I've avoided cleaning Dad's 1971 Mark I for years because of the difficulty in reassembly. Today was the day for cleaning. No where have I heard a better description on the hammer position during bolt and mainspring assembly. Your video is far superior to any I've seen.
Great video! I got one of these from a buddy that passed away several years ago, not too long ago I stripped and cleaned it and could never get it to work again… was so frustrated till I found your video. The gun means the world to me as he was a like a brother to me. Thank you 🙏🏻
I had a very well worn Mark 1 {no bluing} about 30 years ago, so here's my story...I disassembled it just like in the video BUT, I couldn't get that rascal back together !! I took it to a local pawn shop {in a cigar box} and the guy said he wasn't even going to attempt to get it back together but, he suggested I send it back to Ruger ! Well I wrote a letter saying I couldn't get it back together, I must've sounded desperate because not only did they put it back together but, they also replaced pins, springs, AND reblued it !!! It was like a brand new gun !!
THIS is a tutorial on how to do a tutorial! There is nothing he left out. Instead of describing parts in the wrong position before assembly, he shows it with a light and then how to correct it. Bravo from this new Standard owner! I’m not a gunsmith, but I know how to reassemble my firearms. But this one gave me confidence to field strip this weapon.
The 1000th comment. My son has developed an interest in shooting and we took my old MKII to the range. It was dirty, and it was cold out...and it didn't cycle well at all. We decided to tear it down at home and cleaned up a lot of stiff gunk....and then I remembered my buddy 20 years ago saying "just shoot it till it jams, and get a new one, don't tear it down you'll never get it back together." and he was right!! This video gives me hope. It's not back together yet....but it's clean and we'll spend the weekend watching this and trying. Thanks
I kenos the video is 4 years old, however in 2020 is was exactly what I needed. Wife is learning to shoot and the MkIII is the pistol we have to start with, and I’ve never field stripped one before. Thank you!
First THANKS!!!!!!!!!! You saved my Ruger from the garbage bin! I lile my SS bull barrel Mark II a lot. I have had it for 30 years. My son stripped it down for cleaning. then the problems started. Yes it would shoot, but it would jamb every shot! So, it sat at the bottom of the cabinet for 10 years! I finally got around to working on it...after watching at least 15 videos I went at it! I striped it, cleaned it and tried to reassemble it, what a nightmare when it came to the main spring! I followed a few videos, but nothing seemed to work. The bolt would not cycle. I started looking for a new 22 auto. But when I went online, YOUR (this) video came up, so I gave it another try, your procedure to get that dam hammer linkage to sit right worked PERFECT!!!!! It was easy peasy once I got that down! Thank you! So now it will cycle, BUT I haven't gotten a chance to work (check) the feeding ejecting issue. I did see a video where the guy suggested polishing down the loading-feeding ramp. I took the hard edges down a bit with a round diamond file at the bottom and just before the chamber but haven't had a chance to check it out. Do you have any suggestions regarding feeding-jamming issues? I thought maybe my son got the two spring loaded pins that look alike mixed up (the one in the bolt that pushes on the ejector with the one on the front left (I forget what that one does) They are slightly different in lengths but look alike. Thanks again for your video and knowledge, I subscribed and liked this video. I am looking for a 380 and I just saw you have a video on them.
I went a completely different route. Perplexed by the reassembly instructions, and made fearsome by all the posts warning me of everything from anger to utter madness, I decided to hire an exorcist to officiate the reassembly process. This was rather unusual for me, being Jewish, but after a nice glass tea and a long discussion on the subject of guilt's importance to our respective religions, we began our work. As I attempted to wrangle the parts back into place, the priest began chanting "The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you!" over and over again while sprinkling Holy Break-Free (he blessed it) here and there. I'm like, "For this, I'm paying ten dollars-fifty? CASH?!" Then, suddenly, everything was back into place, just like it came from the factory. I was all set to renegotiate a lower price for his services when the Mark IV was announced. ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME???!!! ONE LITTLE PUSH ON ONE LITTLE BUTTON???!!! I called the priest and told him to cop a walk, then set my sights on a new Mark IV. Now when I hear the words "Mark I," "Mark II," or "Mark III" all I can think about is the tsuris I suffered through. But, then again, life IS suffering, isn't it?
Dude...i just spent like 5 hours trying to reinsert the main spring, watched your video... clicked in first try. The part at the end where you tilt it back to realign the "little black rabbit." I love you so much. Thank you.
This is a true service to the Ruger Mark community, thank you for the time you invested making this very helpful video, I know my first attempt years ago took me 2 hours to figure it out and even then I was afraid to ever disassemble it again! Great job sir!!
I so love my Mark; and this is hands down the best video on stripping one down ever. A clear articulate voice, proper lighting, and excellent pace of instruction. So many others are seemingly interested in expounding upon their own skills and making assumptions about the viewers skills. This video makes no assumptions, cuts no corners and anticipates steps that may need additional focus. Kudos to the producer for making professional material available to the masses.
Old video but timeless information! This guy is the authority on tiger Mark series pistols. Such a thorough and concise video on assembly and disassembly! Thank you for taking time to make it, great presentation!
This is the best Ruger Mark series video on TH-cam. Why are you the only guy who has figured out how to use an auxiliary light to illuminate the interior of a firearm? You should be giving production lessons. Superb job. Thank you!
This is my second Ruger MK. I spent 2 days trying to get the first re-assembled and sold it the next week to a guy I didn't like, 1981. In 2003, I saw the MK II stainless Bull barrel and bought it. I fired it for 17 years before dis-assembling it. I got i back together with TH-cam videos, but it still took 4-5 tries before it worked. Ruger has presented us with some of the crappiest engineering known to man! It's a fine, accurate weapon, and I shoot it often, but the engineering is simply God-awful. Good going Ruger, NOT !!
These guns are compete pieces of shit. Especially the mk 4... The designer should have been aborted before birth. The Ruger customer service sucks... The world would be better off without Ruger in it.
My Dad just gave me his 74 MK 1 over Thanksgiving 2024, his Dad gave it to him, and I would swear it never had even a rudimentary cleaning much less broken down and really cleaned. I'm no young man and have a lot of experience with many different firearms, but this one had me buffaloed. Taking the thing apart was a tussle and putting it back together even more of a pain. Your video saved the day for reassembly.
I wouldn't say reliable. I own three. 2 MK I's and a MK II. the MK I's are ok, not great. My MK II is stainless and the finish on the feed ramp is terrible. It was made in the late 80's. After about 20 rounds it stops feeding. The cartridges that DO chamber have a bullet that is canted in the case mouth. I am considering sending it to the factory to have it worked on, but......thats $ added to the price of a firearm that should have been perfect when it left the factory. My Walther P22 on the other hand is considerably more reliable than my I's or the II. I keep them because they are family heirlooms.
I've cleaned mine in kerosene. Soak it overnight in an old paint can full of kerosene with a few tablespoons of motor oil.. Shake it off and let it dry overnight. My father bought this in 1949, still shoots like new. Never been cleaned any other way. Also have a Stoeger Luger .22 cal, bought by me in 1974. I still shoot it. I shoot a minimum of 3,000 rounds of CCI per year, sometimes a lot more. No problem 45 years later...Same cleaning with kerosene.
@@patwelch8187 are you saying that you drop the whole complete pistol into the kerosene and oil with out disassembling it ? That's the way I read it. If so that would be the way to go !!!
First time I tried a few months ago, ended up taking it to a gunsmith to reassemble. Took it back apart couple days ago, did a mirror polish on the upper and began putting it back together last night. Got frustrated, put it aside and this morning I found your video. Piece of cake now thank you very much. Now I can shoot it and keep it clean. Great video.
I fought with my MKII for over an hour last night before giving up putting it back together. I found this video today and got it put back together in 10 minutes - now that I know what I'm doing, it will be significantly less next time!
Great video! My neighbor has a bull barrel Mark 1. It wouldn’t cycle. After I showed how to dismantle his cz75 he thinks I’m an expert. I sure wish I’d had found this video before I tore into the ruger. I completely disassembled it, and it was a struggle. The hammer pin had walked out part way allowing the hammer rod to move out of the mainspring. The hammer had no tension. After getting it back together it wouldn’t cycle. And after about 3 times I finally stumbled on how to get the hammer rod into the mainspring. I was ready to torch it in half! 😁. I had every part out of that pistol. It was dirty. Thanks again.
Thank you! I've had a Ruger Standard pistol for 25 years. The first time I took it apart for cleaning I had to take it to a gunsmith for reassembly (pre TH-cam days). Your instructions were easy to follow. Super job taking the fear out of breaking this gun down and putting it back together.
I lost my father unexpectedly a few months ago. Growing up (5 yrs old to now, 36 yrs old) he always cleaned the guns he and I had. I was spoiled! His passing has been hard but I knew I would have to learn how to clean my guns. This Ruger was the worst and I broke down from not having anyone to ask for help after multiple attempts and feeling like I wouldn't be able to get this back together. This video far exceeded any other video or blog I had read on how to break down and reassemble the Ruger Mark series. I cannot thank you enough!!
This is the first gun I learned firearms training on back in 1974. I could take it apart and back together easily. I currently have three models but if I don't shoot them often, I have to look the process up again. This is the best video ever made for this process. If you just think about each step and what each step is doing, it all makes perfect sense. For the guy that said this gun is the biggest piece of shit ever, I will take it off your hands at a deeply discounted price.
Bought one for my son when he was a teenager and it was not cheap then. He is a round 40 now he returned it permanently said he could get it back together. I watched video and seemed help. I already have had every storm ruger product turn into a shit coin. This 2245 ss bull barrel is going back to ruger. Sold the 2 M77 and ruger Blackhawk. After the recall. Won't buy another ruger name brand ever.
Thank you for your video...I know you made it and posted many years ago, but I have a Mark II and hesitate shooting it for the very reasons you stated...I now have the confidence and your video to help me reassemble my Mark II...Now I can take it out to the range and now let my daughter shoot it...I have had it since 1984...thank you...I hope you read this.
@@HammerStriker BTW, where are you located?...I just viewed your video on install the small piece to keep that part from falling...I sure could use your help as I do not have the tools (simple as they may seem) to install the part...just asking.
I have an old standard model (pre-Mark series) and I have disassembled it only once around eight years ago. It took me two days to get it back together. This video made it happen (for me) in about five minutes. Thank you for this amazing video. The lighting and views of the items are wonderful.....and this is coming from a photographer! I am no longer afraid to use this gun because I know now how to properly clean it.
I dreaded cleaning my 1980s Mark I target and indeed haven't in 30 years. Then I found this video. You make it seem easy and 4 hours and a bit of frustration later I have nice clean and well-oiled pistol. Think I will have no trouble from here on. Bless you!
So I bought the Mark one for my daughters. It’s in pristine condition it’s almost like brand new. So I took the gun apart to oil it and clean it and could not put it back together. I kept banging my head and banging my head. I watched three different videos and this is the only video that explained exactly step-by-step I knew it had something to do with that little arm that swings down but I wasn’t sure on what to do with it until I watched your video. Oh my goodness. I put the gun back together the first time the second time the third time and just could not pull the bolt back. After watching this video perfect I put it back together in 20 seconds. Thank you lovely video I am now a subscriber. Wish I could shake your hand
I have had a 1950 model for YEARS. My grandpa handed it down to me when I was a kid. For the past 20 years it has been put up non functioning from not being assembled right. He passed away recently and it reminded me of my old gun. This video helped me fix it in 10 minutes. You're awesome!
This is by far the best video on maintenance for this gun! Your deliberate and detailed instructions along with WHY you do them helped me out. I have owned a mk1 for years and the last time i cleaned it, I could not get it back together. The main spring pin kept trying to rotate out as I pushed back towards the grip. I actually gave up and put it back in the safe! The little tip about bringing the gun upright and shaking it slightly did the trick! Thanks for giving me this gun back!
Hours of frustration and thinking I had ruined the Ruger comes down to this video and 2 minutes worth of following the instructions and reassemble after cleaning. THANK YOU!!!
Thank you SO MUCH! I hadn't shot my gun in 10 years. When I cleaned it and tried to put it together I totally forgot how to do it. Tried for about an hour and only got upset. Your video was fantastic. Nice lighting, clear shots and the tricks at the end were greatly appreciated.
And to all the other people who said this is the best disassembly and reassembly video for the Ruger I absolutely agree. Thanks so much for your clear and well prepared video.
Great video and well explained. I am on of those gunsmiths that has had these come to me in zip lock bags. Never the less, I love the gun so much i have 6 variants in my personal collection. So I made it a policy to reassemble them free of charge along with a little tutorial whenever they came across my bench. If I may add a couple of things that might offer additional help. - you can make yourself a little tool to pull out the latch of the main spring housing. Simply take a sturdy button from an old pair of BDU trousers and tie a 2" loop of 1.3mm micro accessory cord using the button holes. Slip the loop over and behind the latch leaver and pull the button away from the grip frame. Any thin, high strength string can be used: high test fishing line like spider line or heavy duty exterior uppulstory thread. - put a rag or paper towel on the back of the grip frame so that you prevent scratches when you remove the main spring housing. Especially should you need to tap on the take down pin with a soft hammer and it suddenly breaks free. - lastly, a little time with a Dremel and a Cratex burr polishing the U shaped stirrup at the back of the recoil spring guide rod assembly goes a long way to ease reassembly. Cheers 🍻
Thank God for this video. I bought the old Mark 2 from my coworker for $125 (it was rough and pitted)… He claimed it was junk and too hard to clean. Showed him this and I said it’s that easy once it’s clean… Nop it tooo hard for him… now the cleaning and polishing begins for new life! Great video and thanks for keeping it stupid simple!
Thank you for the video. I've been trying to put my Mark 1 back together for the last four hours and couldn't get it right. The last step was the issue. Pointing the weapon up and letting the lever fall into place is the critical step. Excellent job explaining the assembly!
Lucky bastard. Watched this vid 10 times and my sanity is slowly slipping away trying to get this bastard back together. Edit: I missed the part of, just before inserting the rod, to push the hammer aaaaallllll the way up (from the under the back before the rod is inserted) so it catches that little stopping rod that dangles down.
Thank you sir. Your video is the best. My dad took my mark 2 apart 20 years ago and gave it to me in a bag all apart. With your video I just got it working again. I tried many times w other videos and could not do it. I am getting back into shooting again and love this gun. My last try was today or take it to a gun smith. It's the first gun I ever bought but after 20 years I forgot the tricks you show very clearly. Thank you again, I am a very happy guy today because a man should be able to put his own gun back together even if it's been over 20 years.
What a great video! I’ve disassembled the gun 3 times and didn’t understand why I couldn’t get the last piece to fit in the grip. Well, I took a two day break to look for a more comprehensive video to follow. That’s when I came crossed your video. Now I see what I was doing wrong. Thanks for producing this video. I’m saving it for future reference.
I watched a lot of videos and this one was the first that was actually easy to follow and the first that pointed out the ways it can go horribly wrong. I was reading a forum in which someone was asking about whether it was really challenging to reassemble a Mark II/II/IV because he was thinking about buying one. I was surprised how many people insisted it was easy and not to believe the hype. Listen man, without these instructions you are out of luck ... unless you are an actual gunsmith.
Thank you. Once you learn the tricks it is not bad but if you just bring it home and pull it apart like it was a Glock then you are in for a very bad time.
I just received two of these beauties in stainless,and following your instructions made it too easy.The previous owner sold them cheap because as he admitted, he had never been confident enough,so had never cleaned them apart from swabbing out the barrel and dripping a bit of lube oil here and there.Thank you.👍
I agree this is the best Ruger Mark series video on TH-cam. I been trying to get this gun figured out. I'd work on it till I was totally frustrated then put it away and do this over and over until I quit and let it sit for a while. Then I tried TH-cam and after watching your video it took 5-10 minutes. and it was done.Excellent job explaining the assembly. thank you
I've had my Mark I before the Mark II came out. I have a Mark II also. I've cleaned them, and it is a real pain. What you did was magic. Enlightening. Amazing. And I thank you very much. I love the dickens out of my Mark I and Mark II. Now I can give them a thorough cleaning more frequently. THANK YOU!
The absolute best video on assembling the Ruger Mark II. I've had mine since 1985 and in the past has been LESS THAN EASY for me to reassemble. Thanks very much for your explanation and demonstration!!!
You’re the BEST !!!! I neglected to clean my Mk III for so long it would not run. I almost threw it in the trash, more than once! I even took it to a gunsmith, who laughed at me. Then, I found your video. Boom, I got it back together !!!!! Thanks so much for your excellent tutorial.
I bought my Mark I in the late 70's, and learned the hard way the same things shown in this video. There was no TH-cam back then. One of my favorite guns, reliable, robust, and once you learn these tricks, easy to strip, clean and assemble. I do a couple minor things differently, but to the same end, and we both get the job done.
I bought one of these guns with the long barrel back in 1968. I have not shot it in many years , it was my first gun as a teenager. I had no problems with assembly when I was using it frequently, but that was decades ago. This tutorial helps a great deal as I just plain forgot how to reassemble it.
When I went to get my Pistol license over 25 years ago they made you take a shooters course before you could get it. Long story short the instructor had a Mark 2 and said if anyone could reassemble it they could skip the 8 hr course. I accepted and had it back together in 30 to 45 seconds, He was amazed he still made me take the course,, But he pulled me aside later and asked me how the freak I knew how to do it so fast?? I told him I had been shooting my dads for years and my dads rule was you had to be able to disassemble and reassemble any of his guns I wanted to shoot before 1 round went down range,
I had to fix my father's Mark I because it had lots of problems and all the springs and firing pin were shot, so I've had it apart a few times. These things aren't so scary once you understand where the hammer leg has to go. So it's now got all Mark III springs. The best thing is to check Ruger's diagram for the gun on their site. If you can read a diagram, you can reassemble one of these. Another thing of interest is how little these guns have changed over the years. Aside from the loaded chamber indicator, literally everything in the Mark III upper tube was technically the same as in the Mark I. When say technically, that doesn't mean they'll interchange without fitting, though. Decades of parts tolerance differences mean you'll probably be doing some filing in order to fit new parts in old guns.
This man gave me the little details that makes a Ruger a piece of cake, no one else covered the mainspring installation steps like him. Thank u very much sir, and I thanked the Lord too
This is an absolutely great video. As was demonstrated, once one learns the nuisances of a disassembly and reassembly process the Ruger MK II is a breeze to maintain. After the aforementioned is mastered, disassembly and reassembly of the bolt is extremely simple. Then from that point on learning the disassembly and reassembly of the frame isn't to bad. My opinion of that they Ruger MK II is the pinnacle of the MK series. Once fundamentals of the processes are fully understood, it is literally a lifetime gun.
I just have to comment again about how awesome your video is Sir! I have just taken my pistol out of the safe, and following your simple instructions, took it apart, and reassembled it again with ZERO problems! I'm super-chuffed, as it only took me about 2 minutes! Many thanks from South Africa!! Keep up the good work!
After years of this gun sitting in my safe, disassembled, I guess im super-chuffed too……. Even if this Southern California boy has NO IDEA what that means !!! Lol. But i did it!!! And im s stoked!
@@larrysledgejr1423 I use a zip tie to wrap around the lever and pull. It's plastic and won't scratch anything. Learned this after the first ripped fingernail :)
I've owned a Mk II for over 30 years, back in the pre-historic days before TH-cam. It was probably also the last time I fired it, having struggled to reassemble it. A recent cleaning spurt had me taking up the challenge again. I managed to clean and reassemble it, but it was not fun. That being said, I stumbled on this video after the fact and I can tell you that it is SUPERB !! If you own a MK II, this will take all of the frustration out of reassembling it. Pay close attention to the part of having the hammer forward and it will save you a tremendous amount of frustration and epitaphs. Happy shooting.
I have been trying to get the Mark 1 Ruger that I inherited from my grandfather back together for 5 hours. I watched numerous other videos and couldn't get it to cycle. Yours did it and I am so relieved right now.
The engineer who dwsigned the MK III was a marketing genious. He created a buying frenzy for the MK IV. I have all the MK models but I use my IV the most for this reason. I have always been able to reassemble them but being able to tear down in three steps and reassemble in two steps. It is hard not to grab the IV first. Great video and a great line of weapons.
@@HammerStriker The IV is A LOT easier to live with! Not sure why Ruger took so long to build and market it. Especially with aftermarket companies offering changes to basically update your earlier Mark series guns to two step take down guns.
this gun is so nicely made, and so accurate - it is the most accurate handgun i own - it is worth going through the trouble to learn how to reassemble it reliably. Also you can really make your pals scratch their heads how you did it and maybe win a bet if you want
I have a 1960-61 Mark 1 6 & 7/8 tapered heavy barrel with a LOT of honest finish wear, put there by the previous owner. I plan to add even more! With CCI Standard velocity long rifles, this pistol is superbly accurate and utterly reliable. I did have to replace the recoil spring assembly due to wear on the yoke that caused it to spread and prohibited reassembly. LORD only knows how many rounds it took to do that! I installed a Volquartsen recoil spring assembly, without issue, and have had no further issues. I haven't had problems reassembling mine, but your method is very good. My Mark 1 is also my " bump in the night" pistol. With its accuracy and perfect reliability, I am 100% confident in her. She's the only handgun I own. Or need.
Terrific video! I have a Ruger Mark II Target with bull barrel that I bought ages ago and it's been sitting unfired in my safe all these years. Your video has inspired me to take it out and start shooting it without worrying about the dreaded and feared horrors of putting one of these back together. I was thinking about getting a Mark IV and selling this one, but now I think I'll keep it.
Thank-you. I am happy our video was helpful. These really are nice guns and it's a shame that many of them likely sit at the back of the safe (whole or as a "bag of gun") due to the takedown/reassembly procedure..
This works on a pre-Mark Ruger Standard from 1966 in case anyone was wondering about the really old guns. I didn't realize just how dirty mine was, especially since I've owned it for years and never actually fired it or disassembled it. The barrel on mine took a few good whacks to get it free and I'm not sure its ever been off the gun. A bit of oil inside and she is smooth as glass. Can't wait to take it out! Thanks for the great video.
Thank you for putting this video together. I had spent hours trying to do this, then after a couple of minutes had it buttoned up thanks to this step by step walk through.
I wish I'd had this video in 1964. I was dating a girl whose father loaned me a Ruger Mark something, and a High Standard something, as he knew I liked to shoot. I got home from a session and after dinner I stripped them down and cleaned them. The HS went back together just fine, but the Ruger locked up as soon as I tried to pull back the bolt. For the next six hours (well into the wee ones) I tried to get it back in working order, sweating the whole time that I'd broken my girl friend's fathers gun. Hey, I was 18! I finally resolved it by closely examining the parts and noting the wear pattern on the top of the spring. I then realized the balancing act necessary to make the plunger align with the spring and got it back together. Even with a close inspection, the spring follower is not readily apparent. I'd forgotten about it until I saw your video. Well, I'd forgotten the exact process, but the situation still haunts me. Update from then: I've been married to someone else for nearly 50 years. I've recently been in contact with the ex girlfriend (nothing romantic--we went to the same high school). Her father has been gone for a long time. I retold the story, but she had no recollection of the guns or the loan.
+Hardcorediver44 Thank you. These are such nice guns and I am sure many languish in the safe due to the takedown, glad to get yours back in the action.
Exceptionally good tutorial! Thanks very much for the supplemental lighting, which makes it possible to see parts and steps not shown in any other TH-cam tutorial. Superb work.
Thank-you. When we film, Hammer runs the camera and auxiliary lighting while I (Striker) am on camera. That really helps us keep the point of interest highly visible and usually centered.
I have had this model for some 40 years and this instructional has made my experience cleaning and repairing the best in all those years.Thank you so much for posting.
Great video!! I've had a Mk l for years and even after reading the instructions many times, I still had problems with the mainspring, like everyone else. Next time I shoot it I'll try your method. I love my old Ruger, it's the best .22 auto loader ever made in my opinion. It points well, fits in hand well, and is very accurate. Thanks for posting.
CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH. the gun you love to hate. It is a good gun, and using this video was a great help. Both times I disassembled this gun I had to take it to a gun shop. I was charged 25 dollars the second time.
I've had mine for 34 years never ever took it apart. I clean it with WD-40 every once in a while. I spray it out throughily. Never failed to fire or eject!
@@DougHinVA Well after 34 year I took it apart and cleaned it. Guess what there was very little dirt / debre, and no rust at all. It's good for another 34 years now. Without this Utube video I would have never attempted it, or gotten it back together either.
Doug H. in VA nobody cares if you get to own guns anymore either. As for me, I appreciate the testimony of proven firearms as given by Troy. Hopefully Virginians don’t all lose sanity and the 2A but I’m fine with you being disarmed.
I take the grips off and then flush my Mark III with MINERAL SPIRITS. I shoot mine a LOT, it will get where it will not cycle. After flushing I blow out with low pressure compressed air. So far in over 10 years that has worked. But I would LIKE to take it apart, that is the best way, will tackle it soon. BB
@@bobburnitt5389 For a deep clean I do similar then clean the whole thing in hot soapy water, blow dry, then over oil and use compressed air to blow the oil off. That deep cleans and oils without full disassembly. Saves heart aches on complex old actions.
Thank You Sir. First time in 40 years I've taken it apart.....and last.... what a son of a gun to reassemble ....Thanks to your video I was able to reassemble it
Fun watching. I hadn't had mine apart in probably 40 years and it took me a couple of trials to get it back together the first time then I took apart again to wipe a bit of oil on things and got it back together with out a problem that time. I watched your video after just to see what tips you might offer afterward. One tip I might have for you, I've always just looped a short piece of string over the release lever to pull it back,. No scratches, no broken nails absolutely works fantastic. I thought I saw the tip in the owners manual but I got it out of the box, no it wasn't in there. Maybe the gun shop I bought it from in OR back in 1972 showed it to me.
After watching a lot of inadequately produced Mark Series reassembly videos with poor lighting, blurry shots, mumbling, etc., I want to thank you for this video. Great, simple explanations, clear, close-up video shots with good lighting. Thank you again for this most helpful instruction.
Thank-you. I am glad we were able to help you with assembling your Mark series. These are great firearms that often spend too much time in the safe because of the perceived hassles assembling them.
I think the problem is that too many gun owners are like me in that we don't shoot regularly or at least not with the Ruger Mark series. I've only cleaned my gun maybe 5 times in 10 years and each time I have to look at a video. Yours is one of the best.
I cannot thank you enough! Great video! We grew up shooting this with my dad, I learned on it, my kids learned on it. He passed a few years ago and my step mom gave me the gun. I took it out and it jammed. I guessed it needed a good cleaning. I was right. Then I could not get it back together and would not have gotten it back together if not for your video. Thank you again!
I usually don’t comment on videos but after watching this and applying the instructions to my own MKII 22/45 I felt like I must say thank you as well as subscribe to your channel!!!
Well sir, wasn't this just amazing. Thank you very much for this video! Extremely helpful and pleasant to watch. Have a good one, and keep up the great work! :-D
Indeed! I recently got a Mk III 22/45, double rail version, threaded barrel. Just added a cheapo airgun red dot as forward on the upper as possible, and man does it works wonders. But you nailed it with the "internet panic" part, 'cause I was already dreading the moment I had to clean it haha!
I have owned a Mark III since 1980. Great shooting pistol. Cleaning and then the reassembly has always been a nightmare for me. Thanks for this video that clearly explains the reassembly procedure. Now I am more inclined to shoot the pistol more.
Excellent. The most informative Ruger Mark Series disassembly/assembly recording I've seen. Bought my Mark II new in 1996. Wouldn't trade it for the world. Built it the way I like it w/ Tandemkross and Volquarsten parts. Smooth like butter. Accuracy excellent. Now, I'm thinking about changing the upper to a Volquartsen Mini Scorpion. The fun never ends!
Thank you so much for that great video. When I bought mine..., before the internet. I spent the better part of an entire night reassembling with the manual, not to mention my fingers were sore to the point of stiffness the next day... Finally got it and swore to never do it again... Thanks to you,.... Piece of cake!
I wish I had youtube back in the early 90's when I had my first Ruger 22 lol. What a pain in the ASS it was to work this out on my own with just the inadequate manual to work with.
I have my dads 1986 stainless 10" barrel Mark II. My record time of taking it apart and putting it back together is 29.7 seconds. It took me a while to fugure it out, but once i got it i kept taking it apart and putting it back together until i got it right 15 times in a row. Now i can do it with my eyes closed. I now own a 1995 blued 10" barrel Mark II i bought a few years ago. Both completely stock and both absolute tack drivers!! Great video and explanation!!
If you liked this video, please subscribe!
Stupid people, stupid guns
I've avoided cleaning Dad's 1971 Mark I for years because of the difficulty in reassembly. Today was the day for cleaning. No where have I heard a better description on the hammer position during bolt and mainspring assembly. Your video is far superior to any I've seen.
Thank you.
After reassembling I couldn't get the bolt to lock back for firing.
Outstanding example of how a TH-cam recording should be produced. Clear, Concise, and informative…Cheers my friend.
My dad just gave me my uncle's Ruger mark II that he loved so much, God rest his soul. Thanks for making this video
Great video! I got one of these from a buddy that passed away several years ago, not too long ago I stripped and cleaned it and could never get it to work again… was so frustrated till I found your video. The gun means the world to me as he was a like a brother to me. Thank you 🙏🏻
I had a very well worn Mark 1 {no bluing} about 30 years ago, so here's my story...I disassembled it just like in the video BUT, I couldn't get that rascal back together !! I took it to a local pawn shop {in a cigar box} and the guy said he wasn't even going to attempt to get it back together but, he suggested I send it back to Ruger ! Well I wrote a letter saying I couldn't get it back together, I must've sounded desperate because not only did they put it back together but, they also replaced pins, springs, AND reblued it !!! It was like a brand new gun !!
THIS is a tutorial on how to do a tutorial! There is nothing he left out. Instead of describing parts in the wrong position before assembly, he shows it with a light and then how to correct it. Bravo from this new Standard owner! I’m not a gunsmith, but I know how to reassemble my firearms. But this one gave me confidence to field strip this weapon.
Thank you.
This gun kept many gunsmiths in business just putting them back together !
The 1000th comment. My son has developed an interest in shooting and we took my old MKII to the range. It was dirty, and it was cold out...and it didn't cycle well at all. We decided to tear it down at home and cleaned up a lot of stiff gunk....and then I remembered my buddy 20 years ago saying "just shoot it till it jams, and get a new one, don't tear it down you'll never get it back together." and he was right!!
This video gives me hope. It's not back together yet....but it's clean and we'll spend the weekend watching this and trying. Thanks
I kenos the video is 4 years old, however in 2020 is was exactly what I needed. Wife is learning to shoot and the MkIII is the pistol we have to start with, and I’ve never field stripped one before. Thank you!
I am happy it helped!
First THANKS!!!!!!!!!! You saved my Ruger from the garbage bin! I lile my SS bull barrel Mark II a lot. I have had it for 30 years. My son stripped it down for cleaning. then the problems started. Yes it would shoot, but it would jamb every shot! So, it sat at the bottom of the cabinet for 10 years! I finally got around to working on it...after watching at least 15 videos I went at it! I striped it, cleaned it and tried to reassemble it, what a nightmare when it came to the main spring! I followed a few videos, but nothing seemed to work. The bolt would not cycle. I started looking for a new 22 auto. But when I went online, YOUR (this) video came up, so I gave it another try, your procedure to get that dam hammer linkage to sit right worked PERFECT!!!!! It was easy peasy once I got that down! Thank you! So now it will cycle, BUT I haven't gotten a chance to work (check) the feeding ejecting issue. I did see a video where the guy suggested polishing down the loading-feeding ramp. I took the hard edges down a bit with a round diamond file at the bottom and just before the chamber but haven't had a chance to check it out. Do you have any suggestions regarding feeding-jamming issues? I thought maybe my son got the two spring loaded pins that look alike mixed up (the one in the bolt that pushes on the ejector with the one on the front left (I forget what that one does) They are slightly different in lengths but look alike. Thanks again for your video and knowledge, I subscribed and liked this video. I am looking for a 380 and I just saw you have a video on them.
I went a completely different route. Perplexed by the reassembly instructions, and made fearsome by all the posts warning me of everything from anger to utter madness, I decided to hire an exorcist to officiate the reassembly process. This was rather unusual for me, being Jewish, but after a nice glass tea and a long discussion on the subject of guilt's importance to our respective religions, we began our work. As I attempted to wrangle the parts back into place, the priest began chanting "The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you!" over and over again while sprinkling Holy Break-Free (he blessed it) here and there. I'm like, "For this, I'm paying ten dollars-fifty? CASH?!" Then, suddenly, everything was back into place, just like it came from the factory. I was all set to renegotiate a lower price for his services when the Mark IV was announced. ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME???!!! ONE LITTLE PUSH ON ONE LITTLE BUTTON???!!! I called the priest and told him to cop a walk, then set my sights on a new Mark IV. Now when I hear the words "Mark I," "Mark II," or "Mark III" all I can think about is the tsuris I suffered through. But, then again, life IS suffering, isn't it?
Absolutely hilarious, thank you!
@@thomaswork7829 You are WELCOME, young man!
Yes I was warned but still bought a mark III. CAN I GET THE PHONE NUMBER OF THE Priest
Dude...i just spent like 5 hours trying to reinsert the main spring, watched your video... clicked in first try. The part at the end where you tilt it back to realign the "little black rabbit."
I love you so much. Thank you.
This is a true service to the Ruger Mark community, thank you for the time you invested making this very helpful video, I know my first attempt years ago took me 2 hours to figure it out and even then I was afraid to ever disassemble it again! Great job sir!!
Thank you. Hopefully this saves some Mark's from becoming "bag-o-gun" or languishing in the bottom of a safe.
* The creator of "Hammer Striker" is indeed a true gunsmith, and a man of patience! Thanks for your knowledge.
I so love my Mark; and this is hands down the best video on stripping one down ever. A clear articulate voice, proper lighting, and excellent pace of instruction. So many others are seemingly interested in expounding upon their own skills and making assumptions about the viewers skills. This video makes no assumptions, cuts no corners and anticipates steps that may need additional focus. Kudos to the producer for making professional material available to the masses.
Old video but timeless information! This guy is the authority on tiger Mark series pistols. Such a thorough and concise video on assembly and disassembly! Thank you for taking time to make it, great presentation!
This is the best Ruger Mark series video on TH-cam. Why are you the only guy who has figured out how to use an auxiliary light to illuminate the interior of a firearm? You should be giving production lessons. Superb job. Thank you!
Thank you. Hopefully it helped you get your Mark back on the range!
Yes, it is the BEST how to on TH-cam, no doubt about it, I thought 16 MINUTES would set a world Record, but WOW 16 seconds!!! BB
What he said!!
This is my second Ruger MK. I spent 2 days trying to get the first re-assembled and sold it the next week to a guy I didn't like, 1981. In 2003, I saw the MK II stainless Bull barrel and bought it. I fired it for 17 years before dis-assembling it. I got i back together with TH-cam videos, but it still took 4-5 tries before it worked. Ruger has presented us with some of the crappiest engineering known to man! It's a fine, accurate weapon, and I shoot it often, but the engineering is simply God-awful. Good going Ruger, NOT !!
These guns are compete pieces of shit. Especially the mk 4... The designer should have been aborted before birth. The Ruger customer service sucks... The world would be better off without Ruger in it.
My Dad just gave me his 74 MK 1 over Thanksgiving 2024, his Dad gave it to him, and I would swear it never had even a rudimentary cleaning much less broken down and really cleaned. I'm no young man and have a lot of experience with many different firearms, but this one had me buffaloed. Taking the thing apart was a tussle and putting it back together even more of a pain. Your video saved the day for reassembly.
I've had mine for 30+ years....Abit hard to takedown, a bit hard to reassemble,but....the most reliable .22 auto ever made.
I wouldn't say reliable. I own three. 2 MK I's and a MK II. the MK I's are ok, not great. My MK II is stainless and the finish on the feed ramp is terrible. It was made in the late 80's. After about 20 rounds it stops feeding. The cartridges that DO chamber have a bullet that is canted in the case mouth. I am considering sending it to the factory to have it worked on, but......thats $ added to the price of a firearm that should have been perfect when it left the factory. My Walther P22 on the other hand is considerably more reliable than my I's or the II. I keep them because they are family heirlooms.
I've cleaned mine in kerosene. Soak it overnight in an old paint can full of kerosene with a few tablespoons of motor oil.. Shake it off and let it dry overnight. My father bought this in 1949, still shoots like new. Never been cleaned any other way. Also have a Stoeger Luger .22 cal, bought by me in 1974. I still shoot it. I shoot a minimum of 3,000 rounds of CCI per year, sometimes a lot more. No problem 45 years later...Same cleaning with kerosene.
@@RUBIZEN send it back to Ruger they will take care of it!
@@patwelch8187 are you saying that you drop the whole complete pistol into the kerosene and oil with out disassembling it ? That's the way I read it.
If so that would be the way to go !!!
I would personally take an old High Standard first, but everyone has their own ideas.
First time I tried a few months ago, ended up taking it to a gunsmith to reassemble. Took it back apart couple days ago, did a mirror polish on the upper and began putting it back together last night. Got frustrated, put it aside and this morning I found your video. Piece of cake now thank you very much. Now I can shoot it and keep it clean. Great video.
Thank you. Yet another Mark series saved from the depths of the back of a safe.
I fought with my MKII for over an hour last night before giving up putting it back together. I found this video today and got it put back together in 10 minutes - now that I know what I'm doing, it will be significantly less next time!
Great video! My neighbor has a bull barrel Mark 1. It wouldn’t cycle. After I showed how to dismantle his cz75 he thinks I’m an expert. I sure wish I’d had found this video before I tore into the ruger. I completely disassembled it, and it was a struggle. The hammer pin had walked out part way allowing the hammer rod to move out of the mainspring. The hammer had no tension. After getting it back together it wouldn’t cycle. And after about 3 times I finally stumbled on how to get the hammer rod into the mainspring. I was ready to torch it in half! 😁. I had every part out of that pistol. It was dirty. Thanks again.
Thank you.
Thank you! I've had a Ruger Standard pistol for 25 years. The first time I took it apart for cleaning I had to take it to a gunsmith for reassembly (pre TH-cam days). Your instructions were easy to follow. Super job taking the fear out of breaking this gun down and putting it back together.
Excellent! We are happy we help you keep your Mark in the game instead of the safe.
Same here. I will now attempt to clean my Mk1 for the first time in 40 years.
I fully agree with you. His instructions are better than the manual.
@@bradmiller9993 what a testament to lousy design. What is the buyback price? Never in the game again.
I lost my father unexpectedly a few months ago. Growing up (5 yrs old to now, 36 yrs old) he always cleaned the guns he and I had. I was spoiled! His passing has been hard but I knew I would have to learn how to clean my guns. This Ruger was the worst and I broke down from not having anyone to ask for help after multiple attempts and feeling like I wouldn't be able to get this back together. This video far exceeded any other video or blog I had read on how to break down and reassemble the Ruger Mark series. I cannot thank you enough!!
This is the first gun I learned firearms training on back in 1974. I could take it apart and back together easily. I currently have three models but if I don't shoot them often, I have to look the process up again. This is the best video ever made for this process. If you just think about each step and what each step is doing, it all makes perfect sense. For the guy that said this gun is the biggest piece of shit ever, I will take it off your hands at a deeply discounted price.
Bought one for my son when he was a teenager and it was not cheap then. He is a round 40 now he returned it permanently said he could get it back together. I watched video and seemed help. I already have had every storm ruger product turn into a shit coin. This 2245 ss bull barrel is going back to ruger. Sold the 2 M77 and ruger Blackhawk. After the recall. Won't buy another ruger name brand ever.
Thank you for your video...I know you made it and posted many years ago, but I have a Mark II and hesitate shooting it for the very reasons you stated...I now have the confidence and your video to help me reassemble my Mark II...Now I can take it out to the range and now let my daughter shoot it...I have had it since 1984...thank you...I hope you read this.
Thank you, I am happy it helped you.
@@HammerStriker BTW, where are you located?...I just viewed your video on install the small piece to keep that part from falling...I sure could use your help as I do not have the tools (simple as they may seem) to install the part...just asking.
I have an old standard model (pre-Mark series) and I have disassembled it only once around eight years ago. It took me two days to get it back together. This video made it happen (for me) in about five minutes. Thank you for this amazing video. The lighting and views of the items are wonderful.....and this is coming from a photographer! I am no longer afraid to use this gun because I know now how to properly clean it.
Thank you, I am happy it helped!
I dreaded cleaning my 1980s Mark I target and indeed haven't in 30 years. Then I found this video. You make it seem easy and 4 hours and a bit of frustration later I have nice clean and well-oiled pistol. Think I will have no trouble from here on. Bless you!
Thank you.
My MK II was a gift from my Dad and I absolutely love shooting it.
Always dreaded the cleaning process but your video made it a breeze. Thank you.
So I bought the Mark one for my daughters. It’s in pristine condition it’s almost like brand new. So I took the gun apart to oil it and clean it and could not put it back together. I kept banging my head and banging my head. I watched three different videos and this is the only video that explained exactly step-by-step I knew it had something to do with that little arm that swings down but I wasn’t sure on what to do with it until I watched your video. Oh my goodness. I put the gun back together the first time the second time the third time and just could not pull the bolt back. After watching this video perfect I put it back together in 20 seconds. Thank you lovely video I am now a subscriber. Wish I could shake your hand
Best video on these Ruger's thus far.
Thank-you.
Ruger
pistol
I have had a 1950 model for YEARS. My grandpa handed it down to me when I was a kid. For the past 20 years it has been put up non functioning from not being assembled right. He passed away recently and it reminded me of my old gun. This video helped me fix it in 10 minutes. You're awesome!
This is by far the best video on maintenance for this gun! Your deliberate and detailed instructions along with WHY you do them helped me out. I have owned a mk1 for years and the last time i cleaned it, I could not get it back together. The main spring pin kept trying to rotate out as I pushed back towards the grip. I actually gave up and put it back in the safe! The little tip about bringing the gun upright and shaking it slightly did the trick! Thanks for giving me this gun back!
Hours of frustration and thinking I had ruined the Ruger comes down to this video and 2 minutes worth of following the instructions and reassemble after cleaning. THANK YOU!!!
I am happy this helped!
Thank you SO MUCH! I hadn't shot my gun in 10 years. When I cleaned it and tried to put it together I totally forgot how to do it. Tried for about an hour and only got upset. Your video was fantastic. Nice lighting, clear shots and the tricks at the end were greatly appreciated.
+David Hildebrandt Thank you, we are happy that our video helped.
And to all the other people who said this is the best disassembly and reassembly video for the Ruger I absolutely agree. Thanks so much for your clear and well prepared video.
Great video and well explained.
I am on of those gunsmiths that has had these come to me in zip lock bags. Never the less, I love the gun so much i have 6 variants in my personal collection. So I made it a policy to reassemble them free of charge along with a little tutorial whenever they came across my bench.
If I may add a couple of things that might offer additional help.
- you can make yourself a little tool to pull out the latch of the main spring housing. Simply take a sturdy button from an old pair of BDU trousers and tie a 2" loop of 1.3mm micro accessory cord using the button holes. Slip the loop over and behind the latch leaver and pull the button away from the grip frame. Any thin, high strength string can be used: high test fishing line like spider line or heavy duty exterior uppulstory thread.
- put a rag or paper towel on the back of the grip frame so that you prevent scratches when you remove the main spring housing. Especially should you need to tap on the take down pin with a soft hammer and it suddenly breaks free.
- lastly, a little time with a Dremel and a Cratex burr polishing the U shaped stirrup at the back of the recoil spring guide rod assembly goes a long way to ease reassembly.
Cheers 🍻
Thank you. Thanks for the additional tips.
Thank God for this video. I bought the old Mark 2 from my coworker for $125 (it was rough and pitted)… He claimed it was junk and too hard to clean. Showed him this and I said it’s that easy once it’s clean… Nop it tooo hard for him… now the cleaning and polishing begins for new life! Great video and thanks for keeping it stupid simple!
Thank you for the video. I've been trying to put my Mark 1 back together for the last four hours and couldn't get it right. The last step was the issue. Pointing the weapon up and letting the lever fall into place is the critical step. Excellent job explaining the assembly!
Thank-you. I am happy that our video helped us get your Mark 1 back in play. They really are fun guns.
Lucky bastard. Watched this vid 10 times and my sanity is slowly slipping away trying to get this bastard back together.
Edit: I missed the part of, just before inserting the rod, to push the hammer aaaaallllll the way up (from the under the back before the rod is inserted) so it catches that little stopping rod that dangles down.
Me too
Rosster...look up Hammersteinsupport.com and no more hassle...
Thank you sir. Your video is the best. My dad took my mark 2 apart 20 years ago and gave it to me in a bag all apart. With your video I just got it working again. I tried many times w other videos and could not do it. I am getting back into shooting again and love this gun. My last try was today or take it to a gun smith. It's the first gun I ever bought but after 20 years I forgot the tricks you show very clearly. Thank you again, I am a very happy guy today because a man should be able to put his own gun back together even if it's been over 20 years.
Thank you. Enjoy your Ruger - these things are such a pleasure to shoot.
What a great video! I’ve disassembled the gun 3 times and didn’t understand why I couldn’t get the last piece to fit in the grip. Well, I took a two day break to look for a more comprehensive video to follow. That’s when I came crossed your video. Now I see what I was doing wrong. Thanks for producing this video. I’m saving it for future reference.
I watched a lot of videos and this one was the first that was actually easy to follow and the first that pointed out the ways it can go horribly wrong. I was reading a forum in which someone was asking about whether it was really challenging to reassemble a Mark II/II/IV because he was thinking about buying one. I was surprised how many people insisted it was easy and not to believe the hype. Listen man, without these instructions you are out of luck ... unless you are an actual gunsmith.
Thank you. Once you learn the tricks it is not bad but if you just bring it home and pull it apart like it was a Glock then you are in for a very bad time.
You're like the Mr. Rogers of firearms and i don't mean that in a bad way. ;)You're just so thorough and precise. Great videos guys!
+CWB1863 Thank You.
I just received two of these beauties in stainless,and following your instructions made it too easy.The previous owner sold them cheap because as he admitted, he had never been confident enough,so had never cleaned them apart from swabbing out the barrel and dripping a bit of lube oil here and there.Thank you.👍
I agree this is the best Ruger Mark series video on TH-cam. I been trying to get this gun figured out. I'd work on it till I was totally frustrated then put it away and do this over and over until I quit and let it sit for a while. Then I tried TH-cam and after watching your video it took 5-10 minutes. and it was done.Excellent job explaining the assembly.
thank you
Thank you.
I've had my Mark I before the Mark II came out. I have a Mark II also. I've cleaned them, and it is a real pain. What you did was magic. Enlightening. Amazing. And I thank you very much. I love the dickens out of my Mark I and Mark II. Now I can give them a thorough cleaning more frequently. THANK YOU!
Thank you, I am happy this helped you out!
The absolute best video on assembling the Ruger Mark II. I've had mine since 1985 and in the past has been LESS THAN EASY for me to reassemble. Thanks very much for your explanation and demonstration!!!
MY GOD THANK YOU! This was giving me a fit for two days. I thought I could just figure it out. NOPE. Again thank you.
We are happy that our video helped!
You’re the BEST !!!! I neglected to clean my Mk III for so long it would not run. I almost threw it in the trash, more than once! I even took it to a gunsmith, who laughed at me. Then, I found your video. Boom, I got it back together !!!!! Thanks so much for your excellent tutorial.
I bought my Mark I in the late 70's, and learned the hard way the same things shown in this video. There was no TH-cam back then. One of my favorite guns, reliable, robust, and once you learn these tricks, easy to strip, clean and assemble. I do a couple minor things differently, but to the same end, and we both get the job done.
I bought one of these guns with the long barrel back in 1968.
I have not shot it in many years , it was my first gun as a teenager.
I had no problems with assembly when I was using it frequently, but that was decades ago.
This tutorial helps a great deal as I just plain forgot how to reassemble it.
When I went to get my Pistol license over 25 years ago they made you take a shooters course before you could get it. Long story short the instructor had a Mark 2 and said if anyone could reassemble it they could skip the 8 hr course. I accepted and had it back together in 30 to 45 seconds, He was amazed he still made me take the course,, But he pulled me aside later and asked me how the freak I knew how to do it so fast?? I told him I had been shooting my dads for years and my dads rule was you had to be able to disassemble and reassemble any of his guns I wanted to shoot before 1 round went down range,
I had to fix my father's Mark I because it had lots of problems and all the springs and firing pin were shot, so I've had it apart a few times. These things aren't so scary once you understand where the hammer leg has to go. So it's now got all Mark III springs. The best thing is to check Ruger's diagram for the gun on their site. If you can read a diagram, you can reassemble one of these. Another thing of interest is how little these guns have changed over the years. Aside from the loaded chamber indicator, literally everything in the Mark III upper tube was technically the same as in the Mark I. When say technically, that doesn't mean they'll interchange without fitting, though. Decades of parts tolerance differences mean you'll probably be doing some filing in order to fit new parts in old guns.
This man gave me the little details that makes a Ruger a piece of cake, no one else covered the mainspring installation steps like him. Thank u very much sir, and I thanked the Lord too
This is an absolutely great video. As was demonstrated, once one learns the nuisances of a disassembly and reassembly process the Ruger MK II is a breeze to maintain. After the aforementioned is mastered, disassembly and reassembly of the bolt is extremely simple. Then from that point on learning the disassembly and reassembly of the frame isn't to bad. My opinion of that they Ruger MK II is the pinnacle of the MK series. Once fundamentals of the processes are fully understood, it is literally a lifetime gun.
Thank you.
I just have to comment again about how awesome your video is Sir! I have just taken my pistol out of the safe, and following your simple instructions, took it apart, and reassembled it again with ZERO problems! I'm super-chuffed, as it only took me about 2 minutes! Many thanks from South Africa!! Keep up the good work!
Thank you again :-) These are so much fun to shoot that it is nice to be able to help keep them in action.
After years of this gun sitting in my safe, disassembled, I guess im super-chuffed too……. Even if this Southern California boy has NO IDEA what that means !!! Lol. But i did it!!! And im s stoked!
Use a spent case to lift lever .
How do a person use a spent case? I'm not disagree with you i like to know more how to assemble these pistol better.
@@larrysledgejr1423 I use a zip tie to wrap around the lever and pull. It's plastic and won't scratch anything. Learned this after the first ripped fingernail :)
@@dennisd7820 ok thank you.
I've owned a Mk II for over 30 years, back in the pre-historic days before TH-cam. It was probably also the last time I fired it, having struggled to reassemble it. A recent cleaning spurt had me taking up the challenge again. I managed to clean and reassemble it, but it was not fun. That being said, I stumbled on this video after the fact and I can tell you that it is SUPERB !! If you own a MK II, this will take all of the frustration out of reassembling it. Pay close attention to the part of having the hammer forward and it will save you a tremendous amount of frustration and epitaphs. Happy shooting.
Thank you.
I have been trying to get the Mark 1 Ruger that I inherited from my grandfather back together for 5 hours. I watched numerous other videos and couldn't get it to cycle. Yours did it and I am so relieved right now.
The engineer who dwsigned the MK III was a marketing genious. He created a buying frenzy for the MK IV. I have all the MK models but I use my IV the most for this reason. I have always been able to reassemble them but being able to tear down in three steps and reassemble in two steps. It is hard not to grab the IV first. Great video and a great line of weapons.
Thank you. I definitely enjoy the Mark series, though I will admit the IV is a bit easier to live with.
@@HammerStriker The IV is A LOT easier to live with! Not sure why Ruger took so long to build and market it. Especially with aftermarket companies offering changes to basically update your earlier Mark series guns to two step take down guns.
this gun is so nicely made, and so accurate - it is the most accurate handgun i own - it is worth going through the trouble to learn how to reassemble it reliably. Also you can really make your pals scratch their heads how you did it and maybe win a bet if you want
I have a 1960-61 Mark 1 6 & 7/8 tapered heavy barrel with a LOT of honest finish wear, put there by the previous owner. I plan to add even more!
With CCI Standard velocity long rifles, this pistol is superbly accurate and utterly reliable.
I did have to replace the recoil spring assembly due to wear on the yoke that caused it to spread and prohibited reassembly. LORD only knows how many rounds it took to do that!
I installed a Volquartsen recoil spring assembly, without issue, and have had no further issues.
I haven't had problems reassembling mine, but your method is very good.
My Mark 1 is also my " bump in the night" pistol. With its accuracy and perfect reliability, I am 100% confident in her.
She's the only handgun I own.
Or need.
Terrific video! I have a Ruger Mark II Target with bull barrel that I bought ages ago and it's been sitting unfired in my safe all these years. Your video has inspired me to take it out and start shooting it without worrying about the dreaded and feared horrors of putting one of these back together. I was thinking about getting a Mark IV and selling this one, but now I think I'll keep it.
Thank-you. I am happy our video was helpful.
These really are nice guns and it's a shame that many of them likely sit at the back of the safe (whole or as a "bag of gun") due to the takedown/reassembly procedure..
This works on a pre-Mark Ruger Standard from 1966 in case anyone was wondering about the really old guns.
I didn't realize just how dirty mine was, especially since I've owned it for years and never actually fired it or disassembled it. The barrel on mine took a few good whacks to get it free and I'm not sure its ever been off the gun. A bit of oil inside and she is smooth as glass. Can't wait to take it out!
Thanks for the great video.
Thank you, that is good to know.
Thank you for putting this video together. I had spent hours trying to do this, then after a couple of minutes had it buttoned up thanks to this step by step walk through.
We are happy it helped.
I wish I'd had this video in 1964. I was dating a girl whose father loaned me a Ruger Mark something, and a High Standard something, as he knew I liked to shoot. I got home from a session and after dinner I stripped them down and cleaned them. The HS went back together just fine, but the Ruger locked up as soon as I tried to pull back the bolt. For the next six hours (well into the wee ones) I tried to get it back in working order, sweating the whole time that I'd broken my girl friend's fathers gun. Hey, I was 18!
I finally resolved it by closely examining the parts and noting the wear pattern on the top of the spring. I then realized the balancing act necessary to make the plunger align with the spring and got it back together. Even with a close inspection, the spring follower is not readily apparent. I'd forgotten about it until I saw your video. Well, I'd forgotten the exact process, but the situation still haunts me.
Update from then: I've been married to someone else for nearly 50 years. I've recently been in contact with the ex girlfriend (nothing romantic--we went to the same high school). Her father has been gone for a long time. I retold the story, but she had no recollection of the guns or the loan.
That does not sound like a fun situation to be in at all!
This is by far the best video on how to assemble my Ruger Mk 1. Thanks for saving me.
+Hardcorediver44 Thank you. These are such nice guns and I am sure many languish in the safe due to the takedown, glad to get yours back in the action.
It had been so long since I had done it I had forgotten how.
And still valuable information 6 years later...I just picked up a Ruger Standard and your video made the reassembly so much easier!
Thank you.
Exceptionally good tutorial! Thanks very much for the supplemental lighting, which makes it possible to see parts and steps not shown in any other TH-cam tutorial. Superb work.
Thank-you. When we film, Hammer runs the camera and auxiliary lighting while I (Striker) am on camera. That really helps us keep the point of interest highly visible and usually centered.
Go Cougs
I have had this model for some 40 years and this instructional has made my experience cleaning and repairing the best in all those years.Thank you so much for posting.
Thank you. I am happy it helped you out.
Great video!! I've had a Mk l
for years and even after reading the instructions many times, I still had problems with the mainspring, like everyone else. Next time I shoot it I'll try your method. I love my old Ruger, it's the best .22 auto loader ever made in my opinion. It points well, fits in hand well, and is very accurate. Thanks for posting.
Thank you.
CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH. the gun you love to hate. It is a good gun, and using this video was a great help. Both times I disassembled this gun I had to take it to a gun shop. I was charged 25 dollars the second time.
Thank you. Now you can put that cash toward ammo :-)
Dude ! Thankyou !!!!!! I was struggling to reassemble. I was getting so frustrated !!!!! You made it so simple !!! Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou !!!!!
We are happy our video helped saved another Mark series from ending up as a "bag of gun".
Just bought one of these from my brother as his health now prevents him from shooting. This is an EXTEMELY informative video. Thank you!
I've had mine for 34 years never ever took it apart. I clean it with WD-40 every once in a while. I spray it out throughily. Never failed to fire or eject!
nobody cares about your old uncleaned gun
@@DougHinVA Well after 34 year I took it apart and cleaned it. Guess what there was very little dirt / debre, and no rust at all. It's good for another 34 years now. Without this Utube video I would have never attempted it, or gotten it back together either.
Doug H. in VA nobody cares if you get to own guns anymore either. As for me, I appreciate the testimony of proven firearms as given by Troy. Hopefully Virginians don’t all lose sanity and the 2A but I’m fine with you being disarmed.
I take the grips off and then flush my Mark III with MINERAL SPIRITS. I shoot mine a LOT, it will get where it will not cycle. After flushing I blow out with low pressure compressed air. So far in over 10 years that has worked. But I would LIKE to take it apart, that is the best way, will tackle it soon. BB
@@bobburnitt5389 For a deep clean I do similar then clean the whole thing in hot soapy water, blow dry, then over oil and use compressed air to blow the oil off. That deep cleans and oils without full disassembly. Saves heart aches on complex old actions.
Living in the time frame of Sturm Ruger, You Tube & Hammer Striker. Life is good!
Thank you.
Instructions we could have used 30 years ago !
Yup, I think I’ve had mine about 25 years
Yep James, that is truly the truth, had the mark IV come out then, I’d still have mine.
I suspect that after the first time, most of the Marks never get cleaned.
Amen, I have had mine that long and been so frustrated with reassembly. Great video, now I can enjoy my Mark II the way it was intended.
Got mine in 1970. I was 15. My dad had one before I was born. Low recoil and accuracy will spoil you for shooting a pistol.
This is the best DIY gun cleaning video on the internet.. no one shows the tips and tricks like this... thanks...
Thank you.
Best explanation I’ve ever seen for this thanks
Thank you.
Thank You Sir.
First time in 40 years I've taken it apart.....and last.... what a son of a gun to reassemble ....Thanks to your video I was able to reassemble it
Great intructions! I'm sure you saved a lot of people from lots of frustration.
Thank you.
I have one I have had for decades and have always been afraid to disassemble it. Now I have gotten the nerve to do so for a good cleaning. Thank you.
Thank you so much. This is the only video on the mark 2 slide stop assembly that was useful.
+James Kim Thanks for watching Hammer Striker, we are happy that our video helped.
Fun watching. I hadn't had mine apart in probably 40 years and it took me a couple of trials to get it back together the first time then I took apart again to wipe a bit of oil on things and got it back together with out a problem that time. I watched your video after just to see what tips you might offer afterward. One tip I might have for you, I've always just looped a short piece of string over the release lever to pull it back,. No scratches, no broken nails absolutely works fantastic. I thought I saw the tip in the owners manual but I got it out of the box, no it wasn't in there. Maybe the gun shop I bought it from in OR back in 1972 showed it to me.
Thank you. The string is a good idea, pretty much anything besides a metal tool.
I refer back to this video everytime a disassemble my Mark 2...thanks so much for a great tutorial.
Thank you.
After watching a lot of inadequately produced Mark Series reassembly videos with poor lighting, blurry shots, mumbling, etc., I want to thank you for this video. Great, simple explanations, clear, close-up video shots with good lighting. Thank you again for this most helpful instruction.
Thank-you. I am glad we were able to help you with assembling your Mark series. These are great firearms that often spend too much time in the safe because of the perceived hassles assembling them.
Got it on my first try with this tutorial. You rule.
Thank you.
I think the problem is that too many gun owners are like me in that we don't shoot regularly or at least not with the Ruger Mark series. I've only cleaned my gun maybe 5 times in 10 years and each time I have to look at a video. Yours is one of the best.
The moment of horror was well explained. I was stuck until I watched this.
I cannot thank you enough! Great video! We grew up shooting this with my dad, I learned on it, my kids learned on it. He passed a few years ago and my step mom gave me the gun. I took it out and it jammed. I guessed it needed a good cleaning. I was right. Then I could not get it back together and would not have gotten it back together if not for your video. Thank you again!
Thanks Bud. You saved me a ton of time and frustration. Greatly Appreciated.
We hare happy it helped.
I usually don’t comment on videos but after watching this and applying the instructions to my own MKII 22/45 I felt like I must say thank you as well as subscribe to your channel!!!
Well sir, wasn't this just amazing. Thank you very much for this video! Extremely helpful and pleasant to watch. Have a good one, and keep up the great work! :-D
Thank-you. Hopefully this will encourage someone to obtain this great little gun and not be run off by the reassembly procedure.
Indeed! I recently got a Mk III 22/45, double rail version, threaded barrel. Just added a cheapo airgun red dot as forward on the upper as possible, and man does it works wonders. But you nailed it with the "internet panic" part, 'cause I was already dreading the moment I had to clean it haha!
I have owned a Mark III since 1980. Great shooting pistol. Cleaning and then the reassembly has always been a nightmare for me. Thanks for this video that clearly explains the reassembly procedure. Now I am more inclined to shoot the pistol more.
Ruger pistols: Easy to take apart, pain in the ass to put together if uninformed
Excellent. The most informative Ruger Mark Series disassembly/assembly recording I've seen.
Bought my Mark II new in 1996. Wouldn't trade it for the world. Built it the way I like it w/ Tandemkross and Volquarsten parts. Smooth like butter. Accuracy excellent.
Now, I'm thinking about changing the upper to a Volquartsen Mini Scorpion.
The fun never ends!
Fk still cant do it. Damn things keep coming down in me when im ready to push it in for final step before checking to see if its springy
Thank you so much for that great video. When I bought mine..., before the internet. I spent the better part of an entire night reassembling with the manual, not to mention my fingers were sore to the point of stiffness the next day... Finally got it and swore to never do it again... Thanks to you,.... Piece of cake!
I wish I had youtube back in the early 90's when I had my first Ruger 22 lol. What a pain in the ASS it was to work this out on my own with just the inadequate manual to work with.
I have my dads 1986 stainless 10" barrel Mark II. My record time of taking it apart and putting it back together is 29.7 seconds. It took me a while to fugure it out, but once i got it i kept taking it apart and putting it back together until i got it right 15 times in a row. Now i can do it with my eyes closed. I now own a 1995 blued 10" barrel Mark II i bought a few years ago. Both completely stock and both absolute tack drivers!! Great video and explanation!!
That's a lifesaver!!! I've been terrified to take mine apart.