Ruger KMK4BL model 00198

[WhatdoIhave]

I recently bought this Ruger and have done quite a bit of research it has the gold trigger and the serial number puts it I am sure it is a Lipsey's but it has a checkered grip on the right side and a smooth grip on the left side both have the red medallion. Model 00198 I am just trying to figure out if it is original and what the current value is. Thanks for any help

 

[hittman]

Welcome to the forum.
The s/n and especially a pic or two would be a big help.

 

[Watertender]

It should look like this. The grips are smooth cocobolo with the S/R logo. It should be in a green box. It sounds like someone changed the grips. The original blued MK4B had laminated grips with a thumb rest on the left grip for right handed shooters. If you were left handed you would have to buy a set of left handed grips for the thumb rest on the right grip. You could either use the set or use both smooth grips to make it ambidextrous.

 

[WhatdoIhave]

Welcome to the forum.
The s/n and especially a pic or two would be a big help.

I got a couple pics and serial added

 

[Uncle Howie]

My Lipsey’s versions look just like Watertender’s.

I suspect someone replaced the right grip panel on Whatdolhave’s pistol.

This is my favorite MKII configuration!

(I bought a second one, just in cae I “wear out” the first… )

 

[WhatdoIhave]

The person I've got this from doesn't believe it had ever been fired. Do you have any idea what the value on this gun is at current prices?

 

[WhatdoIhave]

Welcome to the forum.
The s/n and especially a pic or two would be a big help.

I have attached two pictures of the gun and the label on the box. It came in showing serial number and model. Hopefully that will help me get more information.

 

[Watertender]

Your KMK4BL was shipped in 2003. The grips on the right are the original style that should be on it. The ones on the left are the checkered grips that you have half of.

 

[Uncle Howie]

The person I've got this from doesn't believe it had ever been fired. Do you have any idea what the value on this gun is at current prices?

It really of depends on how badly a person wants it… and how knowledgeable the seller is.

If you really like it, I don't think that $500 is out of line- especially if it's a local/private sale and you can (potentially, depending upon local laws) avoid shipping/background/tax costs.

If you could get it for $400, that'd be a sweet deal- but probably unlikely.

The MK II series values really went up after they were discontinued, and the MK III was foisted upon us. When the MK IV series came out, the MK II prices began to fall, somewhat.

A KMK 512 (same basic pistol, but w/5.5" barrel instead of 4") is one of the more popular configurations in the MK II series. You can usually find a bargain on one of them on GunBroker, etc., if you keep your eyes peeled.

***How much of a premium are you willing to pay, for that "shorty" barrel?

I'm an accumulator/shooter, not a collector. For me, the true value is how much fun I'll have shooting some pop cans… To a picky collector, the non-original grip panel might be a good bargaining chip- or even a potential deal-breaker. It wouldn't give me pause, for more than about ten seconds.

RF member "onegunsnotenough" has done a lot of wheeling/dealing in the MK II series, over the years. Hopefully he'll chime in with a possible value estimate.

 

[s4s4u]

The person I've got this from doesn't believe it had ever been fired. Do you have any idea what the value on this gun is at current prices?

I'd take that with a grain of salt, and not use it as a value point.

 

[WhatdoIhave]

It really of depends on how badly a person wants it… and how knowledgeable the seller is.

If you really like it, I don't think that $500 is out of line- especially if it's a local/private sale and you can (potentially, depending upon local laws) avoid shipping/background/tax costs.

If you could get it for $400, that'd be a sweet deal- but probably unlikely.

The MK II series values really went up after they were discontinued, and the MK III was foisted upon us. When the MK IV series came out, the MK II prices began to fall, somewhat.

A KMK 512 (same basic pistol, but w/5.5" barrel instead of 4") is one of the more popular configurations in the MK II series. You can usually find a bargain on one of them on GunBroker, etc., if you keep your eyes peeled.

***How much of a premium are you willing to pay, for that "shorty" barrel?

I'm an accumulator/shooter, not a collector. For me, the true value is how much fun I'll have shooting some pop cans… To a picky collector, the non-original grip panel might be a good bargaining chip- or even a potential deal-breaker. It wouldn't give me pause, for more than about ten seconds.

RF member "onegunsnotenough" has done a lot of wheeling/dealing in the MK II series, over the years. Hopefully he'll chime in with a possible value estimate.

I more curious of what everyone thinks it is worth I gave $400 for it on a local auction so I didn’t get hurt on the price never getting rid of it will pas it on to grand kids we are definitely going to shoot it and enjoy the gun. I really appreciate everyone’s input about it. I bought it because I like Rugers and this makes a nice addition to my collection.

 

[hittman]

Fair price.

 

[contender]

At $400 you got a fair deal. Shoot it & enjoy it. And if you desire to replace the grips,, that's easily done.

 

[contender]

Deleted double post.

 

[Uncle Howie]

I more curious of what everyone thinks it is worth I gave $400 for it on a local auction so I didn't get hurt on the price never getting rid of it will pas it on to grand kids we are definitely going to shoot it and enjoy the gun. I really appreciate everyone's input about it. I bought it because I like Rugers and this makes a nice addition to my collection.

I concur with others- you got a fair (to good) price on it.

Of course, I’m biased- I LOVE how that short bull barrel balances!

I like your style, re: shooting it, and passing it on!

 

[Uncle Howie]

Here's a pair of "correct" grips, if you just have to have them:
(eBay link below, but showing up “goofy” in my post!)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/204492712606
NDIH, but I believe the seller is Bill Lett, who is "family," connected to Lett grips, longtime OEM supplier to Ruger. Verify with seller, if you care to…

I swear these OEM wooden grips seem slightly wider/more "filling" than the plastic MK II grips… but my measurements say they're basically identical(?).

You can certainly shoot that pistol with the grips you have for a few decades, until some other grips catch your eye!

 

[black1970]

Buy some Lett grips off eBay. That little pistol is worth at least 700 bucks. Don't let the tite wads on here low ball your Ruger. At 400 bucks you stole it. BTW I have one too!

 

[Watertender]

There were 1002 KMK4BL pistols made

 

[WhatdoIhave]

Buy some Lett grips off eBay. That little pistol is worth at least 700 bucks. Don't let the tite wads on here low ball your Ruger. At 400 bucks you stole it. BTW I have one too!

I just ordered the grips it’s going to look really good with them.

 

[WhatdoIhave]

There were 1002 KMK4BL pistols made

I am really glad I own one of them can’t wait to get out and shoot it. My grandson’s are gonna love it.

 

[WhatdoIhave]

Here's a pair of "correct" grips, if you just have to have them:
(eBay link below, but showing up "goofy" in my post!)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/204492712606
NDIH, but I believe the seller is Bill Lett, who is "family," connected to Lett grips, longtime OEM supplier to Ruger. Verify with seller, if you care to…

I swear these OEM wooden grips seem slightly wider/more "filling" than the plastic MK II grips… but my measurements say they're basically identical(?).

You can certainly shoot that pistol with the grips you have for a few decades, until some other grips catch your eye!

I used your link went straight to eBay and got them bought. They’ll be here Friday. It’s gonna look really good with new grips. Thanks for helping me out.

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

$400 is probably a really good price. I have two versions of the blue gun, a MK4B (1996) and a MK4BL (2003) and have $452 in one and $415 in the other. Weirdly, I got them less than a month apart in 2021 but from two different places. I don't know any production numbers.

 

[Watertender]

MK4BL had 2500 made.

 

[Watertender]

The short ones seem to multiply!

 

[Uncle Howie]

I used your link went straight to eBay and got them bought. They'll be here Friday. It's gonna look really good with new grips. Thanks for helping me out.

You’ll find that this place is FULL of enablers…

I routinely learn about Rugers here, that “I didn’t even know I needed!”

 

[Watertender]

My name is Uncle Howie and I have a problem. I'm a Rugerholic! We understand the problem and can help you with that.

 

[wproct]

I have admired several of these at gun shows in the past, I'm a big fan of short bull barreled pistols. Mine is on my avatar.

 

[eveled]

Congratulations. 4" MKII's are really sweet.

 

[fwb124]

As of 6/23/25, there are apparently no KMK4BL 00198 listed currently on Gunbroker for comparison.

There _are_ seven of the Lipsey Mark IV CAHSS blued models listed as factory new between $535 & $609 before taxes, fees & shipping, but none of these are Mark II’s. (I advanced searched "Lipsey Mark" failed to notice they were all Mark IV.)

So, my now deleted remarks were completely irrelevant to this discussion. My bad. I hope someone enjoyed the show…

 

[Watertender]

FWIW, as of 6/23/25, there are seven of the 1002 Lipsey's KMK4BL 00198 for sale on Gunbroker listed as factory new between $535 & $609 before taxes, fees & shipping. All are for straight buy, no "Take A Shot", no bids.

The lowest priced one games out, assuming 7% sales tax for the sake of calculation, to about $619 to an FFL, plus whatever local transfer fee you're looking at.

I looked and can't find any KMK4BL's. There are a couple of MK4B and MK4BL pistols as well as some of the MKIVBL pistols.
Can you give us the auction numbers?