Ruger Mark II "Katrina" at 25 yards

[beeker77]

This Mark II was recovered from his family home by its original owner after a month under water in Metairie, Louisiana, following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He immediately plunked it into a bucket of motor oil for several weeks while working to salvage other family items. Gave it to me here in Texas about 4 - 5 years ago as he was about to move again. You can see the Katrina-immersion surface damage in the photo; no functional degradation.

I'm a rifle shooter, but recently thought I'd try it out in a local bull's eye pistol event. Shooting Federal Gold Medal Ultra Match UM22 ammo (two-hand hold as I got familiar with the match flow), it seemed to do okay, and it was certainly fun to experience its still-flawless performance.

First target is slow fire. Second is rapid fire.

 

[Trey Veston]

I had one of those decades ago. One of the few pistols that was more accurate than the shooter.

Great backstory on the pistol...

 

[earlthegoat2]

Immersion didn’t seem to have caused many problems in its shooting characteristics.

Just bought a Ruger MKII “Target” over the weekend. It’s the one with the longer tapered barrel instead of a bull barrel or slab side. Been wanting one for a bit and was delighted with the $250 price tag. Can’t wait to try my hand at some bullseye shooting.

 

[Waveski]

Great pistol , great story. My compliments to the guy who had the presence of mind to immerse the wet Ruger in a bucket of oil.

My long tapered barrel MK1 is my steel plate competition pistol. Stock trigger. I'm down to 3.2 seconds for ringing 5 targets ... not a club winner but better than average ; I give the credit to the MK!.

Enjoy.

 

[94045]

Great story.

Glad I reread as initially I thought it spent 10 years in the bucket of oil. I was going to mention the usual recommended oil soak is somewhat shorter.

.Seems to have weathered the abuse well.