The Glockodile
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Ruger MK IV - Trigger Upgrade Questions
- Thread starter ReedTX
- Start date
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- ruger mk4 ruger mkiv
AlexanderA
Member
It's the red item in Skylerbone's picture, that brackets the base of the hammer. It replaces the "tail" of the Mark IV magazine disconnect (see my picture, earlier in this thread). I'm not clear what these features actually do. It is said by Tandemkross to prevent debris from falling into the action, but I'm skeptical. The Mark II seems to do fine without it.
The so-called Blast Shield does act as a necessary spacer if you're going to use the Mark IV hammer (which is machined for the magazine disconnect). But to use the Mark IV hammer by itself, you have to disassemble it from the magazine disconnect assembly. Why go to all this trouble when you can simply use a Mark II hammer?
So, to recap, the Blast Shield can only be used when (a) you are not using the Mark IV magazine disconnect, and (b) you are using the Mark IV hammer (or an aftermarket hammer that resembles it).
The Glockodile
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Thanks.
I might end up putting some new parts into my Mark IVs, just for the heck of it...
Skylerbone
Member
I actually think of it (blast shield) as reasonable foresight. The further away from the Mark II we get, the smaller the number of aftermarket parts available. We can’t all chase old Pontiacs, just weren’t enough made for everyone to be old school. In any case, mine came with the shield installed and having priced things out separately, I wound up money ahead vs buying a complete 22/45 plus aftermarket parts. The Cerakoted aluminum frame is a bonus.
I never really had trouble with the takedown/reassembly. I followed the manual and it always worked as it should. Often getting the last step completed required a try or two, but it was no big deal.
I remember one time I was visiting a friend and he said he had just bought a MkII. I took it apart with just what I had in my pockets on his coffee table, adjusted the overtravel screw on the "Target Trigger" (I did have to ask him to use his allen wrench set for that) and put it all back together. Took just a few minutes, even with an audience and without my normal tools.
AlexanderA
Member
Some changes to the Mark series were because of the liability lawyers, some were genuine improvements, but I suspect that some were just for the sake of change. After all, they have to have buyers coming back for the "latest and greatest."
is it possible to have a ruger mark iv, either standard or 22/45, remain bone-stock and still be a decent plinker? i’m not being snide, it’s an honest question.
i now have an unmodified ruger sr22 that is an enjoyable plinker but am thinking about adding a mark iv something...
i now have an unmodified ruger sr22 that is an enjoyable plinker but am thinking about adding a mark iv something...
Skylerbone
Member
I don’t know that it’s possible for any current production, sub-$1,000 rimfire pistol to be an honest joy to shoot without a little help. My closest was a BuckMark after removing the mag disconnect but it too gave me upgrade-itis. Added a gearbox rather than flipping springs and a Tandemkross trigger.
I’d rate the Beretta’s trigger as foul out of the box, did my own work on that as no aftermarket exists. The KelTec got a new: feed ramp, mag catch, trigger, slide stop, grip tape, and safety levers. Its trigger was actually fantastic before replacement but it constantly choked on feed. The Mk IV kinda isn’t a Mk IV, and the aforementioned Browning. 0 for 4 on nice plinkers as delivered (IMO).
doubleh
Member
I will answer by saying that it entirely up to what the shooter will want. If you don't mind a 5-6# trigger with pre-travel and over-travel than the answer is yes. It is a dependable an accurate gun right out of the box. The trigger up grade just makes it easier to use that accuracy capability and in IMO a more pleasant experience.
entropy
Member
I put a Volquartsen kit in a friend's MkIV last year, and when I buy one in the near future, I will be putting one in mine.
RainDodger
Member
My 22/45 came out of the box with a truly horrible trigger. I put one magazine-full of rounds down range and would not shoot it anymore until I could do the Volquartsen accurizing and reliability upgrades. Now the pistol is the equal of my Buck Mark, which has a hand-worked trigger done by a former Browning Arms gunsmith. It's amazing what can be done these days with drop-in parts. Well worth the upgrade.
The Glockodile
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Mine's as is from the factory, quite happy with it, even with the magazine disconnect.
I'm contemplating putting new parts into it to see what I'm missing...
AlexanderA
Member
Negative user feedback caused Ruger to drop the Loaded Chamber Indicator, from the Mark III to the Mark IV. This in spite of the fact that the liability lawyers lobbied for it.
Users almost unanimously dislike the Magazine Disconnect. This was another thing that was adopted at the behest of the liability lawyers.
Ruger eventually has to listen to its customers. I think the Magazine Disconnect will be gone when the Mark V comes out.
Users almost unanimously dislike the Magazine Disconnect. This was another thing that was adopted at the behest of the liability lawyers.
Ruger eventually has to listen to its customers. I think the Magazine Disconnect will be gone when the Mark V comes out.
Howland937
Member
I was under the impression the mag disconnect deal was a compliance thing for certain areas.
If you're not competing and you're not in need of having the "best" version of your gun, then yeah...just get one and shoot it until you figure out if you enjoy it or not.
Folks all over shoot bone-stock Rock Island 1911's without any of the fanciness of guns that cost 2-3-4 times as much.
steveus101
Member
I'm loving learning about all these parts and gunsmithing from you guys. But I recently bought a used, like new Mk II competition target (2004 I think) and can't imagine a better trigger. Maybe I just don't know what I don't know!
AlexanderA
Member
You're good. Those of us who are trying to improve the Mark III or IV trigger, are basically reverting to the Mark II internals (although maybe with tighter tolerances). What you are missing is the 1911-style magazine release (Mark III and IV) and the easier takedown (Mark IV). If you're a lefty, the Mark IV also has an (optional) ambidextrous safety.
AzShooter1
Member
My Mark IV 22/45 came with a horrible trigger that measured over 7 pounds but felt like I had to break the safety on each shot. I ran it for one day, about 200 rounds hoping it would get better but no way.
I ordered the Volquartsen Accurizing Kit, watched the YouTube videos on how to install the kit a couple of times and when it came in my first attempt took me about 1 1/2 hours to get it all set up.
That was 4 years ago. I had one of the first 22/45s, the ones that had to go back to the factory for an update in the safety. I sent it back in a plastic bad, disassemble. Ruger put all the parts back in at no charge. Then I had my second upgrade to do.
I've since done about 10 and now can do it in under 10 minutes. It's not difficult once you've done it a few times.
Even if you are just a plinker this is a valuable upgrade that will make your shooting sessions more pleasurable. My trigger pulls are now set at an average of one pound seven ounces on my Lyman Digital Scale.
The kit also offers a new disconnect which aids in the pull being lighter.
I did my Black Mamba with the kit as well.
edcknives
Member
I know this is an older thread but have read through several times and trying to figure if you can install the TK Blast Shield for the magazine disconnect and also use a Volquartson Accurizing kit? Just debating on whether to go with the accurizing kit in addition to it? I have a Volquartson Accurizing kit in one of my 10/22's and made a huge difference just not wanting to "over invest" if not needed.
Throwbackguy
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Hey edcknives:
-The accurizing kit for the Mk IV eliminates the mag disconnect; no need for the TK kit.
[Disclaimer: I used the TK Blast Shield and a flat-faced trigger replacement; didn't use Volquartsen. My trigger isn't minus-2lbs, but it's fairly crisp. I'm happy the way it is without changing the other parts. YMMV...]
-The accurizing kit for the Mk IV eliminates the mag disconnect; no need for the TK kit.
[Disclaimer: I used the TK Blast Shield and a flat-faced trigger replacement; didn't use Volquartsen. My trigger isn't minus-2lbs, but it's fairly crisp. I'm happy the way it is without changing the other parts. YMMV...]
edcknives
Member
Thanks! I was aware of not needing the TK kit with the accurizing kit but you answered my question and will be trying the TK kit and will wait and see on the flat trigger and may do that as well. I am just looking for the crisp trigger as you describe(d). I was curious if I did decide to go the whole route with VQ accurizing kit if the TK kit interferes with it?
I have 2 mk iv 1 has the vq complete kit in it and the other has the tk victory trigger and sear kit. The vq is a little better but either is a great improvement over the factory. After that they have as good a trigger as my MK 11 target factory trigger.
I put a VQ kit in my circa '94 MKII 5.5" stainless. It most certainly did not have a target trigger from the factory: no overtravel screw and about 4.5#. On initial the gun would not function, would not release the sear. A VQ disconnector fixed it, but of course was not part of the kit and an additional cost. Clean 2# now.
RainDodger
Member
My Mk IV had one of the worst triggers out of the box of any handgun I've ever bought. I took it to the range ONE time and fired less than one magazine though it, and brought it home. It now has a Volquartsen kit in it, which took it from one of the worst, to one of the best. I would not have kept the pistol if I had not modified the trigger. Well worth whatever the cost is.
Madcap_Magician
Member
Yeah I got a Mk IV on the premise of the easier takedown, which is definitely true. It's as easy as an AR-15 now. But the trigger is horribad. I'm looking at the Volquartsen parts kit for sure.
AlexanderA
Member
Ruger keeps the aftermarket firms in business. Everybody profits.
