gun laying next to my stainless MK II. The stainless one has a few thousand rounds through it.

Notice the marks on the bolt of the stainless gun. Now look at the 1984-1985 model. No marks whatsoever. Am I correct in that there is no way to remove the marks on the bolt? Meaning this gun wasn't just cleaned up real well. Also note the muzzle. My stainless has the burned mark on the very end, while my blued 80s model looks brand new.

I really need help in determining if this blue MK II has been fired or not. If not, I don't think I will fire it until its new complete upper receiver/suppressor arrives. I will keep its current original receiver in its new unfired condition.

 

[Geo.Az]

Hi just My Opinion... your last Photo...Show Dark on OP rod Like when It has been Fired.( But not necessarily so.) Tip get a Jewelers Loop and you will be able to tell, look for brass & Powder residue. (IMHBiasO a Great Buy a Great Gun)
Thank You Kindly for Sharing with Us.

ps....I am no expert but I slept at a Holiday Inn Experss...and do Owen 4.

 

[varoadking]

I really need help in determining if this blue MK II has been fired or not.

Why - what difference will that make? It looks great...like you said:

This thing looks super duper clean with no defects whatsoever.

Shoot it and enjoy...

BTW - I have 5 MKII's - two with TacSol uppers - they are the schnitz...

 

[XavierBreath]

Congrats on finding a MKII Government Target Model! They are great pistols, set up for accurate competition shooting.

Yes, your pistol has been fired. These pistols were test fired and laser targeted at the factory. They generally ship with a ten round test target. I'm not surprised to learn it's missing after all this time though.

The same pistol was supplied to the US Army, thus the tech manual.

You can polish out the marks on the bolt, but they tend to provide a means of lubricant to stay in place. FWIW, I like a touch of powdered graphite on my Ruger MKII bolts. Looking at the bolts, I agree your new Ruger is new.

You are correct on the manufacture date of your pistol. You were extremely fortunate to find a new one. Celebrate your good fortune!

FWIW, I would keep your MKII Government Target Model as is, and use it as is. I might swap out the grips and maybe the innards, but I would enjoy the pistol as is. It's a great one. I would find a good used MKII, place the Tactical Solutions receiver on it and hot rod the lower.

Here's my Government Target Model.

 

[Lightsped]

Am I correct in thinking that by swapping over a Tactical Solutions receiver in place of the original receiver that the gun could be somewhat preserved in its unfired condition. At least as far as the receiver goes..... I could always swap back the receivers if I needed or wanted the gun in original condition. No permanent change is required to swap receivers.

Yes, mine came with a test target as seen in the first few photos.

 

[XavierBreath]

Duh.......I see the test target now.........

Swapping receivers can eventually loosen the grip frame to receiver fit. That can be restored by carefully compressing the top of the grip frame in a vise with wooden pads on the jaws. Use a rubber mallet to pop it loose.

Preservation of the receiver in "unfired" condition is a thought, but the grip frame finish will have become worn. On a blued gun with sufficient use, the backstrap and forestrap will eventually start to wear thin, finally turning brown. My opinion is to use the gun and enjoy it. The PacLite receiver has the advantage of weight reduction, as well as accuracy, but if your goal is to preserve the pistol, you have to look at the difference between value retained in the market versus value lost through not being able to fully enjoy the pistol. I believe the value in the market will still decrease due to the inevitable wear on the finish of the grip frame, plus it was a new gun that you would be selling as used. Thus, my decision would be to reap the benefits of enjoyment of the gun.

If your goal is a lightweight and accurate gun, the the PacLite receiver on a stainless grip frame would be the way to go. FWIW, the lockwork of the MKII just gets better with age due to the small parts polishing themselves against each other. I would put the PacLite receiver on your stainless lower, and either preserve the Government Target Model as a whole if that is your desire, or shoot the bejezzus out of it.

 

[Lightsped]

I am very very gentle on the finish of my guns. I have many guns that have been in my possession for years and continue to look 100% brand new.

My overall plans for the MK II was to get a Tactical Solutions Cascade suppressor which fits flush with the PacLite receiver.

I am not going to carry the gun, or keep it in a car or anything. It will simply be a fun range gun.

 

[XavierBreath]

It's your pistol sir, enjoy it! Congrats on a great find. Mind if I ask how much it sold for?

 

[Geno]

What a find! It took me almost 2 years to locate an unfired Mark II. I bought (I mean, Santa gave me) a Mark II 50th Anniversary for Christmas.

Congrats. It's beautiful!

Doc2005

 

[sniper5]

XavierBreath:

Would those grips on your Ruger be Randall Fungs? If so how do you like those? Thinking about getting some for mine.

 

[Bullseye57]

Those grips on Xavier's pistol are adjustable Nill match grips. The "KN" stamped on the side of the adjustable palm shelf gives the manufacturer away.

R,
Bullseye

 

[varoadking]

It took me almost 2 years to locate an unfired Mark II.

I've bough 4 NIB MKII's over the past 12 months...

 

[Sheldon]

My brother bought one of the Ruger MKII Government Models when they were first offered for public sale sometime in the late '80s I believe. He paid about $175 for it.....wish I had bought a couple to keep unfired!!! I already had a stainless MkII with the 5 1/2" bull barrel and the target sights.....still one of my favorite pistols. I think I paid $235 for it new back in 1986 or so.

 

[Pilot]

a Mark II 50th Anniversary for Christmas.

I bought one of these when they were released and have kept it unfired, NIB. I am tempted to shoot it one of these days as it looks like it would be so much fun to shoot. I'm not a real collector but thought this is Ruger's "signature" gun.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Wow, you were very lucky to find a unused Mark II Government .22. Very lucky indeed... Enjoy, I know i would.