Standard, Mark I, Mark II questions

[timgriffin]

I've recently become interested once again in getting one of these models. I've always wanted one but just never got around to getting one for one reason or another. I remember staring at an advertisement for one in the 70's while stationed in Germany. I've always liked the Luger style models. I saw a red eagle grip Standard in a LGS the other day that looked in decent shape. They were asking $299 and I wasn't sure what to look for as far as functionality since I'm not familiar with them so I didn't get it. I've done some reading now and it sounds like this one was from 1949-1951 since it had the single read eagle on the left grip. I don't want a museum piece - I want a shooter that I can enjoy.
Can anuone here offer up some guidance on what I need to look for in these older pistols? I know about the fixed sites of the standard, non lock back of the bolt after the last round on the Mark I but just aren't sure how to choose the proper one. I know the one I dreamed about in that magazine ad while I was in the army was a short tapered barrel so I think I'm still more fond of that style.

Any suggestions????

 

[rugerguy]

welcome to the Forum, and YES a very good choice, they are built like a tank, know a lot of folks that shoot them all the time....if it was indeed a 'red eagle" ( proper vintage and all) that would have been a pretty decent price, but if it was an early one, low number, they had a non supported bolt, the recoil spring assembly was on the primitive side and the firing pins were prone to breaking...many were updated , the bolt assembly replaced by the factory over the years, so if you wanted a shooter, any of the later black eagle guns, even the silver eagle later guns would be a good choice, you'd be looking for any serial number over at least 6 digits long, , or even into the "prefix" numbered guns ( they started with a #10 'prefix' and went up to #17 when the MK IIs came out in 1982...all of these were simple , basic guns, the only thing the MK II could have added and they did was the bolt stays back on the "last" shot and the magazine held 10 shots, instead of 9, both good features......so look around, check them out, shop the "deal" try not to 'overpay' and as often said "condition IS everything"..........
read the books, learn as much as you possibly can, or even ask away here on the Forum, many of us would be more than happy to try and help you out..............................just last weekend we saw a NICE example , in the box, with a #10 prefix, and it sold for $325, so they are out there.......................
Good luck in your search......................

 

[timgriffin]

Thanks for the reply. Yes I do plan to shoot whatever I get as long as my .22 ammo holds out :)

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
Dan has given good advice.
By chance, are you from WNC?

 

[Mobuck]

JUst my opinion but I would rather have a MK2 for a shooter. Main reason is the bolt lock/last round hold open. Having watched several novice shooters, I can say it's safer and easier on the pistol. I cringe each and every time I hear a dry fire on the old MK1(even though many say it's OK). I gave my older Son a pristine MK1 5.5" bull barrel years ago. Last fall I gave him a new 22/45 MK3 and made him put the MK1 away after he nearly lost it in an ill-fated fishing incident.

 

[timgriffin]

Welcome to the Forum!
Dan has given good advice.
By chance, are you from WNC?

No - I'm from the Tampa Bay area of Florida

 

[contender]

Thanks. I know a Tim Griffin locally. If you had been him,, I'd see about hooking you up with a RST6 I have for sale.
Oh well!

 

[Shooter III]

JUst my opinion but I would rather have a MK2 for a shooter. Main reason is the bolt lock/last round hold open.

+1

 

[timgriffin]

Thanks. I know a Tim Griffin locally. If you had been him,, I'd see about hooking you up with a RST6 I have for sale.
Oh well!

:-) Thanks :-)

That was a nice gesture and shows the value of forums like this!

 

[contender]

Thanks for the kind words.
I do have a late production Standard Auto, 6" bbl, in LNIB condition I'm going to sell. I know it's not a Red Eagle, but it does have the tapered bbl, & fixed sights.
But, if your plans are for truly using a gun, then the MKII does have a few features that most seem to prefer over the earlier model.
The bolt lock on the last shot fired is nice. BUT, I think the best feature of the MKII is that you can operate the bolt with the safety ON vs the earlier Standards & MKI's where you have to take the safety off to operate the bolt. If I am clearing a chamber, I like the fact I can have the safety on & empty the chamber.
The MKIII series has the features of the MKII but has also added some other stuff that many of us feel isn't necessary. The mag safety disconnect, & the loaded chamber indicator are the two items we can live w/o.

 

[george preston]

Welcome to the forum! Glad to see another FL guy! As far as the MK pistols go, I agree with the above posts. Deals are out there. I just picked up a stainless steel MK II with a short barrel and fixed sites and 4 mags for $260. Check out : floridaguntrader.com. I've found a few deals there. Also, if you use Facebook, check out the local swip swap pages. I found the ruger there.

 

[george preston]

Not a steal but thought I'd share:
https://floridaguntrader.com/index.php?a=2&b=400721

No dog in this hunt just saw it while looking around

 

[No-1]

Don't shy away from the Standards I've got one that has performed perfectly since I bought it in 1978 from stunt pilot Art Scholl for $25.

 

[Shooter III]

Not a steal but thought I'd share:
https://floridaguntrader.com/index.php?a=2&b=400721

No dog in this hunt just saw it while looking around

I have no clue on how to estimate a firearm value, I've seen new MARK III's on sale at that price, so it seems high to me.

 

[timgriffin]

Went to a gun show today and saw several Standard and Mark I gpistols and some 22/45's. Two Red Eagles but they wanted $495 for each one and one had replacement staghorn grips for some unknown reason!! One Standard was listed at $290 but had a big dent in the barrel. So my hunt continues for a Standard or Mark I or II for a fair price. I think I want an older one in good shape because I love the look and feel. Although I've never held a short barrel Mark III - are they the same feel and weight as the older ones? Can't find any of those anyplace though...

 

[george preston]

They are out there. Just keep looking and checking the web sites. I've missed several deals because I didn't pull the trigger fast enough. I've found that if you see something you like and the price is good you have to jump on it quick. I'm still looking for at least one more MK II so I'll have one for each of my boys when they are old enough. Around here $250-$275 seems to be the price where they move quick.

 

[timgriffin]

I picked up a Ruger Mark II NRA model (don't really care for the white grips). It looks new - no marks on it that I can find! I paid $350 - the guy wouldn't budge - but from everything else around I've seen in this price range this one is in the best condition by FAR...

 

[george preston]

Great gun! Enjoy!

 

[timgriffin]

Can anyone tell me the manufacture dates on the Mark II NRA model I posted a pic of above? I found sketchy info on it - some refer to 2003 and others to 1976 :roll:

EDIT: Looks like 2003 might be right as it's stamped William Ruger 1916 - 2002 on the the side of the NRA stamping on the barrel

 

[george preston]

Found this today:

https://floridaguntrader.com/index.php?a=2&b=401638

Again just a heads up. Not mine

 

[DSDMMAT]

I have a Standard as well, given to me by my Father in 1970 for my 5th Birthday. It is still a shooter and will be going to my daughter next year.