This exact model was my introduction to the Mark series. I have never looked back or forward. To me, there is the MK II....and ONLY the MK II.

The first pistol I ever bought almost 20yrs ago was a Ruger mark ll and is still my favorite firearm to this day. So affordable to shoot, very low maintenance and just deadly accurate. Not sure why people are saying it's a pain to disassemble/assemble??? About 20 seconds to break down and a minute or so to put back. Maybe the first couple times to follow the steps can take a little bit but after that it shouldn't be a problem for any person who knows guns.

never go into the wild without this weapon,it will protect you and feed you,had mine since 73,this design is superior

I love MKIIs. I tend to buy/collect them whenever I come across them in good shape. This particular model is one of my favorites. Mine is of mid 80s manufacture. Still going strong.

Love the last round "ting". You absolutely know when it's empty.

Mine is probably 35 years old, still shoots as good today as the day I got it. my guess is I have shot this gun I bet 20,000 rounds or more. Had to replace firing pin/spring. Other than that it's good. My favorite gun to shoot and accurate. Best 22 pistol ever.

Bought my mk2 in 1987 stainless. Many upgrades though the years, best upgrade was a majestic arms pin conversion makes cleaning a breeze! My favorite pistol still to date.

Your reviews are the best. As a person w infinitely less experience I appreciate your half glass full approach and accurate reviews.

Absolutely love my Ruger Mark ii target model. Accurate, cheap to shoot and just plain fun! Great piece!

Good review. I enjoy the history. I just picked up a MK2 in SS 6 7/8 slab-side barrel, wood thumb-rest grips, topped off with a Leupold M8-2x scope. Amazingly accurate pistol, fun to shoot too.

Excellent review! My college roomate recieved a 6 7/8" stainless target(heavy tapered barrel) for a gift in 1985 or 6. I enjoyed shooting his alot, but always thought the long barrel was a tad ungainly. I bought the shorter 5 1/2" stainless target(heavy tapered barrel) when they came out in the early 90s. We both still have them, and they are both still plugging away. (They both do seem to prefer copper plated bullets we have noted).

I’ve had this very pistol since it came out. My eyes just turned 68 so I put fiber optic sights on it from Amazon, and they are super !

Just picked up another MK II last week. Blued with a short pencil taper barrel. It looks very Luger-esque. Found it at a LGS. it was VERY dirty and I had a helluva time separating the barrel from the receiver. The S/N put it in the first year of production and one of the first 1500 MK IIs made. IT cleaned up nicely and the barrel is bright and shiny with good rifling. It keep a 1" group at 20 yds from a rest with good ammo. Me Like!

I own one of these and it can be best described as a combination Rolls Royce/VW beetle. Not only is this a super accurate pistol with the highest standards in mind, it's customizable to the point it could be hard to recognize. I absolutely LOVE mine and will be giving it a workout soon.

I own the Mark lll target. All of the Ruger Mark .22 pistols can't be beat! They are the M1 Garand of the pistol world! Thanks for the great videos brother! Thomas, Mississippi!!!

Thanks for another great review, sootch! This is a excellent pistol for learning as a new shooter. They had them at the pistol club at the university I went to, which I thought was a great choice. It's heavy but easier to keep on target, and has a nice long sighting radius.

Wow I am glad you did this reveiw. I always loved these pistols. I have one each of the mark 1 through mark 3 They are the best pistols for learning to shoot automatic.

I have this exact gun in stainless steel silver. Great gun. Accurate as can be too

I’m 13 and my dad gave me one of these for when I’m older. I shoot it al the time at the range and it’s super reliable and comfortable to hold. 9/10

I've owned a Mk. II since '84, mine is a target model with the 6 7/8 bbl. My first target gun, and very accurate. As with all the Ruger's I've owned, it's built like a tank and worth every penny I paid for it. Good video on a classic .22 pistol.

so good that you covered the Ruger mark II, thanks

What a pleasing sound.

Excellent video, thank you! I have an old Ruger Mk ii that my mom gave me after my dad passed away over 20 years ago now. It looks exactly like the one you show in video. This was his favorite trap-shooting gun and he was excellent. I have only recently become re-interested in guns (planning on getting my CC permit in a few weeks here, with my new Beretta Nano 9mm... can't wait!) after a period of almost 25 years of non-use (basically since my dad quit - I used to shoot with him) I never got the clip with the gun, so I need to find a replacement magazine, now that my husband and I want to start using the gun at a local range... I'm now going to check out your break-down video so we can get the gun properly cleaned up and in useable condition again - though it looks perfect visually, no rust or dirt, etc. I've kept it stored in a flannel-lined case in my bedroom, no dampness... All moving parts move easily, etc... (Will have my BIL check it out before we fire it... he's the current gun-expert in the family) Your video was really helpful! Do you have a favorite kind of bullet you prefer for this gun? (though it seems just about any we can get our hands on would be good... everyplace I've looked has NONE)

Nice review. That is easily my favorite pistol and I don't think it gets the recognition it deserves often enough.

Sootch00 I just bought the Government target model with 6 1/2 barrel this week at a garage sale, the gun came with an Aimtech scope mount and a Old but new looking Burris 2X scope for $250. The gun its self looks to have been fired less than a few hundred rounds.

Absolutely fantastic video. I have had the pleasure of firing one of the first Mark I's that dated to the 60's-70's and it was beautiful. I'm looking to get a pistol next, and it's a close call between another .22LR or if I go for a centerfire.

Would you be able to do a breakdown/assembly video? I took mine down once and I think I have a pretty good grasp on how to do it, but it would still be helpful to me and all the other people that struggle with their mk ii's.

I have a Mark III in stainless like this one and a Mark II Competition Target and they are by far my favorite guns to shoot. In my opinion they are the most reliable .22lr pistols on the market.

like alway s... very good review... i have 3 favorite gun reviewers on you tube... your 1 of the 3 thanks again for the information....

My father has had one of the stainless versions since I was about 13. I still love taking it out to shoot. As for reliability, no issues. Honestly, the first time the gun was fully taken down for a cleaning was about a year ago. Sure, the chamber has been wiped out, and the barrel cleaned, but it had never been taken down. I figured it was about time. It was a pain, not to get apart, but rather to reassemble. Thought I'd never get it back together.

Super fun to reassemble

I have a stainless Mark II bull barrel in 6 7/8" length that I bought it new in 1995 or so. I later added some rosewood grips I found at a gun show and their contrast with the stainless steel is striking to say the least. I used to take fence sitters out shooting with it and after a couple of hours they were hooked. A fabulous piece and a tack driver.

Love your vids... Keep up the work.

I was thinking getting rid of my because of the take down. Thanks for the review maybe I'll hold on to it.

I own one of these. Very fun gun for plinking. Saves me money when I decide to take this to the range w/ some other firearms.(I tend to put more time into this, so I end up not using the larger more expensive ammo, as much.) Super accurate, ergo, and just plain enjoyable to shoot. I highly recommend this gun.

I've never had any trouble at all tearing down or reassembling my Mk 1 or 22/45. I love my Rugers!

Good gun review. Thanks for posting it.

Ruger Rocks! I love all mine! Nice vid Sootch!!!!!!!

The first gun my grandfather handed down to me back in the late 70s was a Ruger Mark II with the tapered 4 inch barrel. Still have it today and I love to shoot it.

Great. pistol. Extremely reliable and accurate. Love my Mark 2...

i really want a Ruger Mark and Suppressor for my first gun... i love the trigger action its short pull

I have ruger mk 11,, 22 I don't know how many hundred's of rounds gone through it, it has never jammed or miss fired one time,, I bought it new and this is bad but it has never been cleaned purchased i think 1974, just found out how to take it apart , so it will be cleaned today,,, this gun is incredible in every way,, hobo,

Excellent review, much better than your recent ones!

Getting better at cleaning the Ruger MKII. The first time you take one apart, you cuss putting it back together. Some trade it soon thereafter. But once you do it a couple times it's not bad at all. Great little shooter, easy on the wallet. Had mine for about 20 years now and planning on doind a review as well for my channel. Nice job!

My best friend has a standard target model from the 60's and that old gun shoots like new and is very accurate for its age. These pistols are worth the money all the way and are built with high quality.

Great review sootch!!!

@sootch00 cant wait. its gonna be cool to watch. hope you guys have fun.

I have one just like this. Couldn't ask for a more accurate and reliable .22 pistol.

The Mark II is my favorite of the Mark series Rugers. I’ve never fired the Mark IV but I have shot and owned the Mark III, love the Mark III’s mag release hate the loaded chamber indicator, magazine disconnect, and the tapered bolt ears, the bolt on the Mark III is harder to grip and cycle than the Mark II bolt at least in the case of my Mark II Target.

Hey Sootch, I love these guns! I once had a Ruger MK I T678, which translated meant Target heavy tapered barrel that was 6 & 7/8 inches long. "Very" accurate gun. Like a fool I sold that one, so many years later I bought a stainless Ruger Competition that has a slab sided barrel. I'm going to hang on to that one. ;-) Here's another thumb up for this video.

Just yesterday I found a Mark I at my LGS for $100! Just waiting on my NICS. I’m pumped

That was a great video sootch00, I've got the MK II competition target slab side SST model and just love it. And I never have any problem's with it. You can shoot these gun's all day for just pennies on the dollar. One thing for sure is they can keep the MK III's, I'll stick with my MK II.

Everytime I watch one of your videos I get powder burns on my glasses from getting too close to the screen! Nicely done, which I had a Ruger !

I have this very pistol and I love it. It's a very nice little .22

I just have to say, if I haven't already, that this is a fantastic video. Last night I went to the gunstore to get a cleaning kit for my Jericho 941, and look at some .22LR's (I wanted a semi auto fun gun), and they had just gotten in a used Ruger Mark I Target a few days prior. Long story short, I still need a 9mm cleaning kit, but I will pick it up on Monday when I pick up my new Ruger. I will be referring to this video again for some help if I need any.

The fist gun I ever practiced and trained with, an excellent weapon.

A good video. I have one of these suckers (the standard model/tapered barrel) and I love it! I like its luger-esque look. People who talk trash about these guns jamming are either using horrible ammo or they are just making stuff up. I would trust my life to my MK II pistol's reliability.

Just bought one in 2020 still a great gun

great review as usual. Everyone I know who owns one says it's a blast to shoot.

I just bought one, waiting for it to come in the mail. sold mine a few years back .when I seen this one for sale I knew I just had to have it. missed mine since the day I sold it

I have the same one in S/S. Great pistol.

Great video. I have the mark II "great eight" 8 inch version. A little heavy but works great.

I just got one with bull barrel and 4 factory mags plus 550 rounds for 250. I can't wait to shoot it. It's my first 22 pistol.

I sort; A very very good pistol. thanks for the review

Such awesome gun!!

Sooch00. I like your details on your vids! I'm looking for your mkII cleaning vid. I goofed up and did not release the hammer, pull the triger, before I pulled the release on the back of the grip. Now what? I don't see anyone addressing this. Thanks for the vids!

any chance to get a review of the browning buckmark?

good video sootch keep up the great work

Coolest gun ever to me, I cannot wait to own one.

I love my MK ll, had it since 2002. Did you ever notice the brute force the spent shells eject with ? They fly further than any other gun I've ever shot.

Laughed out-loud at 2:30 Wonderful video. I have a growing interest in particular fire arms despite not being a heavy gun aficionado. I do however, have a heavy interest in Japan, and so when following the trail of the Nanbu/Nambu I wanted to know more about the Ruger.

Ruger MKII was the pistol I've been introduced to guns first with, this is back when I were 5-6 years old. It's the stainless steel colour version, with the reddish emblems. At over +20 years old, this pistol keeps on going flawless without jamming after at least 30 000 shots (may well be near to 50 000 shots, it's been used by my whole family). Just keep it clean and use quality ammunition and it's one of the most reliable pistols, at least out of the ones I've tried more then few times.

We have a similar Ruger. I'm not sure which Mark we have. My dad added a short red dot scope to it. It's a very fun gun to shoot.

I have the stainless with the 6.7/8 barrel that i purchased in the mid 90s, great pistol but taking it apart takes some getting used.

I came very close to buying one of these but at the last minute I was offered a super sweet Colt Model 41. I still might get the Ruger. I think it looks great in stainless.

The MKII and MKIII identical besides the loaded chamber indicator (and/or magazine disconnect)? I recall magazine differences between models, but don't recall if there were any magazine changes between the MKII and MKIII.

I just inherited a Mark II - I like this black one in this video

Very cool target popper!

love the mark ii 22 45. if I could find another I would get it

@vol009S but the Mk magazines will work with the MkII and vice versa

Is that pistol more quiet than most 22 LR pistols? It almost looks/sounds like, from your opening shot, that the barrel is suppressing some sound. I bought a used one today on a whim, not knowing much about it. It is still in the shop awaiting my state clearance to pick it up.

Look at the left hand slab,by the trigger guard, and you will notice a slight cut out (at least on mine). I found an aftermarket kit once(should have bought it), that allowed a used to have a magazine ejection lever; placed similar to other semi autos(lower back end of the trigger guard). The cut out appears to be from the factory, why they didn't advertise this magazine release option more?????

I have the MK II with the tapered barrel....good gun.

Bought mine30 years ago /never a oroblem always a joy to shoot .

Do you know where i might be able to buy one of these? i have been looking every where but havent had any luck, thanks

This pistol is based on the design of the Nambu 14.It is amazing how this pistol is good.

Great review. Even if you are a big bore fan, 22lr is surprisingly fun to shoot, and cheep too! I like the new music. Keep it! The old music kind of creeped me out lol.

I have a stainless MK.II with a 9 7/8" barrel, it's heavy but extremely accurate. Like others here it seems to eat any ammo you feed it.

I love my MKII I have a 5.5inch barrel that I got at a gun shop used in 1985 every time I go to a gun show I sometimes buy a mag or ammo or both and I am looking for another MkII with a 8 or 10 inch barrel

@sootch00 This was my first handgun about 12 years ago, and the most problems youll ever had (keeping in mind that a .22 is just naturally a dirty ammo) will be with dud .22 rounds, i.e. dead/no primer compound. It doesnt have a propensity to jam, just keeps CHUGGING, especially with CCI Mini-Mags, or any high-impulse rounds, but WILL WORK fine with bulk/promotional ammo!

Nice review. Do you recommend 22 Hi Velocity ammo or do you use Standard Velocity? Someone told me that the High Velocity will damage the gun? Can anyone clarify this for me. Thanks

by the way, I believe it's discontinued, but gemtech made a full barrel/reciever with integrated silencer all milled in one long straight tube, it's called the gemtech oasis.

Even though I'm not into 22's nice gun and great review missed the old music btw.

I have a Mk 3, not taken to the range yet. How many rounds before you need to disassemble and clean ?

I have a stainless slab side mark 2 with ruger's wood grips

Does the warning on the barrel make it more or less collectible?

@jaknife99 I thought a republic was just a form of representative democracy. Arn't they techicaly both accurate terms?

In Persona 3, the Evoker is used to summon one's Persona. The user activates it by pointing it to their own head and firing. It's based on the Ruger Mk II and has a short barrel.

you know you did a good job on a video when there are zero dislikes!

I love mine but reassembly of the mainspring housing and bolt pin is the greatest PITA you can imagine.