Old Ruger 22 problem

[sorny]

My dad recently acquired an old Ruger pistol. It looks just like the Mark II's of today, but this one seems really old and doesn't have any model markings on it. Just "Ruger" and serial number, etc. If I had to guess it's probably from the 50's or 60's, but I could be completely wrong. The only reason I think that is because my stepmom's grandfather had it (thus, how my dad got it) and he was 94 years old, so he hasn't bought a pistol in a while. It still fires ok, but it has a feeding problem. I'm anything but a gunsmith and the only thing I can figure is that it's the mag. Just doesn't seem to be feeding them well. I've found the mags for the new Mark II's and it looks the same. The release works the same, where you slide the piece back on the bottom and pull the mag down and out.

Anyways, does anyone know if the mag design has been the same for the last ___ years? Or any way to date this pistol?

 

[JH22]

I'm very new at this so take this with a grain of salt...

I heard that on Ruger MkII, the slide stays open when it's empty. On the Mk I, it's closed.

J.

 

[sorny]

Ohhhhh yeah. I've heard that somewheres.. I think at the range one day. Two guys had old Rugers. One guys wouldn't stay open when the safety was engaged, the others would. This one does not, because I've tried it before, although I didn't know the significance of it. So I *may* have a Mark I? Whens the last time those were made? Anyone know?

 

[AZ Jeff]

The Mark I Rugers have the following features:

1. 9 shot magazine
2. NO slide stop/automatic bolt hold-open
3. Saftey can be applied with bolt held rearward, and will lock bolt open

The Mark II Rugers have the following features:

1. 10 shot magazine (NOT interchangeable with the Mark I)
2. external slide stop/bolt hold-open that engages automatically on an empty magazine
3. Safety CANNOT be applied with bolt locked to rear
4. small clearance cuts on back of receiver to allow easier grasping of cocking "ears" on back of bolt

This should help you identify the pistol accurately. I would try a new magazine before anything else. These pistols, if cleaned even only occassionally, are notoriously durable and reliable.

They transitioned to making Mark II's in the early 1980's.

 

[dbracin]

You might have the Ruger Standard auto. I have one. They were made before the Mark I was made.

 

[VHinch]

If I'm not mistaken the Mark II magazines can be used in a Mark I or a Standardif you reverse the button on the magazine. If you have a Mark I with the newer A100 grip frame, the Mark II mags should work as is.

HTH
Vance

 

[Kruzr]

You can find the manufacture date by serial number here:

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/SE-H-P-MarkI.html

 

[capbuster]

I just got done toying with a friends MK I. He paid $41 for it new so I am thinking he probably bought it in the 60s.It had several problems which thankfully I was able to fix.One was the finicky magazine which was factory and had two odd springlike fingers which held the top round in place.I was considering buying a replacement but after doing some research on the internet,I swapped the follower button on one of my MKII magazines from the left side to the right and it function perfectly in my friends MkI.

 

[Nick96]

Do a search over at the Ruger Forum. Most anything you'd want to know about Rugers can be found there.

As far as feeding problems go - it's typically got to do with the magazines. They are somewhat adjustible - expanding or contracting the curves at the top to adjust the cant of the cartridge. Sometime just getting a different brand of ammo will do the trick.

 

[Lars]

I'd buy a new mag and if that didn't work get ahold of ruger and they'll fix it. I just bought a used MKII for a steal and found that it had a broken extractor. Shipped it off to ruger and they fixed it up no charge. Went through the whole gun and fixed or replaced what was needed. I'm pretty happy with there service.

Lars