Ruger MKI internal bolt stop mod

[RX-79G]

What prevents one from modifying the trigger pin area on a MKI so a MKII bolt stop (part 3) could be used?

Not the bolt stop release, just the bolt stop. Like a Walther PP, the stop would be released by pulling the bolt back.

What would be missing is the plunger mechanism (part 80) that holds the bolt stop down, but that could be replaced with some sort of hair spring hooked through the trigger pivot pin to rest on back of the barrel retention hook (substituting for the C-clip). Or gravity might be enough (though recoil is likely to bounce it up into the bolt).

Of course, this assume a later MKI with a left hand follower button.

I'm aware of the mag follower mod, and am talking about something more pro.

 

[contender]

Sure,, it can be done. Ruger did it. They just did a little bit more.

But the time, the parts & work,, well, why not just get a MKII?

However,, tinkering,, and modifying stuff for many is fun.

I tell folks I prefer to keep my modifications to the types that can be reversed to "as shipped from the factory" if at all possible. Many a good collectable has been ruined by modifications.

 

[RX-79G]

Sure,, it can be done. Ruger did it. They just did a little bit more.

But the time, the parts & work,, well, why not just get a MKII?

However,, tinkering,, and modifying stuff for many is fun.

I tell folks I prefer to keep my modifications to the types that can be reversed to "as shipped from the factory" if at all possible. Many a good collectable has been ruined by modifications.

I don't know how 'collectible' those millions of MK1s are, but these small parts are cheap. And I'm not talking about modifying the frame or receiver.

 

[Watertender]

It's like inventing a new mouse trap. Much simpler to get a MK2 but it's your MK1 so you can do whatever you want with it.

 

[RX-79G]

It's like inventing a new mouse trap. Much simpler to get a MK2 but it's your MK1 so you can do whatever you want with it.

And yet people modify MKI mags for a hold open rather than buy a MKII.

So can we talk about the subject? It appears that this might be a relatively simple modification using a drop in part that costs $10.

 

[Watertender]

Go for it. Let us know how you make out

 

[RX-79G]

Go for it. Let us know how you make out

Well, if anyone is actually interested, I might report back. So far...

 

[contender]

I apologize if I came off as insulting or anything. That was not my intent.

As noted,, there are millions of MK pistols out there. BUT,, sometimes a person may not know that a specific one is collectable.

And yes,, the parts may be inexpensive,, but the time it may take to do the modifications, when you really aren't doing anything that the MKII can't do.

I found it interesting that you mentioned people modifying MKI magazines instead of buying a MKII. I must not know the same types of people you mention,, because that's a new one to me. Who or what type of person is doing this? I'm genuinely curious.

I have seen the values of MKI magazine increase in the last several years.

I guess your post made me recall a good friend of mine,, (who passed some years ago,) that could never leave a gun alone. He'd modify a gun, and I've witnessed several that the mods were irreversible and ruined the value of the guns. I know,, I helped him try & liquidate his estate. I saw a Colt, Gold Cup Match gun finally sell for $300 because of his mods. And he gave me a Ruger NM SA in 45 Colt. I had to replace the grip frame due to his mods. The grips were rubber epoxied on the g/f. And it still has other marks that can't be fixed.
Or the Dan Wesson that was ruined because of his mods.

So,, again,, my reply was not intended as an insult or anything. I always seem to recall his guns when people start modifying stuff.
My apologies.

 

[RX-79G]

I apologize if I came off as insulting or anything. That was not my intent.

As noted,, there are millions of MK pistols out there. BUT,, sometimes a person may not know that a specific one is collectable.

And yes,, the parts may be inexpensive,, but the time it may take to do the modifications, when you really aren't doing anything that the MKII can't do.

I found it interesting that you mentioned people modifying MKI magazines instead of buying a MKII. I must not know the same types of people you mention,, because that's a new one to me. Who or what type of person is doing this? I'm genuinely curious.

I have seen the values of MKI magazine increase in the last several years.

I guess your post made me recall a good friend of mine,, (who passed some years ago,) that could never leave a gun alone. He'd modify a gun, and I've witnessed several that the mods were irreversible and ruined the value of the guns. I know,, I helped him try & liquidate his estate. I saw a Colt, Gold Cup Match gun finally sell for $300 because of his mods. And he gave me a Ruger NM SA in 45 Colt. I had to replace the grip frame due to his mods. The grips were rubber epoxied on the g/f. And it still has other marks that can't be fixed.
Or the Dan Wesson that was ruined because of his mods.

So,, again,, my reply was not intended as an insult or anything. I always seem to recall his guns when people start modifying stuff.
My apologies.

Perhaps this isn't the right forum for this kind of discussion. The magazine follower replacement mod is well known in certain circles, and was popular among bullseye shooters. Rimfirecentral has lots of references to it. There was even an aftermarket follower offered at one time.

My interest in the topic comes from considering a MKI for sale, hearing about the mag mod and then realizing that a bolt stop would likely fit with almost no real modification and allow all the A-100 to gain the function of a MKII with less effort than making a follower for all your magazines.

And there would be no impact to the value of the gun since you could just use $25 worth of drop in parts and save the orginals. However, the vast majority of MKIs on Gunbroker are going for less than basic 22/45s.

 

[Watertender]

RX79G I understand what you are saying about a bolt stop without the external release lever. I believe Bill Ruger put the external release on as a positive method of operation.
I have to look through some of my old material to find the information on the modified magazines but I remember seeing it in more than one place.
As contender said, some people do things to guns that are hard or impossible to undo. If you were to do it you would need an A100 frame Mark 1 as you said. The ones with the warning are the least collectible so they were made from 1978 to the end of production.
My 1st new pistol was a Ruger RST6 that grew feet when my no-good brother stole and sold it for drugs many years ago so I have always liked Ruger .22 pistols.

 

[contender]

This place/section is fine for such a discussion.

And since I don't visit the rimfire forum,, nor shoot bullseye,, I didn't know about such mods. Many thanks!

I've learned something new.

 

[RX-79G]

Well, this was pointless.

 

[Dan in MI]

Don’t be so impatient. it's only been a few days. This sub-forum doesn't get a ton of traffic. I only check it every month or so.

I have done a similar mod to few A-100 frames. It is reversible but does add a hole in the frame.

I use some modified MK-II parts. I call them MK-1.5’s.

 

[Dan in MI]

I think these pics are from the first one I did. Subsequent versions were cleaner. The hardest part is the hole on the frame for the release button. It's easy to get oversize.

After looking at one of my conversions just now, I could see you just removing the stud for the release to accomplish what you are proposing. I'd still modify the stop to capture the spring.

 

[contender]

"Well, this was pointless."

I don't think the thread was pointless. I learned something. I was unaware that people were doing such modifications.

But maybe the folks here are not the same types that are doing the modifications like you may have thought.
But it does look like Dan has done some of this.

 

[Bad Barlow]

What prevents one from modifying the trigger pin area on a MKI so a MKII bolt stop (part 3) could be used?

Not the bolt stop release, just the bolt stop. Like a Walther PP, the stop would be released by pulling the bolt back.

What would be missing is the plunger mechanism (part 80) that holds the bolt stop down, but that could be replaced with some sort of hair spring hooked through the trigger pivot pin to rest on back of the barrel retention hook (substituting for the C-clip). Or gravity might be enough (though recoil is likely to bounce it up into the bolt).

Of course, this assume a later MKI with a left hand follower button.

I'm aware of the mag follower mod, and am talking about something more pro.

Do you simply want a "bolt hold open" after the last shot?
It so, there is a way to get that with no effort.

 

[RX-79G]

I think these pics are from the first one I did. Subsequent versions were cleaner. The hardest part is the hole on the frame for the release button. It's easy to get oversize.

After looking at one of my conversions just now, I could see you just removing the stud for the release to accomplish what you are proposing. I'd still modify the stop to capture the spring.



View attachment 105871View attachment 105872

Having done this, what would it have taken to just put in the bolt stop alone without the bolt release? In other words, how many modifications to the existing gun parts were necessary to insert the stop, and would it stay in the proper orientation with just the front pivot point engaged? Like without the side 'mushroom' pin that engages the release lever?

I like the way you did the spring on the stop.

 

[RX-79G]

Do you simply want a "bolt hold open" after the last shot?
It so, there is a way to get that with no effort.

Which is what?

 

[RX-79G]

Dan, did you need to modify the MKI bolt face to engage the stop?

 

[Dan in MI]

It’s been 15 years so I don’t remember all the details.

I may have modified the the trigger to make room for the spring.

I “think” the trigger pivot will keep it in line without the release mushroom.

I remember thinning some pieces, but that may have been just to get the release to fit. Something is rolling around in my head about internal clearance, but cannot pinpoint the reason.

No bolt mods at all.

If I get time I may pull one apart to see what memories get stirred.

 

[RX-79G]

It’s been 15 years so I don’t remember all the details.

I may have modified the the trigger to make room for the spring.

I “think” the trigger pivot will keep it in line without the release mushroom.

I remember thinning some pieces, but that may have been just to get the release to fit. Something is rolling around in my head about internal clearance, but cannot pinpoint the reason.

No bolt mods at all.

If I get time I may pull one apart to see what memories get stirred.

Awesome! Thanks for your help.

 

[TestEngineer]

I think these pics are from the first one I did. Subsequent versions were cleaner. The hardest part is the hole on the frame for the release button. It's easy to get oversize.

After looking at one of my conversions just now, I could see you just removing the stud for the release to accomplish what you are proposing. I'd still modify the stop to capture the spring.



View attachment 105871View attachment 105872

Nice work Dan.

You definitely had to thin the left side of the mk1 trigger or replace it with a mk2 to accommodate the stop. Either way, you also added a notch near the top to accommodate the spring. The OP would have to do similar work on the trigger.

Additionally, you had to replace the hammer pin with a mk2 pin and either modify the left grip panel or replace it with a mk2. Both of these things are for the stop thumb piece. The OP could skip these mods if he left the thumb piece off.

I'm not sure if you did anything with the trigger pivot pin. If the stop spring holds it in place okay, that's great. If you had to do something special there, it would be really nice if you can share what you did.

Thanks.

 

[Bad Barlow]

Which is what?

Insert a fired case in the magazine FIRST,then load normally. After the last shot, the empty case will hold the bolt open... it "almost" never enters the chamber.

 

[Dan in MI]

Ok, I just tore one down.
Yes, I swapped to MK_II trigger, easier than modifying one and have a parts bun full. Swapped to Mk-II hammer pin. Swapped grip panels. The E clip still fits for the trigger pin. I just added it as I was running without it before.

I saw no signs of thinning this one to fit. You just need to make sure the mag clears.

I know the spring is up in the 3rd pic. I had just been messing with it.

 

[RX-79G]

Insert a fired case in the magazine FIRST,then load normally. After the last shot, the empty case will hold the bolt open... it "almost" never enters the chamber.

That is great! So much smarter than modifying magazines!

 

[RX-79G]

Ok, I just tore one down.
Yes, I swapped to MK_II trigger, easier than modifying one and have a parts bun full. Swapped to Mk-II hammer pin. Swapped grip panels. The E clip still fits for the trigger pin. I just added it as I was running without it before.

I saw no signs of thinning this one to fit. You just need to make sure the mag clears.

I know the spring is up in the 3rd pic. I had just been messing with it.


View attachment 105948View attachment 105949View attachment 105950View attachment 105951View attachment 105952

Super cool. Used triggers are cheap. Does the C-clip remain accessible after the stop is put in? (I'm sure this will be clearer when I actually have one in front of me.)

Spring by Bic?

 

[Dan in MI]

Yup, spring by bic. You have to install the spring after the clip. Kind of a bend it around the corner a coil at a time situation.