1980 mki

north country gal · 10-23-2016, 09:12 AM

Been falling behind on my posts about shooting, but mostly because I've been too busy shooting and that's a good thing, of course. Anyway, here's one I picked up on the very next day after hearing about the new Ruger Mark IV. Yup, that's me, going back to the old when the new stuff is making all the headlines. Anyway, this is a 1980 vintage Mark I with a 1.3x Bushnell Phantom scope. Very good condition other than a little bluing loss at the muzzle.

Really got this one at a great price, probably because the sights were missing (easily replaced) and because it had been drilled and tapped for the Bushnell scope. Had every intention of ditching the scope and finding some sights for it, but actually found I liked shooting with the Bushnell because, at 1.3x, I could easily keep both eyes open. Also bought it because it takes the same vintage of mags as my 1974 Standard. The two make a nice set.

As for accuracy, well, no surprise. Doggone, but these old Ruger Marks can shoot.

I'm sure the new Ruger MKIV is a great gun, but it all started with this one and I doubt it shoots any better.

RetiredSeabee · 10-23-2016, 04:06 PM

You might need to buy a bigger house if you keep finding these vintage beauties.

moakes58 · 10-23-2016, 04:14 PM

Very nice NCG. That great pic makes me miss my Standard that, after 35,000 rounds, ended up with a cracked barrel & being unrepairable.

Great Ruger CS gave me any .22 at cost.

Those MK I bull barrels where just great.

north country gal · 10-23-2016, 04:57 PM

Thanks, guys.

The Mark 512s have always been my favorite target version, despite the shorter sight radius. Much prefer the balance.

The scope is also interesting. It comes from a period when 1x or 1.3x pistol scopes were fairly common. Red dots were still evolving at that time, but have now pretty much driven these essentially no magnification scopes to extinction. Too bad. In some ways I prefer these scopes to red dots.

bearcatter · 10-24-2016, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetiredSeabee

You might need to buy a bigger house if you keep finding these vintage beauties.

Another prize piece. I think her and Bill won the lottery, to afford winning the "gun lottery" so often......

10-23-2016, 09:12 AM	#1
north country gal Senior Member Joined: Jan 2013 From: northern wisconsin Posts: 6,001	1980 Ruger Mark I Been falling behind on my posts about shooting, but mostly because I've been too busy shooting and that's a good thing, of course. Anyway, here's one I picked up on the very next day after hearing about the new Ruger Mark IV. Yup, that's me, going back to the old when the new stuff is making all the headlines. Anyway, this is a 1980 vintage Mark I with a 1.3x Bushnell Phantom scope. Very good condition other than a little bluing loss at the muzzle. Really got this one at a great price, probably because the sights were missing (easily replaced) and because it had been drilled and tapped for the Bushnell scope. Had every intention of ditching the scope and finding some sights for it, but actually found I liked shooting with the Bushnell because, at 1.3x, I could easily keep both eyes open. Also bought it because it takes the same vintage of mags as my 1974 Standard. The two make a nice set. As for accuracy, well, no surprise. Doggone, but these old Ruger Marks can shoot. I'm sure the new Ruger MKIV is a great gun, but it all started with this one and I doubt it shoots any better. Last edited by north country gal; 10-23-2016 at 04:55 PM.

10-23-2016, 04:57 PM	#4
north country gal Senior Member Joined: Jan 2013 From: northern wisconsin Posts: 6,001	Thanks, guys. The Mark 512s have always been my favorite target version, despite the shorter sight radius. Much prefer the balance. The scope is also interesting. It comes from a period when 1x or 1.3x pistol scopes were fairly common. Red dots were still evolving at that time, but have now pretty much driven these essentially no magnification scopes to extinction. Too bad. In some ways I prefer these scopes to red dots. Last edited by north country gal; 10-23-2016 at 05:00 PM.

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10-23-2016, 04:06 PM	#2
RetiredSeabee Super Moderator Joined: Dec 2012 From: Harrisburg, North Carolina Posts: 4,280	You might need to buy a bigger house if you keep finding these vintage beauties.

10-23-2016, 04:14 PM	#3
moakes58 Senior Member Joined: Jan 2014 From: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 4,728	Very nice NCG. That great pic makes me miss my Standard that, after 35,000 rounds, ended up with a cracked barrel & being unrepairable. Great Ruger CS gave me any .22 at cost. Those MK I bull barrels where just great.