Ruger MK II
1155912
222801761
2008-07-01T04:53:05Z
LWF
783550
/* History and variations */ grammar
{{Infobox Weapon
|name=Ruger MK II
|image=
|origin=[[United States of America]]
|type=[[Semi-automatic pistol]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service=
|used_by=
|wars=
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer= [[Ruger|Sturm, Ruger & Co.]]
|production_date= 1982-2005
|number=
|variants=
<!-- General specifications -->
|weight= 46 oz. (w/ 6 7/8" bull barrel)
|length= 11 1/8" (w/ 6 7/8" bull barrel)
|part_length=
|crew=
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge= [[.22 Long Rifle|.22 LR]]
|caliber=
|action= [[Firearm action#Recoil operation|Recoil]]
|rate= [[Semi-automatic pistol|semi-automatic]]
|velocity=
|range=
|max_range=
|feed= 10-round magazine + 1 in chamber
}}
The Ruger [[rimfire]] [[semi-automatic pistol]]s are some of the most popular [[handguns]] made, with over 3 million sold. They are manufactured by [[Sturm, Ruger|Sturm, Ruger & Company]].
==Models==
The most prevalent model is the ''MK II'', pronounced "Mark Two", made from [[1982]] to [[2005]]. Previous models include the ''Standard'', Ruger's first model, made from [[1949]] to [[1982]], and the ''MK I Target'', made from [[1951]] to [[1982]]. Variations include the ''Target'' models, which have heavier barrels and adjustable sights, and the ''22/45'' models, which have a [[polymer]] frame with a grip-angle that matches the [[M1911 Colt pistol|Colt 1911]] rather than the [[steel]] frame's [[Luger pistol|Luger P08]]-like layout. The MK II was removed from production in [[2004]], when it was replaced by the ''[[Ruger MK III|MK III]]''. All Ruger [[rimfire]] pistols are chambered in [[.22 Long Rifle]] only.
==History and variations==
[[Image:Ruger standard wiki.png|thumb|180px|Ruger Standard pistol, with aftermarket adjustable sights, made in [[1963]]]]
The original Ruger pistol, now called the ''Standard'', had no model number, as it was the first, and for a time, only gun made by [[Sturm, Ruger]]. Prior to [[Bill Ruger]]'s partnership with Sturm, he had successfully duplicated two Baby [[Nambu pistol]]s<ref>Wilson, R. L. "Ruger & His Guns; A History Of The Man, The Company And Their Firearms." 1996. ISBN-10: 07-8582-1031.</ref> while working in his garage, from a US Marine's captured Nambu, shortly after [[World War II]]. Although deciding against marketing the Baby Nambu Pistols, Ruger did incorporate the Nambu style rear cocking device and modified the Nambu's silhouette, plus he added a 4.75" lightweight barrel with fixed sights. The MK I added a Target model, which had a 5.5" bull barrel, or a 7" heavy taper barrel and adjustable sights. The MK II added a slide stop that held the slide open on the last round, and also was available in [[stainless steel]]. The MK II has been available in a number of barrel lengths; 4.75" and 6" lightweight barrels; 4", 5.5", 6.875" and 10" bull barrels, and 5.25" and 6.875" heavy tapered barrels. All guns with bull or heavy tapered barrels are Target models, and are equipped with target sights consisting of an adjustable rear sight and a taller, wider front sight, with an aggressive undercut to reduce glare.
Some special variants that command higher prices are the ''Government Model'', a model that was used for pistol training and competition by the US Army, and the ''Red Eagle'' models, which were made from [[1949]] to the year of company co-founder [[Alexander McCormick Sturm|Alexander Sturm]]'s death, in [[1952]]. The ''Red Eagle'' models had the Ruger logo in red on a silver background. Since then, the Ruger logo on the grip panels has been either black on silver or silver on black, with the exception of a special ''50th Anniversary'' model that had a silver eagle on a red background. The top of the line ''Government Competition Model'' comes with a 6.875" "slab side" barrel (a bull barrel with the sides milled flat to save weight), laminated wood thumbrest grips, a low profile scope base, and scope rings; with the addition of a pistol scope, it makes an ideal entry level [[Bullseye (shooting competition)|bullseye]] pistol.
An integrally-silenced Mk II is used by [[Navy SEALs]], [[Mossad]] and [[pest control]] officers. This variant is almost totally silent and accurate to 70 meters.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Directory of the World's Weapons |year=1996 |publisher=Blitz Editions |location=p119 |isbn=1-85605-348-2 }}</ref> ''See [[List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces]]''.
Together with the MK I, the MK II was the suggested handgun in [[Paladin Press]]'s controversial how-to book, [[Hit Man: A Technical Manual for Independent Contractors]], due to low cost and reliability.
==Disassembly and reassembly==
Disassembly of these pistols is accomplished with the removal of a mainspring housing/bolt stop pin assembly and can be done very quickly. Re-assembly can be tricky, however, as the gun must be tilted so the barrel is 135 degrees from horizontal as the mainspring housing is latched in place (final step of assembly). If this is not done, then the hammer strut will not properly seat, and the hammer will not be able to move backwards. This is immediately obvious by the fact that the bolt can only be moved back a fraction of an inch (a few millimeters). By tilting the gun so the hammer strut lies in the correct position as the mainspring housing is closed, the strut is guided into place in the cup on top of the mainspring, and it locks into place when the mainspring housing is latched.
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://ruger.com/Firearms/PDF/InstructionManuals/01.pdf Instruction Manual] - Ruger's instruction manual.
*[http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/PDF/PartsBooklets/C2.pdf Parts Booklet] - Ruger's official parts list and exploded assembly diagram.
*[http://www.1bad69.com/ruger/field_strip.htm Field Stripping] - guide to field stripping the pistol, with images.
*[http://www.1bad69.com/ruger/internals.htm Assembly/Disassembly] - guide to full assembly/disassembly.
*[http://www.geocities.com/felixthefish.geo/mkii_overtravel.html Overtravel] - How to adjust the overtravel screw on a Ruger MK II Target model.
[[Category:Semi-automatic pistols]]
[[Category:American semi-automatic pistols]]
[[de:Ruger MK II]]
[[ja:スタームルガーMkI]]