Ruger MKIV - Anyone having light strike issues?

F

forindooruseonly

Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2011
Messages
1,006
Reaction score
1,811
Location
Southwest Oklahoma
So, my Ruger MKIV is acting up. I get occasional light strikes causing a failure to fire. I'm shooting CCI Standard Velocity, and it happens when the gun is both clean and dirty. Even on fired cases, the strike mark is marginal IMO.

This Ruger has done this since new and it has become progressively worse, or maybe just more noticeable now that the new has worn off. Has anyone had this problem? If so, did you DIY a fix, or did you return it to Ruger?
 
IMHO the firing pins on the new MkIV's have a significant design flaw. That new "lightning hole" makes them subject to fatigue cracking. Mine cracked at around 500 rounds. I would strongly suggest that you replace the FP with either one from MkII or III, or better yet replace it with one from Volquartson, which will very likely also solve your light strike issue. -S2
 

Attachments

  • 20170927_164652_001.jpg
    20170927_164652_001.jpg
    49.7 KB · Views: 44
Hmm. Thanks for the information. I've been contemplating putting a whole VQ kit in it, but I finally got used to the trigger and figured I'd leave it be for now. This kinda changes things, I guess I'll be back to shopping for a kit.
 
forindooruseonly said:
Hmm. Thanks for the information. I've been contemplating putting a whole VQ kit in it, but I finally got used to the trigger and figured I'd leave it be for now. This kinda changes things, I guess I'll be back to shopping for a kit.
Click to expand...

Couple of thoughts based on my MK I/II/III and IV ownership experience.

You should know that the MK IV Volquartzen "accessorizing kit" does not come with a new firing pin. It really only addresses the trigger train. You will need to order this part separately if you decide to go that route.

Also, before I changed out parts of any kind, I'd send the gun back through Ruger. Ruger (usually) will not return aftermarket parts from warranty guns .

That said, before I changed anything, I'd try a different brand Match/Target grade ammo. A different ammo may tell you if it's related to the gun, CCI primers or if the case moving forward with the pin on the strike ( due to inconsistent bullet diameters.)

hth
 
Last edited:
Mine has been perfect after ~1000 rounds and minimal cleaning. In fact I can't remember a FTF or a FTE.
 
Wee Hooker said:
Couple of thoughts based on my MK I/II/III and IV ownership experience.
Click to expand...
I don't think there ever was a MKI. I believe the first one was called the Ruger Standard. Yes, I'm a little OCD.


I can't remember any of my MKII or MKIII pistols having a light strike. I've never let them get dirty either. I don't think I've ever gone more than 200 rounds without cleaning. I don't have a MKIV either, but I wish I did.
 
Wee Hooker said:
Couple of thoughts based on my MK I/II/III and IV ownership experience.

You should know that the MK IV Volquartzen "accessorizing kit" does not come with a new firing pin. It really only addresses the trigger train. You will need to order this part separately if you decide to go that route.

Also, before I changed out parts of any kind, I'd send the gun back through Ruger. Ruger )usually) will not return aftermarket parts from warranty guns .

That said, before I changed anything, I'd try a different brand Match/Target grade ammo. A different ammo may tell you if it's related to the gun, CCI primers or if the case moving forward with the pin on the strike ( due to inconsistent bullet diameters.)

hth
Click to expand...

I mostly shoot suppressed and I buy CCI standard in bulk, it's what I use in my other pistols, so I'll have to make it work in this one. That said, it's a good idea and I'll take some different manufacturer loads out and see what it does.

My MKII is a tank, and it has to get extremely dirty before it starts to act up. That is a good thing, as I enjoy disassembling a MK II just about as much as anyone else does.

I'm debating what to do. I'm leaning on changing the parts anyway to get rid of the magazine disconnect and improving the trigger (I already have a thread on how I'm less than impressed with the trigger) and changing the firing pin at the same time would be easy. But, it would be nice to have the factory make it work before I start changing parts.

I will try with some different ammo before anything else.
 
Every MKIV should have the firing pin replaced.

Yours may be cracked and that's what's causing the light strikes.

Start by doing that and you may need nothing else.

The firing pin is flawed and must be replaced anyway.

Using it when cracked and partially broken can damage your breech face and cause far more serious problems.
 
Last edited:
fishcreekrim said:
My MKIII has light strikes when it gets dirty, I clean it and I am good until it gets dirty. Obviously this is not your issue, good luck.
Click to expand...

Well, folks say clean, but is it REALLY clean? Is the Bolt assy taken apart and the FP taken out and cleaned and everything thoroughly cleaned out? Also, weak hits also = weak springs.
 
Rastoff said:
I don't think there ever was a MKI. I believe the first one was called the Ruger Standard. Yes, I'm a little OCD.


I can't remember any of my MKII or MKIII pistols having a light strike. I've never let them get dirty either. I don't think I've ever gone more than 200 rounds without cleaning. I don't have a MKIV either, but I wish I did.
Click to expand...
On the box of my first Ruger it says MKI Target, my nephew has the gun and box but I found the owners manual and it says "MKI Target and Standard model automatic pistols.
So at some point in time the term MKI was used by Ruger.
True it was MKI Target but it did say MKI...so technically speaking there was a MKI .
Gary
 
Rastoff said:
I don't think there ever was a MKI. I believe the first one was called the Ruger Standard. Yes, I'm a little OCD.


I can't remember any of my MKII or MKIII pistols having a light strike. I've never let them get dirty either. I don't think I've ever gone more than 200 rounds without cleaning. I don't have a MKIV either, but I wish I did.
Click to expand...

You are partially right sir ;-)

The first model built in 1949 was considered the Standard. ( My first .22 handgun actually.) Shortly after in 1950, the MK I Target was introduced. This one wore a longer barrel and adjustable target sights. The Standard and Mark I Shared production until the MK II took over in 1981 (as I recall).

I will agree that light strikes were an extremely rare instance in any of the 12+ Ruger MK series I've owned over the years. ( MK III's always seemed the most problematic to me though.)

Attached is a picture of my beloved 1958 vintage MK I target. (If you look closely, you can see the "MARK I" stamped on the receiver.
 
Last edited:
Volquartsen recently announced a gel wedge to insert in Mark IVs to firm up the lock-up of frame and receiver. Go to their website for details as I suspect your problem relates to loose Mark IV lock-up.

Good Luck.

PS my Ruger Standard bought in the early 60s as a used gun has never been cleaned and still runs perfectly. Cleaning is highly over-rated.
 
Rastoff said:
I don't think there ever was a MKI. I believe the first one was called the Ruger Standard. Yes, I'm a little OCD.
Click to expand...

gwpercle is correct. There was indeed a Mark 1 Ruger. It was called the Mark 1 Target Model. It was distinguished from the less expensive Standard Model by having a longer barrel and adjustable sights. I've attached a scan of the cover of the Instruction Manual that came with my Standard.
 

Attachments

  • Scanned Image (1).jpg
    Scanned Image (1).jpg
    60.7 KB · Views: 12
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Ruger mkiv light primer strikes
Replies
8
Views
815
CorvZ061
C
tlawler
Sig is still having issues with the P320 trigger?
2 3
Replies
41
Views
1K
Harv 24
Harv 24
SLT223
Anyone have a new Anaconda?
Replies
7
Views
397
SLT223
SLT223
6string
IHMSA Revolvers, anyone?
Replies
8
Views
548
Crookedcreek
C
J
Anyone have a gun like this?
Replies
15
Views
1K
jeffrefrig
J

Latest posts

Back
Top