Ruger Mark IV

Driftwood Johnson

Driftwood Johnson

Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2011
Messages
6,448
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Land of the Pilgrims
Howdy

I don't get over here very much because I am mostly a revolver guy. Anyway, as a long time shooter of Ruger Mark II pistols I was excited when Ruger introduced the Mark IV a few years ago. Anyone who has ever field stripped one of the earlier Rugers knows what a pain in the neck it is. I don't do it often enough to remember the tricks, so I always have the manual in hand when field stripping my old Mark II.

I was able to pick up a Mark IV the other day, the stainless Competition model. What a pleasure it is to rotate the barrel up and pop out the bolt for cleaning. So simple to put back together again too.

I took the Mark IV to the range the other day along with my old target model Mark II. I was a bit disappointed in how heavy the Mark IV trigger is. I put some after market Volquartsen parts in my Mark II years ago. The trigger is nice and light, around 2 pounds or so.

I see there are aftermarket Volquartsen parts available for the Mark IV.

Has anybody installed them? I am thinking of the accurizing kit. The stock bolt release is a bit difficult to reach, so I am thinking of installing the extended bolt release too.

Any comments on the ease or difficulty of installing Volquartsen parts in the Mark IV?

Thanks.

I have tried posting a photo of my new Mark IV, but it is not showing up. Not the first time I have had trouble posting a photo.

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Driftwood Johnson said:
I attach photos from Image Shack.

This has been an ongoing problem with me posting images. They used to come in fine, but recently there have been problems.
Click to expand...
I'm unfamiliar with ImageShack, I've used a couple of others in the past but now I just use Google Photos. I click on my chosen image, right click on the image (left click for you righties), select "Copy Image Link" then paste it in my post. The only time I've had issues with that process is using some of the browser Images which are copy protected so will not show up.
 
I have 2 mk1v a heavy blue barreled and a light gold one. I put volquarson trigger in the gold and a tandomkross in the blued. both install easily and both work way better than the factory trigger. I also installed a halo on both.
 
I have an extensive collection of photos on Image Shack. I am not going to start a new collection somewhere else. The trouble with posting my photos from Image Shack is very recent, The moderators are aware of it.

I do not want to talk about posting photos, I would prefer opinions on the ease or difficulty of putting after market Volquartsen parts in a Ruger Mark IV pistol.

Thanks
 
Howdy back, Driftwood. To your question on installation of the Volquartsen Accuracy kit. Yes, it's easy just fiddly. Found it to be about a cup of coffee long for disassembly / assembly. I don't know if you use them but Volquartsen has made a tutorial video on installation. Here's a link. I chose another mfc. trigger due to profile design though. Be Well Driftwood.

Video: Accurizing Kit for the Ruger® MK IV™ Install Video - Bing video
 
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I have the Mark I, II, III, and IV, all of which I bought new. The Mark I probably had the best trigger pull, out of the box. Each of the subsequent iterations required some increasing amount of modification to bring it up to the Mark I standard. (Which is not to say that each iteration didn't have its own improvements.)

Specifically for the Mark IV, the main thing you need to do is get rid of the magazine-disconnect mechanism. The full Volquartsen trigger kit is not needed. What you need is their sear, which they sell separately. Use that in conjunction with a Mark II Ruger hammer.

The Mark IV trigger has a nub on the back, which engages a notch at the top of the magazine. You need to grind that off, or get an aftermarket trigger. I prefer the Clark trigger, which unfortunately has been discontinued. You can occasionally find them on ebay.

Here is a picture of the Clark trigger, with overtravel screw, compared to the stock trigger. Also, on the right, is a modified Single Six ramp front sight compared to the stock front sight.

IMG_0206a.jpg

The little spring-loaded "magazine kicker" in the base of the grip is not needed once you remove the magazine disconnect, and can be removed.

Here's a picture of the unnecessary "magazine kicker," on the left, along with the stock trigger (center) and the Clark trigger (right).

IMG_0224a.jpg

In the following picture, we see the magazine-disconnect mechanisms from the Mark III (center left) and Mark IV (center right). To the far right is the Mark IV "long tail" sear, which, once you remove the magazine disconnect, should be replaced with something like the Mark II sear (far left). The stand-alone Volquartsen sear is like this, except more accurately machined.

IMG_0225a.jpg
 
PistoleroWadCutterGANG:Thanks for the link to the video. Back when I installed the parts in my Mark II I don't think there was a video available. I must have muddled through it with printed instructions.

I recall that after installing the 'skeletonized' hammer in my Mark II I was getting light primer hits, so I put the original stock hammer back in.

Are there any problems with light primer hits with the Mark IV versions?

AlexanderA: Trying to wrap my head around your specific recommendations.

I just want a lighter trigger pull, so perhaps I will buy the separate parts. I have no problem with the the magazine disconnect feature either way, I am used to the way it is on my old Mark II.

Any other suggestions?

P.S. Here is my old Mark II with the aftermarket parts in it. I also put an extended bolt release in it, which shows up in the second photo.

pmAc5vdmj.jpg


pmS67LJGj.jpg
 
Driftwood: I can only speak for my efforts with my MKIV. With the Volquartsen kit and my TK flat trigger, I have not had light strike. Those few rounds I do remember not firing ended up being bad rounds that wouldn't fire even when tried in the carbine. The only complication this combo caused me was had to back out the trigger take up length a bit when I removed my "Gas pedal / shelf".

442C7E21-E512-4742-B3B8-E4D235C1B400.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Driftwood Johnson said:
I recall that after installing the 'skeletonized' hammer in my Mark II I was getting light primer hits, so I put the original stock hammer back in.

Are there any problems with light primer hits with the Mark IV versions?

AlexanderA: Trying to wrap my head around your specific recommendations.

I just want a lighter trigger pull, so perhaps I will buy the separate parts. I have no problem with the the magazine disconnect feature either way, I am used to the way it is on my old Mark II.

Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...
One reason why I don't recommend the full Volquartsen kit is that it includes the skeletonized hammer. That lighter hammer is supposed to reduce the lock time, but, as you found out, at the cost of a lighter primer strike. Opinions differ on this, but I would opt for reliability over a fraction of a second faster lock time. You can't go wrong with a classic Mark II hammer, provided that the surface that interfaces with the sear is in good shape.

Another reason not to use the full Volquartsen kit is the odd profile of their trigger. Some people like it. I prefer the Clark, or even the stock Ruger. Paradoxically, the trigger itself is not that critical in getting a good trigger pull. The critical things are (a) the sear-hammer engagement, and (b) the magazine disconnect (or lack thereof).

The Mark II did not have a magazine disconnect. It started with the Mark III, and got worse with the Mark IV. That definitely has to go if you want a decent target trigger pull. As you can see in my picture, above, in the Mark IV it's a unit that includes the hammer, hammer strut, etc. Just ditch the whole thing and put in a Mark II hammer.
 
MKIV handguns can be exquisite. I enjoy mine. BUT, this is my biggest beef with the fairly pricey Ruger's MKx guns.
Driftwood Johnson said:
I was a bit disappointed in how heavy the Mark IV trigger is.
Click to expand...


It takes another $250+ to get a good trigger into one. Unless one's willing to put in the added expense, I recommend a Victory or a Buckmark for the best OOB experience.
 
The Volquartson accurizing kit is available for $157 and that is all you need for an excellent trigger on the MK IV. Rimfire Sports has it for less but they out of stock right now. A long nosed tweezer made installing the sear much easier, at least for me.
 
doubleh said:
The Volquartson accurizing kit is available for $157 and that is all you need for an excellent trigger on the MK IV.
Click to expand...
Opinions vary on this. I personally don't like the --
1. Skeletonized hammer.
2. Weird profile on trigger.

Volquartsen trigger vs. Clark trigger (for example). Which do you prefer?

pmAc5vdmj.jpg
IMG_0206a.jpg

So, you're left with the Volquartsen sear. Combine that with a Mark II hammer, and you're good to go. (Cheaper solution, too.)

Either way, you have gotten rid of the magazine disconnect, which is the main thing.
 
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AlexanderA said:
So, you're left with the Volquartsen sear. Combine that with a Mark II hammer, and you're good to go. (Cheaper solution, too.)
Click to expand...

I have no problem with the profile of the Volquartsen trigger. As you can see from my photo above, my old Mark II has one in it. Volquartsen sells the trigger separately.

I do not see Volquartsen selling the sear.

https://volquartsen.com/departments/mk_iv_parts

Am I missing something?

When you say Mark II Hammer, do you mean a stock Ruger Mark II hammer? The only Mark II hammer I see Volquartsen selling is the skeletonized version. I agree with you, I was getting light hits with the skeletonized hammer in my Mark II and put the original hammer back in.

https://volquartsen.com/departments/internal-parts-for-ruger-mkii-mkiii

Does Ruger sell the Mark II hammer?
 
AlexanderA said:
Opinions vary on this. I personally don't like the --
1. Skeletonized hammer.
2. Weird profile on trigger.

Volquartsen trigger vs. Clark trigger (for example). Which do you prefer?

View attachment 1159051
View attachment 1159052

So, you're left with the Volquartsen sear. Combine that with a Mark II hammer, and you're good to go. (Cheaper solution, too.)

Either way, you have gotten rid of the magazine disconnect, which is the main thing.
Click to expand...

Volquartson for me and I don't find it weird at all. That is why I advocate that each person should set up their gun to suit them. We are a variety of physical specimens and what works well for one may not for another.
 
Driftwood Johnson said:
I have no problem with the profile of the Volquartsen trigger. As you can see from my photo above, my old Mark II has one in it. Volquartsen sells the trigger separately.
Click to expand...
This is a matter of taste. As for myself, I prefer even the stock Ruger trigger over the VQ one.
Driftwood Johnson said:
I do not see Volquartsen selling the sear.
Click to expand...
https://volquartsen.com/inventory_configurations/747 Ignore the statement "Not for use with MK IV pistols." It works fine in my Mark IV, since I have a Mark II hammer in it (and no magazine disconnect). In other words, the guts of my gun are all Mark II.
Driftwood Johnson said:
When you say Mark II Hammer, do you mean a stock Ruger Mark II hammer?
Click to expand...
Yes.
Driftwood Johnson said:
Does Ruger sell the Mark II hammer?
Click to expand...
No. They're available on ebay for $20 - 25. (Three of them are on there currently.) Look carefully at the pictures, to see the condition of the sear mating surface.

The Ruger Mark series has a lot of backwards compatibility. You can mix and match whatever suits you. Of course, Ruger doesn't like people doing this.
 
Driftwood Johnson said:
I have no problem with the profile of the Volquartsen trigger. As you can see from my photo above, my old Mark II has one in it. Volquartsen sells the trigger separately.

I do not see Volquartsen selling the sear.

https://volquartsen.com/departments/mk_iv_parts

Am I missing something?

When you say Mark II Hammer, do you mean a stock Ruger Mark II hammer? The only Mark II hammer I see Volquartsen selling is the skeletonized version. I agree with you, I was getting light hits with the skeletonized hammer in my Mark II and put the original hammer back in.

https://volquartsen.com/departments/internal-parts-for-ruger-mkii-mkiii

Does Ruger sell the Mark II hammer?
Click to expand...

Here's the sear. Best place, price & customer service for Rimfire products.
Rimfire Sports & Custom: Volquartsen Ruger Mark II / III & 22/45 Target Sear
 
i just bought the same ruger mark IV competition 2 weeks ago and have brought it to the range twice. my main gripe with the trigger is that the reset feels " floppy" and longer than my old mark 2. the trigger press doesn't bother me as much. i recommend putting blue loctite on the set screws of the rear sight. it takes a tiny allen wrench. after the last range session i saw one almost completely backed out. my son and his friend were shooting it. i haven't had light primer strikes but i have had stove pipes with fed automatch much more often than with my old mark2. the bolt ears are sharp and i wondered where i was bleeding from during the first range session. finally figured the small cut on the side of my index finger was from that so i am racking it with the pads of my fingers now. i found that i didn't like the target grip as much as i thought i would. i actually prefer the feel of the cheap rubber hogue grips i had on the mark 2 but it sure is pretty on the gun.

love the breakdown. i had been getting whitish granules between the mating surface in the front after range session. thought it was powder granules but not sure if that is what it is.

i will try to find this thread when i am ready to upgrade the trigger.

i actually traded in the mark2 to offset the purchase and despite the trigger i am happy with it.

20230630_072834.jpg
 
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