Help identifying Ruger .22 pistol
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OP
Applied texture to the grip frame front and back. I'm assuming this and the target grips are after market?
I haven't found any images of a Ruger .22 with this rear sight. Thoughts/opinions?
and finally, are these factory mags? The chrome looks funky, but I'm not a Ruger aficionado.
I just got this from my Dad's collection so I don't know anything about it.
Thanks for the help.
I haven't found any images of a Ruger .22 with this rear sight. Thoughts/opinions?
and finally, are these factory mags? The chrome looks funky, but I'm not a Ruger aficionado.
I just got this from my Dad's collection so I don't know anything about it.
Thanks for the help.
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CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Looks like a 1957 serial number range. Those magazines are factory. Wood grips and stippling are after market. Condition is outstanding. I have my grandfather's Ruger that dates to 1952-standard model. Those early Rugers are TIGHT and re-assembly will be difficult if you take it down. I'd suggest that you NOT try to separate the receiver/barrel from the grip frame. Hang on to those magazines as finding replacements factory will be nigh on impossible.
No such thing as a Mark I. That came about when the Mk II's came out and they didn't know what to call the earlier pistols so Mk I just stuck-sounded better than the Mk II and the old model
No such thing as a Mark I. That came about when the Mk II's came out and they didn't know what to call the earlier pistols so Mk I just stuck-sounded better than the Mk II and the old model
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CAJUNLAWYER
Member
I believe it's the bull barrel target model. I thing they made a target model standard barrel but now I'm getting a little out of my depth-I added to my post above regarding the Mk I question
OP
Thanks Caj.
I've been going through my father's collection and this is one of about 20 pistols that I've claimed for myself. My brother and I are splitting up most of the collection, giving some to our children, and I took some beaters to a local auction house.
Lots of S&W revolvers and a handful of Colts.
I've been going through my father's collection and this is one of about 20 pistols that I've claimed for myself. My brother and I are splitting up most of the collection, giving some to our children, and I took some beaters to a local auction house.
Lots of S&W revolvers and a handful of Colts.
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Puller
Member
I agree with Caj that it's a Ruger Standard Target model. The lack of a bolt lock and the magazines are a giveaway.
The grips may indeed be factory, some MKII Target models came with those grips back in the day and I bought a set years ago for a MKII directly from Ruger.
The grips may indeed be factory, some MKII Target models came with those grips back in the day and I bought a set years ago for a MKII directly from Ruger.
Ruger did indeed build a tapered barrel target model-6 7/8" (IIRC) barrel with an adjustable rear sight and the hawk's bill front sight like the OP's Ruger.
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Your father left you some very nice guns. Good to hear that the bulk of the better guns will stay in the family. As far as this Ruger is concerned, I'm no Ruger expert but this appears to be an early heavy barrel target model. Early features include the non scalloped frame by the bolt, the A-54 frame & lack of the bolt lock to hold back slide after last shot.
The stipled frame is done aftermarket, but a nice touch for a serious target gun. I might suggest posting this on the Ruger Forum for more detailed information. I've never seen that style of rear sight before, although I believe to be factory. The two magazines are the correct 9 shot factory mags for the Mark I series, unmarked.
The stipled frame is done aftermarket, but a nice touch for a serious target gun. I might suggest posting this on the Ruger Forum for more detailed information. I've never seen that style of rear sight before, although I believe to be factory. The two magazines are the correct 9 shot factory mags for the Mark I series, unmarked.
DWalt
Member
Your magazine is correct for the early Rugers. I have a standard model from the early 50s and it has its original magazine of the same appearance. Mine has a weak spring and it results in feeding problems so I do not use it. I once looked for a replacement magazine spring without success. Not sure I could install it even if I found one. I bought a couple of MecGar magazines for it and they work OK. I know nothing about Ruger target rear sights.
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I’ve forgotten a lot,but that’s a very early bull barrel. You can learn a lot of the history of these at rimfire central in the stickies
OP
I found a serial number list on Rimfire Central. Caj is dead on at 1957. I modified the OP to indicate a 5 1/2" barrel. I found this on Wikipedia:
--Introduced in 1950, the MK I Target model was basically the same as the Standard pistol, except that it boasted a 6.875-inch (17.46 cm) barrel, adjustable target style trigger, a "Micro" adjustable rear sight, and a front sight blade undercut to reduce glare. In 1952, a 5.25-inch (13.3 cm) barreled version of the MK I Target was added to the lineup, but manufactured only through 1957, making it a collectible rarity today. A 5.5-inch (14 cm) heavy bull barreled version of the MK I Target became available in 1963, eventually becoming the most popular length for Ruger Target MK pistols. Like their Standard model brethren, target models underwent the A 100 grip frame redesign in 1971. --
If this is a 1957 pistol with a 5 1/2" bull barrel, it may be a replacement...unless I don't know how to measure and then it may be a rarity.
I'm thinking replacement barrel at the time of the other customizations.
Thanks for all the comments. I would 'like' them all, but that feature isn't working for me right now.
--Introduced in 1950, the MK I Target model was basically the same as the Standard pistol, except that it boasted a 6.875-inch (17.46 cm) barrel, adjustable target style trigger, a "Micro" adjustable rear sight, and a front sight blade undercut to reduce glare. In 1952, a 5.25-inch (13.3 cm) barreled version of the MK I Target was added to the lineup, but manufactured only through 1957, making it a collectible rarity today. A 5.5-inch (14 cm) heavy bull barreled version of the MK I Target became available in 1963, eventually becoming the most popular length for Ruger Target MK pistols. Like their Standard model brethren, target models underwent the A 100 grip frame redesign in 1971. --
If this is a 1957 pistol with a 5 1/2" bull barrel, it may be a replacement...unless I don't know how to measure and then it may be a rarity.
I'm thinking replacement barrel at the time of the other customizations.
Thanks for all the comments. I would 'like' them all, but that feature isn't working for me right now.
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Yes, the pre-Mark I guns were stamped as this one is.
If you have not already done so, the Ruger website has a serial number lookup feature, and if you’re really curious I believe you can get a factory letter to see it was an original 5 1/2” Target.
If you have not already done so, the Ruger website has a serial number lookup feature, and if you’re really curious I believe you can get a factory letter to see it was an original 5 1/2” Target.
"If this is a 1957 pistol with a 5 1/2" bull barrel, it may be a replacement...unless I don't know how to measure and then it may be a rarity."
Make sure the pistol is empty. Run a cleaning rod down the barrel and mark it at the muzzle, then measure.
Make sure the pistol is empty. Run a cleaning rod down the barrel and mark it at the muzzle, then measure.
I think it’s a 57 frame and receiver with a later bull barrel and an aftermarket rear sight.Interesting gun. One of mine is a 58 target with aftermarket grips and a very nice trigger job.The other is a 54 standard.The rear sight on the target is a micro sight
I haven't found any images of a Ruger .22 with this rear sight. Thoughts/opinions?
I just got this from my Dad's collection so I don't know anything about it.
Thanks for the help.
I think I can help you with the rear sight. They are aftermarket but might not be from Micro. From checking one of my guns and an original catalog, I am very sure that it was a sight made by John Giles, an old time pistolsmith and the proprietor of Giles .45 Shop that was started in 1951. Because of the appearance, his sights are sometimes called "wagon wheel" sights.
According to the catalog I have, Giles offered stipling on the front and rear straps as an additional option. However, I have never seen a Giles gun without at least the stipling on the front strap.
If there was a flat surface, like a rib, there probably would be an engraving saying "Giles .45 Shop, Odessa, Florida." But here there is no flat surface for doing that, so that is not surprising that the engraving is absent.
Check through your dad's records to see if you can find the work bill, bill of sale and/or a test target. The Giles .45 Shop started in Clearwater, FL in 1951 and moved to Odessa, FL in 1957 and was in business into the 1980s. I remember talking with him over the phone after I acquired one of his guns.
If you can document that John Giles did an accuracy job on this gun, rather than just installing a rear sight, you will really have something. The catalog I have didn't list Ruger .22s, but said that the High Standard .22 pistols he turned out would put 5 shots into 3/4" at 50 yards.
Take it out and shoot it. Best wishes and I hope you enjoy this legacy from your dad.
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If this is a 1957 pistol with a 5 1/2" bull barrel, it may be a replacement...unless I don't know how to measure and then it may be a rarity.
I'm thinking replacement barrel at the time of the other customizations.
Thanks for all the comments. I would 'like' them all, but that feature isn't working for me right now.
To the best of my knowledge and belief, John Giles used Shilen barrels on his customized .22 High Standard pistols. So a replacement barrel here is within the realm of possibility.
that is a wonderful Ruger from when that was all Ruger made really... I inherited my father's ruger 22.. it has a 4 digit serial number... one of the "red eagle"... it lives as a safe queen...
OP
Thank you for this info.
I've gone over the entire pistol without taking it apart (except for the grips). There are only factory markings on the pistol. The barrel is unmarked.
The trigger seems to have been tuned. Small take up and very light pull.
My father didn't commission the work. He frequented auctions in south Georgia so it's very possibly a FLA pistol.
Even if it's not a Giles gun, it's nice to put a name on the rear sight.
Thanks again.
You're welcome.
Your description of the trigger would seem to increase the possibility that this gun was customized by John Giles.
I have two hardball Government Models that were customized by Giles and without having the rib on the slide there is no engraving of the shop name. So I'm not surprised there isn't the engraving of the shop name on your dad's gun.
Mark Pilcher
Member
Mark I and Mark II magazines can interchange, IIRC. You have to swap the buttons to the other side, though.
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