Ruger Mark IV?

[wiscoaster]

I clicked "Like" on that even though the pic made me nauseous.

 

[AlexanderA]

Consider the out-of-the-box Mark IV to be a starting point. I made a number of changes to mine that I considered necessary in order to have a decent target gun. The trigger pull certainly needs to be improved, and a major part of doing that is to remove the magazine-disconnect mechanism. Actually, the end point of making these changes is to make the gun a lot like a Mark II, but with the undeniable improvement of the new takedown system.

 

[bannockburn]

For the time being I will be staying with my classic Model 512 Mk.II with it's great trigger and lights out accuracy. But I do find the Mk.IV tempting...very tempting. Maybe a Competition Model or else one of the lightweight 22/45 variants.

 

[DDDWho]

The frame of the Mark ll Competition is 2 pieces of sheet metal welded together while the Mark lV Competition frame is machined from a solid block of stainless steel.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I clean out the barrel and action on my Mk II about the time it starts spitting powder and re-oil it, I just don't disassemble it any further than that.

 

[BreechFace]

The Mk IV is a joke compared to your classic Mk II.

The new guns aren’t made nearly as well. Keep your beautiful Mk II and forget the Mk IVs.

You aren’t missing anything.

The joke is definitely not on me.

There’s nothing that the old MK’s do for me that a tuned MKIV does the same and with much easier maintenance and modularity.

It’s always humorous when technology marches on and people are stuck in the past belittling new designs to stroke the egos of their seasoned inanimate objects.

 

[BreechFace]

The frame of the Mark ll Competition is 2 pieces of sheet metal welded together while the Mark lV Competition frame is machined from a solid block of stainless steel.

Most people don’t know this. One of Bill Rugers cost saving ideas. Not to say it didn’t work the MKII series are great firearms. But I’ll always take a frame machined out of solid steel over a two piece design all other things being equal.

 

[WestKentucky]

Y’all have some nice ones. I’m jealous, but someday I will be able to share a pic of one that I can call mine. I have only ever owned one, and that was for a very brief time in 2009. I had struggles finding a job in the midst of the 2008 depression (or whatever they prefer to sugar coat it and call it) and moved back in with my parents for a brief stint straight out of college. Once I scored a solid job I set about paying bills and trying to get myself in better shape, but I figured since my folks had helped me so much that I should show my appreciation. That spring we went to a family reunion and I learned of a family tradition that was kinda unspoken on my great uncles side of the family in which each father was gifted a nice 22 pistol as soon as the kids were able to do it, and lol and behold every single one of them was a tapered barrel ruger standard. Fast forward about 5 or 6 days and I stumble across a really nice used example of a 9shot standard model in the rack at Whittaker’s but my paycheck hadn’t cleared and it was before my bank had electronic fund transfers and whatnot, besides Dad was with me. So next morning I checked my balance, called Whittaker’s and had them set the pistol back for me and I drove up immediately after pulling a 2nd and 3rd shift double. Dad was speechless on Father’s Day. He now has a nice Hunters holster and a few more mags, plenty ammo to last his lifetime unless my girls find out about it.. I’m hoping that a mk 2 tapered barrel comes my way. And I know that 9shot will come back too but I hope that’s a long long time from now.

 

[DDDWho]

The joke is definitely not on me.

There’s nothing that the old MK’s do for me that a tuned MKIV does the same and with much easier maintenance and modularity.

It’s always humorous when technology marches on and people are stuck in the past belittling new designs to stroke the egos of their seasoned inanimate objects.

I was thinking about replying to that post but you did a much better job than I could have. Thanks

 

[Spats McGee]

.... 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.... 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.....have always found it to be a pain to field strip it for cleaning....

So I started thinking it might be nice to get one of the new Mark IVs with the tilting barrel....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....

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?

First of all, I'd hang on to that Mark II. And I'd also go ahead and grab a Mark IV. I've had two Standards (Mark I, as it were). I still have one, and I wish I hadn't sold the other. I also have two Mark IV 22/45s (ok, so one's Mrs. McGee's), and I'd love to pick up a couple of other models.

My 22/45 Lite needed a couple of hundred rounds of break-in, but it runs like a top now. Mrs. McGee's 22/45 Target model has run like a champ from round #1. There may be pistols with better triggers, or are a hair more accurate, but pound for pound and dollar for dollar, the Mark series is hard to beat.

The one and only time I took my Standard apart, I couldn't get it back together. I had to take it to my buddy, who is a gunsmith. Fortunately, I only did that once in about 30 years of ownership. I'm sure I could get it back together with some patience and online videos, but the Mark IV is ridiculously simple to field strip for cleaning.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

The frame of the Mark ll Competition is 2 pieces of sheet metal welded together while the Mark lV Competition frame is machined from a solid block of stainless steel.

And from my experience involved with manufacturing, the Ruger Mark IV is a virtual "tribute" to how, near perfect, machining is accomplished. I purchased several Mark IV uppers from Volquartsen that they were selling for $25.00 each, and then one with sights and a carrying case for $40.00, plus shipping:


All three of these uppers fit my Ruger Mark IV Competition Target grip frame assembly "like a ducks foot in mud":

The previously "stamped, folded and then welded" grip frames would make that sort of convenience more of an issue rather than a useful experience.

 

[BreechFace]

And from my experience involved with manufacturing, the Ruger Mark IV is a virtual "tribute" to how, near perfect, machining is accomplished. I purchased several Mark IV uppers from Volquartsen that they were selling for $25.00 each, and then one with sights and a carrying case for $40.00, plus shipping:
View attachment 960839
View attachment 960840
All three of these uppers fit my Ruger Mark IV Competition Target grip frame assembly "like a ducks foot in mud":
View attachment 960841
The previously "stamped, folded and then welded" grip frames would make that sort of convenience more of an issue rather than a useful experience.

What you mentioned is what was really appealing to me, and Ruger delivered, I've had no problems switching out uppers on my Competition SS frame.

 

[armedwalleye]

And from my experience involved with manufacturing, the Ruger Mark IV is a virtual "tribute" to how, near perfect, machining is accomplished. I purchased several Mark IV uppers from Volquartsen that they were selling for $25.00 each, and then one with sights and a carrying case for $40.00, plus shipping:
View attachment 960839
View attachment 960840
All three of these uppers fit my Ruger Mark IV Competition Target grip frame assembly "like a ducks foot in mud":
View attachment 960841
The previously "stamped, folded and then welded" grip frames would make that sort of convenience more of an issue rather than a useful experience.

I did that very thing as well, buying the sighted 5.5" from Volquartsen, and first had them remove the front sight, thread the barrel, and then reset the sight for use with a waiting for tax stamp suppressor. Since then, VQ also sold some clearance MK IV take off bolts on Ebay for $35, so I have a complete upper.

 

[BreechFace]

Since then, VQ also sold some clearance MK IV take off bolts on Ebay for $35, so I have a complete upper.

You've mentioned that deal in previous discussions on here, I wish I didn't miss out on that deal. $35 for complete bolts would've been nice, I would've bought a couple.

 

[Sniper66]

I recently bought my wife a barely used Mark III 22/45 Lite. She loves it and it cycles good ammo without fail. She signed up for a class that promised she would learn all the basics of safety, improve her accuracy, and best of all, raise her level of comfort with her handgun. Additionally, the instructor promised she would learn to disassemble a reassemble her pistol. My thought was, Seriously? Per his promise he did the disassemble/reassemble quickly on a Glock that one gal brought. Then he turned to my wife, shook his head and said, "If we do this on your gun, we'll be here all night." Sounds like the Mark IV hasn't improved in that regard. She loved the class anyway and is much more comfortable with everything...........except cleaning it.

 

[BreechFace]

I recently bought my wife a barely used Mark III 22/45 Lite. She loves it and it cycles good ammo without fail. She signed up for a class that promised she would learn all the basics of safety, improve her accuracy, and best of all, raise her level of comfort with her handgun. Additionally, the instructor promised she would learn to disassemble a reassemble her pistol. My thought was, Seriously? Per his promise he did the disassemble/reassemble quickly on a Glock that one gal brought. Then he turned to my wife, shook his head and said, "If we do this on your gun, we'll be here all night." Sounds like the Mark IV hasn't improved in that regard. She loved the class anyway and is much more comfortable with everything...........except cleaning it.

I’m confused, your wife brought a MKIII and the instructor refused, as would I. But the end of your comment says the MKIV hadn’t improved. What does the MKIV have to do with your wife’s story?

The MKIV is on another level easier than the MKIII for takedown. Push button, pivot upper off the lower and done.

 

[Sniper66]

Just following some of the comments that said the MKIV was also difficult.

 

[BreechFace]

Just following some of the comments that said the MKIV was also difficult.

If people have trouble with the MKIV takedown, maybe guns shouldn’t be their thing. It’s that easy.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Sounds like that instructor needs a lesson. I have yet to figure out why people cannot master the disassembly and reassembly of a MK I-III.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

Sounds like that instructor needs a lesson. I have yet to figure out why people cannot master the disassembly and reassembly of a MK I-III.

Yah! Especially the very simple process of "field stripping" the upper from the grip frame assembly and then replacing it. Once learned it is sorta hard to forget.

 

[doubleh]

Just go ahead and get the MK IV when it becomes available. Install a Volquartson trigger kit and you have a very competitive pistol. If you think it's too heavy opt for the 22/45 Lite version. If you aren't capable of breaking down a MK IV you shouldn't be allowed to drive or operate any type of machinery. I also have a MK III and disassembling and reassembling it a bit more time consuming than the MK IV but It ain't rocket science by any means.

 

[BreechFace]

Sounds like that instructor needs a lesson. I have yet to figure out why people cannot master the disassembly and reassembly of a MK I-III.

Yah! Especially the very simple process of "field stripping" the upper from the grip frame assembly and then replacing it. Once learned it is sorta hard to forget.

Agreed, however I would have to be patient and think it through with my previous MK's as they don't need that level of disassembly very often so each time there was some cobwebs in the learned skill that had to be dusted off. Well, up and to the point of me having a suppressor after which disassembly was more frequent and thus less cobwebs.

I guess I would say the MKI, II and III's are all great firearms no doubt. But I couldn't in good intention steer someone towards one of the previous generations based on my experiences with both. Just my opinion and thought on the matter, I know others think the MKIV are an abomination, a scourge on the world and to those people I'm sure they'll be a lot of MK I, II, and III's on the used market to keep them happy, my MKIII 22/45 Lite was one of them and the buyer was happy to get it.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

The one thing I can account for, and as the older versions of the Ruger Mark pistols fade from Ruger's memory, so goes their inventory of replacement parts. They mostly all soon become "unobtainium", unless the **NEW** version uses some of those parts as used in one of the previous versions.

I had one customer looking for a firing pin for the lever-action Ruger 96/22. Can't find one for love nor $$$$.

 

[doubleh]

Tell you what, Supertech carburetor cleaner, high pressure air, and a little oil will keep a MK pistol running for a long time without doing any thing except dropping the magazine and locking back the slide. Supertech doesn't seem to eat on anything but greasy, oily crud. I wouldn't use it on a rifle with a linseed or any other oil finish but any of the hard finishes seem impervious to it.

 

[Homerboy]

Tell you what, Supertech carburetor cleaner, high pressure air, and a little oil will keep a MK pistol running for a long time without doing any thing except dropping the magazine and locking back the slide. Supertech doesn't seem to eat on anything but greasy, oily crud. I wouldn't use it on a rifle with a linseed or any other oil finish but any of the hard finishes seem impervious to it.

I use non chlorinated brake cleaner, but I have used carb cleaner too. I owned a Mark II years ago and took it apart once. Had to bring it to my gunsmith to put it back together. Yeah, I probably could have learned but why bother when the new Mark IV is such a joy to take apart and clean?