Ruger MKII With Volquartsen Supreme barrel?

[Kookla]

Nearby store has a used on for sale. It's a stainless Ruger MKII with a Volquartsen bull barrel that says "Supreme" along the side and a compensator at the end. It has a Romeo red dot attached to the top. Everything looks to be in good shape and they are asking for little under $600 for it.

Anyone here have any opinions on it? Haven't been able to find much about it online aside from that they were made in the 90's.

 

[Milt1]

Seems high to me! I paid $200 OTD for my MKII but it didn't have the barrel you mentioned or a red dot. However I have shot, from a sand bag rest, a 5 shot group at 25 yards that measured under an inch with iron sights. This pistol you mentioned might do that but look at what it cost you!

 

[Kookla]

I don't know what value the Volquartsen barrel adds to it. I've seen MKII's vary in price here from a very low $200 on up. Most seem to hover around the $300 mark for a blued model with standard barrel. The really good deals for MKII's that were around for the launch of the MKIV seem to be drying up. Stainless ones are priced higher.

 

[Texas10mm]

Is it just the barrel or a complete upper receiver? The serialized part on the Ruger MK II is the upper receiver.

A Volquartsen upper is $390-$500 right now. They have NEVER been inexpensive.

At that price I'd have to take a good hard look at it.

 

[Kookla]

Is it just the barrel or a complete upper receiver? The serialized part on the Ruger MK II is the upper receiver.

A Volquartsen upper is $390-$500 right now. They have NEVER been inexpensive.

At that price I'd have to take a good hard look at it.

Texas10mm- it's a Ruger receiver with a Volquartsen barrel installed.

 

[edwardware]

it's a Ruger receiver with a Volquartsen barrel installed.

I could be wrong, and I can't see it. . . But I don't think Volquartsen makes bare barrels for the Mk-series. The barrel is, officially, not removable from the receiver.

Is it a custom job? Also: WHERE DA PICTURES AT?

 

[Kookla]

I could be wrong, and I can't see it. . . But I don't think Volquartsen makes bare barrels for the Mk-series. The barrel is, officially, not removable from the receiver.

Is it a custom job? Also: WHERE DA PICTURES AT?

Edwardware- I don't have a pic- haven't bought it or anything- yet I think this is something that you would have sent into Volquartsen where they installed it.

This picture is not mine, but one the only one I've found online on another site. The one at the shop looks nearly identical to this one, save that it does not have the front sight.

On the left side of the barrel (the one at the shop) it says Volquartsen Supreme.


Edit to add- from what little I've been able to find, these were something that were made in the 90's. So perhaps a custom VQ was doing back then before making their own receivers? I don't know.

 

[justdino]

I had one built by Tom back in the early 80's. I can't remember what model he called it, but it's not really relevant.

You could send in a Mark II with a list (I sent a blued steel base model, not a Target version), and Tom would build it as you liked. I had a 6" Douglas air-gauged barrel with integral muzzle weight/brake, and no sights, but set up for an Aimpoint 1000 to be attached. Tom did all the trigger/bolt work so it looked as good as it shot.

I really wish I had that pistol back. Seems like turnaround was 3 months I think and cost was about $500, but the specifics are hazy.

For what that pistol is, $600 doesn't seem so bad to me. I'd be willing to bet it will outshoot a S&W 41.

 

[Labguy47]

Even with the kit it’s still a $500 gun. It’s a Ruger Mk I that was modified. Personally I wouldn’t do it because I don’t believe in inheriting someone else’s mistake. These guns are tack drivers in target model. I might consider the upgrade for a standard base.

 

[Kookla]

Called up Volquartsen and asked them about it. From what I was told, it was a custom work they'd do on an MKII receiver and grip frame. Everything else- barrel and internals are all custom from VQ.

 

[bannockburn]

Kookla

Seems a little pricey on the high end but it sure does sound nice! What do you think about it? Maybe offer them $500 and see what they say.

 

[Milt1]

If it fits your eye and you'd love to have it then go with your $500 offer, life is short so do what makes you happy.

 

[Kookla]

I headed out to the store last night and after checking it out a good while, got it. I put a trade towards it and took the sting off some. There have been times in my life where I am just drawn to something, and for this was one of those times. Maybe it was the strong resemblance to a raygun, or it being a semi-custom and hearing great things about Volquartsen, or the fact it weighs a hair under a zillion pounds for a MK. Knowing me, it's probably because it looks like a raygun...

It looks exactly like the one above- because it is the one above. Funny finding that one out. Put in some drywall anchor screws to test the trigger- it's very nice. There are two adjustment screws on it- one on the trigger itself and one right in on of the trigger guard. Have never really used a red dot sight before, so looking forward to it. Might try and sneak out tomorrow after work and see how it does.

 

[Milt1]

You're going to love that! Anticipating your range report!

 

[Kookla]

Even with the kit it’s still a $500 gun. It’s a Ruger Mk I that was modified. Personally I wouldn’t do it because I don’t believe in inheriting someone else’s mistake. These guns are tack drivers in target model. I might consider the upgrade for a standard base.

I should have heeded to this. All is not gold... Found something and will update as I can here about it.

 

[Labguy47]

I should have heeded to this. All is not gold... Found something and will update as I can here about it.

I try not to be the bearer of bad news, but there’s really only one reason to sell such a highly modified for personal use tack driver.

 

[Kookla]

Labguy, consider it a lesson learned. Took it apart and after giving it a really good scrubbing, found this. Thought it was some stubborn fouling, then used my phone's magnifier to get a closer look.

 

[Kookla]

Brought it back to the store and they are sending it out to get looked at for a possible repair. Will update as this goes forward. Wish I was more thorough and my eyes were better, but wishes and fishes.

 

[Milt1]

Geeessss, did a firing pin do that over a period of time? That's terrible!

 

[Labguy47]

Geeessss, did a firing pin do that over a period of time? That's terrible!

Probably an extractor made of titanium, or someone removing a stuck shell. I’m betting on the latter.

 

[Kookla]

I was guessing the extractor, my dad was thinking stuck shell removal. Seeing what the shop is going to say- they are sending it off to their gunsmith to see if it can be repaired- which I don't think is possible unless it gets a new barrel. I put in a call to Volquartsen to see what they thought, and if I need to go down that road, what repair cost (if possible) would be. Since it's so old, they probably don't have any barrels.

 

[bannockburn]

Kookla

Sorry to hear about the problems with your new Ruger Mk.II. Hope you can get it fixed and up and running as soon as possible.

 

[edwardware]

Labguy, consider it a lesson learned. Took it apart and after giving it a really good scrubbing, found this.

Looks like the extractor wore through the chamber wall.

A real smith might install a chamber insert and rechamber. . . not great for a 'target' gun. OTOH, you know that's not the original barrel on that receiver, so maybe Volquartsen can rebarrel it again.

 

[Kookla]

I got word back from Volquartsen, they said they could install an Olympic barrel at additional cost on it, so that is an option. Right now, want to wait and see what the store says. If it's something where I can get credit towards another purchase, I'll more than likely go that route. If not, then perhaps getting the new barrel from VQ put on will be the way to go.

 

[Kookla]

Been a while, figured I'd update this thread. Got final word back that it wouldn't be repaired and was given credit toward something else. It was funny- one of the gentlemen pointed out another Ruger/Volquartsen MK custom they had- politely declined, my lesson somewhat learned. Ended up getting another Tikka t1x so I could have a shooting partner from time to time.