Ruger Mark I

[Savage Shooter]

I just got a old ruger mark I from my late grandfather i have posted about it before on here, it's made according to ruger between 1972-73. I have looked at tons of picks but can't find one thats this old and has these grips.

I would like to customize it but most of the stuff is for the MK II and MKIII. I found pac-lite barrels and am considering geting one in olive drab. I saw the new hogue grips on ruger.com that are made of aluminium but they are for MKII and MKIII. I'd love to have them in olive drab with the pac-lite in olive drab against the blueing I think it would look sweet but then again I like olive drab.. Does anyone know of any other things I could change on it without going to the gunsmith and getting something custom.

 

[PotatoJudge]

I'd get a Volquarsten sear and trigger and call it a day. If you want to trick out a Ruger then get a MKII. That Standard has class that a customized gun won't have, and it'd be nice to leave it how your grandfather used it.

Your money is better spent on an extra mag and the Ultimate Cliploader.

http://zaliznockindustries.com/outdoors.htm

 

[Savage Shooter]

I was thinking on getting a Mark II or III but this all happend kind of sudden like. I was looking for volquarsten trigger kit but couldn't find it. He never used it to my knowledge he just colllected guns some idiot kid shot himself it the foot with it and wanted to sell it so my grandfather bought it off of his dad it's had pretty good use from someone though because you can clearly see holster wear from the same holster and finger marks/wear on the front of the grips on the frame. He actually hated the gun I tried to buy it off of him before but he was worried I'd shoot myself in the foot like the stupid kid although he never said that he said I didn't need a semi-auto. he was right i didn't need one but I sure as heck wanted one.

 

[Savage Shooter]

OH I forgot I do want extra mags only came with one I'd like to get two more If anyone knows a good deal on some let me know.

 

[tlen]

+1 on the UCL.
Midway currently has a sale on MKI magazines and you can also buy VQ parts there. http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?t=82579&pageNum=0&tabId=7&categoryId=15103&categoryString=10613***687***11341***8904***
Here's a great resource for Ruger .22 pistols:
http://www.guntalk-online.com/

 

[Blind Bat]

Savage - I'm sorry to have to tell you this but most of the trick stuff for the MK-II won't work on the MK-I.

The mags are different and so are the grips. The MK-2 has a slide lock and a push button mag release which makes these parts incompatible. The kick-arse auto mag loader for the mk-II won't work for the mk-I either (I emailed the company). The good news is that most of the mechanical parts (extractor, springs, etc.) are the same between the MK-I and MK-2. Midway does sell Ruger MK I mags for around $20.

Ask me how I know... I have a sweet set of left handed Volquarsten grips that won't work on my MK-I. I forget the exact differences but I can take a pic if you'd like.

Here's my MK-I:

If I remember correctly, the serial number maps out to 1964. I inherited it from my father who inherited it from a good friend. It still shoots extremely well and loves to slurp down lots of 550 round Federal value packs from Wally World. It has an awesome trigger (2.5lb and super smooth) and it's stupid accurate. It was built back in the days before stupid law suits. The MK-I is truly a blast. I'm planning to buy a MK-II, install my grips and custom touches. I'd suggest to same to you if you have your heart set on customizing a Ruger.

P.S. I did have to install the Volquarsten extractor because I was having extraction problems with the Federal stuff. With the new extractor it eats up everything I feed.

 

[stork]

MKI magazines

You can modify the MKII magazines to work on the MKI by dismantling the MKII's. Then reverse the tension button to the oposite side of the mag. Reassemble and they should work just fine.

 

[flyby]

OP:Beautiful old Mk1 ..really makes me miss the one i had..though mine was actually labeled a 'Standard' (70's also)..but was pretty much identical save the grips.

 

[Blind Bat]

Stork - that is good to know. I thought the feed lips were completely different as well. I'll pick up a couple of used MK-II at the next gun show and give it a try.

 

[Savage Shooter]

Blind Bat man that babys a beauty I'd love to have that little number
Mine needs some load work all i've tried is federal but that was when I just got the gun. It was FILTHY I don't think it had be cleaned EVER I took it all apart and cleaned her up I'll have to the back pasture and try her out again make some apples and tin cans scream for mercy.

 

[Blind Bat]

Thanks for the kind words.

One more thing I forgot to add (especially if you took the mag apart). If you are having feeding problems with the Federal stuff, watch the feed ramp as you slowly close the bolt. The bullet needs to ride DEAD CENTER on the feed ramp.

I had to bend my feed lips a little to center the bullet on the feed ramp for them to work consistently. After that if ate them up and I noticed less lead shavings when I cleaned it. CCI Minimags would always feed fine and so would some of the other brands (I forget which) but the Federal stuff was temperamental at first. I'm guessing this is one of the reasons why Ruger changed the mag feed lip design for the MK-II.

 

[tinygnat219]

Your money is better spent on an extra mag and the Ultimate Cliploader.

http://zaliznockindustries.com/outdoors.htm

I haven't been able to get mine to work with the standard MK 1 Magazines, they are just too short.

For the OP:
That's a beauty of a handgun. I have one of these tanker plinkers as well (I call mine that because it's SOLID steel with some toolmarks barely visible, and the barrel looks as good as a NIB gun). Outstanding little guns. Mine is the "Standard" (I THINK that's the right nomenclature) where the barrel is 4 inches or so. Mine was made in 1952 and I have 4 magazines for mine. FWIW, Ruger still makes the standard MK 1 Magazine. Now, the converted MK II magazines, where you switch the knob to the other side, and work just fine in the MK 1, WILL work in the Ultimate Cliploader. Just keep in mind that the MK 1 will jam if you try and put more than 9 rounds in the magazine.

This is a great old gun, and while not super accurate, is a fine plinker. I use mine as a backup gun for the Bullseye .22 league. I have a Browning Buckmark that has a problem keeping the top screw in. I just need to apply the right Loc-Tite and I should be set. That Volquartson trigger setup sounds like what I need.

 

[Savage Shooter]

I'm going to take it out now and see what she shoots like with rem,fed, and vin fed. Ill do three of each and 25 yards open sights with paper targets.

 

[tinygnat219]

Savage Shooter,

My trigger's a little gritty on mine, but then again it was made in 1952 and I haven't disassembled mine for cleaning yet.

You won't be disappointed. Be prepared to restock your .22 lR supply when all is said and done.

I also recommend a .22 mag loader. They work wonders for avoiding sore fingertips.

 

[Savage Shooter]

Ok took it out I couldn't get 25yards but i got 15 I had two shots within an inch and the third was like four inches up i don't have a clue how that happened. I took my winchester 74 out too and I was shooting at under and inch the apples died. I forgot my remington ammo at the house so I don't no how thats shooting but I got no jams and they all ejected i am still disapointed with the accuracy i was using my fourwheelers front rack as a rest. It's WAY better accuracy then my bearcat but not as good as I thought it would be. Maybe I just need some different ammo I don't know I'll see sometime this weekdend.