Ruger MkII Target with heavy barrel

PALADIN85020 · #51 12-14-2020, 09:27 AM

The Ruger MkI bull barreled pistol illustrated here was purchased by me in 1968. I used it in bullseye competition for years and found it ideal for rapid fire, as it recovered from recoil very quickly. I modified it a bit with an external overtravel adjustment in the trigger guard. The MkI pistols do have an internal overtravel adjustment, but it's very hard to get to. I also smoothed up the release a lot just by extensive use. Right now it has the best trigger of any of my target guns.

It has also proved to be quite accurate, and I have used it as a field gun for small game quite a bit. On one outing, I spotted a crow in a tree about 50 yards away - barely a black speck at that distance. I thought I'd take the chance and fired one round carefully. Noticing that the crow did not fly away, and I could no longer see him, I trekked out to the tree. The crow was lying on the ground, shot through the head. He never knew what hit him.

The .45 was my personal pistol during my Army stint, and I had it accurized for competition then. I later upgraded some components. It's still as accurate as it was when it was first worked over by a very competent gunsmith.

John

rbrbrb6 · #52 12-14-2020, 11:27 AM

I own the same gun as the OP but mine is currently getting a integrally suppressed upper built in about an 8" length. It will look just like a stock gun but once the paperwork is done and it comes home it will be much quieter to play with in the back yard.

BigBill · #53 12-16-2020, 10:07 PM

Sweet 22’s.

CLASSIC12 · #54 12-19-2020, 06:59 AM

Congratulations, great gun. I bought mine last year, a 1990 model.

I actually also bought a 1978
Mark I the same week

And an AMT Lightning recently

Checkman · #55 06-10-2021, 08:42 PM

Okay a few months later. This is one sweet pistol. I like the heavy barrel for bullseye shooting. It just holds the pistol right there. Not one hiccup. I mixed several different brands together and it fired everything. Very pleased. I really didn't expect any issues, but still very pleased. I also field stripped it and put it back together without any effort..........no that's a lie

. Actually I had to take it to a my local gunstore and the proprietor got it back together for me. Then he asked me if I wanted to sell it!!! Anyway I have since taken it apart and reassembled it two more times. Still tricky (broke a sweat and dropped a few colorful words), but I believe I am starting to get the hang of it.

eveled · #56 06-10-2021, 10:00 PM

I have 7 Mark 2’s. 2 stainless slab side. A 5 inch bull. A stainless and a blue heavy tapered target, an anniversary standard. They are all great. My favorite is the little 4” bull barrel. I bought the matching left handed target grips, so I could have a set of factory wood grips without the thumb rests.

eveled · #57 06-10-2021, 10:20 PM

The bull barrels are awesome. I’d really like to find a great 8.

terry_tr6 · #58 06-10-2021, 11:23 PM

it's a MKI and been worked over by Clark. I added the red dot probably 20 years ago when i was shooting bullseye competition.

Mike0251 · #59 06-11-2021, 05:30 AM

Wonderful pistols! My 1993 slab side. Thanks for starting this thread, its been years since I've had her out, we got a date now!