bolt hold open on MKI

Hi, guys,

Rangermonroe, the answer is no. The follower extension Dennis mentions will hold the bolt open on an empty magazine but unless it is locked back manually, the bolt will close when the magazine is removed. That may be adequate to the need, but it is not the Mk II system.

Jim
 
Thanks,

I liked the link, but that is not what I wished to do.

I was asking if there is a modification/ conversion kit available, or if someone had tried and had some info available.

Has anyone tried this and failed? Or found it more trouble than worth?

Wouldn't it be possibl;e to order the parts from ruger and adapt the frame of the mark one to accept the peices, or is there a huge design diffference between the two that would make this impossible/impractical?

Thanks for the replies.
 
I do not know of a automatic type slide lock on a MK1 but a manual one is simply pulling the slide back and engaging the safety. not sure if this is what you meant.
 
Rangermonroe, let's try again. No, there is no kit. Installing a Mk II type holdopen on an older Ruger could be done but is not practical. It would involve machining the barrel extension and altering the grip frame. Unless you are a skilled machinist and can do the work yourself, it would cost a lot less to just trade in the old gun on a new Mk II. (Plus you will need a Mk II to develop the idea and set up the machinery to do the work.)

Jim
 
I have two Mark 1-1/2's.

I have two MKI style guns that I've converted to MKII Hold open styling; a Target, and a Standard model. Neither was in pristine collectible condition. I took my dimensions off of a MKII. If you are a capable machinist, it's pretty simple really, but cost prohibitive to pay someone to do it. Part's are easily obtainable and cheap.

It does require considerable machining of the gripframe and a small cut on the underside of receiver to fit the MKII part's. Also, you modify the safety so it does'nt hold back the bolt, and file out clearance for the magazine button on the left lower grip frame if an early frame.

First one I did, a MKI Target, with late frame, I made a jig to exactly fit the Ruger MKII hold open plunger and spring. On the second one, an early Standard model, I devised a simple spring to operate the hold open instead of the MKII plunger/spring, which was too difficult to fit otherwise.

It's do-able, and a fun project if you can do the work yourself. Safe and Happy Shooting! Joe Beary
 
Hi, Gunsmither,

You did exactly what I figured had to be done when I compared the guns, and it was interesting to see it in print. I considered it possible, but not feasible for an average gun owner. It sure is no "drop in" kit. I am willing to bet that if you did that for someone else, and charged regular machinists rates, the bill would be a lot more than the trade difference between the guns.

Jim
 
It's a pretty challenging operation.

About 10 years ago, after test shooting several customers MKII's that I had tuned up, I couldn't hack having no hold open feature on my own MKI gun. So, I did the first one (the MKI Target) as a challenge to my machining ability, and to prove that it could be done.

I just copied the MKII dimensions from a customers gun. It worked out great, so when a beat up Standard Model came my way several years ago, I did that one also for a challenge, and because I couldn't live without the hold open feature anymore.

I have a fairly complete machine shop with a Clausing verticle mill, which I used to mill the frame slots, and the receiver cutout. The lower left magazine button clearance on the Standard was filed out with a series of round files. It thins the frame out in that area considerably, but there is no stress involved, so it doesn't hurt anything.

On the Standard, the hold open top edge was slit lengthwise with a Dremel cut off wheel just deep enough(challenging!!!) to hold the spring wire; the slot is then peened over, holding the wire in place. Then I bent the tail to the shape shown in the pics. It only needs to hold the lever down, so not much force is needed. I think I used about .040" music wire.

If I ever do another A-100 frame (later, left hand mag button clearance style), I wouldn't bother drilling a plunger hole in the frame front boss, I'd just do the spring wire trick in the hold open like I did on the Standard model; it's much simpler to do, and installation is easier when servicing the gun.

While I certainly won't recommend it, I feel that most of this operation could be done with a drill press and a Moto Tool, and some files by a determined person with very good mechanical skills. Making the trigger screw would require access to a lathe and a 6/48tpi die; also a 6/48 tpi tap for the frame.

Hope this helps, but use this information at your own risk. Safe and Happy Shooting! Joe Beary - "gunsmither" :)
 
Nice link to an improved method of conversion

http://www.silencertests.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=18543

This is a very old thread, but I just discovered the above link today.

User no4mk1t at the Silencertalk Forum, has a great Tutorial on his method of converting a MKI to MKII style. He did it with a Dremel tool, and used MKII trigger parts to simplify the operation.

It may be old news to many old timers, but some newer folks may find it interesting.

Safe & Happy shooting friends! Joe
 
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