.22 Automatic Recommendations?
- Thread starter LBussy
- Start date
My Mark 1 has a blank left side grip and the right side grip has the eagle in silver on a black background.
With the exception of the grips and a 6" barrel, it is identical to the one above.
Manufactured 1976 and that is the year that I bought it. It is still factory original.
The one above posted by HighValleyRanch looks as though someone put Mark III grips on a Mark I, but there is no cutout for the latch at the top.
With the exception of the grips and a 6" barrel, it is identical to the one above.
Manufactured 1976 and that is the year that I bought it. It is still factory original.
The one above posted by HighValleyRanch looks as though someone put Mark III grips on a Mark I, but there is no cutout for the latch at the top.
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HighValleyRanch
New member
Dufus,
If your is made in 1976, it is an A100 frame, the year that they changed from the old Mark I series frame to the laster version. You can tell by the curve cutout for the mag button. On your A100 frame, the mag follower button with be on the left, and the frame with have the curve on the left side.
If you observe the screw holes on the old model Mark I above, you will see that the frame is flat at the bottom of the grip frame, and that the bottom grip screw hole is very near the bottom. This ealier Mark I would have the mag follower button on the RIGHT side.
If you look at the Mark III frame above, you can see that the bottom of the left panel screw is much higher. This indicates the later A100 frame that continued on through the Mark I, II and III series.
You cannot mount the early Mark I grips on the later Mark I, Mark II or Mark III series. The scew holes are opposite positions.
If your is made in 1976, it is an A100 frame, the year that they changed from the old Mark I series frame to the laster version. You can tell by the curve cutout for the mag button. On your A100 frame, the mag follower button with be on the left, and the frame with have the curve on the left side.
If you observe the screw holes on the old model Mark I above, you will see that the frame is flat at the bottom of the grip frame, and that the bottom grip screw hole is very near the bottom. This ealier Mark I would have the mag follower button on the RIGHT side.
If you look at the Mark III frame above, you can see that the bottom of the left panel screw is much higher. This indicates the later A100 frame that continued on through the Mark I, II and III series.
You cannot mount the early Mark I grips on the later Mark I, Mark II or Mark III series. The scew holes are opposite positions.
For the first couple years the Ruger 22 Automatic Pistol had the red eagle medallion on the left hand grip and the right grip had no medallion. Following Mr. Sturm's death in 1951, the eagle medallion on the left grip was changed from red to black in 1952.
The Mark I Target model with adjustable sights was introduced shortly after the standard model. It appears the early Mark I Target Models had no medallion on the left side. There seems to have been a number of variations of the standard black checkered grips on the 22 Automatics during the first 33 years. Black eagles with silver backgrounds, silver eagles on black backgrounds. And there were some with no medallions.
BTW, as far as I can determine, the standard model with fixed sights (made until 1982)was never actually marketed as a Mark I.
Most Mark II models seem to have had some form of black/silver medallions(though some appear to have had no medallions). In 1999 an anniversary model of the Mark II came with red eagle grips. Edit: Looks like some of the late Mark II models had some form of red eagle medallion as well.
At least some (perhaps most? Or all?) Mark III pistols had red eagle medallion grips.
There were also 22 Automatics of various vintages with wood grips as well as other grips with various medallions. Above, I just tried to generally summarize the medallions of the standard black checkered plastic grips for the different series.
The Mark I Target model with adjustable sights was introduced shortly after the standard model. It appears the early Mark I Target Models had no medallion on the left side. There seems to have been a number of variations of the standard black checkered grips on the 22 Automatics during the first 33 years. Black eagles with silver backgrounds, silver eagles on black backgrounds. And there were some with no medallions.
BTW, as far as I can determine, the standard model with fixed sights (made until 1982)was never actually marketed as a Mark I.
Most Mark II models seem to have had some form of black/silver medallions(though some appear to have had no medallions). In 1999 an anniversary model of the Mark II came with red eagle grips. Edit: Looks like some of the late Mark II models had some form of red eagle medallion as well.
At least some (perhaps most? Or all?) Mark III pistols had red eagle medallion grips.
There were also 22 Automatics of various vintages with wood grips as well as other grips with various medallions. Above, I just tried to generally summarize the medallions of the standard black checkered plastic grips for the different series.
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SGW Gunsmith
Moderator
The Ruger Mark IV version is a very fine example of the Ruger Mark pistols evolving status. For someone to post that these guns are "breaking down at an alarming rate", is just plain FALSE. Especially when NONE of those accusations posted previously were identified. Could be just a case of "sour grapes" 'cause the BOSS won't allow the purchase of a new pistol. 
The so-called "safety recall" was done over a dubious complaint and because the allegations involved the "SAFETY", sales came to an immediate halt until whatever the alleged issue actually turned out to be.
I've had ELEVEN Ruger Mark IV pistols cross my bench for trigger pull weight reduction, and that was done to a very safe and secure degree. Some were after the recall, some involved guns that were NOT sent back for the "free magazine". So, I've actually done some comparisons and therefore gained a bit of knowledge involving the Ruger Mark IV pistols, and there are a few features that new owners want changed. That's no different than any new handgun getting modifications to suit the owner.
The Ruger Mark IV is a fine specimen of what Ruger is now producing.
The so-called "safety recall" was done over a dubious complaint and because the allegations involved the "SAFETY", sales came to an immediate halt until whatever the alleged issue actually turned out to be.
I've had ELEVEN Ruger Mark IV pistols cross my bench for trigger pull weight reduction, and that was done to a very safe and secure degree. Some were after the recall, some involved guns that were NOT sent back for the "free magazine". So, I've actually done some comparisons and therefore gained a bit of knowledge involving the Ruger Mark IV pistols, and there are a few features that new owners want changed. That's no different than any new handgun getting modifications to suit the owner.
The Ruger Mark IV is a fine specimen of what Ruger is now producing.
The original standard model Rufus pictured is one of the several grip variants. No medallion on left, silver/black medallion on right grip.
The first handgun I owned was similar to that one, fixed sights, 6 inch barrel. I don't recall where the grip medallion(s) was (were) located. I believe it was made a few years later (~1978 or so).
The first handgun I owned was similar to that one, fixed sights, 6 inch barrel. I don't recall where the grip medallion(s) was (were) located. I believe it was made a few years later (~1978 or so).
Actually I found that little gem I pictured earlier for $175.
OK gents. The Ruger .22lr Competition is $749.
https://ruger.com/products/markIVCompetition/models.html
The Volquartsen parts and conversions for that basic Ruger run up to $2,000 + and many a Ruger shooter goes down that rabbit hole in search of salvation.
The Hämmerli will still be worth every penny you pay for it today in 40+ years from now and not $175 like LBussy's Ruger.
And BTW a new Hämmerli Xesse is $879 and not $2.000. Yep !!!
http://www.larrysguns.com/Products/...rd-22lr__Hammerli-spc-Xesse-spc-Standard.aspx
https://ruger.com/products/markIVCompetition/models.html
The Volquartsen parts and conversions for that basic Ruger run up to $2,000 + and many a Ruger shooter goes down that rabbit hole in search of salvation.
The Hämmerli will still be worth every penny you pay for it today in 40+ years from now and not $175 like LBussy's Ruger.
And BTW a new Hämmerli Xesse is $879 and not $2.000. Yep !!!
http://www.larrysguns.com/Products/...rd-22lr__Hammerli-spc-Xesse-spc-Standard.aspx
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I have a Benelli MP95E. For a nice Italian, target pistol, they are hard to beat. The Hammerli Xesse used to be marketed in the U.S. as the Sig Trailside. A friend of mine has one, and loves it except for the plastic mags.
Areoflyer09
New member
To be fair you specifically called out the 208S in your first post, of which there are only two on gunbroker and both are over 2k.
I’d bet majority of the Rugers that have been sold have little to no modification done to them. While some may have large amounts dropped in them, it’s a small percentage of the whole.
Areoflyer09
New member
No worries, they aren’t my favorites either. I have little doubt they are awesome pistols, but I have yet to pick one that feels as right as my SW422 does. I’m slowly coming to terms that I want to move up from my 422, it’s probably going to be a used Model 41.Correct on both counts and I allowed my dislike of Rutgers get the better of me.
Now if I came across a Ruger at the price LBussy did, I’d buy it on the spot. Can’t have too many 22s, even if they aren’t all a favorite.
stuckinthe60s
New member
thanks for the new mk3 update info.
for plinking, I think he did well.
I would have gone high standard myself, but....hey. long as it goes bang.
for plinking, I think he did well.
I would have gone high standard myself, but....hey. long as it goes bang.
HisSoldier
New member
the rash of recent 1911 shaped .22's are mostly made of pot metal, well, actually pots use much better material.