I haven't got the 22 semiautomatic in my possession yet, but I have been given a Mark III that I believe is a stainless steel standard grade with 4.75-inch barrel. I want a longer barrel -- at least 6.875 inches.

Can I send the barrel-receiver assembly to Ruger to have them replace the barrel? Or can anyone recommend a gunsmith who can do the job?

My goal is to install a red dot sight, probably an Ultradot L/T and use the pistol for small game hunting.

Here's a link that shows step by step on how to change that barrel......
http://paulzintgunsmith.com/Assembly.html

For me, I like to let gunsmith's do that sort of work since they do it for a living and I don't............r in s.

quote:

Originally posted by Naphtali:
I haven't got the 22 semiautomatic in my possession yet, but I have been given a Mark III that I believe is a stainless steel standard grade with 4.75-inch barrel. I want a longer barrel -- at least 6.875 inches.

Can I send the barrel-receiver assembly to Ruger to have them replace the barrel? Or can anyone recommend a gunsmith who can do the job?

My goal is to install a red dot sight, probably an Ultradot L/T and use the pistol for small game hunting.

I've got an Ultra Dot on a MkII Target ....and I love that setup. I can see where you want to go.

Excellent ballance, accuracy, and great handling.

But I think rebarreling would be the difficult (and expensive) way to go.

Recomendation: I would sell or trade the short barreled stainless and get another pistol in the configuration I wanted.

quote:

Originally posted by ray in seattle:
Here's a link that shows step by step on how to change that barrel......
http://paulzintgunsmith.com/Assembly.html

For me, I like to let gunsmith's do that sort of work since they do it for a living and I don't............r in s.

Ray:

I called Ruger yesterday. They will not replace Mark III barrels with a different configuration or barrel length. Any replacement will be part-for-part identical with what was replaced. So my only avenue is a custom gunsmith.

Your link shows routine disassembly-assembly. What I seek is removal of existing barrel from the cylindrical receiver, with installation of a longer barrel, either a take-off Ruger or a new one.

There is a company that makes the "top end" for the Ruger pistol. They come in various configurations. I cannot remember their name but a search on the web might locate them.

I will see if I can find the company.

Found it.

Pac Lite

www.tacticalsol.com

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
There is a company that makes the "top end" for the Ruger pistol. They come in various configurations. I cannot remember their name but a search on the web might locate them.

I will see if I can find the company.

I'll check the web site you identified in your subsequent post again. I believe they offer complete top ends rather than barrel replacement on existing top end. If I am accurate, this involves the purchase of another pistol. I don't want to do this.

I have a PacLit with the 6-1/2" barrel. It is a complete upper. On the Ruger, this is the serialized part, so it would be just like buying any other pistol.

I picked up a used Mark II with fixed sight (blued) and put on the PacLit upper in black. It comes with adjustable sights and is drilled and tapped the same as the Ruger. I added a Weaver style mount from http://www.rimfiresports.com/, then added a Red Dot.

Best of luck with it.

quote:

Originally posted by A/C guy:
I have a PacLit with the 6-1/2" barrel. It is a complete upper. On the Ruger, this is the serialized part, so it would be just like buying any other pistol.

I picked up a used Mark II with fixed sight (blued) and put on the PacLit upper in black. It comes with adjustable sights and is drilled and tapped the same as the Ruger. I added a Weaver style mount from http://www.rimfiresports.com/, then added a Red Dot.

Best of luck with it.

I did virtually the same. Replace a 5.5" bull barrel on a MKII with a Paclite 6.0" barrel black and fluted with the adjustable glow sites and probably took off 8-10 ounces of weight from a 22/45. Accuracy is working out ok with it and it is a gun that I carry a lot because it is so light.

I forget who told me your memory is the second thing to go.

I finally picked up the Mark III. That 4.5-inch barrel metamorphosed to a 5.5-inch bull barrel with target rear sight. That problem I thought I had -- I forget which problem -- is gone, if memory serves me correctly.

Lads,

While the following is a pure target set up, it validates everything you have mentioned about the guns and optics in this thread.

Ruger MK II slabside w/ Volq muzzle break, Volthane grips, Volq/trigger-sear-etc. topped by an excellent Ultra-dot in brushed alum. Shooting Rem Target from a rest @ 25yds it is all X's. Managed to shoot a 275 avg in our winter pistol league w/it. Not holsterable!!

I also have a Ruger 45/22 with Hogue hand-all and a good red-dot on top. This one likes Win high speed hp's and round nose. Not quite as accurate as the slab side, but "minute-of-grey-squirrel" at 50yds. I modified a cheap holster to handle the optic - ugly, but very functional.

I cannot find serious fault with the Ruger, and the Ultra-dot is amazingly small for its high quality. Lots of second manuf. parts to improve on a good thing. Accurate, dependable, ubiquitous and just flat out fun!!!

I also have a newer Colt Target w/bull barrel which I use in pistol safety courses. Must have put thousands of round through it. Trigger not as good a Ruger's but equal in accuracy and dependability.

All are keepers.

Mike