Ruger MK II advice needed for a first time buyer

[dasgreif]

Wanting to purchase a Ruger MKII pistol with a bull barrel (non slab side)for range work, practice and plinking and tinkering.

Will be adding things to it as I get the cash, Volq trigger, solow mounts, matte gunkote finish, concave target crown, grips, etc.

Any advantages to stainless over blued?

Is the Government model really made with a better barrel and tighter tolerances then a standard MKII?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as this will be my first semi-auto .22.

Thanks a ton

 

[Pilot]

I've had a blued KMK-512 (5 inch, bull barrel) for about 11 years. It goes to the range with me everytime. I see no advantage in the "Gov't Model". The only mod I installed was a Volq trigger. If its not going to be in a harsh environment all the time, go with the blue.

 

[standingbear]

i believe the only difference between the govt model and a bull barrel target model is the govt barrel has a different twist rate.im not 100% sure.i personally chose the stainless because it doesnt show scratches as well as a blued gun.i chose the slabside because it already has the receiver set up for a scope,wider trigger,stainless and the barrel has been milled on the sides to reduce weight.

 

[gharsh]

The only advantage that I can think of with the Gov't model is if you want to shoot out to some really long distances. The extra barrel length might help.

I've got the MKII-512 and love it. I recently added a red dot to it with a mount that fits in the rear sights dovetail. Easy install and I can shoot it better at 50+ feet.

Stainless is far easier to keep clean and if you ever wanted to add a scope, think about getting the model that is already drilled and tapped. As I've said, mine was easy to install, but having one already for the base does increase you options more.

Great gun and accurate right out of the box.

 

[Graystar]

You get two things with a government model. First, is a 1 in 15 twist rate (instead of 1 in 14.) Second, the gun is sighted in at the factory and you get a target attesting to the guns accuracy. The extra money you pay for these things simply aren't worth it. I would stay away from the government model.

I own a Competition model and a 5 1/2" bull target model. Both have all the volquartsen upgrades. If I could do it over again, knowing what I know now, I would just stick with the 5 1/2" target model with no modifications. Unless you're a High Master shooter, the gun in its stock form is capable of being shot better than you can hope to shoot it. All the Volquartsen updates don't really make that much of a different for what you want to do.

I love the KMK512. that's a stainless steel 5 1/2" bull barrel target model. All it needs is a Hogue grip and you have a fantasic gun. The only other thing I would do to it...maybe...is install a Volquartsen Exact Edge extractor. Also, I'd add an OnTarget Trigger Shield.

If you go for the trigger shield you MUST carefully inspect the extraction of a case. Make sure the case being extracted doesn't touch the top of the magazine. Sometimes a couple corners of the mag need to be filed down. a tiny bit. Believe me, it's worth the trouble.

Ruger has a few new Mark IIs. I think the MK512GCL is the best looking MarkII I've ever seen. It's really good looking gun. The slab side looks cool and removes a little weight from the gun. Definitely what I would get if I were doing it again.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=179&return=Y

 

[bountyhunter]

i personally chose the stainless because it doesnt show scratches as well as a blued gun.i chose the slabside because it already has the receiver set up for a scope,wider trigger,stainless and the barrel has been milled on the sides to reduce weight.

Ditto.

Also, I think the Volq trigger is unnecessary. I have shot them at league. I kept the stock trigger on my slabside and just polished the faces and I have a 2.2# break that is very nice. The stock trigger also has an overtravel limiter which is hard to adjust (but you only have to do it once).

I do recommend the Volq varathane (?) grips over the pretty wooden ones the gun comes with.

 

[larryw]

Not much to add, although there is much to be said for the longer sight radius of the Govt/Slabside over the 512.

 

[P95Carry]

Not wishing to disrupt off main subject ''flow'' ...... but, used to shoot MkII's years ago ...... but gotta say, since having my 22/45 ... find this puppy way more to my liking.... ergonomics mainly ... and IMO shoots every bit as well as average MkII.

 

[yzguy]

love my MKII

not much difference between Govt and non... I got a Govt because it is what I found first. I got stainless because I just like it beter...

as far as stuff to get for it, I would reccomend the On Target Trigger shield to keep crap out of the trigger, adjusting the factory over travel stop, and adding a pretravel stop. And if you really want, put in the Volq sear.

oh and if you like them top it off with a red dot.

some ruger stuff:
http://www.1bad69.com/ruger/index.htm

and a ruger mkII-22/45 board:
http://www.markii.org/forum/

 

[Bainx]

Some of the best advise I ever got off of THR was to buy a KMK512
Beware of the pins in the rear sight wiggling out as you shoot. You may want to put a little Blue Locktite and tap them back into place as I had to.
I chose stainless because I keep it in a range bag with other goodies in my vehicle all the time for spur of the moment trips to the range after work.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

I also chose the Ruger MK-II KMK-512. It proved to be
more accurate than me~! I do not see anything wrong
with this weapon; seems like a good, economical choice
for most folk's.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[10-Ring]

My gov't model has been 100% fun to shoot everytime out. THe only mod I"ve done is a home made trigger job & recently had to replace the sear. Ruger knows how to do the 22lr

 

[Thirties]

Dasgrief,

This my sound like an off the wall remark, but take a look at the Ruger Single-Six revolver with the two cylinders (.22lr, .22mag). It may change your mind.