MK I Target Consistently Blows Case Heads

[DeletedMember275]

This is an O-L-D pistol, with a pre-A-100 grip frame and Micro rear sight, and it has fired a metric ton of ammo over the years. It doesn't seem to matter what type of ammo, although the high velocity stuff does seem to blow the case heads more frequently than standard velocity stuff. This occurs frequently enough that I won't shoot the pistol any longer. Lots of sentimental value in this old gun, and I'd like to restore it to shooting condition if possible. My father traded a 1953 Pontiac station wagon (that needed a transmission) for this gun back in the mid-60s. He and I shot it together often.

I tried a No-Go headspace gage in the gun, and it literally swallowed it. I don't have a Field gage to try. I'm also currently nearly 8,000 miles away from it, so I'm having to go off of memory. My questions are, has anyone else experienced this with an old Ruger .22 pistol, and, is there a remedy short of a new barrel?

 

[Mobuck]

Stuff(even Ruger stuff) does wear out. A decent gunsmith might be able to sleeve the chamber or completely reline the barrel.
BTW, has the old girl ever had the main spring replaced?

 

[DeletedMember275]

Stuff(even Ruger stuff) does wear out. A decent gunsmith might be able to sleeve the chamber or completely reline the barrel.
BTW, has the old girl ever had the main spring replaced?

I hadn't considered having the barrel lined, but I'll definitely look into that when I return to the States. I sent the gun in to Ruger many years ago to replace the disconnector, which was worn to the point that the gun doubled fairly often. I had them replace all the springs at that time.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

Stuff(even Ruger stuff) does wear out. A decent gunsmith might be able to sleeve the chamber or completely reline the barrel.
BTW, has the old girl ever had the main spring replaced?

I hadn't considered having the barrel lined, but I'll definitely look into that when I return to the States. I sent the gun in to Ruger many years ago to replace the disconnector, which was worn to the point that the gun doubled fairly often. I had them replace all the springs at that time.

That would be quite a tough feat, due to how the feed ramp was machined in place when the barrel was machined. I can't say that I have ever seen a Ruger Mark pistol with a worn out chamber. Given that you stated there has been a voluminous round count gone through your pistol, I would first try various other brands of ammunition. Then, look to where the leade begins, just in front of the chamber. That transition area will often receive a "carbon ring" buildup of burned powder and lead and can cause the cartridge to become slightly "short-chambered".

Never easy to diagnose a situation from a distance, so at least giving the above a look-see, and scrub that leade area really well.

 

[Snake45]

Given that you stated there has been a voluminous round count gone through your pistol, I would first try various other brands of ammunition. Then, look to where the leade begins, just in front of the chamber. That transition area will often receive a "carbon ring" buildup of burned powder and lead and can cause the cartridge to become slightly "short-chambered".

Never easy to diagnose a situation from a distance, so at least giving the above a look-see, and scrub that leade area really well.

This was my first thought as well.

 

[contender]

I know for a fact,,, that if a barrel does need a sleeve,, it can be done. Jim Clark used to do them,, all the time.
But,, I agree that a SERIOUS magnified look into the chamber is a good place to start. A good gunsmith is the best place to start.

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

THO I MAY HAVE MISSED "IT"......WHY ISN'T RUGER THE PLACE TO START WITH AND HAVE THE GUN SERVICED? CALL PRESCOTT, AZ SERVICE.......... 8)

 

[Snake45]

The more I think about it, the more I think you've got dirt in your chamber preventing full chambering. I had this happen with a .22 AR conversion and it blew out a case exactly as you describe...and it will do it again if I don't clean the chamber out about every 400 rounds.

BTW, the Ruger .22 auto WILL allow the hammer to drop if the bolt is just a little bit out of battery. I used to drop the hammer on mine for storage this way all the time.

 

[DeletedMember275]

THO I MAY HAVE MISSED "IT"......WHY ISN'T RUGER THE PLACE TO START WITH AND HAVE THE GUN SERVICED? CALL PRESCOTT, AZ SERVICE.......... 8)

I seriously doubt that Ruger has parts for a Mark I pistol on hand. I'll check with them once I return to the States, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

 

[Snake45]

Are you with the military? If so, get a couple of brand new 5.56/223 bore brushes. Nothing cleans out a dirty .22 chamber than a brand new USGI M16 bore brush. (No, not even a new commercial brush.) I'd be willing to lay a cash bet that if you get that chamber cleaned out properly, your problem will go away.

 

[toysoldier]

I would also check the corner between the receiver and bolt face. I have seen several .22's that appeared to be clean, but had tightly-packed grunge there, that had to be removed with a toothpick or similar tool. Someone makes plastic versions of dental picks, which are good for this sort of cleaning.