Kevin said:
I didn't want to hijack the other thread about the nice 1989 Mark II. And just wanted some follow up conversation about the two piece bolt on the Mark II.
Did ALL Mark II's come with the two piece bolt?
Someone raised the question why can't the ears be TIG welded on? If not, what are the other options? Well, before this, is the separation always an issue? As in, do the bolts always fail?
I just haven't heard of this being a problem ever.
Well, you seen the picture. How often does it happen? The Customer Service Manager in Prescott told me they get between 3 and 5 bolts returned per year. Is it ALL Ruger Mark II bolts that are two piece? Nope. But those Ruger Mark II stainless pistols that have the two-piece bolts also have the one-piece mainspring housing body rather than the three piece laminated type. I have seen the two-piece bolts on the Ruger Mark II pistols in KMK 10, 6-7/8 ths inch stainless heavy tapered barrel Target versions and the 5½ stainless Target versions. Haven't seen that type bolt on the 5 ¼ Heavy tapered barrel Target though.
Do all the Ruger Mark II two-piece bolts fail? Apparently not, but one never knows when they will come off............or not.
I feel the best fix involves prevention. I've been told that when Ruger encounters a two-piece bolt on any Ruger Mark II 5 ¼ heavy tapered barrel version though.
I don't know of anyone "tig welding" separated ears back in place on the bolt successfully. I have been told that if Ruger encounters a Ruger Mark II sent back to the factory for drilling & tapping, or any repair work, two-piece bolts are replaced with the Mark III style having smaller diameter ears. Maybe now they'll use the Ruger Mark IV bolts.
Mine have been fixed so that the ears won't come off, and if I ever need to send it back to Ruger (doubtful) the bolt will not go along with it.