Ruger Perfects Rimfire – Again: Introducing the One-Button Takedown Mark IV
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is excited to announce the latest development in the Mark Series line of pistols – the Ruger® Mark IV™. Ruger has long set the standard for reliable, affordable and accurate .22 LR handguns, beginning with the introduction of the Standard Pistol in 1949. Since then, the Standard Pistol has undergone a series of enhancements with the development of the Mark I, Mark II™ and then the Mark III™ in 2005.
While the heavily redesigned Mark IV maintains the same classic outward appearance as the Mark III, it incorporates a significant improvement customers will love – a simple, one-button takedown for quick and easy field-stripping. A recessed button in the back of the frame allows the upper receiver to tilt up and off of the grip frame without the use of tools. The bolt simply slides out of the receiver and the barrel can be properly cleaned from chamber to muzzle.
“We are thrilled to be introducing what we consider to be a monumental improvement to this iconic pistol that has been with Ruger from the start,” said Ruger President and COO Chris Killoy. “This one-button takedown alleviates the headache that our Mark III owners are all too familiar with and we anticipate the Mark IV pistols being some of the cleanest rimfires at the range,” Killoy concluded.
Other significant improvements include a one-piece grip frame that is precision CNC-machined from a solid piece of stainless steel or aluminum; an ambidextrous manual safety and a redesigned bolt stop for more ergonomic operation. The magazine drops free on release for faster reloads and a redesigned magazine disconnect safety prevents discharge when the magazine has been removed. Internal improvements include changes to the hammer, sear, bolt and firing pin for smoother, more reliable feeding.
Specific features vary by model, but the legendary, one-piece barreled receiver and internal cylindrical bolt construction remain the same. The robust design ensures permanent sight-to-barrel alignment and higher accuracy potential than conventional moving-slide designs. The Mark IV is compatible with a variety of Mark III aftermarket accessories including sights, scope bases and magazines.
The American-made Mark IV pistol ships with two 10-round magazines.
For more information on the Ruger Mark IV or to learn more about the extensive line of award-winning Ruger firearms, visit Ruger.com or Facebook.com/Ruger. To find accessories for the Mark IV and other Ruger firearms, visit ShopRuger.com or your local independent retailer of Ruger firearms.
This looks like it solves Ruger’s #1 problem since the Mk I pistol… the stupid take down. I also like that the thumb safety is a lever instead of a sliding button. Ruger is really starting to make sense in what they are putting out. Now if they could just fix the stupid bolt release on the 10/22.
Also – that Hunter is DEAD SEXY.
Eh, but at least they are trying. The position of the release button is in a place where it could get inadvertently pressed and at the very least partially unlocking. The whole pivot pin (a la AR15) isn’t really necessary and could be a weak point as the pin looks pretty small/thin. I’m sure it will also be in the 500.00 range which IMO is pretty steep for a mass produced rimfire plinker.
The need of a tool to take down a plinker wasn’t the big problem with the original design. Needing 3 hands and flipping the pistol 8 different directions to re-assemble it was the real pain in the ass. If this new design eliminates that problem, awesome.
I am really liking the new safety lever though.
looks like msrp’s run from $550 to $780. A little pricey for not having to do the mark II dance, get it all together and realize that the hammer strut missed it’s place and now is jammed, and It is going to take 1/2 hour of wrestling with it to just start over again.
Fond memories of plinking and missing rabbits with my old Mark II, which I think my dad paid $180 for. If I was going to get in the market for $700, though, I dunno. Maybe the Hunter.
Still have my dad’s he bought after WWII in SF for 35 dollars. Taking it down and putting it back together is not really that bad. vids on Utube make it even “easy” if you follow along. The Mrk I was and is a classic pistol that IMHO has not been made better by the newer design tries..
The takedown on the older pistols is simple if you understand how the pistol works. That said if the new version was as inexpensive as the old it would be a great improvement for the majority of buyers.
But it doesn’t look to be the case.
If they can get the price down I might actually consider buying one.
MSRP’s a very different from Street Pricing. Especially for Ruger.
And no one clamors for rimfires – so getting one shouldn’t be too hard, and you shouldn’t be paying MSRP’s.
Now, this is just the first steps in the Mark IV’s release, so you know we will start seeing all the different versions we liked of the Mark III’s in due time.
With the S&W Victory out I see it as more of a modern evolution of the rimfire pistol and at much more of a reasonable price. Ruger street prices are still up there and one thing that still bugs me about the MK series is that in order to change to a different barrel type/length/configuration you must go through a FFL to buy one as the barrel is “permanently” attached to the serialized receiver.
The MKII barrel threads in. You need a receiver wrench to swap barrels, but it can be done. There’s also the option of an 80% receiver using whatever barrel you want. Just swap the guts and you can have multiple MKII’s on the same grip frame.
http://clarkcustomguns.com/parts-category/ruger-mkii-mkiii/
I have a MKII that’s hosed up due to barrel damage and have spent quite a bit of time looking into it. The barrel is threaded into a receiver blank prior to cutting the ejection port, extractor, and grip frame attachment points. Swapping a barrel doesn’t guarantee clocking will be correct and Clark charges (or at least did before they ran out of barrels…it’s possible that has changed since I contacted them) quite a bit to fit a barrel to your receiver. I’m in the market for a PacLite replacement barrel/receiver whenever the budget supports bumping a few bucks into gun stuff again.
My Father In Law has an old MK II that was screwed up and missing a couple small parts. I sent it back to Ruger for him… It was returned – at no cost – fully functional and delightful as ever. Had he owned this Mark IV version – It wouldn’t have needed to go back to Ruger at all… But Hat Tip to Ruger for the wonderful service!
Several years back, I lost the rear sight pin. Contacted Ruger about buying a replacement and, a few days later had a new rear sight assembly for free. It’s a shame good service is surprising.
I asked about barrel replacement but they quoted a cost that would nearly pay for the PacLite barrel.
What must be remembered is that there are 2 kinds of people in this world & there are tons of both – those mechanically inclined, & those who are NOT ( or those who crave simplicity & easy or zero maint. ).
I’m normally a Revolver guy as I crave ease / simplicity / reliability. But the Mark IV has me salivating for it.
I surely hope Ruger starts producing this easy takedown / reassemble design across all calibers. And while their at it also incorporate the “pull-back” Slide concept – even if it may necessitate heavier springs on some calibers.
You mean like with the American pistol design as well?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_oBEQzRkcg
Because it doesn’t get any easier. Not sure what you are talking about.
First off, I’m a “ham & egger” when it comes to firearms……got started late in life. Much appreciate ease & simplicity previously stated. Sorry if you don’t understand my terminology.
What I mean to say is the easy “pull-back” of the Slide on the Mark IV, versus the seemingly traditional “hold the top” & slide back Slide. And now of course incorporating the push button disassemble / reassemble of the Mark IV as well……in future semi-autos of different calibers.
Thanks for the video link, but to me it gets absolutely no easier overall than this new Mark IV design in all respects.
Returning the favor – here’s a great video on the new Mark IV you might like – go to youtube & search “plinkster 22 ruger mark IV” from 2 days ago.
Thanks for your response.
It is good to know that take down is now easier. Those of us with older models learned to do the “dance” and it is relatively easy once you do it a few times.
As to posts above about shooting and missing things with earlier versions, all I can say is that my Mark II is the stainless Target Model with 5.5″ bull barrel and target sights. It is incredibly accurate. With Eley match ammo, it is better than I am capable of shooting unless I put it in a fixed rest.
If the new Target version is equally as accurate, it will have a following.