The Ruger MKIV handguns

[Alex Clayton]

This is well and good, but the upper is not the source of the problems in the Mark IV. It's the internal parts (contained within the grip frame) that have to be reworked in order to have a decent target gun.

The other thing to note is that the upper is the serialized "gun" requiring FFL transfer. You can swap grip frames freely.

I was kind of wondering about that too. Have used MK's with Volquatsen and Clark triggers and they are DAMN nice but not sure what the "upside" is about one of their uppers? I know one of the BIG things that will very often fix a MK that has feeding problems is one of their extractors. Have many times over the years seen someone who had a MK that did not want to feed well try replacing the factory extractor with one made by them and problems stopped but, that's a cheap easy to replace part. Are their barrels "better enough" to be worth it or something?

 

[Alex Clayton]

Rugged, Reliable Firearms. I think that's the Ruger moto. I chose the 22/45 Lite for my .22 pistol because it had the most aftermarket parts available. Generally just fine for most of us want from a .22. If I had to do it over again I would have stuck with the Buckmark, though.

As I've noted elsewhere there's always a nit with Ruger. Both of my 22/45s require different tools to adjust windage and elevation. And then don't get me started on the MK III and MK IV magazine differences. I solved mine by cutting a slot in the back of my guns, rather than modifying all my mags.

I read this here from another poster and its odd. Don't have my MKIII any more but sure the rear was like the MKII and MKIV I have. They have a slotted for both windage and elevation. The damn mags did really piss me off. When Wife got the III there were as always no factory to be had. Took a long time to finally lay in another 10 or so. Then when I got the IV same thing, no one had mags. By the time I laid in a dozen or so I then found out the MKIII mags worked in the MKII I still had. Then found the MKIV also work in the MKII. So I bought more MKIV mags so I can just take them when I take either pistol. One day I got to the range with the MKIV and all I had was a dozen MKIII mags. If not for the one in the pistol I would not have been able to shoot it
I do wish Ruger would pick one damn mag and stick with it!

 

[film495]

I picked up a MKII a while back. The newer versions look a little different than the older style, but the II is the same as the original designs, and only has the last round hold open as a difference. I guess I'm a sucker for the classics. They are all good - only thing is I threw in the towel on some aftermarket mags, found a few Ruger ones for reasonable on e-bay and haven't looked back. Has never jammed a single round on the factory mags, but I haven't really put that many through it, and use pretty good ammo since .22 is not very pricey.

 

[kell]

My MKII has a steel frame. I never thought about it being stamped and welded, so I just took it apart to see and it appears that is the case. It took less than 3 min. to open it up and put it back together. I didn't take out the bolt but that's pretty simple. What I've learned is: Be careful of the rebound spring assy. under the firing pin; Don't forget the firing pin stop; The key to getting the mainspring housing back in is to keep an eye on the hammer strut. If you do it a whole bunch of times, it'll get pretty easy.

 

[Spats McGee]

This is well and good, but the upper is not the source of the problems in the Mark IV. It's the internal parts (contained within the grip frame) that have to be reworked in order to have a decent target gun.

That's not a real problem for me, but I'm just a lowly plinker. I don't need quarter-sized groups on a cantaloupe in a pasture.

The other thing to note is that the upper is the serialized "gun" requiring FFL transfer. You can swap grip frames freely.

Yes, this is true. That's why I wrote:

....Cost me the princely sum of $80, including shipping and transfer....

 

[AlexanderA]

The damn mags did really piss me off. When Wife got the III there were as always no factory to be had. Took a long time to finally lay in another 10 or so. Then when I got the IV same thing, no one had mags. By the time I laid in a dozen or so I then found out the MKIII mags worked in the MKII I still had. Then found the MKIV also work in the MKII. So I bought more MKIV mags so I can just take them when I take either pistol. One day I got to the range with the MKIV and all I had was a dozen MKIII mags. If not for the one in the pistol I would not have been able to shoot it
I do wish Ruger would pick one damn mag and stick with it!

I had good luck buying all the parts for magazines directly from Ruger Customer Service, and assembling them myself. (Takes about a minute.) The strange thing was, the sum of the costs for the parts was less than the cost of a complete magazine! (Maybe Ruger has since wised up to this, and corrected the glitch.)

I found that the latest magazines are backwards compatible all the way back to the Mark I and Standard, if you shift the follower button over to the other side. (The old ones are not forward compatible, though.)

 

[Alex Clayton]

I had good luck buying all the parts for magazines directly from Ruger Customer Service, and assembling them myself. (Takes about a minute.) The strange thing was, the sum of the costs for the parts was less than the cost of a complete magazine! (Maybe Ruger has since wised up to this, and corrected the glitch.)

I found that the latest magazines are backwards compatible all the way back to the Mark I and Standard, if you shift the follower button over to the other side. (The old ones are not forward compatible, though.)

Strange damn way they at Ruger do things there. When I bought the MKIII and MKIV the factory was of course sold out of mags. Never heard of the buying them as parts. Don't know if those were available or not. Will have to remember that if they come out with a MKV and mags of course are different
Both times I ended up buying mags of E-Bay. They have always been like looking for guns on the auction when they first hit. Always some there, just a matter of price. So when new I kept watching till someone had mags for close to the Factory price. Even now Ebay still has them cheaper.
Just bought 4 more Factory MKIV new in package for $54 and change. I have to guess some of the re-sellers there must buy the damn things in huge lots at a time.
Wife has been eyeing one of the MKIV's with the 12inch Tube. I keep telling her if she likes it buy one. Of course if when she does will need more damn mags of that kind next

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I believe that is a 10" barrel, not 12".

 

[Alex Clayton]

I believe that is a 10" barrel, not 12".

Yep, only problem is it's at least so far, only in the standard style not the 22/45. Which I am guessing means more damn mags to buy
Be more than worth it if she likes it. Anything that will get her to the range more is fine with me. Been tempted to just buy her one but she keeps going back and forth on which one she wants. Guess I could just buy one of each?

 

[AlexanderA]

When I bought the MKIII and MKIV the factory was of course sold out of mags. Never heard of the buying them as parts. Don't know if those were available or not.

Assembling the magazines from parts was something I did a few years ago, so this info might be outdated. The availability of magazine parts was not widely advertised by Ruger. The only way to find out about it was to call Customer Service on the phone. But the operator, once you got through, was very helpful and accommodating. They were aware that the overall price was less doing it this way, but they didn't care. (As I recall, I saved a couple of dollars per magazine.)

 

[Alex Clayton]

Assembling the magazines from parts was something I did a few years ago, so this info might be outdated. The availability of magazine parts was not widely advertised by Ruger. The only way to find out about it was to call Customer Service on the phone. But the operator, once you got through, was very helpful and accommodating. They were aware that the overall price was less doing it this way, but they didn't care. (As I recall, I saved a couple of dollars per magazine.)

If they change things again and I end up with a new pistol no mags are out there for believe me I will remember and give it a try. Sure can't hurt to give it a call!! Good info to keep in mind for next time! At least if Wife does pull the trigger on the long tube one she wants there is plenty of mags for it now. Just a hassle that I have another type of mag to keep track of so I don't end up at the range with mags that do not fit the pistol I have with me again,

 

[Jammersix]

I'm sort of surprised...

I own a few 1911s, a Mk IV 22/45, and the Mk IV has always struck me as touchy, difficult and for-teaching-only.

1911s are much easier to strip down and reassemble, and it surprises me that someone would say that about the Mk IV, with it's inverted flopping pin that has to be inserted in the... , wait, that's not right...

It's as sensitive to dirt as any AR, and it has a limited number of rounds before the residue means the malfunctions will start. But it's good for teaching, because it's good to teach about that clock and malfunctions. A lot of new students come to class without realizing that guns are machines, and machines all malfunction.

 

[AlexanderA]

Ruger Mark I - II - III - IV magazines are a subject for collecting in and of themselves. The variations are endless (even regarding such things as the color of the emblem on the bottom of the baseplate). But, generally speaking, newer magazines will work in older pistols. The big change was when the A100 frame was introduced midway through Mark I production, and the follower button was switched over to the other side. But on subsequent magazines, the follower button could be on either side, depending on how the magazine was assembled. When the 1911-style magazine catch was introduced on the Mark III, a new notch was added to the magazine to accommodate it. This doesn't prevent the new magazine from fitting in Mark I and II pistols.

 

[Olon]

If you shoot a lot of 22's, there is simply no finer 22 handgun than the Ruger MKIV's. I have owned quite a few different brands and none are as reliable, as easy to maintain, as accurate to shoot 10's of 1000's of rds without so much as a hiccup than the MKIV's. I need a 22 handgun that is able to just work, to do it's job effortlessly, to feed, fire and extract flawlessly any brand or type of 22 ammo I feed it. To be able to strip it down, clean it thoroughly and put it back together with my eyes closed in a matter of minutes. The MKIV allows that like no other 22 available. Today I purchased my 3rd MKIV, a 22/45 Tactical, which will join my other two, a 22/45 Lite and 22/45 5.5in. I don't even brother looking at other brands any more because none of them is overall as well designed for a very high volume shooter like me.

Stop it, I want one but I need to be patient lol

 

[triplebike]

For those who like the Mark IV (I do), Volquartsen occasionally sells uppers on clearance. I have a 22/45 Lite that I can now turn into a 22/45 Target when I want. Cost me the princely sum of $80, including shipping and transfer.

ETA: Just for the record, that was $80 for the bare bones upper without sights.

On Voltquartsen website right now;

This upper includes the Ruger® case with matching serial number and adjustable sights. The push-button takedown makes switching uppers easier than switching from open sights to an optic or vice versa. This makes it the perfect back-up barrel if you’re like us and sending a lot of 22 LR rounds downrange, or replacement for an existing barrel that’s starting to show some wear.

• Brand new upper removed from a factory Ruger MK IV pistol, SKU # 40107
• 5.5" barrel
• Includes factory case with matching serial number

• Product Number: VCSCU‑0001
• UPC: N/A
• Made in the USA
• This item must ship to an FFL dealer.
• $40

 

[Spats McGee]

On Voltquartsen website right now;....

Believe me when I say I saw that. And I am so very, very tempted.

ETA: They actually have a couple of different uppers right now that I'd love to have.

 

[Alex Clayton]

Ruger Mark I - II - III - IV magazines are a subject for collecting in and of themselves. The variations are endless (even regarding such things as the color of the emblem on the bottom of the baseplate). But, generally speaking, newer magazines will work in older pistols. The big change was when the A100 frame was introduced midway through Mark I production, and the follower button was switched over to the other side. But on subsequent magazines, the follower button could be on either side, depending on how the magazine was assembled. When the 1911-style magazine catch was introduced on the Mark III, a new notch was added to the magazine to accommodate it. This doesn't prevent the new magazine from fitting in Mark I and II pistols.

I wish they would have made the mags that fit the MKIV and the MKIV 22/45 the same. At least my new MKIV 22/45 mags fit my old MKII 22/45 now. Problem is Wife wants the newer version Ruger came out with that has the 10 inch tube. So far they are only the original style. So assuming she decides which one she wants, the stainless or the blue, it will mean laying in a dozen more mags since sure looks like those are still different.

 

[AlexanderA]

I wish they would have made the mags that fit the MKIV and the MKIV 22/45 the same.

I believe the only difference in the mags is the baseplate. Buy a bunch of baseplates and switch them over. Simple and quick job.

 

[Mn Fats]

I won't be selling my MK II's anytime soon to go out and buy IV's.

I've owned all the Mark's at one point or another. I have a soft spot for the Mark II.

I still have yet to see a 22 pistol with a better combination of accuracy and stone cold eat-anything reliability than a Ruger Mk II. They're about the best 22 you could ask for... as long as you never disassemble it.

People complain about the breakdown on the Rugers. Doesn't take much imo. Just 2 or 3 times and you get it. I prefer it to the takedown on a Buckmark really.

 

[Alex Clayton]

I believe the only difference in the mags is the baseplate. Buy a bunch of baseplates and switch them over. Simple and quick job.

It most likely is. The ones I have (MKII & MKIV) the only thing that keeps them different is the base. I looked at buying some but the places I found them wanted about half what another mag costs each for them. So never bought any, just bought more mags in the MKIV style as they work in the II also. Now if Wife does get the newer model that has the longer tube it will be another change. Will see if/ When she buys it. If the MKIV mags for the original style will work in the 22/45 I will look into some base plates in that style to change over some mags so we can have mags that will work with all 3 of the MK pistols we have. I LOVE these pistols but the mags changing from model to model is a PITA
Anyone here have both an original style MK and a 22/45 MK so they can see if the original style mags lock in the 22/45??

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

I have taken mine through its paces in a pistol league and so far it has held up well. The trigger pull was not to my liking so I installed a Volquartsen trigger. Since installing the trigger I consider that MK IV a competition handgun. I have shot perfect 10s in a bullseye league.

 

[Alex Clayton]

I have taken mine through its paces in a pistol league and so far it has held up well. The trigger pull was not to my liking so I installed a Volquartsen trigger. Since installing the trigger I consider that MK IV a competition handgun. I have shot perfect 10s in a bullseye league.

Many once they get to try one with the better trigger are shocked at just what the difference is. Almost all my shooting now days is at an indoor but, when I could get to a place to shoot further? LOVED the old one I had with a Clark trigger. The Volquartsen triggers are a VERY nice addition to the MK's.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have done a pile of trigger jobs in MKs. I add a VQ sear, put set screws in the factory trigger so I can adjust out pre and post travel, then smooth up this and that plus a few other small tricks. I get a pretty nice pull for very little time or money spent.

 

[AlexanderA]

I have done a pile of trigger jobs in MKs. I add a VQ sear, put set screws in the factory trigger so I can adjust out pre and post travel, then smooth up this and that plus a few other small tricks. I get a pretty nice pull for very little time or money spent.

The sear, plus elimination of the magazine disconnect, probably accounts for 95% of the improvement in the trigger pull. I'm a bit leery of the complete Volquartsen kit, because it includes a skeletonized hammer. This is supposed to give faster lock time, but it also means a lighter primer strike. I would use a Ruger Mark II hammer, for reliability.

 

[AlexanderA]

Anyone here have both an original style MK and a 22/45 MK so they can see if the original style mags lock in the 22/45??

The body of the original style magazine will lock in the 22/45, but that won't do you any good without a baseplate. The original style baseplate is too wide for the 22/45, and will block it from seating. You have to switch baseplates if you want to do this.