Ruger Standard

The Ruger Standard Model is a rimfire semi-automatic pistol introduced in 1949 as the first product manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Co., and was the founding member of a product line of .22 Long Rifle cartridge handguns, including its later iterations: the MK II, MK III, and MK IV. It is marketed as an inexpensive .22 caliber rimfire intended for casual sport and target shooting, and plinking. Designed by company founder William B. Ruger, the Standard model and its offspring went on to become the most accepted and successful .22 caliber semi-automatic pistols ever produced.[1][2]

Ruger Standard
Blued Ruger Standard model with wood grips
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerWilliam Ruger
Designed1949
ManufacturerSturm, Ruger
Produced1949–present
Variants
  • MK I Target
  • MK II
  • MK II Target
  • MK II Government Target
  • Competition model
  • MK III
  • MK III Target
  • 22/45
  • MK IV
Specifications
Barrel length
  • 4 in (10 cm)
  • 4.75 in (12.1 cm)
  • 5.25 in (13.3 cm)
  • 5.5 in (14 cm)
  • 6 in (15 cm)
  • 6.875 in (17.46 cm)
  • 10 in (25 cm)
Cartridge.22 Long Rifle
Actionblowback
Feed system9- or 10-round box magazine
SightsOpen iron sights, both fixed and adjustable

Development
William B. Ruger's Standard Pistol 1951 Design Patent Drawing

Sometime in the years following World War II firearm designer and entrepreneur Bill Ruger acquired a pair of World War II Japanese Nambu pistols from a returning US Marine, which he successfully duplicated in his garage.[3] Using the Nambu's silhouette and bolt system, Ruger produced his first prototype, but lacked the venture capital necessary to fund its introduction. When his affluent friend and potential financial backer Alex Sturm was shown the 1949 prototype Ruger had created, he was impressed by its sleek traditional aesthetic and its slight resemblance to the classic nostalgia-evoking German Luger P08 pistol.

Realizing that prospective buyers would share his sentiment, Sturm quickly signed on board with an initial investment of $50,000 and the two teamed up to create what was to become an iconic American firearms manufacturing company, Sturm, Ruger & Co..[1][2] Ruger's new product was simply christened the “Standard” model. Intended as a low-cost recreation and sporting product for outdoor, hunting and firearms enthusiasts, Ruger pioneered a number of simple and innovative manufacturing techniques used in the production of the new pistol, including using piano wire coiled springs in the lockwork in lieu of the flat springs most manufacturers were using at the time, and forming the receivers from two stamped sheet metal halves welded together.

These practices worked well with a firearm which needed to handle only .22 rimfire pressures, and the cost savings it produced allowed Sturm and Ruger to radically undersell the competition which still used older and more expensive manufacturing techniques.[2] Financier Sturm, an amateur heraldry aficionado, made his own contribution in the form of the company's trademark “Red Eagle” coat of arms emblem, which was featured as a medallion on the left grip panel.[1][2] A favorable review published in the American Rifleman magazine penned by the notable firearms authority Major General Julian S. Hatcher, coupled with a subdued advertisement printed in the same magazine resulted in a great deal of interest from the public.[1] The suggested retail price for the new pistol was a reasonable and very competitive $37.50 US.[4]

Checks from would-be purchasers soon rolled in, but as Ruger was firmly entrenched in the “old school” of financial responsibility, none were cashed until pistols actually shipped, setting a standard for “in the black” operation which would serve the company well in the future. In a few months the seed money was all spent, but by then the first 100 Standard pistols had been built and distributed to the initial purchasers.[2]

From the time of its introduction in the fall of 1949, the new pistol was a success, and though it faced competition from the beginning, it soon dominated a large share of the rimfire pistol market segment. Unfortunately Alex Sturm did not survive to see the corporation's ultimate success, suffering an untimely demise from viral hepatitis in November 1951.[2] In memorial and as a mark of respect and bereavement, Ruger ordered the background of Sturm's eagle emblem changed from red to black on future production models of the popular and successful firearm they produced and marketed together.[1][2]

The Standard model was under constant production in basically the same form for the next 33 years, but the new corporation expanded the basic Standard archetype into a product line of pistols over time by the introduction of a number of variant models. These took the form of offering additional barrel lengths and configurations, creating versions optimized for target shooting, and adding the finish option of stainless steel. The line was also refined with three mechanical “MK” series upgrades, the Mk II, Mk III and Mk IV, in 1982, 2004 and 2016[2] The MK II added a slide stop that held the slide open on the last round, and also was available in stainless steel. The MK II was available in a number of barrel lengths; 4.75 in (12.1 cm) and 6 in (15 cm) lightweight barrels; 4 in (10 cm), 5.5 in (14 cm), 6.875 in (17.46 cm) and 10 in (25 cm) bull barrels, and 5.25 in (13.3 cm) and 6.875 in (17.46 cm) heavy tapered barrels. All guns with bull or heavy tapered barrels are Target models, and are equipped with target sights consisting of an adjustable rear sight and a taller, wider front sight, with an aggressive undercut to reduce glare. In 1999 18 versions of this popular pistol could be found in the Sturm Ruger catalog, and with over 2 million sold it eventually became the most prolific and well-liked .22 automatic pistol of all time.[1][2]

Features

Standard (1949-1982)
Ruger Standard pistol, with aftermarket adjustable sights, made in 1963

The Standard model is an atypical design, lacking the slide found on conventional pistols, instead sporting a cylindrical bolt which cycles inside a tubular receiver in a manner more characteristic of a rimfire rifle. The bolt of the pistol features protruding “ears” at its rear which are grasped and pulled rearward to feed the initial round and cock the action. Using the basic blowback form of operation, the Standard model originally came with a blued carbon steel finish and was equipped with a 4.75-inch (12.1 cm) tapered barrel.

The magazine held 9 rounds of .22 Long Rifle ammunition and was held in place by a catch on the bottom of the grip frame. Standard models came with Patridge style fixed iron open sights with the rear sight securely mounted in a dovetail. The grip panels were hard black checkered Butaprene synthetic rubber, with pre-1950 pistols featuring the “Red Eagle” trademark as originally designed by Alex Sturm. The manual safety on the Standard model could be engaged only when the pistol was cocked, and the bolt could be locked open by activating the safety with the bolt held back.[2]

The bolt was left “in the white” with the unfinished steel providing a visual contrast with the blued receiver.[1] In 1954 a new model with a barrel length of 6 inches was added to the Standard lineup.[2] In 1971, one of the few engineering changes ever made to the Standard model took place when the original 22-year-old receiver forming dies wore out.[2] As a precursor to changes to come with the 1982 introduction of the MK II series, the slot for the magazine follower extension on the grip frame was moved from the right to the left side.

Designated the “A 100” frame modification, this alteration facilitated the eventual improvement of the Standard pistol by the addition of a bolt hold open device as part of the eventual MK II upgrade.[2] The pistol grip panels and magazines from older Standard models can not be used on post-1971 pistols due to this change, but the later magazines can still be used on pre-1971 guns by moving the magazine follower button to the opposite side.[2] As the Standard model reached the end of its product lifecycle in 1981, a special edition run of 5000 4.75-inch pistols built of stainless steel were manufactured. These pistols were shipped in special wooden cases and featured an engraving of Bill Ruger's signature.[2]

MK I Target (1950-1982)

Introduced in 1950, the MK I Target model was basically the same as the Standard pistol, except that it boasted a 6.875-inch (17.46 cm) barrel, adjustable target style trigger, a “Micro” adjustable rear sight, and a front sight blade undercut to reduce glare.[2] In 1952 a 5.25-inch (13.3 cm) barreled version of the MK I Target was added to the lineup, but manufactured only through 1957, making it a collectible rarity today.[2] A 5.5-inch (14 cm) heavy bull barreled version of the MK I Target became available in 1963, eventually becoming the most popular length for Ruger Target MK pistols.[2] Like their Standard model brethren, target models underwent the A 100 grip frame redesign in 1971.[2]

MK II
Ruger MK II
Ruger Mark II Target
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originUnited States
Production history
ManufacturerSturm, Ruger & Co.
Produced1982—2005
No. built3,000,000+
Specifications
Mass46 oz. (w/​6 7⁄8 in bull barrel)
Length11 1/8 in (w/​6 7⁄8 in bull barrel)

The MK II ("Mark Two") was made from 1982 to 2005. It replaced the Standard, Ruger's first model, made from 1949 to 1982, and the MK I Target, made from 1951 to 1982. MK II variations include the Target models, which have heavier barrels and adjustable sights, and the 22/45 models, which have a polymer frame with a grip-angle that matches the Colt 1911 rather than the steel frame's Luger P08–like layout. Three barrel types were available. Taper barrels were available in ​4 3⁄4″, 6″, and ​6 7⁄8″ lengths, and could be equipped with fixed sights in any length or adjustable sights on 6″ and ​6 7⁄8″ length barrels. Bull barrels were available on the Mark II in ​5 1⁄2″, ​6 7⁄8″, and 10″ lengths and all had adjustable sights. The slab-sided target models were available with ​5 1⁄2″ and ​6 7⁄8″ barrels and had adjustable sights. All Ruger Mark II pistols were available in either a blued finish or stainless steel except for the slab side Target Models, which only came in stainless. The MK II was removed from production in 2004, when it was replaced by the MK III. All Ruger rimfire pistols are chambered in .22 Long Rifle only.

Variants
Title II AWC TM-Amphibian "S" integrally-suppressed variant used by U.S. Navy SEALs
Ruger Mark II Stainless Slab side Competition Target Model .22 LR pistol with a Volquartsen profiled slab side V-Comp compensator, reflex sight mounted on a Volquartsen Weaver-style rail, ​6 7⁄8 in precision-crowned barrel, and checkered thumb-rest target grips

Some special variants that command higher prices are the Government Target Model, a model that was used for pistol training and competition by the United States Army, and the Red Eagle models, which were made from 1949 to the year of company co-founder Alexander Sturm's death, in 1951. The Red Eagle models had the Ruger logo in red on a silver background. Since then, the Ruger logo on the grip panels has been either black on silver or silver on black, with the exception of a special 50th Anniversary model that had a silver eagle on a red background. The top of the line Government Target Model comes with a 6.875 in (17.46 cm) bull barrel and wood thumb-rest target grips. The competition Target Model is identical to the Government Target Model with the addition feature of flats cut along each side of the barrel to reduce weight. Sometime during the span of Mark II production, Ruger started drilling its receivers for and providing a low profile scope base, and 1″ scope rings. With the addition of a pistol scope or red dot sight, these make ideal entry level bullseye pistol.

The suppressed Mk II was used by United States Navy SEALs.[5] This variant is considerably quieter than a standard Mk II and accurate to 70 m (230 ft).[6]

The AWC TM-Amphibian "S" is an integrally-suppressed variant of the Ruger Mk II Target .22 LR pistol. The sound suppressor uses a primary baffle of 303 stainless steel and a secondary baffle of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy. The AWC weapon manual states, "This suppressor is 'Amphibious' and can be fired with water. A couple of tablespoons of water can be poured into the suppressor for extra quiet operation."[7] It uses both standard and high velocity ammunition reliably and is finished in U.S. Navy spec stainless-matte finish. The pistol has an overall length of 13.25 in (33.7 cm), a suppressor length of 7 in (18 cm), a diameter of 1 in (2.5 cm) and weighs 41 oz (1,200 g).[8] This weapon is classified in the U.S. as a Title II weapon and requires a $200 transfer or manufacture tax in addition to registration with the ATF.

MK III
Ruger MK III
The Ruger MK III Target with 5½" bull barrel
TypePistols
Place of originUnited States
Production history
ManufacturerSturm, Ruger & Co.
Produced2004—2016
VariantsSee Models
Specifications
Mass31–45 oz (880–1,280 g)[9]
Length9–11.12 in (229–282 mm)[9]
Barrel length4.75–6.88 in (121–175 mm)[9]
Barrels1:16" Right hand twist[9]

The Ruger Mark III is a .22 Long Rifle semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Company. It replaced the MK II in 2004. The Mark III was succeeded by the MK IV, with production of the Mark III ending on December 8, 2016.

Changes from the Mark II
  • Addition of a visible loaded chamber indicator on the left side.
  • Magazine release moved, from bottom of the grip to behind trigger guard.
  • All Mark III pistols with adjustable sights are drilled and tapped for a Weaver-style scope base which ships with the pistol.[10]
  • A new magazine disconnect prevents the pistol from being fired with the magazine removed from the pistol.
  • An internal safety lock has been added. Using a key, the safety can be locked in the "safe" position.
  • Shorter tapered bolt ears.
  • A smoothly contoured ejection port profile.

Models

Mark III
Stainless steel Ruger Mark III with magazine

The first lineup is simply known as Mark III. The pistol's barrel is made from steel bar and is threaded into the receiver which is made from steel tube. The barrel is not removable without machining, though. The layout is similar to the Luger P08, although the operating mechanism was originally copied from the Nambu pistol.

  • The high-end model is known as the Hunter. This pistol features a stainless steel frame and comes with either a 4.5-inch, 5.5-inch (a distributor exclusive), or a 6.875-inch fluted bull barrel, fiber-optic front sight, adjustable, V-notch rear sights, and half-checkered cocobolo wood grip. It features multiple safety mechanisms, and includes a visible loaded chamber indicator (The first ever included in a .22 rimfire pistol) as well as internal and external keyed locks provided.
  • The next pistol in the lineup is named Competition. It too has a stainless steel frame and 6.875-inch slab sided bull barrel, and adjustable rear sights; the pistol also has the cocobolo grip with thumb rest.
  • Target is the next Mark III. This pistol has a stainless or blued finish, a 5.5" bull barrel, adjustable rear sights, and black plastic grips on the blued finish and Cocobolo grips on the stainless finish.
  • The bull barrel pistol comes in stainless steel or blued finish. It has a heavier barrel to help keep the barrel from overheating and to minimize recoil. It has a 5.5-inch barrel and adjustable rear sights.
  • Finally, the Standard Mark III has a tapered barrel, black plastic handgrips and a blued finish. It comes with either a 6-inch or 4.75-inch barrel. It has fixed sights.
Ruger Mark III Lineup
Catalog

number

 Model Finish Sight Length Approx.

weight

Blued Stainless Rear Front Barrel Overall
Standard MKIII4 Standard * Fixed Fixed 4¾" 9" 35 oz
MKIII6 Standard * Fixed Fixed 6" 10¾" 37 oz
Target MKIII512 Bull Bbl. * Adjustable Fixed 5½" 9¾" 42 oz
KMKIII512 Bull Bbl. * Adjustable Fixed 5½" 9¾" 42 oz
KMKIII678GC Competition * Adjustable Fixed 6⅞" 11⅛" 45 oz
KMKIII678H Hunter * Adjustable HiViz fiber optic 6⅞" 11⅛" 41 oz
KMKIII45H Hunter * Adjustable HiViz fiber optic 4½" 8¾" 38 oz

Mark III 22/45
Mark III 22/45 with 5.5" bull barrel
Mark III 22/45 Lite

The second lineup is named Mark III 22/45. These pistols have a polymer frame, and the steel barrel is installed nearly permanently into a tubular steel receiver. The grip angle emulates that of a M1911.

  • The current high-end model, the Mk III 22/45 Lite, was introduced at the 2012 SHOT Show. The main features include a light-weight aluminum upper receiver, material reduction on the upper receiver for enhanced appearance and further weight savings, a steel barrel that has been threaded ½"-28 for a compensator or suppressor, and user replaceable grips. Finally, the receiver of the Lite model is drilled and tapped for a Weaver rail section included in the packaging.
  • The previous high-end model is known as the Hunter. This pistol features a stainless steel 4.5-inch or 6.875-inch fluted bull barrel, HiViz fiber optic front sight, and adjustable rear sights. This model was discontinued for 2012.
  • The Target pistol comes in a few different variations. It has a heavier barrel to limit overheating, reduce recoil, and increase accuracy.
    • Stainless steel 5.5-inch barrel and adjustable rear sights (Discontinued in 2012).
    • Blued finish with 5.5-inch barrel and adjustable rear sights.
    • Blued finish with 4-inch barrel and adjustable rear sights.
    • Blued finish with 5.5-inch barrel, fixed rear sights, and replaceable Checkered Cocobolo grips.
    • Several models previously sold as Bull Barrel and Slab Side models had their names changed or were entirely discontinued when Ruger changed their catalog to reflect the Target lineup.
  • The Threaded Barrel models are very similar in configuration to the Target models, but with a threaded barrel for the addition of a compensator or suppressor. These models also feature user replaceable grips and the option of either adjustable target sights or Picatinny rails.
  • Distributor Exclusive models are specially made versions of the Mk III 22/45 released through certain distributors. For the 2012 lineup, these models include:
    • A Target model with a "Water Dog" Brown Digital Camo lower receiver.
    • A Target model with a fluted barrel and adjustable rear sights.
    • A Target model with a fluted barrel and adjustable fiber optic rear sights.
Ruger Mark III 22/45 lineup (as of June 2012)
Catalog

Number

 Model Finish Sight Length Approx.

weight

Blued Stainless Aluminum Rear Front Barrel Overall
P45MK3ALRP Lite * Adjustable Fixed 4½" 8½" 22 oz
P4MKIII Target * Adjustable Fixed 4" 8" 31 oz
P512MKIIIRP Target * Fixed Fixed 5½" 9½" 33 oz
P512MKIII Target * Adjustable Fixed 5½" 9½" 35 oz
P45GMK3RP Threaded * Fixed Fixed 4½" 8½" 32 oz
P45GMK3PRRP Threaded * Picatinny rail None 4½" 8½" 32 oz
KP512MKIII Bull barrel * Adjustable Fixed 5½" 9½" 35 oz
KP678HMKIII Hunter * Adjustable HiViz fiber optic 6⅞" 10⅞" 34 oz


MK IV
Ruger MK IV
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originUnited States
Production history
ManufacturerSturm, Ruger & Co.
Produced2016–present
VariantsTarget, Hunter, Competition
Specifications
Mass35.6–44 oz (1,010–1,250 g)[11]
Length9.75–11.12 in (248–282 mm)[11]
Barrel length5.5–6.88 in (140–175 mm)[11]
Barrels1:16" Right hand twist[11]

The Ruger Mark IV is a semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Company, chambered for the .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridges. It is the fourth generation successor to the original Ruger Standard.

Changes from the Mark III
Ruger MK IV partially disassembled, showing hinge between receiver and grip frame.

The most significant feature of the Mk IV redesign is a hinged connection between the upper receiver and the grip frame. This design enables the user to disassemble the firearm with a significantly simplified process compared to prior models.[12]

Other design changes include: a redesigned trigger group, a redesigned bolt stop, an ambidextrous thumb safety, and a "drop free" magazine release mechanism.[12]

Variants
  • Standard
  • Target
  • Hunter
  • Competition
  • Tactical
  • 22/45
    • 22/45 Lite
    • 22/45 Tactical

Safety recall

In June 2017, Ruger issued a safety recall on MK IVs for a defective trigger and safety mechanism. If the safety were midway between the "safe" and "fire" positions when the trigger was pulled, the gun could discharge when the safety was moved to the "fire" position. MK IVs with serial numbers beginning with "401" (2017 models) or "WBR" (2016 models) were recalled.[13][14]

Criminal use
gollark: As any topologist knows, you can have a set which is closed and open at the same time.
gollark: That's still on?
gollark: At least my personal programming projects will proceed faster.
gollark: As a programmer who wants future jobs, I fear this.
gollark: I eagerly await the first GPT-something-based lawyers.

See also

References
  1. Quinn, Boge. "Ruger 50th Anniversary .22" Gunblast Web site. Accessed January 8, 2009.
  2. Metcalf, Dick. “50 years of Ruger Auto Pistols” About.com Web site. Accessed January 13, 2009.
  3. Wilson, R. L. "Ruger & His Guns; A History Of The Man, The Company And Their Firearms." 1996. ISBN 0-7858-2103-1.
  4. “Ruger MKI / MKII / MKIII” Nazarian’s gun recognition guide Web site. Accessed January 8, 2009.
  5. "Jane's International Defence Review". Jane's International Defence Review. Janes Information Group (3). 1996. SEALs may be equipped with a wide variety of small arms, ranging from the 0.22-caliber (LR) Ruger Mk 2 through...
  6. The Directory of the World's Weapons. p119: Blitz Editions. 1996. ISBN 1-85605-348-2.CS1 maint: location (link)
  7. L.W. McWilliams. TM-Amphibian 'S' Manual. AWC Systems Technology, 2001. p. 3.
  8. 2009 AWC Product Guide, pp. 5–6.
  9. "Ruger Mark III". Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  10. The Ruger manual says "NOTE C—Scope mount bases and rings listed will fit all MARK III and 22/45 MARK III pistols. Only the MARK III Target models are drilled and tapped at the factory. The MARK III Standard models must be drilled and tapped by your local gunsmith. (Drilling and tapping instructions available upon request.)" As of March 2011 it appears as though Ruger has started drilling and tapping the Mark III Standard model.
  11. "Ruger Mark IV". Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  12. "Ruger Introduces One-Button Takedown Mark IV Pistol". American Rifleman. 22 September 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  13. Journal, Richard Craver Winston-Salem. "Ruger orders recall on all Mark IV pistols". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
  14. "Ruger Recalls Mark IV Rimfire Pistols". www.shootingillustrated.com. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
  • Wilson, R. L. Ruger and His Guns: A History of the Man, the Company and Their Firearms. 1996. ISBN 0-7858-2103-1.
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