Custom Mark III project complete (photos inside)..........

[OmegaMan]

Hello Everyone!

What better place to post a write-up and photos of my completed project then the Ruger Rimfire forum! So I sold my Ruger KP345 a while back when I got my Colt Gold Cup, but I still needed a .22 pistol. I have (2) customn 10/22's, but ya gotta have something to fire during the winter in the indoor range, right?? :wink:

So I started this project a while back and I've finally gotten around to taking a few photos of the completed project. I haven't decided if I'm going to put a Burris FastFire II sight on it yet or not, but I think I would definitely go that route over say an AimPoint.

I've always heard good and bad about the Ruger Mark series of pistols and after looking them over for several years from time to time, I decided to just up and purchase one finally.

At first I wanted the longer Hunter/Target model with fluted barrel, Talo grips, etc, but eventually I decided against it in favor of this 5.5" model with smooth barrel.

I can't seem to leave many of my firearms "stock", so this pistol got a few upgrades right from the beginning. They are as follows:

- Volquartsen Sear
- Clark Hammer Bushing
- Clark Adjustable Trigger
- Stainless filler piece to replace loaded chamber indicator
- Altamont Rosewood Target Grips (same manufacturer of the TALO grips)
- Black Hex-head grip screws

Ok, here we go......

So how does it shoot? Well, it's a lot less finicky with ammo then my Browning BuckMark Target, that's for sure. :bthumb: Also, it's holds zero better with multiple brands of ammo. The grips are simply awesome on this thing, and really make the pistol IMHO. Since I opted for the 5.5" bull barrel instead of the longer Hunter/Target fluted barrel, I feel it's more balanced. It took some practice with reassembly, but disassembly is not bad at all.

Here it is with my other "beaters". :lol:

Diamondback .380, Sig X-Five Competition, Colt Gold Cup MKIV........

- OmegaMan 8)

 

[Slanteyedshootist]

Nice work.

 

[Stoots]

Beautiful!

 

[Snake45]

Very nice! Beautiful wood in those grips! :wink:

 

[Baldy]

That is very fine pistol you built up there sir. Two of mine are the 5.5" barrel as they seem to balance better for me. Fine looking pistols all of them.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

Very nice!

-- Sam

 

[SD Handgunner]

Very nice indeed. I love those grips, they look awesome and I bet they are comfortable also.

I have a Ruger MKII Stainless-Steel 5 1/2" Bull Barrel with a lot of the same internal parts in it. Mine wears a Burris Fastfire mounted on the Burris Mount that replaces the Ruger Rear Sight. This makes for a great handling package. The only complaint I have with my Fastfire is the battery life seems really short.

Great looking Ruger you got there.

Larry

 

[southernfarmer1021]

That's a beauty! Job well done!

 

[DVRich]

NICE GRIPS! I like the shiny front of the trigger and that looks great with the SS pistol.

 

[doc540]

Some people just can't leave well enough ALONE. :wink:

 

[Snake45]

It wasn't until the second time I looked at these pics that I realized that your grips aren't solid walnut, they're plywood! :shock: I usually don't like the look of plywood on guns but these look GREAT!

 

[captainkirk]

Maybe I missed this somwhere along the way, but, did you make the LCI replacement piece or did you purchase it? If you purchased it, are they readily available?

Thanks, and very nice work. Your other three are no slouch either.

captainkirk

 

[blume357]

Looks just like mine... except....
I have ugly Hogue Rubber grips on mine and those high vis fiber optic sights... and mine is not nearly as clean....
I think I've put about 3-4000 rounds through it since the last time I broke it down... I do spray some break free or Rem oil in it every couple of months...

nice grips for sure.

 

[Tommy F]

i have been shooting a 5.5 inch blue with Volqs grips for 20 years and it is still my most fired gun. Never have stripped it.