The Ruger Mark II Auto Pistol, announced in 1982, was a pistol built by Strum, Ruger & Co. of Southport, USA. Building upon the Standard, a .22 semi-automatic pistol that virtually built the Ruger name, the MK II boasts a 10 round magazine, reduced weight (at 1.01kg/36oz) and minor trigger changes.
Design Development
The MK II was a development of the Ruger MK I, with several improvements. It maintained the same format of blowback pistol, fixed barrel and bolt with tubular receiver. These components were among those that could be interchanged with older models.
The improvements include:
- Trigger - Changed material and shape, re-designed pivot system
- Safety Catch - Re-designed to allow bolt to be retracted and chamber examine when safety is applied
- Magazine - Holds 10 rounds instead of the former 9
- Receiver - Rear cut away on both sides allowing for easier bolt retraction.
- Bolt - Bolt hold open device re-designed
The MK II also had several different barrels for different purposes:
- Standard lengths - 120mm (4.75in) / 152mm (6in)
- Target model - 152mm (6in)
- 'Bull Barrel' - Heavy 127mm (5in)
Ammunition
The MK II used the .22 Long Rifle RF round, as used by the MK I. The magazine can hold 10 of these rounds.
Variants
The MK II was released in two unique versions, designed to reignite Ruger's hold on the .22 pistol market. These both celebrated Ruger's earlier pistols and introduced new features to the MK II.
Red Eagle
Although not continued from the MK I the "Red Eagle" variant did not appear until the 50th Anniversary model (MK I Red Eagle - 1949) which featured a silver eagle on a red background on the grip.
Suppressed
A suppressed Ruger mk.II
A variant of the target pistol, featuring a sound suppressor which uses a primary baffle of 303 stainless steel and a secondary baffle of 6061-T6 aluminium alloy. It allows the use of high velocity rounds reliably, as well as the standard .22 Long Rifle round. The specifications of the suppressed version are: Overall length 33.7 cm (13.25in); a suppressor length of 18 cm (7in); a diameter of 2.5 cm (1in) and weight of 1.2kg (41oz).
The MK II Supressed is finished in US Navy spec stainless-matte finish.
Usage
With production having begun in 1982 Ruger MK II was used by several organisations, such as the US Army for training purposes as well as extensive use as a target pistol in its 'Target' form. Furthermore, the MK II Suppressed version saw some use with the US Navy.
The MK II was later replaced in 2004 by the Ruger MK III , a further developed version of the original "Standard". The production of the MK II would continue for a further year before ending in 2005, with remaining stocks of the MK II being sold off to dealerships across the globe.
Resources
- Modern Small Arms - Ian V. Hogg
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_MK_II