Ruger KMK4BL model 00198

[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!)

Pardon Our Interruption...

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?

 

[fwb124]

Well, Watertender, it's worse than that. I stand corrected. I advanced searched."Lipsey Mark" and apparently ended up counting Mark IV CAHSS, not any Mark II's. Duh. There are apparently no KMK4BL's listed currently on GB. I've corrected my post.

 

[chilidog]

Is it drilled and tapped for bases? Getting close to the serial numbers where all targets models were d/t

 

[black1970]

fwb124-you know why MK II's with 4 inch barrels show up rarely on GB? Because people usually hang onto them. Plus they appreciate in value. Blue ones were made first. Called Ruger after purchase and the lady told me that no stainless would be made after the first run. But you know what happened. Plus good Hood gun.

 

[fwb124]

It's only been in the last year that I've dipped deeply back into the Mark II world, starting with a KMK-678G. Since then I've added two MK-678G, two KMK-678GC, three KMK-10 (one of them the less than 200 factory D & T 10-inchers complete in the case that I stumbled into), and the Mystery Bullseye Mark II I just posted about in hopes of figuring out its source. I have a second KMK-678G on the way, and really need to stop looking at GunBroker.

I started back in 1989 with a KMK-512 that got Tornado Technology's chop & skim to 4 3/8" with "invisible" thread protector treatment in 2010, shown here with my first Government:

It's not quite 4", but it's close, so I can appreciate the nice balance of that length.

Truth is, I almost always shoot suppressed if I can, so I'll probably never compete with any of you for the lovely & rare 4" models, since I would never desecrate one by threading it. Besides, Governments are probably my favorites, at least for now. I also have a Mark IV Tactical Target, and picked up one of Volquartsen's chopped and threaded 3 1/2 inch $100 specials to use on it and other Mark IV lowers.

 

[Highstandardguy]

Since you got your KMK4BL so cheap you should find a matching MK4BL and you'll have the pair.

 

[1gunsnotenough]

At $400 you stole it. NIB brings $650 - $800 on GB auctions. Pics of a few of mine. I have two KMK4BLs. They're very desirable and don't come up for sale very often.

 

[Watertender]

A MK4BL sold for $500 today on Gun Broker. When you put one in your hand you get the feeling of it and understand why it makes a good carry pistol. In the proper holster you hardly realize that you are wearing it.

 

[akmania]

Bought this one a while back.

 

[fwb124]

Bought this one a while back.

Nice gun. Looks like someone used a slip-on threaded adapter or muzzle brake on it at some point.

 

[akmania]

Nice gun. Looks like someone used a slip-on threaded adapter or muzzle brake on it at some point.

Yes they did. It looked like this when I bought it.