Ruger MKIV - Hunter Model

[whatnickname]

Okay. Admittedly I have been skeptical about the MKIV. I’m generally suspicious about a new model of anything. Between the feedback on this site and the Ruger Forum, I have been favorably impressed. I’m convinced that Ruger doesn’t make any junk. Came across a NIB Hunter Model at my LGS and decided to give it a try. First impressions were that it was well made. No surprises here. Locked up tight...although I wonder how long that little neoprene pillar under the front of the receiver will last. Not that big a deal. Took it to the range. It acted like it wanted to shoot accurately. Ruger and I have different ideas about desirable trigger characteristics. Ended up installing a Volquartsen hammer, trigger & sear. These consistently produce a trigger with a 2.5 pound trigger pull with minimal take-up and over-travel. The pistol shot one hole groups at 25 yards off a rest. Better than that, it even digested red, white & blue box CCI SV ammo without a hitch. My MKII pistols have a high failure to run rate with this fodder and my S&W 41s won’t run this ammo at all. Bet ya a nickel that Ruger backed off on the poundage of their hammer spring over this one issue alone.

No doubt about it, this pistol is a shooter. Easier to field strip than the previous models. Although I’ve never had a problem field-stripping a MKII. Better than this, I came across an individual with two, 5.5” MKIV uppers that were un-fired and bought both of them for $75 each. I now have the makings of two more projects if and when (big IF) I come across a spare grip frame or a standard model, with issues, at a reasonable price. The installation of the Volquartsen kit was easier than the MKII, owing to the fact that the safety is now two pieces and the latch with the spring loaded detent plunger installs from outside of the frame. The spring loaded detent plunger can morph into an alternate universe if you’re not careful, proving once again the old adage: The smaller the part, the further it will go!

Picture attached.

 

[doubleh]

Very nice gun and a Volquartson trigger kit will make a huge improvement. Sometimes I wonder if Ruger gets a cut from the companies that make things to improve the generally lousy triggers found on their semi-auto 22 LR offerings.

 

[whatnickname]

Very nice gun and a Volquartson trigger kit will make a huge improvement. Sometimes I wonder if Ruger gets a cut from the companies that make things to improve the generally lousy triggers found on their semi-auto 22 LR offerings.

ya know, you may be on to something. Never thought much about that.

 

[Frulk]

Nice. Is it a metal or polymer lower? Went to Rugers site for the answer. CNC milled.

They have some high quality pics there of your gun. Looks very nicely put together. I haven’t been in the market for a .22 handgun in years but this looks interesting.

 

[NorthBorder]

Dang! After seeing that MK IV I may have another itch to scratch.

 

[Riomouse911]

OP, great choice . I have a standard 4 5/8”, a MK II Government Target 6.5” and a Mark IV that was bought with the 10” barrel. I added thumbrest grips to the MK Ii and MK IV, these little additions sure makes the guns fit me nicely.



The mark IV also got the Volquartsen trigger/hammer and extractor treatment, because the out of the box the trigger was not on par with the other two. (A bit gritty and heavier.) Now it is just under 2lbs, smooth and crisp. This is a common complaint about the MK IV, for whatever reason they just weren’t able to replicate the MK II triggers in the MK IV.



I also bought a 5.5” upper, mine was from Volquartsen. They sold them for $35.00, but the ffl transfer fees bring them up to about $75 each like the ones mentioned above. A second bolt was $50. I liked the option to swap uppers so much I bought a second 5.5” upper and I mounted a red dot. (My first experience with dots on handguns.)

Nice. Is it a metal or polymer lower? Went to Rugers site for the answer. CNC milled.

They have some high quality pics there of your gun. Looks very nicely put together. I haven’t been in the market for a .22 handgun in years but this looks interesting.

As you saw on Rugers site, the blued MK IV is an alloy lower. The stainless is a slightly heavier steel lower. With the 10” bull barrel it is a bit top/nose heavy with the lighter grip frame.

Stay safe.

 

[whatnickname]

Nice. Is it a metal or polymer lower? Went to Rugers site for the answer. CNC milled.

They have some high quality pics there of your gun. Looks very nicely put together. I haven’t been in the market for a .22 handgun in years but this looks interesting.

Aluminum Lower Grip Frame. It’s well made but about 7 Oz lighter than the stainless Model with a stainless steel frame.

 

[whatnickname]

OP, great choice . I have a standard 4 5/8”, a MK II Government Target 6.5” and a Mark IV that was bought with the 10” barrel. I added thumbrest grips to the MK Ii and MK IV, these little additions sure makes the guns fit me nicely.

View attachment 1097576 View attachment 1097577 View attachment 1097578 View attachment 1097579 View attachment 1097581

The mark IV also got the Volquartsen trigger/hammer and extractor treatment, because the out of the box the trigger was not on par with the other two. (A bit gritty and heavier.) Now it is just under 2lbs, smooth and crisp. This is a common complaint about the MK IV, for whatever reason they just weren’t able to replicate the MK II triggers in the MK IV.

View attachment 1097582

I also bought a 5.5” upper, mine was from Volquartsen. They sold them for $35.00, but the ffl transfer fees bring them up to about $75 each like the ones mentioned above. A second bolt was $50. I liked the option to swap uppers so much I bought a second 5.5” upper and I mounted a red dot. (My first experience with dots on handguns.)

View attachment 1097583



As you saw on Rugers site, the blued MK IV is an alloy lower. The stainless is a slightly heavier steel lower. With the 10” bull barrel it is a bit top/nose heavy with the lighter grip frame.

Stay safe.

I debated buying the blued model Vs. the stainless model. Hands down, the stainless Hunter is the most popular 22 pistol that Ruger makes. Just about impossible to buy one for much under
$850 out the door, and I’ve seen a few on GB that went for over $900 because of a bidding war. My LGS had the blued model for $550...pretty much the going price on these. The difference in price was not worth it IMO. I have several MKIIs that are task specific target pistols anyway so no big deal. All of my Ruger MK pistols either have Volquartsen or Majestic trigger kits or have been worked over by Clark Custom. If I’m installing the kit myself, I prefer the Volquartsen kit to the Majestic kit on the MKII...no fitting required with Volquartsen and the removable bolt stop pin on the Magestic is not all that important to me.

 

[sparkyv]

When I got my Hunter years ago, I didn't even realize that blued was an option. It looks great, whatnickname. I really enjoy my SS model.

I debated buying the blued model Vs. the stainless model. Hands down, the stainless Hunter is the most popular 22 pistol that Ruger makes. Just about impossible to buy one for much under
$850 out the door, and I’ve seen a few on GB that went for over $900 because of a bidding war. My LGS had the blued model for $550...pretty much the going price on these. The difference in price was not worth it IMO.

+1 on Volquartsen
However, this is one of the most disappointing things about these handguns is the need to burn another $150+ for a decent trigger which should already be onboard this already spendy firearm.

I’m installing the kit myself, I prefer the Volquartsen kit

 

[doubleh]

(However, this is one of the most disappointing things about these handguns is the need to burn another $150+ for a decent trigger which should already be onboard this already spendy firearm.)

Only $95 including shipping back when I did mine which was sometime before the current crop of idiots took over Washington. As much as they cost they should come with a good trigger. The MK II is just as bad.

 

[whatnickname]

When I got my Hunter years ago, I didn't even realize that blued was an option. It looks great, whatnickname. I really enjoy my SS model.



+1 on Volquartsen
However, this is one of the most disappointing things about these handguns is the need to burn another $150+ for a decent trigger which should already be onboard this already spendy firearm.

I wouldn’t be too hard on Ruger for their triggers. They’ve been sued by fools that got hurt with their guns because they never knew enough to be safe in the first place. This is the issue that forced them to re-design the Blackhawk in 1973. Some fools got hurt because they loaded all 6 chambers on the 3 screw Blackhawks and then dropped the gun causing it to fire. Hence the triggers and designs
that come on their guns today. They just didn’t have any choice.

 

[Jeff olson]

I really like that fluted barrel. It's got my wheels turning now. My current mark series lineup includes a mkiv target, a mkll target with the heavy tapered barrel, another mkll target, and a mkl us property made in 1954.

 

[NorthBorder]

These MK II's and MK IV's definitely are more aesthetically appealing than the 22/45s IMHO. But is there any practical difference between the MKs and the 22/45s (i.e. shooting at paper, cans, or small mammals) other than the grip angle?

 

[whatnickname]

I really like that fluted barrel. It's got my wheels turning now. My current mark series lineup includes a mkiv target, a mkll target with the heavy tapered barrel, another mkll target, and a mkl us property made in 1954.View attachment 1097672 View attachment 1097673 View attachment 1097674 View attachment 1097675

Thanks. I have a number of MKII pistols...one of the best models ever made IMO. So far the MKIV seems like a keeper. Time will tell.

 

[whatnickname]

These MK II's and MK IV's definitely are more aesthetically appealing than the 22/45s IMHO. But is there any practical difference between the MKs and the 22/45s (i.e. shooting at paper, cans, or small mammals) other than the grip angle?

I have two MKIII 22/45 pistols. Both have been re-worked by Clark Custom. Both good guns. One has a 5.5” Bull barrel. The other is the Lite barrel. Obviously the Lite model has a completely different point of balance. Between the light weight and point of balance I don’t shoot that pistol as well as the others. It’s a heck of tool for rolling cans. The Bull barrel 22/45 is nose heavy and also has a difference point of balance compared to the MKIIs I have. I don’t shoot that pistol quite as well as the others either. It’s all a matter of personal preference. Both of these pistols are as mechanically accurate as any of the others I own.

 

[Stefan A]

The neoprene pillar does not last. Mine is mostly gone. Not sure if I should do something about it.

 

[NorthBorder]

The neoprene pillar does not last. Mine is mostly gone. Not sure if I should do something about it.

What is the neoprene pillar?

 

[Stefan A]

What is the neoprene pillar?

That scraggly bit on the right side of the pic.

 

[whatnickname]

The neoprene pillar does not last. Mine is mostly gone. Not sure if I should do something about it.

Volquartsen sells gel bedding blocks for the MKIV that looks way more substantial than the neoprene plug that comes with the gun. I’m sure Ruger would be glad to supply you with a replacement also.

 

[sparkyv]

I made my own from a gasket from SWMBO's old blender. It's holding up way better than I had expected. I'll try to get a pic.

The neoprene pillar does not last. Mine is mostly gone. Not sure if I should do something about it.

 

[Stefan A]

Volquartsen sells gel bedding blocks for the MKIV that looks way more substantial than the neoprene plug that comes with the gun. I’m sure Ruger would be glad to supply you with a replacement also.

Thanks for that. I’ll give it a try.

 

[Frankl03]

I currently have a Mk 3 Stainless Hunter with all the Valquartsen updates. The loaded chamber indicator has been removed and the slot is filled. Also has WIlliam's fire sights.

Very accurate pistol and fun to shoot. I'm not intimidated to field strip and clean it since this is my 4th such pistol.

I also have a Valquatsen Scorpion based on the Mk 3. Really accurate fun shooter.

 

[whatnickname]

Thanks for that. I’ll give it a try.

you’re welcome