Have a MK 1 Standard Target made in 1959. Bought it from a good friend of mine that bought it new. No telling how many thousands have went through it and that's just since I've had it. It started stovepiping because the ejector was worn out. Sent it to Ruger and had the ejector and rivet replaced. It now runs again like it did the first time it was fired. It is to this day the most accurate pistol I've ever shot.
I really like Ruger products. When I lived in Alaska, a buddy had a stainless MKIII that he had really tricked out with a fluted bull barrel, and... a damn Leupold scope! lol -- he had a special cutout holster made to accommodate. -- In Alaska, at the time decades ago now - it was legal to shoot many game birds with a .22. Whilst out scouting for moose, or caribou or whatever - we always took the .22s with us, just in case of small game we could make for dinner that night. On one such excursion while taking a break at some unnamed small lake -- I used his pistol to hit a duck across the lake. I'd guess... maybe 200 or 250 yards. I shot from that Old Time reverse prone position [it works, and is worth study and practice] - but, it was a total "Pot Shot" plink while taking a break -- cigarette hanging out of my mouth, sunglasses on, holding way the hell high with that simple crosshair reticle... And nope. Tipped that duck right over in the water! lol - We were shocked! That Ruger was one hell of a pistol for sure... good memories and GREAT video!
I’ve a Mark II bull barrel purchased new in the early ‘80’s, as I recall. Been toying lately with picking up a Mark IV with the bull barrel. That Mark I founded an empire.
I want to get the 2, 3, and 4 all in the same configuration as the MkI that I have. I think it'd be neat to do a video as an Apples-to Apples comparison. Thanks for watching!
My first pistol, purchased from a rod and gun club. When I was a G.I. in 1961. Was a Ruger MK 1 target. It was the very rare variation with the 5 1/4" barrel. Set me back less than $60. Traded it off when I got back, state side. Tried to find one for years after that, to to replace it. As the first handgun I had ever purchased for myself. Finally found one at a show 6/8? years ago. Same, same 5 1/4" barrel, 2 piece bolt etc. Set me back $650, from the scalper who was selling it. It really hurt, but seeing it was such a low production variation of the Ruger MK 1. And my first handgun I sprung for it.
First thing, Thank you for your service! I go to a lot of gun shows, and I can't stand the scalpers. I get that some guns are rare and the value goes up, but I've seen modern guns priced much higher than the local gun shops. I've seen old guns that were not so valuable or rare sell for way more than their actual value. Even worse than the firearms, is the ammo! I've seen boxes of ammo sell for twice what you'd pay for it at the local shops. A $12 box of CCI .22s selling for $25-$30. I don't know if anyone actually pays those prices though, I wouldn't. Now antique/collectable ammo is another story. That $60 you paid for your first one sounds great nowadays, but I'm sure it hurt a little bit back in the 60s. I know the $650 hurt today! Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching too!
It's a 9 rnd. Magazine. I have a "Standard" model.... a trick I use to drop the hammer, is hold the bolt about an 8th inch off the breech face when you pull the trigger. It'll fall without battering the firing pin and breechface....
Yes it is a 9 rounder, what was Bill thinking? Was 10 just too many at that time? I'll have to give your hammer dropping tip a try. Thanks for watching!
Been through a bunch of 22 pistols . But about 1989 i got a bull barrel mark 2 stainless . Two years ago it got a minor tuneup with some new springs , firing pin , extractor . But it was still going strong with only an occasional misfire. This little tunep put it back in form . As of late i have been firing Aguila super extra hollow point 38 gr . For fun and games I also use the Federal punch as a varmint load . And the old ruger with those punch is my favorite house gun . I only shoot steel now and its almost boring so dont sell a 22 lr short for self defense . On cleaning one can simply wash them out with brake cleaner or carb cleaner. The mark 4s make take down a breeze. Just buy one 😊
My plan is to get all 4 versions in the target model. Although that Mark IV in the stainless Hunter with the fluted barrel is one sexy pistol! I hope you get to enjoy yours for many, many more years. Thanks for watching!
@@SmallCaliberArmsReview Thanks for the reply. I will look for it. When I was a little kid in the 3rd grade, way back when, I loved that program, still do. We were traveling home to Telluride, Colorado from Durango in our 1956 Chrsler New Yorker Deluxe (pink and white), when the theme song came on rhe radio. My mom woke me up so I could enjoy it.
They've got that 50's "futuristic" look. Two different mics. In the studio, I'm using a wired lapel mic. At the Saloon, I use a wireless lapel mic I picked up from Amazon almost 4 years ago. They don't have it available any more, but it's no big loss. That thing has ruined a couple videos for me, it likes to just drop out every now and then.
I have the mk I II III and IV and there's something about the mk I it is always the one I gravitate to. And I can just shoot it better. And they all like high velocity ammo and shoot best when clean.
I have not tried that. The occasional dry fire isn't the end of the world. Being mindful of the rounds you've fired is really the best practice. Thanks for watching!
I just picked up a Mark IV, so far, I'm a fan! I still need to get a Mark II and III to complete the "collection". (go for the Mark IV) Thanks for watching!
On the short I mentioned that the Mark 1 assembled similar to my Colt Match Target. What I did notice was the release lever on the Ruger. No release lever on my Colt. Reassembly is strictly push up, push in and hope for the best but it is similar. Back in 1954 when I got it I could do it in the dark but now........... not so much. Out of practice. How's the fall farming going? Haven't seen much but maybe TH-cam cut me off. JImE
I don't know anything about the Colt, but I hope to someday! Every now and then, I have to go back and watch a video so I remember how to disassemble some of my older guns. When you don't mess with them everyday, you tend to forget the details. I haven't done much with the farming lately. I did plant another 10 blueberry bushes, but I didn't make a video of it. I'll probably do a little filming tomorrow, but probably not enough for a whole video. It's tough doing two channels but they're both things that I love doing. Thanks for Watching JimE!
That's what I've been thinking! Lol! Share my channel with everyone you know and I'll do my best to keep creating the content. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching too!
Excellent video, thank you. I especially enjoyed hearing the history of the creation of Sturm Ruger, thank you!
Glad you liked it. Thank you for watching!
Have a MK 1 Standard Target made in 1959. Bought it from a good friend of mine that bought it new. No telling how many thousands have went through it and that's just since I've had it. It started stovepiping because the ejector was worn out. Sent it to Ruger and had the ejector and rivet replaced. It now runs again like it did the first time it was fired. It is to this day the most accurate pistol I've ever shot.
They did very well when they designed the Mark Series pistols. Thanks for watching!
I really like Ruger products. When I lived in Alaska, a buddy had a stainless MKIII that he had really tricked out with a fluted bull barrel, and... a damn Leupold scope! lol -- he had a special cutout holster made to accommodate. -- In Alaska, at the time decades ago now - it was legal to shoot many game birds with a .22.
Whilst out scouting for moose, or caribou or whatever - we always took the .22s with us, just in case of small game we could make for dinner that night. On one such excursion while taking a break at some unnamed small lake -- I used his pistol to hit a duck across the lake. I'd guess... maybe 200 or 250 yards.
I shot from that Old Time reverse prone position [it works, and is worth study and practice] - but, it was a total "Pot Shot" plink while taking a break -- cigarette hanging out of my mouth, sunglasses on, holding way the hell high with that simple crosshair reticle... And nope. Tipped that duck right over in the water! lol - We were shocked!
That Ruger was one hell of a pistol for sure... good memories and GREAT video!
Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video, makes me thankful I have the Mark IV model.
They're all pretty cool. Thanks for watching!
This is the first pistol I ever purchased back in ‘81. Nice work. And thank you.
They have been very popular for a long time. I hope you still enjoy it today. Thanks for watching!
I’ve a Mark II bull barrel purchased new in the early ‘80’s, as I recall. Been toying lately with picking up a Mark IV with the bull barrel. That Mark I founded an empire.
I want to get the 2, 3, and 4 all in the same configuration as the MkI that I have. I think it'd be neat to do a video as an Apples-to Apples comparison. Thanks for watching!
My first pistol, purchased from a rod and gun club. When I was a G.I. in 1961. Was a Ruger MK 1 target. It was the very rare variation with the 5 1/4" barrel. Set me back less than $60. Traded it off when I got back, state side.
Tried to find one for years after that, to to replace it. As the first handgun I had ever purchased for myself. Finally found one at a show 6/8? years ago. Same, same 5 1/4" barrel, 2 piece bolt etc. Set me back $650, from the scalper who was selling it. It really hurt, but seeing it was such a low production variation of the Ruger MK 1. And my first handgun I sprung for it.
First thing, Thank you for your service! I go to a lot of gun shows, and I can't stand the scalpers. I get that some guns are rare and the value goes up, but I've seen modern guns priced much higher than the local gun shops. I've seen old guns that were not so valuable or rare sell for way more than their actual value. Even worse than the firearms, is the ammo! I've seen boxes of ammo sell for twice what you'd pay for it at the local shops. A $12 box of CCI .22s selling for $25-$30. I don't know if anyone actually pays those prices though, I wouldn't. Now antique/collectable ammo is another story.
That $60 you paid for your first one sounds great nowadays, but I'm sure it hurt a little bit back in the 60s. I know the $650 hurt today!
Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching too!
Great nod to this iconic gun
Thanks Santee!
It's a 9 rnd. Magazine. I have a "Standard" model.... a trick I use to drop the hammer, is hold the bolt about an 8th inch off the breech face when you pull the trigger. It'll fall without battering the firing pin and breechface....
Yes it is a 9 rounder, what was Bill thinking? Was 10 just too many at that time? I'll have to give your hammer dropping tip a try. Thanks for watching!
Been through a bunch of 22 pistols . But about 1989 i got a bull barrel mark 2 stainless . Two years ago it got a minor tuneup with some new springs , firing pin , extractor . But it was still going strong with only an occasional misfire. This little tunep put it back in form . As of late i have been firing Aguila super extra hollow point 38 gr . For fun and games I also use the Federal punch as a varmint
load . And the old ruger with those punch is my favorite house gun . I only shoot steel now and its almost boring so dont sell a 22 lr short for self defense . On cleaning one can simply wash them out with brake cleaner or carb cleaner. The mark 4s make take down a
breeze. Just buy one 😊
My plan is to get all 4 versions in the target model. Although that Mark IV in the stainless Hunter with the fluted barrel is one sexy pistol! I hope you get to enjoy yours for many, many more years. Thanks for watching!
First pistol I ever bought still have it Mine has the 5 inch bull barrel
Very nice!
I love your Paladin holster and belt on the wall. Have Gun- Will Travel was (is) a great western.
I did a video on making it, I hope you get a chance to check it out! Thanks for watching!
@@SmallCaliberArmsReview Thanks for the reply. I will look for it. When I was a little kid in the 3rd grade, way back when, I loved that program, still do. We were traveling home to Telluride, Colorado from Durango in our 1956 Chrsler New Yorker Deluxe (pink and white), when the theme song came on rhe radio. My mom woke me up so I could enjoy it.
Ooooo! That was a slick set of wheels!@@Colorado_Native
Great video Richard. Nice looking pistol.
Thanks James!
Mine was made in 1973. I've had it since 1977. My most fired gun ever. 😅
They're very good pistols! Thanks for watching!
Nice pistol and good video, thanks 👍
Thank you!!
I got a ruger mk 1 taper barrel with fixed sights it’s a fine shooting pistol I squirrel hunt with it it shoots like a rifle lol !!
Very nice! I wish I could hold a pistol as steady as a rifle! Thanks for watching!
I had one as a kid. Really enjoy them. Keep up the great work. Also what mic are you using?
They've got that 50's "futuristic" look.
Two different mics. In the studio, I'm using a wired lapel mic. At the Saloon, I use a wireless lapel mic I picked up from Amazon almost 4 years ago. They don't have it available any more, but it's no big loss. That thing has ruined a couple videos for me, it likes to just drop out every now and then.
You can slowly file the front sight down to raise the poi if you have a fixed sight.
It has an adjustable rear sight, I just didn't do any adjusting to it.
Very Nice!… and excellent marksmanship 💥💥💯🍻
Thanks! I'm not so sure about that "excellent marksmanship" part though! Lol. Thanks for the comment and thank you for watching too!
I have the mk I II III and IV and there's something about the mk I it is always the one I gravitate to. And I can just shoot it better. And they all like high velocity ammo and shoot best when clean.
The classics are always cooler! I still need to pick up a II and a III. Thanks for watching!
can it dry fire while you pull the slide back? i think that would reduce risk of damage to the firing pin and barrel face
I have not tried that. The occasional dry fire isn't the end of the world. Being mindful of the rounds you've fired is really the best practice. Thanks for watching!
I have to agree with you about the Thunderbolts. I once owned a MKIII, but I did not like it much. I may need to try again?
I just picked up a Mark IV, so far, I'm a fan! I still need to get a Mark II and III to complete the "collection". (go for the Mark IV) Thanks for watching!
On the short I mentioned that the Mark 1 assembled similar to my Colt Match Target. What I did notice was the release lever on the Ruger. No release lever on my Colt. Reassembly is strictly push up, push in and hope for the best but it is similar. Back in 1954 when I got it I could do it in the dark but now........... not so much. Out of practice.
How's the fall farming going? Haven't seen much but maybe TH-cam cut me off. JImE
I don't know anything about the Colt, but I hope to someday! Every now and then, I have to go back and watch a video so I remember how to disassemble some of my older guns. When you don't mess with them everyday, you tend to forget the details.
I haven't done much with the farming lately. I did plant another 10 blueberry bushes, but I didn't make a video of it. I'll probably do a little filming tomorrow, but probably not enough for a whole video. It's tough doing two channels but they're both things that I love doing.
Thanks for Watching JimE!
@@SmallCaliberArmsReview Enjoy!
Excellent review.
Thanks Squib!
I have a MKII super accurate but hard to clean.
I still need to get a II and a III. Thanks for watching!
Ha! You shoot like I do ... just aim for the center of the blurrrrrr. Love your videos!
Not much more I can do! Lol! Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching too!
❤❤❤
Thanks!
Great vide
Thanks!
Neat ruger :)
They are kind of cool looking. Thanks for watching!
Almost forgot Ramline used to make a replacment mag release much much better
I have a couple different pistols with that style mag release, I never really cared for them. Thanks for watching!
You deserve way more subs than these clickbait chans that can’t even tell the difference between double action and single… 👍
That's what I've been thinking! Lol! Share my channel with everyone you know and I'll do my best to keep creating the content. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching too!