I was checking a local pawn shop today as I do every so often. I came across an unusual Ruger target pistol. The guy told me it was produced sometime in the 40's. I couldnt find a model number on it. The heavy barrel is unlike anything I have seen on Ruger 22 target pistol. Does anyone know anything about it?
Ruger 22 Target pistol pre mark 1?
- Thread starter Sks39
- Start date
-
- Tags
- ruger target pistol
- Status
ColtPythonElite
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2011
- Messages
- 10,477
Looks like a custom barrel
243winxb
Member
The factory bull bbl was 5 1/2". That rib was added, not factory. Grips, homemade. Thats my guess.
Serial number list. http://www.ruger.com/service/productHistory/PI-MarkI.html A link on the page has instructions and time line history at the bottom of page.
Serial number list. http://www.ruger.com/service/productHistory/PI-MarkI.html A link on the page has instructions and time line history at the bottom of page.
Last edited:
ColtPythonElite
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2011
- Messages
- 10,477
That barrel looks longer than 5 1/2. Plus, the factory barrel steps down at the receiver. That barrel looks to be the same diameter as the receiver.
243winxb
Member
Clark has 5 1/2" and 6 1/4" with .875" OD barrels listed on there website. Complete gun $1025.
The rib may be old Bomar. Bomar would be held by screws and have adjustable rear sights attached as a unit.
Cheaper ribs were glued on and used the factory sights, if i remember correctly.
High round count guns will have the barrels lands almost completely gone. My Ruger's lands* were hard to find.
*added.
The rib may be old Bomar. Bomar would be held by screws and have adjustable rear sights attached as a unit.
Cheaper ribs were glued on and used the factory sights, if i remember correctly.
High round count guns will have the barrels lands almost completely gone. My Ruger's lands* were hard to find.
*added.
Last edited:
ColtPythonElite
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2011
- Messages
- 10,477
What do you have that was hard to find?
243winxb
Member
Was a Ruger mk1 5 1/2" target, factory gun.
ColtPythonElite
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2011
- Messages
- 10,477
I follow you now.... Lol... I thought you were saying you were having a hard time finding MK guns that weren't worn out.
I've never seen a barrel like that.
AMT automag 2's first model was a straight Ruger clone with a vent rib barrel but not in that contour.
Gunsmith custom? Hard to say.
AMT automag 2's first model was a straight Ruger clone with a vent rib barrel but not in that contour.
Gunsmith custom? Hard to say.
bannockburn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 26,308
Got to go with what other's have posted about it looking like it was a custom made bull barrel and not a factory one. Have had many Mk.512s over the years and all of the them have had a stepped down barrel in relation to the receiver.
Might try contacting Ruger or ask around a Ruger collectors forum to see if they know anything about this.
Might try contacting Ruger or ask around a Ruger collectors forum to see if they know anything about this.
243winxb
Member
The homemade grips do not add value to the gun.
The MK1 had 2 different frames, using different grips and magazines. Replacements if needed, may not be available?? https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/markI.pdf
If a Clark gun, some are marked, it may be worth the price? But condition in the photo, doesnt look great to me.
I sold these factory correct target grips off my MK1 target. Putting thump pressure on the grip does not help accuracy. But they do look cool.
The MK1 had 2 different frames, using different grips and magazines. Replacements if needed, may not be available?? https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/markI.pdf
If a Clark gun, some are marked, it may be worth the price? But condition in the photo, doesnt look great to me.
I sold these factory correct target grips off my MK1 target. Putting thump pressure on the grip does not help accuracy. But they do look cool.
Based on what I see, this is a 22 lr that was probably used in Bullseye Competition. The grips are undoubtedly something the owner fashioned for himself. You see highly customized pistols all the time on the firing line at competitions.
There is a lot of finish missing. Before any serious consideration of purchasing I would push a patch and a bristle brush down the barrel to see if the barrel has rust pits. Based on the exterior, the interior might not be so great. If the inside of the barrel is perfect, it is probably a good barrel. Competitors replace factory barrels with match tubes, it does not make sense to spend all that money to put on an inferior barrel.
But, I am going to say the price of $488 is overpriced. Customized pistols are worth less than factory original. As a general rule, people don't want them because they are an unknown. Look at the price of an excellent condition MKII and if they are close, go for the MKII or talk the shop way down on its price. I just looked at Gunbroker and like new MKII's are going for less than the asking price of this pistol. I think the MKII is the best of the series, don't have a MkIV, it may be better, don't know. Stay away from MKIII's. The chamber indicator is a source of malfunctions and the magazine safety makes assembling the pistol a confusing puzzle.
There is a lot of finish missing. Before any serious consideration of purchasing I would push a patch and a bristle brush down the barrel to see if the barrel has rust pits. Based on the exterior, the interior might not be so great. If the inside of the barrel is perfect, it is probably a good barrel. Competitors replace factory barrels with match tubes, it does not make sense to spend all that money to put on an inferior barrel.
But, I am going to say the price of $488 is overpriced. Customized pistols are worth less than factory original. As a general rule, people don't want them because they are an unknown. Look at the price of an excellent condition MKII and if they are close, go for the MKII or talk the shop way down on its price. I just looked at Gunbroker and like new MKII's are going for less than the asking price of this pistol. I think the MKII is the best of the series, don't have a MkIV, it may be better, don't know. Stay away from MKIII's. The chamber indicator is a source of malfunctions and the magazine safety makes assembling the pistol a confusing puzzle.
- Status