Looking for help on what this MKII variation?

Opee · Dec 11, 2025

Helping a friend to liquidate an estate and there are a number of Ruger Semi-Auto MKII's in this collection.
This one has a Volquartsen heavy 3.5" barrel, Volquartsen custom trigger?, and a Bo-Mar rear sight.
Not sure what type of competition this would be shot in with a shorter barrel?
Any comments on rarity, value, highly desired/collectible or not would be greatly appreciated.
There is only a proper sized Ruger box included and no paperwork on the pistol/upgrades.
Much appreciated!
Brian

hittman · Dec 11, 2025

Welcome to the forum

rugerguy · Dec 11, 2025

welcome to the Forum, nice gun and most likely made for use in 22 Bullseyes Comp. (NRA B-3 targets) , timed and rapid fire 5 shots each string forgot if the one phase was 10 shots for slow fire??been A long time ago for us,,,and as pictured "parts " as you noted on the basic MK II grip frame ,and receiver tube,,looks like it is in a P series plastic case though, thus the short barrel, yes a bit different but no big deal I'd say in the $550 price range, would rather have the "stock" version 5 1/2 bull barrel , of that gun and last show saw two of them in that same price range,,,,,,the proof in the pudding is how it shoots and how accurate it actually may be, my friend, a Sgt on the local PD shot a 288 out of 300 in competition with an RST-4,,,,so I rest my case, all that "extra" money ( customizing) in any particular gun may NOT make a person a better shooter, and to me, short barrel 22s seem to be 'apt' for "cans" ( silencers) and those I am NOT a fan of......JMHO Good luck.......

Uncle Howie · Dec 11, 2025

Hey, Opee-

I believe that pistol is a Volquartsen “Custom Match Carry,” or a similar name/model.

@wproct is a regular poster here, who appears to have that model pistol as their avatar. Maybe they will post some info about their pistol.

I have a “Distributor Exclusive” KMK4BL, which looks similar at first glance, but the barrel is slightly smaller in diameter than the Volquartsen shown- it’s the typical Ruger bull barrel diameter, slightly smaller than the receiver diameter.

My KMK4BL is my favorite MK II configuration!

Opee · Dec 12, 2025

Thanks for the replies on this Ruger customized pistol.
There are several Mk II's and MK III's in this estate but none of them have a trigger as crisp as this pistol.
Its the best I've ever squeezed!

wproct · Dec 13, 2025

Yes, I do own the exact pistol that you are showing. I first saw one of these in a 1997 gun magazine review article and wanted one badly. Years later, 2004, I found a new one for sale at Scheel's in Coralville, IA. At that time Scheel's made a purchase of a number of pistols and rifles from Volquartsen, and yes it was called a Match Carry. That pistol would have come from Volquartsen with black rubber Hogue wrap around grips and someone has apparently swapped those for the wood checkered grips with thumbrest, I did the exact same thing to mine. It's my understanding that these pistols were made for the shooter that wanted a full target pistol with full trigger and sight adjustments only in a more compact and easy to carry package. It has proved to be one of my favorite casual target pistols and the part a really like is the balance and heft for me is just dead nuts perfect. And, as you described, the trigger on mine is outstanding. The only thing I have done to mine is replace the Volquartsen paddle trigger for a grooved Clark Customs trigger. You are actually the only other person that I have heard from that has one. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.
I apologize, I re-read your question for re-sale value. All I can tell you that when I bought mine at retail in 2004 it was $679.99, but appreciating it to today's new retail value would probably be about double that. However, some will say that it is an outdated MKII format so would detract from it's value but in my opinion it increases it. The photos of your pistol looks like it is in excellent condition except for blue wear on the sights probably from being carried in a holster and that's exactly what the pistol was designed for.

eveled · Dec 14, 2025

It’s a cool gun, I’m grateful to lean about it. Thanks for posting.

Knowing exactly shat it is should help with the sale. Best of luck.

Opee · Dec 14, 2025

Thanks so much for your reply. Well, at least we know where two of these pistols are now! Interesting story on how the gun came to be in its configuration. Is there a certain type of 22 ammo that you use in your pistol?
The estate collector (owner) was not a shooter, but rather just collected unique and somewhat expensive rare pistols, some of which I had never seen before. Example: H&K P7’s…He had 4-5 of those pistols, and I wish I had fired one before selling them. But putting a round through a LNIB P7 would diminish the value.

1gunsnotenough · Dec 14, 2025

Make that three of them, One resides in my safe. I know of a fourth and fifth. I wouldn't say they are rare but scarce,

RugerForMe · Dec 14, 2025

Very nice wouldn't mind finding one of those for myself.

Watertender · Dec 14, 2025

Uncle Howie said:
I have a “Distributor Exclusive” KMK4BL, which looks similar at first glance, but the barrel is slightly smaller in diameter than the Volquartsen shown- it’s the typical Ruger bull barrel diameter, slightly smaller than the receiver diameter.

My KMK4BL is my favorite MK II configuration!

Uncle Howie I second your motion about the MK4B, MK4BL and KMK4BL
The MK3 Hunter is close in pattern but is a lawyer's wet dream and the MKIVB4 CHSS is the newest version of the short bull barrel.

wproct · Dec 15, 2025

Opee said:
Thanks so much for your reply. Well, at least we know where two of these pistols are now! Interesting story on how the gun came to be in its configuration. Is there a certain type of 22 ammo that you use in your pistol?
The estate collector (owner) was not a shooter, but rather just collected unique and somewhat expensive rare pistols, some of which I had never seen before. Example: H&K P7’s…He had 4-5 of those pistols, and I wish I had fired one before selling them. But putting a round through a LNIB P7 would diminish the value.

I have shot a variety of brands of ammo through mine. Recently I bought a halo ring to put on the bolt so I can work the bolt easier and it added just enough weight that I can only shoot high velocity ammo as it won't cycle standard velocity ammo with that extra weight added to the bolt.

Mobuck · Dec 17, 2025

^^Unexpected consequence of the pull knob thingie. I had not considered that.

Watertender · Dec 17, 2025

Mobuck said:
^^Unexpected consequence of the pull knob thingie. I had not considered that.

Many years ago a friend of my dad had 1 hand. He had an RST4 .22 pistol. I drilled and tapped the rear center of the bolt and put an 8-32 screw eye in it. He put a small hook on his coat pocket and used it to work the bolt. It worked out well for him

wproct · Dec 18, 2025

Mobuck said:
^^Unexpected consequence of the pull knob thingie. I had not considered that.

Actually I have 2 MKII Rugers and I bought a halo ring for both. I can still shoot standard velocity ammo in the 5.5 inch barrel pistol but not in my 3.5 inch bbl pistol. Apparently the extra 2 inches allows the pistol to put more energy against the bolt.

Springer2 · Dec 18, 2025

Interesting pistol. I am pretty certain the trigger is a Clark. Hope you enjoy shooting it.

1gunsnotenough · Dec 18, 2025

Springer2 said:
Interesting pistol. I am pretty certain the trigger is a Clark. Hope you enjoy shooting it.

Nope it's a VQ paddle trigger. Earlier VQs had Clark triggers.

Springer2 · Dec 19, 2025

1gunsnotenough said:
Nope it's a VQ paddle trigger. Earlier VQs had Clark triggers.

Interesting. Looks very similar to this Clark.

1gunsnotenough · Dec 20, 2025

I have and have had several Clark's. Never seen that trigger on a Clark. On his early guns he reworked the factory triggers. Then he used his triggers on his guns. Then I think he went to a skinnerier trigger before he quit working on Ruger pistols. I have several VQs with the paddle trigger. I prefer the Clark trigger to VQ. But prefer the VQ paddle trigger over their others.

Springer2 said:
Interesting. Looks very similar to this Clark.

I

Springer2 · Dec 20, 2025

1gunsnotenough said:
I have and have had several Clark's. Never seen that trigger on a Clark. On his early guns he reworked the factory triggers. Then he used his triggers on his guns. Then I think he went to a skinnerier trigger before he quit working on Ruger pistols. I have several VQs with the paddle trigger. I prefer the Clark trigger to VQ. But prefer the VQ paddle trigger over their others.

I

These are triggers I bought as a gunsmith when I was working on Rugers in the 80s and 90s. As I recall I bought them directly from Clark but it is possible they were sold by Brownell's or Gil Hebard as that is where I got most of my supplies from back then.

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