After I got my Mark IV back from Ruger's recall, I went to the range and had multiple FTE and FTF and was quite frustrated. I was using crap ammo of various brands, but wondered if something was done wrong when it was with Ruger since prior to the recall work it had seemed almost flawless. I took it home, thoroughly cleaned it and then went back to the range. I started with CCI ammo and fired about 150 rounds without a single problem, or a single dud round as well. Then I started shooting the Remington ammo, and had three dud rounds and several FTE in only about 50 rounds fired. It did not seem to have any correlation with any of the three magazines I was using, so I think it must just be that my Mark IV doesn't like the really cheap stuff. Is it just mine or have others had similar experience?
Mark IV is picky
- Thread starter vito
- Start date
OP
You are probably right. The shame is that I have several thousand rounds of the cheap stuff that I bought during the Obama ammo shortages. But i do have a S&W 617, 10 shot revolver that I can use the crappy stuff in.
fiasconva
Blackhawk
Keep the ammo. After a little longer break in period it just may shoot the cheap stuff.
AzShooter1
Single-Sixer
vito said:
That's what I do with the ammo that doesn't work in my Mark IV. It goes in the 617.
Stay with Mini Mags for a while and then try CCI SV. You should be happy. Don't even bother with the cheap ammo. Mine, like yours is very picky.
My RST6 and T678 Mark II will eat anything I feed them, but they both have a boatload of ammo through them. That may be the difference.... I dunno. The only problem I ever have is the very rare FTF, and it will almost always fire on the next try, probably because of a dead spot in the priming.
22/45 Fan
Hunter
I modified your response. Semi-auto rifles (10/22, etc.) are just as fussy about ammo as any pistol, maybe more so.Rocdoc said:
SGW Gunsmith
Blackhawk
Maybe you didn't smack those Remington rounds enough times?
When I get customers who buy new Ruger Mark pistols, my recommendation, since the Mark II's came out, has always involved shooting several hundred CCI Mini-Mags in that new pistol. I have never found any specific number of Mini-Mag rounds that will get the new springs into their final "working set", or length, so after around 300 to 400 Mini-Mags, then try some of the CCI Standard ammunition to see how function is, then. The pistol will get there is just takes time for the longer springs when new, to get to their working length, and the more fun way to do that is by shooting your new pistol.
When I get customers who buy new Ruger Mark pistols, my recommendation, since the Mark II's came out, has always involved shooting several hundred CCI Mini-Mags in that new pistol. I have never found any specific number of Mini-Mag rounds that will get the new springs into their final "working set", or length, so after around 300 to 400 Mini-Mags, then try some of the CCI Standard ammunition to see how function is, then. The pistol will get there is just takes time for the longer springs when new, to get to their working length, and the more fun way to do that is by shooting your new pistol.
I own a Beretta Bobcat 21A that sets the standard for rim fire ammo finicky beasts and a Browning Buckmark that would function well even if the ammo were black powder based - LOL
It is simply the nature of the critters that for many .22LR semi-auto firearms there WILL be some ammo they just won't tolerate. And that's why the gods invented bolt action rifles and revolvers.
It is simply the nature of the critters that for many .22LR semi-auto firearms there WILL be some ammo they just won't tolerate. And that's why the gods invented bolt action rifles and revolvers.
SGW Gunsmith
Blackhawk
I've been working with, on, and around some of the "inflicted" characteristics that Ruger has provided with these "MARK" pistols since 1971. Now, unless my calculator has lied to me, that's 47 years. I would need to go through my bound book(s) to actually get a number count on how many of these pistols have crossed my bench, in every conceivable variation, over this period of time, but I can attest to there being a whole bunch of 'em.
I've kept some extensive notes, and descriptions concerning every foible, and malady, that I have encountered with these Ruger pistols, so I can reference what I did to correct an issue currently at hand. I really do need to compile all that information into a more reasonable format, if I just take the time to do that.
The "inter-web" has proven to be quite an interesting venue, whereby anybody can install a description, that they deem proper, into WIKIPEDIA, and nobody will challenge that description. So it is, with many posts that I read in the multitude of firearm forums now available. The one thing that I've noticed is that, someone will post, for example, "that EACH so-and-so firearm of a particular brand will prefer only a certain type of .22 rimfire". I can verify that that's not true with my involvement with the Ruger Mark pistols over the duration of time that I've dealt with 'em. If one Ruger Mark pistol likes a "specific" .22 rimfire brand, all others will be like minded, to a reasonable extent.
When I read about Ruger Mark pistols being "finicky" about ammunition, especially when newly purchased, I go to the experience that I've gained over time. I've learned that "every" Ruger Mark pistol, along with several other brands, need to go through a cycle whereby the "new" springs, installed at assembly, need to go through a process called "spring set" once they get into a customers hands. Ruger doesn't make springs. Like many other gun makers, they buy springs from a company that is expert at making springs. These springs, when new, are a bit longer and need to be excersized until they reach a "working length". From that point on, in the Ruger Mark pistols, Standard and High Velo ammunition will work very efficiently. That's why I normally recommend to "MY" customers that buy new Ruger Mark pistols go through a regimen of shooting CCI Mini-Mags for at least 400 to 600 rounds before going over to the much more accurate Standard velo ammunition. The choice is always with the customer as to what they want to do, but the claim that Ruger Mark pistols are "finicky" is not a fair assessment. Once the springs develop the working set (length) they require, they are extremely reliable firearms.
After I'm done with any Ruger Mark pistol that I receive for whatever purpose it's sent here, I thoroughly test the function of that individual pistol. Here again, the magical inter-web, and some forums involving rimfire firearms, has some folks who "parrot" the statement that Winchester .22 Long Rifle ammunition with the flat nose hollow-points don't function in the Ruger Mark guns. Well, that same exact ammunition has been my benchmark for use when I'm done with "smoothing & tuning" these guns. If they feed, fire and function Winchester 36 grain flat nose hollow-points, the pistol is shipped back to the customer. 40 grain round nose ammunition can be counted upon to work in all cases.
BTW, look at the ammunition and then read the box label. What's inside the box is not what the label says they are.
I've kept some extensive notes, and descriptions concerning every foible, and malady, that I have encountered with these Ruger pistols, so I can reference what I did to correct an issue currently at hand. I really do need to compile all that information into a more reasonable format, if I just take the time to do that.
The "inter-web" has proven to be quite an interesting venue, whereby anybody can install a description, that they deem proper, into WIKIPEDIA, and nobody will challenge that description. So it is, with many posts that I read in the multitude of firearm forums now available. The one thing that I've noticed is that, someone will post, for example, "that EACH so-and-so firearm of a particular brand will prefer only a certain type of .22 rimfire". I can verify that that's not true with my involvement with the Ruger Mark pistols over the duration of time that I've dealt with 'em. If one Ruger Mark pistol likes a "specific" .22 rimfire brand, all others will be like minded, to a reasonable extent.
When I read about Ruger Mark pistols being "finicky" about ammunition, especially when newly purchased, I go to the experience that I've gained over time. I've learned that "every" Ruger Mark pistol, along with several other brands, need to go through a cycle whereby the "new" springs, installed at assembly, need to go through a process called "spring set" once they get into a customers hands. Ruger doesn't make springs. Like many other gun makers, they buy springs from a company that is expert at making springs. These springs, when new, are a bit longer and need to be excersized until they reach a "working length". From that point on, in the Ruger Mark pistols, Standard and High Velo ammunition will work very efficiently. That's why I normally recommend to "MY" customers that buy new Ruger Mark pistols go through a regimen of shooting CCI Mini-Mags for at least 400 to 600 rounds before going over to the much more accurate Standard velo ammunition. The choice is always with the customer as to what they want to do, but the claim that Ruger Mark pistols are "finicky" is not a fair assessment. Once the springs develop the working set (length) they require, they are extremely reliable firearms.
After I'm done with any Ruger Mark pistol that I receive for whatever purpose it's sent here, I thoroughly test the function of that individual pistol. Here again, the magical inter-web, and some forums involving rimfire firearms, has some folks who "parrot" the statement that Winchester .22 Long Rifle ammunition with the flat nose hollow-points don't function in the Ruger Mark guns. Well, that same exact ammunition has been my benchmark for use when I'm done with "smoothing & tuning" these guns. If they feed, fire and function Winchester 36 grain flat nose hollow-points, the pistol is shipped back to the customer. 40 grain round nose ammunition can be counted upon to work in all cases.
BTW, look at the ammunition and then read the box label. What's inside the box is not what the label says they are.
Pat-inCO
Hawkeye
Golly-Gee-Whiz! I'm glad my newest Ruger Mark pistol is a Mk-II.
I run Winchester Silver box.
I've had as many mis-fires, FTE, FTRBs, as the fingers on one toe.
(I'll admit, I do not track the one per thousand type failures, it's a .22)
WARNING - WARNING - WARNING - - - War Story!
I was at the range with my 77/22 (yes, I know) and getting quite good results.
One of the guys there, seeing my results, insisted that I try some Federal
that he had. Since he provided the ammo, I said fine. Ten shot group
was about 30% larger than the Winchester AND it was a full inch LOWER
than the Winchester (sand bag rest).
- - - Moral of the story: Different manufacturers "stuff" provides different results.
- - - END War story.
I run Winchester Silver box.
I've had as many mis-fires, FTE, FTRBs, as the fingers on one toe.
(I'll admit, I do not track the one per thousand type failures, it's a .22)
WARNING - WARNING - WARNING - - - War Story!
I was at the range with my 77/22 (yes, I know) and getting quite good results.
One of the guys there, seeing my results, insisted that I try some Federal
that he had. Since he provided the ammo, I said fine. Ten shot group
was about 30% larger than the Winchester AND it was a full inch LOWER
than the Winchester (sand bag rest).
- - - Moral of the story: Different manufacturers "stuff" provides different results.
- - - END War story.
protoolman
Service-Sixer
Finicky? I only have 4 MKIIs but they will all shoot anything I stick in the magazines. Thunderbolt is the dirtiest and will gum them up but it will shoot 200 or so trouble free before cleaning. Remington golden bullets they love. Never had to break one in.
