Suggestions for Ruger MKII sights?

[MrSpiffy]

I'm officially a gun owner! I just purchased my first firearm ever, a Ruger MKII Stainless Steel Target model with a 6" tapered barrel. I haven't had a chance to fire it, yet, as I just picked it up on Friday evening. But I'm already interested in swapping out the factory sights with something different. Does anyone have any suggestions that would work for the tapered target barrel? I see things for the bull barrel, but not much for tapered barrels.

I did look and found the HiViz sights, which are okay, but might look a little funny. I don't want to spend hundreds on red dot or scope sights. But if anyone has suggestions to improve the open sights, or maybe an inexpensive red dot that works well, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks in advance for any advice! And hopefully I'll get pics up shortly.

EDIT: Here are a few pics!







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[gb6491]

I like the adjustable Millet rear sight. It's a direct replacement for the Ruger adjustable sight and, IMO, gives a less cluttered sight picture (I need all the help I can get).



Another option can be found here: Open Sight Improvements for Ruger Rimfire Handguns

Regards,
Greg

BTW - Welcome to the forums! That is a nice looking Ruger and an excellent choice as your first firearm.

 

[Drail]

May I ask respectfully what you don't like about the factory sights?

 

[MrSpiffy]

Thanks, Greg! Those sights are a little cleaner. And I'm definitely going to look into some of the suggestions on that page. I like what I'm seeing, so far. Thanks!

Drail, it's not that I don't like them, I'm just looking to improve upon the existing sights. Just like Greg, I'm happy to get all the help I can to make an accurate shot.

The sights actually did pretty well, so I'm happy with them. But if there's anything else that performs better or is easier to aim with, I'm all ears.

 

[MrSpiffy]

Oh, and not to derail things at all, but as a side note I did actually purchase my SECOND firearm already! This stuff's addictive! I picked up a Russian Mosin-Nagant M91/30. For $99 I just couldn't pass it up. I'll probably post pics over in the rifle forum.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Volquartsen makes an excellent rear sight for the marks.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I'll throw out another endorsement for the Millet rear sight. No need to change the front sight. The Millet has a narrower notch than the factory one, (it matches up better to the size of the factory front blade), and the windage clicks are half as much as the factory adjustable sight is.

-Steve

 

[XavierBreath]

I recently put a HiViz front sight on one of my bull barreled Ruger MKIIs, and found it to be the cat's meow. They do make one for the tapered barrel, as you have seen, although I'm guessing it would have to be drilled to install it.

Nice pistol you chose! Anyone have a quick link for the Millett rear sight at the best price?

 

[ClemY]

I have put the VQ rear sight on my Ruger MK II and MK IIIs. It has a wider adjustment range, and I feel it gives a better sight picture. Just a matter of personal preference.

 

[Steve C]

Wonder why anyone, especially someone of little experience, buys a gun and then sets about changing it without ever shooting it first. If you have money you just want to spend then go for it but you haven't shot the gun to even know what improvements it may need. I've seen guys spend a $1,000 on a pistol and didn't improve their scores one bit. They should have spent that $1k on ammo and lessons.

If you have a vison problem like far sightedness and can't focus on the front sight then get a red dot sight, otherwise the existing sights are perfectly good.

The best improvement you can do to the pistol is to either self install one of the Volquartsen Accurizing Kits or have a gunsmith do a trigger job for you. But even at that you should shoot it a bunch so at least you can appreciate the upgrade.

 

[MrSpiffy]

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions, everyone. I saw that Ruger had HiViz sights on their web site, but not sure if those would improve much or just look funny. But I may look at the v-notch for the rear sight. Looks like it might be useful.

Steve C, I appreciate your advice. (By the way, I did mention that I've shot this gun already, just not a lot.) And I agree that it would be good to get used to the gun before making any major changes to it. So, perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself and just making a rookie move and jumping the gun (pardon the pun) on this. I have shot another MKII before (standard black bull barrel model), so I do have some experience with these guns, but just haven't gotten to shoot this particular one a lot, yet. I like what I've seen, so far.

And just to clarify, I have no desire to spend $1k on this gun (not that I could, if I wanted to). I know it's a good gun. I just want to get the most out of it that I can.

Do you (or anyone else) have any suggestions as far as improving shooting skill and accuracy at all? Maybe somewhere to read up on some good advice or pointers? I was able to make somewhat decent groupings, but am always looking to improve upon myself.

What would a trigger job on this particular gun do for me? From what I understand, a trigger job would probably smooth out the action a bit and probably reduce the pull force. I'm not real familiar with overtravel, creep, etc. Perhaps it would correct those also. Before I do anything to this gun, I definitely want to shoot it a bit more. But again, I'm always open to ideas to make things run as well as possible. (Without breaking a budget, of course...) And any advice you can give this newbie is definitely appreciated.

 

[XavierBreath]

I agree that you should shoot the gun for a while prior to making any changes.

Volquartsen and Clark Custom both make parts for the Ruger MKII action. I personally prefer the wider Volquartsen trigger, which you used to be able to order separately.

In truth, over time the Ruger sear and disconnect wear into a very sweet trigger. The problem is the blast from the cartridge ignition covers the top of the trigger and the disconnect with the byproducts of shooting the gun. If you clean this stuff out, lubricate the pistol and install a blast shield, you will reap the benefits of the Ruger's broken in action. The gritty trigger Rugers have a reputation for is often the result of....... Grit.

The original trigger can be drilled and tapped for an overtravel screw. Some folks drill and tap the frame behind the trigger for a set screw instead. Either way will work.

A pre-travel screw can be added on top of the trigger, but it requires fieldstripping to adjust. No real reason for it anyway.....

If you go to my blog and use the Ruger label (or just click this link) you will find info and other links to ideas on how to modify the Ruger MKII for accuracy.

Ruger MKII Dis/Re-assembly Instructions Detailed

Ruger MKII Internal Disassembly and Reassembly Instructions

 

[Steve C]

Do you (or anyone else) have any suggestions as far as improving shooting skill and accuracy at all? Maybe somewhere to read up on some good advice or pointers? I was able to make somewhat decent groupings, but am always looking to improve upon myself

http//www.bullseyepistol.com/

Read the articles in the section marked Perfecting Technique, esp. the Army Marksmanship Training Guide. Some of the best information on shooting a pistol accurately that can be found.

 

[MrSpiffy]

Awesome! Thanks for the links, guys! And Xavier, nice blog you have there. I've seen it before, but the name didn't click until now. I'll definitely take some time to browse your blog, and bullseyepistol.com. Definitely some great resources.