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I've avoided cleaning Dad's 1971 Mark I for years because of the difficulty in reassembly. Today was the day for cleaning. No where have I heard a better description on the hammer position during bolt and mainspring assembly. Your video is far superior to any I've seen.

This gun kept many gunsmiths in business just putting them back together !

Great video! I got one of these from a buddy that passed away several years ago, not too long ago I stripped and cleaned it and could never get it to work again… was so frustrated till I found your video. The gun means the world to me as he was a like a brother to me. Thank you 🙏🏻

I was cursing you, then praising you, then cursing you again. Every step was a new challenge! In the end, I won and Ruger lost! I was able to disassemble, clean and reassemble because of your fabulous video. Thank you so much.

I went a completely different route. Perplexed by the reassembly instructions, and made fearsome by all the posts warning me of everything from anger to utter madness, I decided to hire an exorcist to officiate the reassembly process. This was rather unusual for me, being Jewish, but after a nice glass tea and a long discussion on the subject of guilt's importance to our respective religions, we began our work. As I attempted to wrangle the parts back into place, the priest began chanting "The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you!" over and over again while sprinkling Holy Break-Free (he blessed it) here and there. I'm like, "For this, I'm paying ten dollars-fifty? CASH?!" Then, suddenly, everything was back into place, just like it came from the factory. I was all set to renegotiate a lower price for his services when the Mark IV was announced. ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME???!!! ONE LITTLE PUSH ON ONE LITTLE BUTTON???!!! I called the priest and told him to cop a walk, then set my sights on a new Mark IV. Now when I hear the words "Mark I," "Mark II," or "Mark III" all I can think about is the tsuris I suffered through. But, then again, life IS suffering, isn't it?

My dad just gave me my uncle's Ruger mark II that he loved so much, God rest his soul. Thanks for making this video

This is the best Ruger Mark series video on KZfaq. Why are you the only guy who has figured out how to use an auxiliary light to illuminate the interior of a firearm? You should be giving production lessons. Superb job. Thank you!

This is the first gun I learned firearms training on back in 1974. I could take it apart and back together easily. I currently have three models but if I don't shoot them often, I have to look the process up again. This is the best video ever made for this process. If you just think about each step and what each step is doing, it all makes perfect sense. For the guy that said this gun is the biggest piece of shit ever, I will take it off your hands at a deeply discounted price.

This is a true service to the Ruger Mark community, thank you for the time you invested making this very helpful video, I know my first attempt years ago took me 2 hours to figure it out and even then I was afraid to ever disassemble it again! Great job sir!!

I so love my Mark; and this is hands down the best video on stripping one down ever. A clear articulate voice, proper lighting, and excellent pace of instruction. So many others are seemingly interested in expounding upon their own skills and making assumptions about the viewers skills. This video makes no assumptions, cuts no corners and anticipates steps that may need additional focus. Kudos to the producer for making professional material available to the masses.

Outstanding example of how a KZfaq recording should be produced. Clear, Concise, and informative…Cheers my friend.

The 1000th comment. My son has developed an interest in shooting and we took my old MKII to the range. It was dirty, and it was cold out...and it didn't cycle well at all. We decided to tear it down at home and cleaned up a lot of stiff gunk....and then I remembered my buddy 20 years ago saying "just shoot it till it jams, and get a new one, don't tear it down you'll never get it back together." and he was right!! This video gives me hope. It's not back together yet....but it's clean and we'll spend the weekend watching this and trying. Thanks

I've had mine for 30+ years....Abit hard to takedown, a bit hard to reassemble,but....the most reliable .22 auto ever made.

Best video on these Ruger's thus far.

I've had my mark 1 since I was 14. That was 1978. My grandfather on my mother's side, papaw, had purchased the gun in the late 60s, not exactly sure what year, and he always kept it immaculately clean in its fleece lined leather case. When he passed in 78 I obtained possession of it. It has been at my side ever since. I'd clean it the best I could, but curiosity got the best of me in my mid 20s. I sent it back to Ruger apart in a plastic bag. They reblued it and returned it to me fully assembled and working like new. In my 40s, a bit more knowledgeable about how things function, I disassembled it again. Completely. Cleaned it thoroughly and it took me awhile, but I worked on it until I figured it out. That one piece has got to go one certain way. Period. I'm nearly 60 now and can comfortably take it apart and reassemble it with confidence now. Not in 16 seconds. Lol. But in perfect firing order. Moral of this story. If you've got the time, patience and determination, it can be done. And of course praying to God to guide me. Excellent gun btw. Happy new year everybody.!😁

Inherited my dad's 1964 Ruger Standard that I grew up shooting, but never cleaning. My dad always did that. Just disassembled, cleaned, and put it back together myself for the first time. No problems at all. Thanks!

THIS is a tutorial on how to do a tutorial! There is nothing he left out. Instead of describing parts in the wrong position before assembly, he shows it with a light and then how to correct it. Bravo from this new Standard owner! I’m not a gunsmith, but I know how to reassemble my firearms. But this one gave me confidence to field strip this weapon.

You're like the Mr. Rogers of firearms and i don't mean that in a bad way. ;)You're just so thorough and precise. Great videos guys!

Old video but timeless information! This guy is the authority on tiger Mark series pistols. Such a thorough and concise video on assembly and disassembly! Thank you for taking time to make it, great presentation!

I DID THE SAME THING YOU DID WHEN I PURCHASED MY MK II TARGET OVER 30 YEARS AGO {PRE KZfaq} AFTER THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT APART FOR CLEANING & COULDN'T GET IT BACK TOGETHER. AFTER TAKING IT APART & REASSEMBLING SEVERAL TIMES IT BECAME SO EASY I NO LONGER HATED IT. WHEN THE MK III CAME OUT I PURCHASED A 22/45 FRAME FOR $79, REMOVED THE MAGAZINE SAFETY & INSTALLED THE KANE WOLF SLING SHOT BOLT RELEASE. MY MK II UPPER FITS PERFECTLY ON THE MK III FRAME & NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. EVERY TIME I WENT TO THE RANGE PEOPLE WOULD SEE ME SWITCHING THE UPPER TO THE 22/45 FRAME & THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY UNTIL I STARTED SHOOTING IT 30 SECONDS LATER, MOST OF THEM WERE SO IMPRESSED THEY HAD TO HAVE THE SAME SETUP AS ME. THEN THE MK IV CAME OUT & I HAD TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE ALSO. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE MK V TO BE RELEASED & SEE WHAT THAT BRINGS.

I fought with my MKII for over an hour last night before giving up putting it back together. I found this video today and got it put back together in 10 minutes - now that I know what I'm doing, it will be significantly less next time!

I have an old standard model (pre-Mark series) and I have disassembled it only once around eight years ago. It took me two days to get it back together. This video made it happen (for me) in about five minutes. Thank you for this amazing video. The lighting and views of the items are wonderful.....and this is coming from a photographer! I am no longer afraid to use this gun because I know now how to properly clean it.

I kenos the video is 4 years old, however in 2020 is was exactly what I needed. Wife is learning to shoot and the MkIII is the pistol we have to start with, and I’ve never field stripped one before. Thank you!

My grandfather bought one of these when it was new, it was the main pistol he shot for 40 years and put tens of thousands of rounds through and never once cleaned it and yet it still ran, even if it couldn't hit the side of a barn standing inside the barn. I had the honor of giving it its first clean up job ever and to this day 70 years after the gun was made I'm close to a thousand rounds through it in a week and haven't had a single jam and I could shoot the back left leg off a fly with it. There was a quarter inch build up of sludge through the entire frame, I went through a full bottle of solvent.

First time I tried a few months ago, ended up taking it to a gunsmith to reassemble. Took it back apart couple days ago, did a mirror polish on the upper and began putting it back together last night. Got frustrated, put it aside and this morning I found your video. Piece of cake now thank you very much. Now I can shoot it and keep it clean. Great video.

Thank you! I've had a Ruger Standard pistol for 25 years. The first time I took it apart for cleaning I had to take it to a gunsmith for reassembly (pre KZfaq days). Your instructions were easy to follow. Super job taking the fear out of breaking this gun down and putting it back together.

Great video! My neighbor has a bull barrel Mark 1. It wouldn’t cycle. After I showed how to dismantle his cz75 he thinks I’m an expert. I sure wish I’d had found this video before I tore into the ruger. I completely disassembled it, and it was a struggle. The hammer pin had walked out part way allowing the hammer rod to move out of the mainspring. The hammer had no tension. After getting it back together it wouldn’t cycle. And after about 3 times I finally stumbled on how to get the hammer rod into the mainspring. I was ready to torch it in half! 😁. I had every part out of that pistol. It was dirty. Thanks again.

Thank God for this video. I bought the old Mark 2 from my coworker for $125 (it was rough and pitted)… He claimed it was junk and too hard to clean. Showed him this and I said it’s that easy once it’s clean… Nop it tooo hard for him… now the cleaning and polishing begins for new life! Great video and thanks for keeping it stupid simple!

Thank you for the video. I've been trying to put my Mark 1 back together for the last four hours and couldn't get it right. The last step was the issue. Pointing the weapon up and letting the lever fall into place is the critical step. Excellent job explaining the assembly!

Wow! I bought a MK II new in 1992 and it has been a love affair ever since. My kids, and later, my grandkids learned gun safety and how to shoot with this gun. But in all those years, I have absolutely HATED to clean and maintain it because of the assembly process after said cleaning. I watched this video, then created a shortcut to it on my computer and cellphone, and tackled my beast with new confidence. Simply, amazing how simple and easy this video made the process. Kudos ... Ruger should be putting a link to your video on their site.

Thank you for this video. I was avoiding doing a full strip-down of my ruger mark II. It was my dad's gun and i would field clean it until I saw your video. I was able to put it back together in less than a min. This is in my saved videos. THANKS AGAIN. Great video!!!

I think the problem is that too many gun owners are like me in that we don't shoot regularly or at least not with the Ruger Mark series. I've only cleaned my gun maybe 5 times in 10 years and each time I have to look at a video. Yours is one of the best.

Great video and well explained. I am on of those gunsmiths that has had these come to me in zip lock bags. Never the less, I love the gun so much i have 6 variants in my personal collection. So I made it a policy to reassemble them free of charge along with a little tutorial whenever they came across my bench. If I may add a couple of things that might offer additional help. - you can make yourself a little tool to pull out the latch of the main spring housing. Simply take a sturdy button from an old pair of BDU trousers and tie a 2" loop of 1.3mm micro accessory cord using the button holes. Slip the loop over and behind the latch leaver and pull the button away from the grip frame. Any thin, high strength string can be used: high test fishing line like spider line or heavy duty exterior uppulstory thread. - put a rag or paper towel on the back of the grip frame so that you prevent scratches when you remove the main spring housing. Especially should you need to tap on the take down pin with a soft hammer and it suddenly breaks free. - lastly, a little time with a Dremel and a Cratex burr polishing the U shaped stirrup at the back of the recoil spring guide rod assembly goes a long way to ease reassembly. Cheers 🍻

MY GOD THANK YOU! This was giving me a fit for two days. I thought I could just figure it out. NOPE. Again thank you.

Finally someone who can explain this properly

I watched a lot of videos and this one was the first that was actually easy to follow and the first that pointed out the ways it can go horribly wrong. I was reading a forum in which someone was asking about whether it was really challenging to reassemble a Mark II/II/IV because he was thinking about buying one. I was surprised how many people insisted it was easy and not to believe the hype. Listen man, without these instructions you are out of luck ... unless you are an actual gunsmith.

What a great video! I’ve disassembled the gun 3 times and didn’t understand why I couldn’t get the last piece to fit in the grip. Well, I took a two day break to look for a more comprehensive video to follow. That’s when I came crossed your video. Now I see what I was doing wrong. Thanks for producing this video. I’m saving it for future reference.

My MK II was a gift from my Dad and I absolutely love shooting it. Always dreaded the cleaning process but your video made it a breeze. Thank you.

Such a hassle to strip and assemble this pistol. I have a Mark III. Your instructions are much better than Ruger's. Thank you for posting this!

Just bought one of these from my brother as his health now prevents him from shooting. This is an EXTEMELY informative video. Thank you!

Instructions we could have used 30 years ago !

Thank you SO MUCH! I hadn't shot my gun in 10 years. When I cleaned it and tried to put it together I totally forgot how to do it. Tried for about an hour and only got upset. Your video was fantastic. Nice lighting, clear shots and the tricks at the end were greatly appreciated.

You Sir are an excellent teacher. Thank you. I haven't cleaned mine over 5 years. I just got finished therapy from the first time.

Hallelujah? I’ve owned a Mark II Bull Barrel in stainless for 35 years and never use it for this reason. Excellent, thank you.

This is by far the best video on maintenance for this gun! Your deliberate and detailed instructions along with WHY you do them helped me out. I have owned a mk1 for years and the last time i cleaned it, I could not get it back together. The main spring pin kept trying to rotate out as I pushed back towards the grip. I actually gave up and put it back in the safe! The little tip about bringing the gun upright and shaking it slightly did the trick! Thanks for giving me this gun back!

I've had my Mark I before the Mark II came out. I have a Mark II also. I've cleaned them, and it is a real pain. What you did was magic. Enlightening. Amazing. And I thank you very much. I love the dickens out of my Mark I and Mark II. Now I can give them a thorough cleaning more frequently. THANK YOU!

So I bought the Mark one for my daughters. It’s in pristine condition it’s almost like brand new. So I took the gun apart to oil it and clean it and could not put it back together. I kept banging my head and banging my head. I watched three different videos and this is the only video that explained exactly step-by-step I knew it had something to do with that little arm that swings down but I wasn’t sure on what to do with it until I watched your video. Oh my goodness. I put the gun back together the first time the second time the third time and just could not pull the bolt back. After watching this video perfect I put it back together in 20 seconds. Thank you lovely video I am now a subscriber. Wish I could shake your hand

I've had a Mk ll since 1992... An haven't fired or cleared it since 1999.....I think I might not since watching your video....Thank U Sir...👌

I have been trying to get the Mark 1 Ruger that I inherited from my grandfather back together for 5 hours. I watched numerous other videos and couldn't get it to cycle. Yours did it and I am so relieved right now.

Best explanation I’ve ever seen for this thanks

I have had a 1950 model for YEARS. My grandpa handed it down to me when I was a kid. For the past 20 years it has been put up non functioning from not being assembled right. He passed away recently and it reminded me of my old gun. This video helped me fix it in 10 minutes. You're awesome!

This works on a pre-Mark Ruger Standard from 1966 in case anyone was wondering about the really old guns. I didn't realize just how dirty mine was, especially since I've owned it for years and never actually fired it or disassembled it. The barrel on mine took a few good whacks to get it free and I'm not sure its ever been off the gun. A bit of oil inside and she is smooth as glass. Can't wait to take it out! Thanks for the great video.

Use a spent case to lift lever .

Terrific video! I have a Ruger Mark II Target with bull barrel that I bought ages ago and it's been sitting unfired in my safe all these years. Your video has inspired me to take it out and start shooting it without worrying about the dreaded and feared horrors of putting one of these back together. I was thinking about getting a Mark IV and selling this one, but now I think I'll keep it.

I have a 1960-61 Mark 1 6 & 7/8 tapered heavy barrel with a LOT of honest finish wear, put there by the previous owner. I plan to add even more! With CCI Standard velocity long rifles, this pistol is superbly accurate and utterly reliable. I did have to replace the recoil spring assembly due to wear on the yoke that caused it to spread and prohibited reassembly. LORD only knows how many rounds it took to do that! I installed a Volquartsen recoil spring assembly, without issue, and have had no further issues. I haven't had problems reassembling mine, but your method is very good. My Mark 1 is also my " bump in the night" pistol. With its accuracy and perfect reliability, I am 100% confident in her. She's the only handgun I own. Or need.

After over two hours of watching videos I finally ran across yours which finally showed me what I was doing wrong in regards to the hammer position and getting the mainspring back in place. Thank you! The crazy thing is I’ve successfully reassembled this gun at least 3 other times since I’ve owned it 😂. Must have been dumb luck!

Thank you for putting this video together. I had spent hours trying to do this, then after a couple of minutes had it buttoned up thanks to this step by step walk through.

Exceptionally good tutorial! Thanks very much for the supplemental lighting, which makes it possible to see parts and steps not shown in any other KZfaq tutorial. Superb work.

I have to say, so far your dis-assembly, re-assembly has ben the easiest to follow. I have a Mk.III 22/45 and I have yet to take it apart. I will follow your process. Thanks!😀

Probably the best reassembly video on KZfaq, thank you.

this gun is so nicely made, and so accurate - it is the most accurate handgun i own - it is worth going through the trouble to learn how to reassemble it reliably. Also you can really make your pals scratch their heads how you did it and maybe win a bet if you want

This is by far the best video on how to assemble my Ruger Mk 1. Thanks for saving me.

I just picked up a 1965 MkI the other day and would like to “clean clean” it. This is the best video in my opinion to help me do so. Thanks

In my collection I have 2 1911’s, old and new. 2 Mauser Broomhandles (6in and 4 in barrel) 2 Radoms, Colt SAA, S&W Schofield, a Mystery WWI German that I had to watch a C&Rsenal to strip and reassemble. Colt 1903 Hammerless Smokeless, Mauser P38, P35 Highpower, and a few others. But this is the first time in 20 years that I’ve stripped, cleaned and re-assembled this Ruger. NEVER AGAIN! The Broomhandle is a Chinese Puzzle and IT went back together easier! As dirty as this Ruger was, I’ll NEVER TAKE IT APART AGAIN! Thank you…

The moment of horror was well explained. I was stuck until I watched this.

This is an absolutely great video. As was demonstrated, once one learns the nuisances of a disassembly and reassembly process the Ruger MK II is a breeze to maintain. After the aforementioned is mastered, disassembly and reassembly of the bolt is extremely simple. Then from that point on learning the disassembly and reassembly of the frame isn't to bad. My opinion of that they Ruger MK II is the pinnacle of the MK series. Once fundamentals of the processes are fully understood, it is literally a lifetime gun.

Your video helped me bring my dads to life. That pesky hammer and all this time I just needed to tilt the gun up. My gosh. Thank you sir!

Hours of frustration and thinking I had ruined the Ruger comes down to this video and 2 minutes worth of following the instructions and reassemble after cleaning. THANK YOU!!!

Great video!! I've had a Mk l for years and even after reading the instructions many times, I still had problems with the mainspring, like everyone else. Next time I shoot it I'll try your method. I love my old Ruger, it's the best .22 auto loader ever made in my opinion. It points well, fits in hand well, and is very accurate. Thanks for posting.

Thank you so much. This is the only video on the mark 2 slide stop assembly that was useful.

I have my dads 1986 stainless 10" barrel Mark II. My record time of taking it apart and putting it back together is 29.7 seconds. It took me a while to fugure it out, but once i got it i kept taking it apart and putting it back together until i got it right 15 times in a row. Now i can do it with my eyes closed. I now own a 1995 blued 10" barrel Mark II i bought a few years ago. Both completely stock and both absolute tack drivers!! Great video and explanation!!

The definitive video. Thank you from every frustrated MK owner on the planet!

Dude ! Thankyou !!!!!! I was struggling to reassemble. I was getting so frustrated !!!!! You made it so simple !!! Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou !!!!!

I bought my Mark I in the late 70's, and learned the hard way the same things shown in this video. There was no KZfaq back then. One of my favorite guns, reliable, robust, and once you learn these tricks, easy to strip, clean and assemble. I do a couple minor things differently, but to the same end, and we both get the job done.

Thank you for your video...I know you made it and posted many years ago, but I have a Mark II and hesitate shooting it for the very reasons you stated...I now have the confidence and your video to help me reassemble my Mark II...Now I can take it out to the range and now let my daughter shoot it...I have had it since 1984...thank you...I hope you read this.

Fun watching. I hadn't had mine apart in probably 40 years and it took me a couple of trials to get it back together the first time then I took apart again to wipe a bit of oil on things and got it back together with out a problem that time. I watched your video after just to see what tips you might offer afterward. One tip I might have for you, I've always just looped a short piece of string over the release lever to pull it back,. No scratches, no broken nails absolutely works fantastic. I thought I saw the tip in the owners manual but I got it out of the box, no it wasn't in there. Maybe the gun shop I bought it from in OR back in 1972 showed it to me.

Great intructions! I'm sure you saved a lot of people from lots of frustration.

I refer back to this video everytime a disassemble my Mark 2...thanks so much for a great tutorial.

This was the best thing on the Internet!!! Finally understand the Mark 1 and can clean my pistol.

I had a very well worn Mark 1 {no bluing} about 30 years ago, so here's my story...I disassembled it just like in the video BUT, I couldn't get that rascal back together !! I took it to a local pawn shop {in a cigar box} and the guy said he wasn't even going to attempt to get it back together but, he suggested I send it back to Ruger ! Well I wrote a letter saying I couldn't get it back together, I must've sounded desperate because not only did they put it back together but, they also replaced pins, springs, AND reblued it !!! It was like a brand new gun !!

Got it on my first try with this tutorial. You rule.

Thanks Bud. You saved me a ton of time and frustration. Greatly Appreciated.

This really was the best video for reassemble. Watching where that pin falls is very important. Great video I truly appreciate it.

Thank you so much for that great video. When I bought mine..., before the internet. I spent the better part of an entire night reassembling with the manual, not to mention my fingers were sore to the point of stiffness the next day... Finally got it and swore to never do it again... Thanks to you,.... Piece of cake!

When I went to get my Pistol license over 25 years ago they made you take a shooters course before you could get it. Long story short the instructor had a Mark 2 and said if anyone could reassemble it they could skip the 8 hr course. I accepted and had it back together in 30 to 45 seconds, He was amazed he still made me take the course,, But he pulled me aside later and asked me how the freak I knew how to do it so fast?? I told him I had been shooting my dads for years and my dads rule was you had to be able to disassemble and reassemble any of his guns I wanted to shoot before 1 round went down range,

Well sir, wasn't this just amazing. Thank you very much for this video! Extremely helpful and pleasant to watch. Have a good one, and keep up the great work! :-D

I bought one of these guns with the long barrel back in 1968. I have not shot it in many years , it was my first gun as a teenager. I had no problems with assembly when I was using it frequently, but that was decades ago. This tutorial helps a great deal as I just plain forgot how to reassemble it.

That's every owners complaint, I heard. Putting it back together. You made it look SOÒOOO easy.

I wish I had youtube back in the early 90's when I had my first Ruger 22 lol. What a pain in the ASS it was to work this out on my own with just the inadequate manual to work with.

Ruger pistols: Easy to take apart, pain in the ass to put together if uninformed

dude thank you you actually showed where the stupid little lever thing in the back goes I got a 1952 Mark 1 haven't cleaned it in quite a while stripped it down today no problem taking it apart literally like a half hour trying to figure out that stupid lever watched your video put it together correctly the first time after watching thank you

My friend I can't say thank you enough for this vid. Got home from work early today & figured I'd clean my new toy. Been trying since 3:30pm Eastern Time. Finally had to look at you tube to figure this thing out. Watched 3 different vidz b4 I came across yours, so glad I did. It helped me tremendously. Thank you very much for the awesome vid.

I've had mine for 34 years never ever took it apart. I clean it with WD-40 every once in a while. I spray it out throughily. Never failed to fire or eject!

A life saver!

I have a 1978 Mk1. Took apart for cleaning and couldn’t figure out the last step of putting the main spring back in. Thank u so much champ.

The only video I watched that actually helped thanks!!!

Awesome Thanks.My mkiii almost went thru the window lolyour video made sense :D

That's a lifesaver!!! I've been terrified to take mine apart.

Best explanation and step by step other videos didn't explain the very hard part at the end as well as this gentleman did!!! 10/10 thank you for the knowledge 😊