1982 Mark 1 Target

[tallshag]

Picked this up at a gun show yesterday. I've never owned one of these and wondered what y'all can tell me about it.

The SN indicates it was made in 1982, according to Ruger database. I thought the Mark I ran through 1981 and production of the Mark II began in 1982?

What was the proper model name of this pistol, a heavy barrel? Bull barrel?

Are the grips factory? Or did the original owner upgrade them? I looked through many photos online and did not see many like this one.

Is the adjustable rear sight factory original or was it an option added later?

I've yet to shoot this pistol, are they accurate enough for plinking fun as-is, or do they need an upgrade? I'm not going to be competing with this pistol.

Is there a particular type of ammo they like best? Or will pretty much any ammo work well?

 

[Threespears]

I don’t have answers to Your questions.
However I’m sure you will enjoy that MK1

 

[BloodyThumb]

That looks like a 512T model. I have one that I bought new in the early 80s. Sites are the same, but my grip panels were black plastic. The only ones I remember seeing came with black plastic. I guess it is possible that they came from the factory, but I would bet against it.

 

[TestEngineer]

Your pistol is as it left the factory. Certain models were offered with optional upgrades - like wood target grips or a compensator. I'm not sure what the price difference was for the upgrades, but Ruger did charge something for them.

Also, the Ruger database shows when the pistols were shipped - not necessarily when they were assembled.

 

[Dan in MI]

Yup, factory MK-I. Very accurate as is, even for competition. They eat most everything, only testing will tell what its favorite is.

Have fun.

 

[tallshag]

That looks like a 512T model. I have one that I bought new in the early 80s. Sites are the same, but my grip panels were black plastic. The only ones I remember seeing came with black plastic. I guess it is possible that they came from the factory, but I would bet against it.

All the images I found had black plastic grips, like your pistol.

 

[tallshag]

Yup, factory MK-I. Very accurate as is, even for competition. They eat most everything, only testing will tell what its favorite is.

Have fun.

I have some Aguila SE and CCI Stingers I'm just itching to try. And some cheap Winchester T22s for comparison.

 

[peachhead]

The only factory walnut target grips I have ever seen had medallions on them, At least I think they did.
That's got to be a good shooting pistol!

 

[NH Rugerman]

That is an A-100 framed Mk I pistol, so the thumb rest grips would have one medallion on the opposite side from the picture. Most likely, the gun shipped with the standard delrin grip panels and the Ruger manufactured walnut thumb rest grip panels were added.

Good luck, great pistol. Should be plenty accurate and lots of fun.

 

[tallshag]

Right on.

 

[tallshag]

The only factory walnut target grips I have ever seen had medallions on them, At least I think they did.
That's got to be a good shooting pistol!

There's one Ruger eagle.

 

[peachhead]

There's one Ruger eagle.

Yep that's it those are very nice grips!

 

[contender]

I can't add much except that you may have mis-understood how Ruger's site lists their serial numbers.
According to the RENE Guide; The last MKI (known) shipped in 1982,, and the highest serial number is 17-80344. I'll bet yours is under that number.
In 1982,, the serial number range was 17-70981 to 17-80344.
Oh,, and the model info;
There are the following models from Ruger;
T-512
T-512W Yes,, some were shipped with the walnut thumbrest grips.
"T" is for Mark I Target. "512" is for 5-1/2" bull barrel. "W" is for walnut thumbrest grips.

 

[tallshag]

I can't add much except that you may have mis-understood how Ruger's site lists their serial numbers.
According to the RENE Guide; The last MKI (known) shipped in 1982,, and the highest serial number is 17-80344. I'll bet yours is under that number.
In 1982,, the serial number range was 17-70981 to 17-80344.
Oh,, and the model info;
There are the following models from Ruger;
T-512
T-512W Yes,, some were shipped with the walnut thumbrest grips.
"T" is for Mark I Target. "512" is for 5-1/2" bull barrel. "W" is for walnut thumbrest grips.

Thank you sir! Yes the SN is 17-12xxx

 

[Baxter6551]

Welcome to the forum and great MKI you got there. Shoot the heck out of it! I just picked up a MKII Target recently. Great guns. Get one of these for it.

https://www.hammerstrutsupport.com/

 

[contender]

Ok,, your gun,, serial number 17-12xxx was a 1981 production.
In 1981,, the serial numbers were;
16-82937 to 16-99999 AND 17-05001 to 17-70980.

In 1981,, Ruger built 5000 "William B. Ruger" Signature series Standard auto's. Serial numbers are 17-00001 to 17-05000.
And in 1982,, they did start the MKII models,, and they started with the serial number 18-00001.
In short,, there was an overlapping of manufacturing in 1982.

Info by the RENE!

 

[Gopher]

I have one from around that same time frame. I've lost count of the rounds through it, and the finish is getting a little thin in places, but it's been fun. I have had a set of those aftermarket grips and wood ones at one time or another. It's currently running a red dot on a B Square mount, but I may put the glass back on it at some point.

 

[wproct]

That's a nice one for sure. That pistol is absolutely up to decent target shooting as it is. Some trigger work might make it easier to shoot well with it.

 

[Larryburford]

Picked this up at a gun show yesterday. I've never owned one of these and wondered what y'all can tell me about it.

The SN indicates it was made in 1982, according to Ruger database. I thought the Mark I ran through 1981 and production of the Mark II began in 1982?

What was the proper model name of this pistol, a heavy barrel? Bull barrel?

Are the grips factory? Or did the original owner upgrade them? I looked through many photos online and did not see many like this one.

Is the adjustable rear sight factory original or was it an option added later?

I've yet to shoot this pistol, are they accurate enough for plinking fun as-is, or do they need an upgrade? I'm not going to be competing with this pistol.

Is there a particular type of ammo they like best? Or will pretty much any ammo work well?

I have one exactly like that with the exact same aftermarket grips. It was my first pistol.

 

[Jeepnik]

My MK I came with black plastic. I bought some of the walnut ones just because they looked better. Years later when I put my scope mount on it, it's black metal and part of the grip panel, I put the black back on.