What should I do with this NIB Ruger MK2?

[Olympus]

I recently bought a Ruger MK2 that is still NIB condition. Bought it for a steal. Its the short skinny barrel model. Not sure what the barrel length is. I bought the gun to use as a platform for customization with a Pac-Lite upper and VQ parts and to use with the suppresor I'm waiting to get.

But I'm not sure if I should keep it or if I should flip it and make a little money on it. My wife already has another MK2 Target that was a gift from her dad. We both shoot it, but I don't feel right about swapping out parts and making changes to that gun. Just don't know what I should do.

 

[Fishbed77]

Mark IIs aren't exactly rare, and since the short (4"?) tapered-barrel version was one of the cheapest, it's as good a platform for modification as any.

Then again, if you think you can make money by flipping it, and maybe getting an less pristine example for modification (since it sounds like you'll only be using the lower frame/components), there's a lot of logic to that decision too.

 

[Olympus]

I know they're not rare. But the value does seem to be going up considering people are showing a preference for the MK2 as opposed to the 3.

The one I bought is blued.

 

[InkEd]

It's nothing special. Do whatever you want with it.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I know they're not rare. But the value does seem to be going up considering people are showing a preference for the MK2 as opposed to the 3.

The one I bought is blued.

Until they find how high the price is, and that with a few inexpensive mods they can have a better, lighter gun in the 22/45.

The Mark IIs days are ever more numbered.

 

[Olympus]

Until they find how high the price is, and that with a few inexpensive mods they can have a better, lighter gun in the 22/45.

The Mark IIs days are ever more numbered.

I think you'll find there is still a big demand for the MK2 over the 3 and 24/45. People hate the LCI and mag disconnect. There's a huge following for the 2 in the rimfire community with people refusing to sell their 2s in favor of a 3.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I think you'll find there is still a big demand for the MK2 over the 3 and 24/45. People hate the LCI and mag disconnect. There's a huge following for the 2 in the rimfire community with people refusing to sell their 2s in favor of a 3.

...and yet those are 1. An item that is preference, some like an LCI, some don't. Doesn't bother the performance of the gun, and 2. A part that is removable, replaceable, and rids the gun of the disconnect. It's an $8 part.

Myself, I prefer the more reliable feeding of the 22/45 over the Mark IIs, the aftermarket support, and the grip selection. Not to mention, lighter weight.

Your gun is only worth what someone will pay. From research of models near your description, $300-350. The market is unloading them for a reason. Some folks get over the LCI and change an $8 part to have a, in my opinion, better pistol in the Mark IIIs.

As stated, its not rare or particularly special, and will fetch enough to save the trouble of the PacLite upper (which is a 4473 item) to get a 22/45 Lite, which negates the need for an aftermarket upper, is also threaded, and is OEM. Change the hammer bushing, get your can, and have fun.

 

[Olympus]

The 22/45s look and feel cheap to me. The plastic frames I've seen are cheap looking black color almost looking like a toy. The gold upper on the Lite version is a little cheesy to me and looks a little "gangsta" to me.

The Pac-Lite is not a 4473 for me considering my FFL. And since I have an account with TacSol, my cost is significantly cheaper as well.

 

[meanmrmustard]

The 22/45s look and feel cheap to me. The plastic frames I've seen are cheap looking black color almost looking like a toy. The gold upper on the Lite version is a little cheesy to me and looks a little "gangsta" to me.

The Pac-Lite is not a 4473 for me considering my FFL. And since I have an account with TacSol, my cost is significantly cheaper as well.

Gold? People still buy that? Gold was phased out.

Little research goes a long way. You're essentially turning your Mark II into what a Lite already is, except the Lite is, well, lighter. Kinda the point when you're talking aluminum uppers.

No complaints from the "plastic" of the lower from me. Have yet to hurt one, and I doubt you will either.

Seems you have your mind made up. Good luck.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I bought an unfired anniversary Mark II (faux pre-Mark) for my wife who then went on to declare it ugly and uncomfortable and proceeded to commandeer my Dura-Matic - go figure.

For a while I flirted with selling it but the more I handled heavier and longer barreled versions the more I kept returning to handle my own lightweight.

Now I'm totally committed to keeping it and am quite certain that I'll be even happier with the decision as time goes by.

Newer doesn't feel good to me. Heavier doesn't feel good to me. I'm never going to mount accessories. I just plain love the feel and balance of these short pencil barrels and don't shoot it any worse than any of my other .22s.

I say hang onto it and you'll be in the catbird seat once the only ones not shot out will be too expensive to shoot.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I bought a couple of NIB MKii's recently. I traded them both off quickly and don't regret it.

 

[OARNGESI]

Customize it keep all your extra parts then one day when you can find a spare frame build another gun.

 

[Olympus]

I think I'll just go ahead and keep it. Considering I've sold every plastic gun I've ever own, I'll pass on the cheap looking 22/45 in favor of a nicely blued and polished, ALL STEEL gun. I guess people get fooled into believe that lighter somehow equals better.

 

[45_auto]

I guess people get fooled into believe that lighter somehow equals better.

Yep, just like sometimes they get fooled into believing that it even makes a difference or somehow equals worse.

 

[ID-shooting]

Are theses modifications or simply aceesories? If you are not permanently altering the gun then you shouldnt affect value, just keep the original parts. If you are doing permanent mods, such as removing material, grinding for fit, then I would opt for obtaining a less pristine example for alteration.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I think I'll just go ahead and keep it. Considering I've sold every plastic gun I've ever own, I'll pass on the cheap looking 22/45 in favor of a nicely blued and polished, ALL STEEL gun. I guess people get fooled into believe that lighter somehow equals better.

Some folks get fooled into nolatalgia=the right way. Why I do like an all steel centerfire, I find it useless in a .22 platform. As a utility/truck/trail pistol an all steel .22 is as about as useful as a poopy flavored lollipop.

I add those uses because you've mentioned adding a TacSol upper, which turns a heavy gun into something more useful while on the go. Like a trail gun.

Eventually, some folks catch on to the ever evolving design of handguns. Depending on the use, yea, lighter is much better.

You're talking about putting a TacSol upper on your gun. That's making it heavier?

 

[Olympus]

The reason for the Pac-Lite has nothing to do with reducing weight. I am looking to get a 6" barrel that is threaded for the use of a suppressor. Not to mention the added bonus of getting a fiber optic front sight or the option of a rail on top of the receiver if I decide to add a red dot sight.

Not everything revolves around weight.

 

[Olympus]

Are theses modifications or simply aceesories? If you are not permanently altering the gun then you shouldnt affect value, just keep the original parts. If you are doing permanent mods, such as removing material, grinding for fit, then I would opt for obtaining a less pristine example for alteration.

I guess they would technically be considered accessories. VQ trigger, VQ sear, extended slide release, Clark bushing, etc.

 

[bannockburn]

I have always been a big fan of the MK.II models. If it were me I would keep it and add the TacSol upper and whatever other modifications you have in mind.

 

[PabloJ]

NIB Ruger MK2 is dime a dozen kind of thing. Strum and Ruger probably made tons of them. Do whatever pleases you.

 

[meanmrmustard]

The reason for the Pac-Lite has nothing to do with reducing weight. I am looking to get a 6" barrel that is threaded for the use of a suppressor. Not to mention the added bonus of getting a fiber optic front sight or the option of a rail on top of the receiver if I decide to add a red dot sight.

Not everything revolves around weight.

If I remember correctly, an adapter was made to go on the end of unthreaded Rugers.

Seen them a time or two in videos discussing improvised suppression.

I guess it's just luck that the TacSol is light (called PacLITE for a reason) beings that not everyone wants a carry friendly firearm huh?

 

[Olympus]

Except all of my 22s are used for bench shooting. Weight plays zero role in my 22 selection.

I spend most of my time shooting my collection of High Standard target 22s with....barrel weights. *gasp!* Trying to transition away from shooting my HS guns so much. They tend to be picky about ammo and mags are sensitize to feeding issues. Not to mention being limited to standard velocity ammo only.

 

[claiborne]

shoot it until you wear it out....

 

[Olympus]

I took the Pac-Lite off my wife's gun to see how it would look on the new gun. I think I'm going to keep the gun and order another 6" Pac-Lite, possibly in good black with silver flutes.

 

[45_auto]

What kind of gun did your wife have it on?