Ruger MkI loose receiver to frame problem

[ArizonaTea123]

I have a Ruger MkI target that has a loose receiver to frame fit. Is there an easy fix to this issue?
Find another frame? Squeeze the frame in a vice? Thanks in advance for any solutions.

 

[TestEngineer]

Squeezing the frame is a viable solution, But one best left to a gunsmith IMO.

The other solution is to cut a piece of aluminum can and wrap it around the front mounting lug. This shim removes the slop, but it needs to be replaced after just a few times of joining the upper to the frame.

 

[neilin]

I have a Ruger MkI target that has a loose receiver to frame fit. Is there an easy fix to this issue?
Find another frame? Squeeze the frame in a vice? Thanks in advance for any solutions.

I would recommend you contact Ruger, and ask them the question before trying anything.

 

[rugerguy]

yes, to the simple use of a shim, careful, they WILL cut your fingers ,heck even one of cardboard, like a business card. The proper fix is the "squeeze" of the grip frame, BUT , gotta go slow and easy, in a non metallic lined ( padded) vise be careful....

 

[contender]

I've used a shim in the past. Works just fine.

 

[Mobuck]

Usually doesn't take much to remove the slop. I actually used bedding compound to overcome a really poor fit on a 'Franken Ruger" (assembled from parts).

 

[cee_Kamp]

I once bought a used Mark II at a now closed Gander Mountain store at a great price. Stainless 6-7/8" slab sided barrel target model.
The counter clerk said he thought it was worn out. The upper barrel/receiver assembly was loose on the lower grip frame.
A close inspection in the store showed otherwise, that Mark II has several lifetimes of usage still available in it.
I squeezed the forward portion of the grip frame "ears" in a big bench vise equipped with soft aluminum jaw covers.
That pistols works and shoots great and requires a soft faced hammer to remove the barrel/upper receiver from the grip frame.
Start small, gently bent in the vise with frequent checking for snug but not excessively tight fit. You don't want to over do it.
A shim is a band-aid fix.
Squeeze it in a vise and never look back!

 

[Highstandardguy]

cee_Kamp makes a good point. If you're brave enough to try this, only squeeze the ends of the frame, not the middle.

 

[ArizonaTea123]

I will definitely check frame width along the entire length. Do the frames actually distort over time from use or from disassembly and reassembly?

 

[rugerguy]

if you squeeze only the ends, it will be OBVIOUS and remember "neatness counts" as well as "if a job is worth doing , do it right...." Grandma , rest in Peace,

......years later it was called "FUBAR"

...then "back yard mechanic, operated by Bubba...."

...my Navy brother in law called them "gun plumbers.... " Master Chief R.G., also Rest in Peace....

 

[Highstandardguy]

I guess I would rather be OBVIOUS than having the internals binding.

 

[TestEngineer]

Do the frames actually distort over time from use or from disassembly and reassembly?

The frames shouldn't ever distort.

My NIB mk3 fit was so tight that it took 20 minutes of BEATING on the barrel with a plastic faced hammer to separate the frame the first time. What I found was an abundance of raised burrs in the front and rear cradles of the frame. I slowly sanded down the burrs until the fit was reasonable.

If you look at the bottom of your receiver, you will see bluing worn away where the cradles rub during dis and reassembly. I think the loose fit happens when enough material has worn away from the frame and receiver.

Squeezing the frame is a bandaid, just like the shim is IMO. It's just a longer lasting bandaid. The most correct fix would be to add a bit of metal (weld) to the cradles and reshape to fit the receiver tightly again.

 

[Highstandardguy]

The frames shouldn't ever distort.

Having experienced this, unfortunately they can and do. After the fact I realized that the striped frame was more likely to collapse than the curled edge was to straighten.

 

[OuterBanks15]

Have a welder build up mounting lug.
grind down to fit

 

[OuterBanks15]

My mechanical brain woke me up…
40yrs.. Thought I was out and they suck me back in…
Take a square piece of .005 shim stock and have a welder, induction weld it to the top of the lug. Smooth down until fit is achieved.
First look at the mainspring post and make sure nobody shaved it down for easier assembly. That fit back there must be good for fit on the lug to be good.

 

[RX-79G]

I don't know why people attach such importance to welding stuff. MK frames are made of bent plate - why wouldn't the best correction be to re-bend the frame back to spec?

It isn't like adding a weld bead is going to prevent the frame from bending more in the future.


Of course, if you don't have a good bending method, that's an issue. I have re-bent the mild steel parts on a bicycle frame with a large rubber mallet, so that's another avenue.

 

[Fox Mike]

Of course, if you don't have a good bending method, that's an issue. I have re-bent the mild steel parts on a bicycle frame with a large rubber mallet, so that's another avenue.

So you're admitting to being a 'hammer mechanic"..

 

[Watertender]

So you're admitting to being a 'hammer mechanic"..

I knew a guy who used to sing... If at first you don't succeed... Get a bigger hammer!!

 

[AZ Pete]

Sent mine to Roger, they fixed it for free

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Sent mine to Roger, they fixed it for free

Roger? Roger who?

 

[sceva]

My first Ruger standard auto was loose. The smith where I bought it took it to the back and used a center punch to raise some material. Can't remember where the punch marks were ( 56 years ago) but it worked well.

 

[GrumpyOldMan]

I'm thinking that applying a bead of weld in the appropriate area would result in a nearly permanent repair, once the weld is dressed down to facilitate reassembly.

 

[TestEngineer]

My first Ruger standard auto was loose. The smith where I bought it took it to the back and used a center punch to raise some material. Can't remember where the punch marks were ( 56 years ago) but it worked well.

Raising material with a center punch can be an excellent fix for a variety of problems. I fixed a loose ejector in my mk2 with a punch. It worked great, but I caught a lot of flack for it when I shared it on another forum.