Well, I finally got everything squared away. Fixed the sloppy loose frame to receiver fit, the correct front sight, and the correct grips.
Finally restored. MkI Target with muzzle brake
- Thread starter ArizonaTea123
- Start date
OP
Many thanks to Dan in MI for helping me with the front sight. There are some very fine folks on this forum! 
Hairtrigger
Single-Sixer
Beautiful! I love those old factory muzzle breaks
Nice!
That cleaned up nicely! Good looking Mk-I.
You're very welcome.
You're very welcome.
ammo dave
Single-Sixer
The frame to receiver fit on my MkIII is ridiculously tight, anyway to loosen it up a bit?
Why? Most people want to tighten it up. I have a couple I use my leather mallet to separate, or install. Wouldn't change a thing.
OP
Yep, after squeezing the frame a tad I can, with both hands, force the receiver onto the frame, but to disassemble I use a rubber mallet. Just one good hit and it comes loose.
"The frame to receiver fit on my MkIII is ridiculously tight, anyway to loosen it up a bit?"
IMHO, if you're taking a MK3 apart often enough that a tight fit is bothersome, you're taking it apart too often. :rolleyes:
IMHO, if you're taking a MK3 apart often enough that a tight fit is bothersome, you're taking it apart too often. :rolleyes:
I use my plastic-faced hammer for the little tapping required. No problem. :)
OuterBanks15
Single-Sixer
Soo, You went with the thins sides to pull upper down to the lug.
I slide the barrel/upper onto the frame until it gets a little snug and then gently tap it to complete the move. Same situation with removal . . . it usually needs a little tap or two to start the move. A alight bit of oil on one or the other helps. It's no big deal. I like the snug fit.
OP
So basically I put the frame, upside down, in a vice padded with leather straps, and very gently squeezed the upper rails inwards. I had to repeat this procedure three times before the receiver fit snug.
It's perfect now. It's tight, but not too tight that I can't take it apart or put it back together for cleaning.
Tight is good. Like the OP said, I have to use a rubber mallet on my MkII.
cee_Kamp
Single-Sixer
Yeah,
In another thread about this MK 1, II, III, loose receiver to grip frame condition, one member was suggesting welding the frame lug for tightening up the fit.
While it is possible to fix the condition by welding the lug, the obvious question is why would you. Slightly bending in the sheet metal frame "ears" is faster, easier, and can be done at home by the gun owner. Welding the lug is a job best done by pro's.
Someone else suggested a soda can shim.
I just shook my head about such obviously uninformed suggestions.
It must be the members suggesting the welding & soda can shims have never experienced the problem first hand.
I've done the same exact tightening process on my stainless MK II.
In another thread about this MK 1, II, III, loose receiver to grip frame condition, one member was suggesting welding the frame lug for tightening up the fit.
While it is possible to fix the condition by welding the lug, the obvious question is why would you. Slightly bending in the sheet metal frame "ears" is faster, easier, and can be done at home by the gun owner. Welding the lug is a job best done by pro's.
Someone else suggested a soda can shim.
I just shook my head about such obviously uninformed suggestions.
It must be the members suggesting the welding & soda can shims have never experienced the problem first hand.
ArizonaTea123,
That is a very nice repair that you did, it's not visible on the finished project, and a very nice restoration as well. Great Job!I've done the same exact tightening process on my stainless MK II.
Very nice looking, very classic
OuterBanks15
Single-Sixer
Problem is,, You are Ban-Aiding a heavier structural issue with very thin metal.
It is akin to stopping an engine or trans movement by crunching in some body sheet metal against it’s sides rather than addressing it’s mounts.
Bill Ruger learned at U.S Ordiance about slapping sheetmetal together to make greaseguns. He took that to create the lower of your pistol. It is quick and cheap. It is fragile.
Band-Aides are problems.
Not trying to piss you off. Just tellin’ ya..
OP
Since frames are not serialized, I can just buy a MkI frame off Gunbroker or any other site till I find one that fits perfectly. Easy enough.
OP
I found this interesting. World famous shooter and weapons enhancement specialist Jim Clark, at Camp Perry, would squeeze Ruger Mk frames to tighten them up.
Jim Clark was the brother-in-law of another famous gun guru, Jerry Miculek.
Jim Clark was the brother-in-law of another famous gun guru, Jerry Miculek.
contender
Ruger Guru
"Jim Clark was the brother-in-law of another famous gun guru, Jerry Miculek."
Correction; Jim Clark Senior was the shooter from the 50's featured in the Ruger ads, the champion shooter etc from 35 years prior. He was the Father-in-Law of Jerry Miculek. Jim Sr.'s son, Jim Junior was also a gunsmith, and was the BIL of Jerry. But Jim Jr. was also a serious competitor & such,, so it's also possible that the guy who posted that info did have Jim Jr. do it.
So,, maybe,,,,, ???
But it was Jim Sr. who reworked the Ruger .22 semi's originally, & won a lot of competitions that helped put Ruger on the map.
Correction; Jim Clark Senior was the shooter from the 50's featured in the Ruger ads, the champion shooter etc from 35 years prior. He was the Father-in-Law of Jerry Miculek. Jim Sr.'s son, Jim Junior was also a gunsmith, and was the BIL of Jerry. But Jim Jr. was also a serious competitor & such,, so it's also possible that the guy who posted that info did have Jim Jr. do it.
So,, maybe,,,,, ???
But it was Jim Sr. who reworked the Ruger .22 semi's originally, & won a lot of competitions that helped put Ruger on the map.
OP
Thanks for that. Most likely Jim Jr.
That's one of the reasons I squeezed the frame instead of using a shim, which at best, is a temporary fix.
If well-known gunsmiths/ shooters squeeze the frame then it must be ok.
OuterBanks15
Single-Sixer
It’s just not something I would do. The sheetmetal is not intended to do that.
To each his own.
If induction welding shim stock to the mounting lug is not a locally available service, using JB-Weld of even Lok-Tite Flange Locker with clamping the shim stock to the lug until cured are great alternatives.
To each his own.
If induction welding shim stock to the mounting lug is not a locally available service, using JB-Weld of even Lok-Tite Flange Locker with clamping the shim stock to the lug until cured are great alternatives.
Did he squeeze the "rails," or the lug?
I vaguely remember "adjusting" the lug on one of mine many years ago.
I vaguely remember "adjusting" the lug on one of mine many years ago.
OP
Squeeze the upper frame rails. The round receiver sits between them.
You don't have to squeeze very much.
OuterBanks15
Single-Sixer
Arizona Tea ,
I love you; my new friend.
My background is higher end machine issue resolutions. Mostly of were resolving high production engineering faults and post-resolution cures/fixes.
I admire your photo of your piece.
I am not trying to take away from your piece.
I am trying to convey the proper ways to address the root issue.
He are some photos sent to me by an engineer, last night, going thru the desert to a company to resolve issues.
I love you; my new friend.
My background is higher end machine issue resolutions. Mostly of were resolving high production engineering faults and post-resolution cures/fixes.
I admire your photo of your piece.
I am not trying to take away from your piece.
I am trying to convey the proper ways to address the root issue.
He are some photos sent to me by an engineer, last night, going thru the desert to a company to resolve issues.
OuterBanks15
Single-Sixer
OuterBanks15
Single-Sixer
OuterBanks15
Single-Sixer
I will always try to help you all with quality practical solutions and NEVER anything hinky.
Hairy Clipper
Bearcat
The soda can shim might get you through an emergency fix while shooting at a weekend tournament. However, as a permanent repair I would avoid it. The galvanic action of the dissimilar metals and the electron migration will cause corrosion along the contact line of the dissimilar metals and create other problems long term.
That is a beautiful Mark I !
That is a beautiful Mark I !
OP
No problem. I started working on guns in 1976, at the age of 16. My father was (RIP) a Navy veteran and gun nut.
I joined the service, active Air Force and then later Army Reserve. I was for a short period my units armorer. I was in a PSYOP unit, and taught marksmanship class.
Of course that was a hundred years ago, and I've forgotten some of my skills. You loose it if you don't use it.
I joined the service, active Air Force and then later Army Reserve. I was for a short period my units armorer. I was in a PSYOP unit, and taught marksmanship class.
Of course that was a hundred years ago, and I've forgotten some of my skills. You loose it if you don't use it.
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