whatnickname
Member
Okay. Admittedly I have been skeptical about the MKIV. I’m generally suspicious about a new model of anything. Between the feedback on this site and the Ruger Forum, I have been favorably impressed. I’m convinced that Ruger doesn’t make any junk. Came across a NIB Hunter Model at my LGS and decided to give it a try. First impressions were that it was well made. No surprises here. Locked up tight...although I wonder how long that little neoprene pillar under the front of the receiver will last. Not that big a deal. Took it to the range. It acted like it wanted to shoot accurately. Ruger and I have different ideas about desirable trigger characteristics. Ended up installing a Volquartsen hammer, trigger & sear. These consistently produce a trigger with a 2.5 pound trigger pull with minimal take-up and over-travel. The pistol shot one hole groups at 25 yards off a rest. Better than that, it even digested red, white & blue box CCI SV ammo without a hitch. My MKII pistols have a high failure to run rate with this fodder and my S&W 41s won’t run this ammo at all. Bet ya a nickel that Ruger backed off on the poundage of their hammer spring over this one issue alone.
No doubt about it, this pistol is a shooter. Easier to field strip than the previous models. Although I’ve never had a problem field-stripping a MKII. Better than this, I came across an individual with two, 5.5” MKIV uppers that were un-fired and bought both of them for $75 each. I now have the makings of two more projects if and when (big IF) I come across a spare grip frame or a standard model, with issues, at a reasonable price. The installation of the Volquartsen kit was easier than the MKII, owing to the fact that the safety is now two pieces and the latch with the spring loaded detent plunger installs from outside of the frame. The spring loaded detent plunger can morph into an alternate universe if you’re not careful, proving once again the old adage: The smaller the part, the further it will go!
Picture attached.
No doubt about it, this pistol is a shooter. Easier to field strip than the previous models. Although I’ve never had a problem field-stripping a MKII. Better than this, I came across an individual with two, 5.5” MKIV uppers that were un-fired and bought both of them for $75 each. I now have the makings of two more projects if and when (big IF) I come across a spare grip frame or a standard model, with issues, at a reasonable price. The installation of the Volquartsen kit was easier than the MKII, owing to the fact that the safety is now two pieces and the latch with the spring loaded detent plunger installs from outside of the frame. The spring loaded detent plunger can morph into an alternate universe if you’re not careful, proving once again the old adage: The smaller the part, the further it will go!
Picture attached.
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